How a mutant coronavirus strain dominated the world: Scientists discover change to COVID-19 variant that lets it copy itself more efficiently – making it more infectious (but not more deadly) Researchers found the most dominant strain of the virus was a mutation of the original variant called G614 The G strain is not a deadlier […]
New method reveals how the Parkinson’s disease protein damages cell membranes
Sufferers of Parkinson’s disease have clumps of α-synuclein (alpha-synuclein), sometimes known as the “Parkinson’s protein,” found in the brain. These destroy cell membranes, eventually resulting in cell death. Now, a method developed at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, reveals how the composition of cell membranes seems to be a decisive factor for how small quantities […]
People with delusions understand metaphor differently – here’s how it could help explain schizophrenia
Figurative language, by which the speaker intends to communicate something other than what is actually said by the words used, is commonplace in human communication. Some claim that metaphorical expressions such as “My home has become a prison” or “My daughter is a monster” are used on average six times during every minute of conversation. […]
How ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines
Hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine candidates are currently being developed. The way emerging vaccines will be distributed to those who need them is not yet clear. The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Other countries, including India and Russia, have taken similar stances. […]
How to Avoid and Manage Dehydration and Exercise-Related Headaches
The weather’s getting warmer, which means you’re probably spending more time outside. And you may notice the extra time in the sun comes with more headaches. That’s because you may be dehydrated, which is one major factor of headaches, according to experts. In a popular Reddit AMA, four experts answered questions from the community on […]
OM85: How bacteria in a capsule could protect us from coronavirus and other respiratory infections
Scientists around the world are continuing to test countless vaccines and drugs in the hope of finding effective ways to prevent and treat COVID-19. Among the trials happening in Australia is one my team is about to begin, looking at something called OM85. OM85 is not a conventional drug, but a combination of molecules extracted […]
Dr MICHAEL MOSLEY explains how to stay one step ahead of Covid-19
Why you need to stand up EVERY half an hour if you want to start getting fit… and what coronavirus does to your body: Dr MICHAEL MOSLEY explains how to stay one step ahead of Covid-19 as lockdown eases Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19 All this week, in exclusive extracts from his new […]
Opening up US will trigger more COVID-19 cases, but disease models suggest how to avoid a second peak
According to a widely cited forecasting study, relaxed social distancing rules will lead to a two-fold increase in deaths from COVID-19. Predicting how much the mortality will increase, however, is fraught with huge uncertainties, as epidemiologists like me well know. That’s because the forecast relies on assumptions about what will happen in the future. To […]
Here’s how to prepare your body for the Warrior Diet
If you’ve done intermittent fasting and think it’s time to turbo-charge your weight loss, you might consider this to be the right time to try out the Warrior Diet. The plan takes intermittent fasting to the next level, because it stretches out the amount of time you go without food. Under this form of fasting, […]
How the first modern pandemic hit key workers first
The 1889 outbreak of influenza was first reported in the Russian city of Petropavlovsk in September of that year. Within a few weeks it had spread throughout Russia, and by early November it had appeared in most European capital cities. In mid-November it appeared in the UK, spreading rapidly in London and other large towns […]