At a time when the autoimmune diseases are rising in the world, some researchers have found western diet responsible for the trend. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The people are suffering these diseases as their immune systems can no longer identify the difference between healthy cells and invading micro-organisms. So, the defences against the diseases that once protected them are now attacking own tissues and organs. &nbsp;

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To get to the depth of the issue, an initiative was taken at London’s Francis Crick Institute by two experts, James Lee and Carola Vinuesa. They set up separate research groups to help find the causes of autoimmune diseases. &nbsp;

“As Human genetics hasn’t altered over the past few decades. So, something must be changing in the outside world in a way that is increasing our predisposition to autoimmune disease,” said Lee. &nbsp;

Vinuesa pointed to changes in the diet as nowadays many countries have adopted western-style diets. People are going for more fast food. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/women-undergoing-surgery-are-32-more-likely-to-die-if-a-man-performs-the-procedure-study-442591" hreflang="en">Women undergoing surgery are 32% more likely to die if a man performs the procedure: Study</a>

“Fast-food diets lack certain important ingredients, such as fibre, and evidence suggests this alteration affects a person’s microbiome – the collection of micro-organisms that we have in our gut and which play a key role in controlling various bodily functions,” Vinuesa said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“These changes in our microbiomes are then triggering autoimmune diseases, of which more than 100 types have now been discovered,” Vinuesa added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At a time when the autoimmune diseases are rising in the world, some researchers have found western diet responsible for the trend. The people are suffering these diseases as their immune systems can no longer identify the difference between healthy cells and invading micro-organisms.

At a time when the autoimmune diseases are rising in the world, some researchers have found western diet responsible for the trend. The people are suffering these diseases as their immune systems can no longer identify the difference between healthy cells and invading micro-organisms. So, the defences against the diseases that once protected them are now attacking own tissues and organs. Also Read: Considering bone or joint surgery? You may not need it. To get to the depth of the issue, an initiative was taken at London’s Francis Crick Institute by two experts, James Lee and Carola Vinuesa. They set up separate research groups to help find the causes of autoimmune diseases. “As Human genetics hasn’t altered over the past few decades. So, something must be changing in the outside world in a way that is increasing our predisposition to autoimmune disease,” said Lee. Vinuesa pointed to changes in the diet as nowadays many countries have adopted western-style diets. People are going for more fast food. Also Read: Women undergoing surgery are 32% more likely to die if a man performs the procedure: Study “Fast-food diets lack certain important ingredients, such as fibre, and evidence suggests this alteration affects a person’s microbiome – the collection of micro-organisms that we have in our gut and which play a key role in controlling various bodily functions,” Vinuesa said. “These changes in our microbiomes are then triggering autoimmune diseases, of which more than 100 types have now been discovered,” Vinuesa added. (With inputs from agencies)

Western diet responsible for global rise of autoimmune diseases, say researchers

In sort of a rerun of a horror flick, around two thirds of a total of 25 polar researchers in Antarctica have contracted COVID-19, a report said. &nbsp;

These researchers, who are based at Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Polar Station, were not just fully vaccinated but have also been living miles away from civilization, the Le Soir newspaper reported. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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The situation seems to be similar to the plot of John Carpenter’s 1982 horror movie ‘The Thing’. &nbsp;

Before leaving for the station in Antarctica, these experts went for PCR tests in Belgium two hours before flying to South Africa. In Cape Town, they quarantined for 10 days and took another PCR test again. &nbsp;

Before leaving for Antarctica, a further test was needed and a final one was done five days after that. &nbsp;

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Even after these multiple tests, a person tested positive for coronavirus seven days after arriving at the station. &nbsp;&nbsp;

As the individual was placed in isolation, two others had caught the virus. Even after these three left the station, the virus continued to spread. It seems to be the Omicron variant. &nbsp;

The station is not allowing any new arrivals for now. At present, there are two emergency doctors at the station. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In sort of a rerun of a horror flick, around two thirds of a total of 25 polar researchers in Antarctica have contracted COVID-19, a report said. These researchers, who are based at Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Polar Station, were not just fully vaccinated but have also been living miles away from civilization, the Le Soir newspaper reported.

In sort of a rerun of a horror flick, around two thirds of a total of 25 polar researchers in Antarctica have contracted COVID-19, a report said. These researchers, who are based at Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Polar Station, were not just fully vaccinated but have also been living miles away from civilization, the Le Soir newspaper reported. Also Read: India’s daily Covid cases rise by 22,775, Omicron tally stands at 1,431 The situation seems to be similar to the plot of John Carpenter’s 1982 horror movie ‘The Thing’. Before leaving for the station in Antarctica, these experts went for PCR tests in Belgium two hours before flying to South Africa. In Cape Town, they quarantined for 10 days and took another PCR test again. Before leaving for Antarctica, a further test was needed and a final one was done five days after that. Also Read: ‘Flurona’? Israel reports first double infection of Covid and flu Even after these multiple tests, a person tested positive for coronavirus seven days after arriving at the station. As the individual was placed in isolation, two others had caught the virus. Even after these three left the station, the virus continued to spread. It seems to be the Omicron variant. The station is not allowing any new arrivals for now. At present, there are two emergency doctors at the station. (With inputs from agencies)

A horror flick rerun? Two third researchers at Antarctica station contract Covid, says report

In what can be called a rare phenomenon, some researchers have found that leopard seals feed on sharks in New Zealand waters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It seems to be highly rare to find predators are feeding on other predators. If the researchers are to be believed, it is happening for the first time in the world. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/worlds-leggiest-creature-a-millipede-with-1306-legs-discovered-in-australia-437564" hreflang="en">World's leggiest creature, a millipede with 1,306 legs, discovered in Australia</a>

Leopard seals seem to have become a small club of marine predators, which do it. &nbsp;

Led by Krista van der Linde of leopardseals.org, the study has found remains of the sharks in the droppings of leopard seals. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The researchers also witnessed several signs of struggle with sharks on bodies of the seals. It shows the marine mammals prey on sharks and not scavenge on their remains. &nbsp;

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“We were blown away to find that sharks were on the menu,” Van der Linde said. &nbsp;

“But then we also found elephant fish and ghost sharks were also being hunted by the leopard seals. These fish have large spines to help protect them from predators and sure enough there were wounds on the leopard seals, sometimes even big spines embedded in their faces. One leopard seal had at least 14 such wounds,” added Van der Linde. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In what can be called a rare phenomenon, some researchers have found that leopard seals feed on sharks in New Zealand waters. It seems to be highly rare to find predators are feeding on other predators.

In what can be called a rare phenomenon, some researchers have found that leopard seals feed on sharks in New Zealand waters. It seems to be highly rare to find predators are feeding on other predators. If the researchers are to be believed, it is happening for the first time in the world. Also Read: World's leggiest creature, a millipede with 1,306 legs, discovered in Australia Leopard seals seem to have become a small club of marine predators, which do it. Led by Krista van der Linde of leopardseals.org, the study has found remains of the sharks in the droppings of leopard seals. The researchers also witnessed several signs of struggle with sharks on bodies of the seals. It shows the marine mammals prey on sharks and not scavenge on their remains. Also Read | Watch: No, it's not an alien! Bizarre fish with translucent head and tubular eyes spotted “We were blown away to find that sharks were on the menu,” Van der Linde said. “But then we also found elephant fish and ghost sharks were also being hunted by the leopard seals. These fish have large spines to help protect them from predators and sure enough there were wounds on the leopard seals, sometimes even big spines embedded in their faces. One leopard seal had at least 14 such wounds,” added Van der Linde. (With inputs from agencies)

In a rare finding, researchers claim leopard seals feed on sharks in New Zealand waters

When you can get a pizza in 30 minutes why should you wait for three days to identify a case of Omicron variant. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Well, now no one will have to as a team of Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a mechanism to detect Omicron variant of Covid in just 90 minutes, a report by PTI said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The researchers have actually come up with an RT-PCR based assay for the detection of the new variant, said officials. &nbsp;

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At present, it takes over three days to detect Omicron variant worldwide as it is done using next-generation sequencing-based methods. &nbsp;

The rapid screening assay has been developed by Kusuma School of Biological Sciences of the institute. The application of the patent has also been filed. It is also in the process of holding discussions with potential industry partners. &nbsp;

A senior IIT Delhi official said, "The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

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“Primer sets targeting these unique mutations in the S gene were designed for the specific amplification of either the Omicron variant or other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 and tested using real time PCR," added the official. &nbsp;

"Using synthetic DNA fragments, the assays were optimised to distinguish the wild-type from the Omicron variant in a dynamic range,” the official further said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

When you can get a pizza in 30 minutes why should you wait for three days to identify a case of Omicron variant. Well, now no one will have to as a team of Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a mechanism to detect Omicron variant of Covid in just 90 minutes, a report by PTI said.

When you can get a pizza in 30 minutes why should you wait for three days to identify a case of Omicron variant. Well, now no one will have to as a team of Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a mechanism to detect Omicron variant of Covid in just 90 minutes, a report by PTI said. The researchers have actually come up with an RT-PCR based assay for the detection of the new variant, said officials. Also Read: First case of Omicron variant gets confirmed in mainland China, say reports At present, it takes over three days to detect Omicron variant worldwide as it is done using next-generation sequencing-based methods. The rapid screening assay has been developed by Kusuma School of Biological Sciences of the institute. The application of the patent has also been filed. It is also in the process of holding discussions with potential industry partners. A senior IIT Delhi official said, "The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.” Also Read: Now, South Korea to test facial recognition tech to track Covid-19 cases “Primer sets targeting these unique mutations in the S gene were designed for the specific amplification of either the Omicron variant or other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 and tested using real time PCR," added the official. "Using synthetic DNA fragments, the assays were optimised to distinguish the wild-type from the Omicron variant in a dynamic range,” the official further said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian researchers develop test to detect Omicron variant in just 90 min

At least 300 Scientists & researchers have written an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg. They want the Meta CEO to open the company's doors to independent investigators. They want Facebook to clarify how its posts impact the mental health of teens.

300 researchers slam Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg

If the researchers are to be believed, at least one mutation in Omicron variant of COVID-19 seems to have been acquired from the common cold virus. &nbsp;

The genetic sequence in question doesn’t appear in earlier versions of the virus called SARS-CoV-2. It is, however, present in common cold virus and in human genome, said researchers. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-covid-variants-origin-linked-to-immunocompromised-people-434103" hreflang="en">Is Covid variants' origin linked to immunocompromised people?</a>

By adopting this snippet into itself, the new variant seems to be making it look itself "more human" to help it evade attack by human immune system, said Venky Soundararajan, who belongs to Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytics firm ‘nference’. Soundararajan led the study, which was posted on the website ‘OSF Preprints’ on Thursday. &nbsp;

It means the virus may transmit easily but may cause only mild or asymptomatic disease. &nbsp;&nbsp;

As per earlier studies, the cells in the lungs and gastrointestinal system can harbour coronavirus and common cold virus simultaneously. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-spreads-in-australia-as-authorities-look-to-reopen-economy-434065" hreflang="en">Omicron variant spreads in Australia as authorities look to reopen economy</a>

This co-infection can lead to viral recombination, where two different viruses in the same host cell interact to make copies. The new copies have genetic material of both "parents." &nbsp;

In the study, which has not been peer-reviewed yet, Soundararajan and colleagues said that the new mutation may have first occurred in a person, who was infected with both pathogens. It helped the version of SARS-CoV-2 pick up the genetic sequence from the other virus. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If the researchers are to be believed, at least one mutation in Omicron variant of COVID-19 seems to have been acquired from the common cold virus. The genetic sequence in question doesn’t appear in earlier versions of the virus called SARS-CoV-2.

If the researchers are to be believed, at least one mutation in Omicron variant of COVID-19 seems to have been acquired from the common cold virus. The genetic sequence in question doesn’t appear in earlier versions of the virus called SARS-CoV-2. It is, however, present in common cold virus and in human genome, said researchers. Also Read: Is Covid variants' origin linked to immunocompromised people? By adopting this snippet into itself, the new variant seems to be making it look itself "more human" to help it evade attack by human immune system, said Venky Soundararajan, who belongs to Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytics firm ‘nference’. Soundararajan led the study, which was posted on the website ‘OSF Preprints’ on Thursday. It means the virus may transmit easily but may cause only mild or asymptomatic disease. As per earlier studies, the cells in the lungs and gastrointestinal system can harbour coronavirus and common cold virus simultaneously. Also Read: Omicron variant spreads in Australia as authorities look to reopen economy This co-infection can lead to viral recombination, where two different viruses in the same host cell interact to make copies. The new copies have genetic material of both "parents." In the study, which has not been peer-reviewed yet, Soundararajan and colleagues said that the new mutation may have first occurred in a person, who was infected with both pathogens. It helped the version of SARS-CoV-2 pick up the genetic sequence from the other virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron may have acquired a mutation from common cold virus, say researchers

The battle for putting an end to the sale of cigarettes in Australia has been ensuing for a long time. &nbsp;

In the latest development, leading public health researchers have said that the governments must set a date for banning the sale of cigarettes through retailers, including supermarkets. &nbsp;

They also said that it is time to find new ways of boosting revenue without relying on tobacco excise taxes.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/invisible-killer-air-pollution-in-europe-still-kills-300000-a-year-429490" hreflang="en">'Invisible Killer': Air pollution in Europe still kills 300,000 a year</a>

This development comes as a research published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) showed on Monday that 1,466 respondents (52.8%) to a Victorian Cancer Council survey had agreed with phasing out the sale of cigarettes in retail outlets.&nbsp;

Associate prof Coral Gartner, an international expert in tobacco control policy with the University of Queensland, said, “Sometimes, the public is ahead of the policy.”&nbsp;

In a different MJA piece also published on Monday, Gartner and her colleagues wrote that it is time for governments to move beyond measures that focus on consumers, such as plain-packaging laws and tobacco-harm warnings and start focusing on supply.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huge-catch-44-million-worth-cocaine-found-in-onion-ring-cargo-at-uk-border-429524" hreflang="en">Huge catch: $44 million worth cocaine found in onion ring cargo at UK border</a>

The piece said that there is an urgent need for “ending the regulatory exceptionalism that has maintained the legal status of tobacco products as a consumer good.”&nbsp;

“Cigarettes do not meet modern consumer product safety standards,” Gartner and her colleagues said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The battle for putting an end to the sale of cigarettes in Australia has been ensuing for a long time. In the latest development, leading public health researchers have said that the governments must set a date for banning the sale of cigarettes through retailers, including supermarkets.

The battle for putting an end to the sale of cigarettes in Australia has been ensuing for a long time. In the latest development, leading public health researchers have said that the governments must set a date for banning the sale of cigarettes through retailers, including supermarkets. They also said that it is time to find new ways of boosting revenue without relying on tobacco excise taxes. Also Read: 'Invisible Killer': Air pollution in Europe still kills 300,000 a year This development comes as a research published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) showed on Monday that 1,466 respondents (52.8%) to a Victorian Cancer Council survey had agreed with phasing out the sale of cigarettes in retail outlets. Associate prof Coral Gartner, an international expert in tobacco control policy with the University of Queensland, said, “Sometimes, the public is ahead of the policy.” In a different MJA piece also published on Monday, Gartner and her colleagues wrote that it is time for governments to move beyond measures that focus on consumers, such as plain-packaging laws and tobacco-harm warnings and start focusing on supply. Also Read: Huge catch: $44 million worth cocaine found in onion ring cargo at UK border The piece said that there is an urgent need for “ending the regulatory exceptionalism that has maintained the legal status of tobacco products as a consumer good.” “Cigarettes do not meet modern consumer product safety standards,” Gartner and her colleagues said. (With inputs from agencies)

Set a date to ban cigarette sales in Australia, urge public health researchers

In recent years, social media has found numerous takers. The situation is such that almost everybody is on social media. &nbsp;

Sharing thoughts or commenting on any issue is part of an everyday affair for several people. In these messages, the character limit on the posts at online platforms, such as Twitter, seems to have been playing a dampener as it is leading to the habit of dropping punctuation from the text.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/under-attack-by-giant-hornets-bees-scream-as-rallying-call-for-defence-reveals-study-428901" hreflang="en">Under attack by giant hornets, bees scream as rallying call for defence, reveals study&nbsp;</a>

Some forms of punctuation may go out of fashion in some time due to this issue. The researchers feel the same and have suggested that the apostrophe may die out because of the problem of sloppy grammar on social media. &nbsp;

The study was carried out on how speech and writing has evolved since the spread of technology in the 1990s.&nbsp;

The researchers looked at over 100 million words to analyse the trends. They found that casual and ungrammatical language has become more prevalent in 30 years.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/groundbreaking-uk-scientists-come-up-with-vaccine-therapy-that-could-prevent-alzheimers-disease-429476" hreflang="en">'Groundbreaking': UK scientists come up with vaccine therapy that could prevent Alzheimer’s disease</a>

Dr Vaclav Brezina of Lancaster University, who led the study, said, "We have experienced dramatic changes in technology, which transformed the way we communicate.”&nbsp;

The study looked at British English in blogs, fiction, newspapers, TV shows and academic writing. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In recent years, social media has found numerous takers. The situation is such that almost everybody is on social media. Sharing thoughts or commenting on any issue is part of an everyday affair for several people.

In recent years, social media has found numerous takers. The situation is such that almost everybody is on social media. Sharing thoughts or commenting on any issue is part of an everyday affair for several people. In these messages, the character limit on the posts at online platforms, such as Twitter, seems to have been playing a dampener as it is leading to the habit of dropping punctuation from the text. Also Read: Under attack by giant hornets, bees scream as rallying call for defence, reveals study Some forms of punctuation may go out of fashion in some time due to this issue. The researchers feel the same and have suggested that the apostrophe may die out because of the problem of sloppy grammar on social media. The study was carried out on how speech and writing has evolved since the spread of technology in the 1990s. The researchers looked at over 100 million words to analyse the trends. They found that casual and ungrammatical language has become more prevalent in 30 years. Also Read: 'Groundbreaking': UK scientists come up with vaccine therapy that could prevent Alzheimer’s disease Dr Vaclav Brezina of Lancaster University, who led the study, said, "We have experienced dramatic changes in technology, which transformed the way we communicate.” The study looked at British English in blogs, fiction, newspapers, TV shows and academic writing. (With inputs from agencies)

Social media may lead to demise of apostrophe, suggest researchers

COVID-19 is expected to transition to an endemic disease in 2022 and beyond. As the Delta variant surge eases in many regions around the world, scientists have begun charting the virus's transition from a pandemic to an endemic.

According to scientists, the first countries to emerge from the pandemic will likely have combined high vaccination rates with natural immunity among those who had previously contracted Coronavirus.&nbsp;

They predict that countries like the United States, the UK, Portugal, and India will be the first to recover from the pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-origins-china-says-us-report-without-credibility-intelligence-services-known-for-fraud-and-deception-426094" hreflang="en">Covid origins: China says US report without credibility, intelligence services known for 'fraud and deception'</a>

However, researchers warn that SARS-CoV-2 is an unpredictable virus that is constantly evolving as it spreads among unvaccinated populations. The possibility of the virus mutating to such an extent that it surpasses hard-won immunity has not been completely ruled out, and there is still the risk of a "doomsday scenario".

They have, however, expressed increasing confidence that many countries will have put the worst of the pandemic behind them in the coming year.

"We think between now and the&nbsp;end&nbsp;of 2022, this is the point where we get control over this virus...where we can significantly reduce severe disease and death," Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist leading the World Health Organization's (WHO)&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;response.

The agency's assessment is based on the work of disease experts who are determining the likely course of the pandemic over the next 18 months.&nbsp;The WHO aims to have 70% of the world's population vaccinated by the end of 2022.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccine-for-children-us-gives-final-nod-to-pfizer-jabs-for-5-11-age-group-426324" hreflang="en">COVID-19 vaccine for children: US gives final nod to Pfizer jabs for 5-11 age group</a>

&nbsp;"If we reach that target, we will be in a very, very different situation epidemiologically," says Van Kerkhove.

Meanwhile, she expressed concern over countries lifting COVID precautions prematurely. "It's amazing to me to be seeing, you know, people out on the streets, as if everything is over."

"Endemic does not mean benign," she added.

The WHO reported on Oct. 26 that COVID-19 cases and deaths are declining in nearly every region of the world since August.

A notable exception is Europe, where the Delta variant has caused havoc in countries like Russia and Romania with low vaccination rates as well as places that have liberalized mask requirements.&nbsp;

In addition, the variant continues to contribute to the rising number of infections in countries such as Singapore and China, which have high vaccination rates but little natural immunity because of much stricter lockdown measures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-may-never-know-how-covid-19-originated-say-us-intelligence-officials-425224" hreflang="en">We may never know how COVID-19 originated, say US intelligence officials</a>

However, it appears that vaccines are keeping people from hospitalisation, even in countries like the UK where cases are on the rise following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

As with other endemic diseases such as malaria, COVID-19 is expected to continue contributing to illness and death for many years to come.

Experts predict that the virus will eventually behave like measles, which still causes outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates.

Some see COVID-19 as behaving more like a seasonal respiratory infection like influenza. Others believe it could become a less-lethal virus, affecting mostly children, but that could take decades.

Trevor Bedford, a computational virologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center who has been tracking the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, sees a milder winter wave in the United States followed by a transition to&nbsp;endemic disease in 2022-2023. He is projecting 50,000 to 100,000 U.S.&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;deaths a year, on top of an estimated 30,000 annual deaths from flu.

The virus will likely continue to mutate, requiring annual booster shots tailored to the latest circulating variants, Bedford said.

Watch |&nbsp;New locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases spike to three-month high in China

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-locally-transmitted-covid-19-cases-spike-to-three-month-high-in-china-426367/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Richard Hatchett, the CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, says that the world remains vulnerable since some countries have good vaccine programs and others have almost none.

&nbsp;"What keeps me up at night about&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;is the concern that we could have a variant emerge that evades our vaccines and evades immunity from prior infection,” Hatchett said.

“That would be like a&nbsp;new&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;emerging even while we're still in the old one."&nbsp;

COVID-19 is expected to transition to an endemic disease in 2022 and beyond. As the Delta variant surge eases in many regions around the world, scientists have begun charting the virus's transition from a pandemic to an endemic.

COVID-19 is expected to transition to an endemic disease in 2022 and beyond. As the Delta variant surge eases in many regions around the world, scientists have begun charting the virus's transition from a pandemic to an endemic. According to scientists, the first countries to emerge from the pandemic will likely have combined high vaccination rates with natural immunity among those who had previously contracted Coronavirus. They predict that countries like the United States, the UK, Portugal, and India will be the first to recover from the pandemic. Also read | Covid origins: China says US report without credibility, intelligence services known for 'fraud and deception' However, researchers warn that SARS-CoV-2 is an unpredictable virus that is constantly evolving as it spreads among unvaccinated populations. The possibility of the virus mutating to such an extent that it surpasses hard-won immunity has not been completely ruled out, and there is still the risk of a "doomsday scenario". They have, however, expressed increasing confidence that many countries will have put the worst of the pandemic behind them in the coming year. "We think between now and the end of 2022, this is the point where we get control over this virus...where we can significantly reduce severe disease and death," Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist leading the World Health Organization's (WHO) COVID-19 response. The agency's assessment is based on the work of disease experts who are determining the likely course of the pandemic over the next 18 months. The WHO aims to have 70% of the world's population vaccinated by the end of 2022. Also read | COVID-19 vaccine for children: US gives final nod to Pfizer jabs for 5-11 age group "If we reach that target, we will be in a very, very different situation epidemiologically," says Van Kerkhove. Meanwhile, she expressed concern over countries lifting COVID precautions prematurely. "It's amazing to me to be seeing, you know, people out on the streets, as if everything is over." "Endemic does not mean benign," she added. The WHO reported on Oct. 26 that COVID-19 cases and deaths are declining in nearly every region of the world since August. A notable exception is Europe, where the Delta variant has caused havoc in countries like Russia and Romania with low vaccination rates as well as places that have liberalized mask requirements. In addition, the variant continues to contribute to the rising number of infections in countries such as Singapore and China, which have high vaccination rates but little natural immunity because of much stricter lockdown measures. Also read | We may never know how COVID-19 originated, say US intelligence officials However, it appears that vaccines are keeping people from hospitalisation, even in countries like the UK where cases are on the rise following the lifting of pandemic restrictions. As with other endemic diseases such as malaria, COVID-19 is expected to continue contributing to illness and death for many years to come. Experts predict that the virus will eventually behave like measles, which still causes outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates. Some see COVID-19 as behaving more like a seasonal respiratory infection like influenza. Others believe it could become a less-lethal virus, affecting mostly children, but that could take decades. Trevor Bedford, a computational virologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center who has been tracking the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, sees a milder winter wave in the United States followed by a transition to endemic disease in 2022-2023. He is projecting 50,000 to 100,000 U.S. COVID-19 deaths a year, on top of an estimated 30,000 annual deaths from flu. The virus will likely continue to mutate, requiring annual booster shots tailored to the latest circulating variants, Bedford said. Watch | New locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases spike to three-month high in China Richard Hatchett, the CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, says that the world remains vulnerable since some countries have good vaccine programs and others have almost none. "What keeps me up at night about COVID is the concern that we could have a variant emerge that evades our vaccines and evades immunity from prior infection,” Hatchett said. “That would be like a new COVID pandemic emerging even while we're still in the old one."

Is a new Covid pandemic emerging or is it an endemic now? Experts answer

Italian researchers are conducting climate experiments. Data is being recorded through video cameras. This is being done to train people on extreme climate events.

Italian researchers conduct climate experiments

Hitting 62.8tn figures using a supercomputer,&nbsp;researchers&nbsp;from Switzerland&nbsp;have calculated the mathematical constant&nbsp;‘pi’&nbsp;to a new world-record level of exactitude.&nbsp;

In a statement,&nbsp;Graubuenden&nbsp;University of Applied Sciences said,&nbsp;“The calculation took 108 days and nine hours.”&nbsp;

According to the university’s Centre for Data Analytics,&nbsp;Visualisation&nbsp;and Simulation, the&nbsp;efforts were “almost twice as fast as the record Google set using its cloud in 2019, and 3.5 times as fast as the previous world record in 2020.”&nbsp;

These researchers&nbsp;are&nbsp;waiting for the Guinness Book of Records to certify the feat. Until then,&nbsp;these experts&nbsp;have&nbsp;revealed only the final 10 digits calculated for pi. These are&nbsp;7817924264.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;the previous world&nbsp;record,&nbsp;pi’s&nbsp;calculation&nbsp;was&nbsp;achieved&nbsp;till&nbsp;50tn figures.&nbsp;

The constant&nbsp;Pi represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, with an infinite number of digits following the decimal point.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, the researchers continue to push calculations for the constant,&nbsp;whose first 10 figures are 3.141592653,&nbsp;further&nbsp;with the help of&nbsp;computers.&nbsp;

As per the&nbsp;Swiss team,&nbsp;the experience they built calculating pi could be applied in other areas,&nbsp;such as “RNA analysis, simulations of fluid dynamics and textual analysis.”&nbsp;

Hitting 62.8tn figures using a supercomputer, researchers from Switzerland have calculated the mathematical constant ‘pi’ to a new world-record level of exactitude.

Hitting 62.8tn figures using a supercomputer, researchers from Switzerland have calculated the mathematical constant ‘pi’ to a new world-record level of exactitude. In a statement, Graubuenden University of Applied Sciences said, “The calculation took 108 days and nine hours.” According to the university’s Centre for Data Analytics, Visualisation and Simulation, the efforts were “almost twice as fast as the record Google set using its cloud in 2019, and 3.5 times as fast as the previous world record in 2020.” These researchers are waiting for the Guinness Book of Records to certify the feat. Until then, these experts have revealed only the final 10 digits calculated for pi. These are 7817924264. In the previous world record, pi’s calculation was achieved till 50tn figures. The constant Pi represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, with an infinite number of digits following the decimal point. Nevertheless, the researchers continue to push calculations for the constant, whose first 10 figures are 3.141592653, further with the help of computers. As per the Swiss team, the experience they built calculating pi could be applied in other areas, such as “RNA analysis, simulations of fluid dynamics and textual analysis.”

Researchers calculate constant pi to a new record 62.8tn figures

Cancer charities and the NHS in the UK are looking forward to investigating whether a cannabis-based mouth spray can treat brain tumours and help the patients.

The drug, already used in treating multiple sclerosis, was found to be tolerable in combination with chemotherapy, with the potential to extend survival, in phase I trial in glioblastomas earlier this year.

"The new three-year phase II trial (ARISTOCRAT), funded by The Brain Tumour Charity and co-ordinated by the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham, is due to begin recruiting more than 230 patients across all UK nations in early 2022, subject to sufficient funds being raised", read the news release by Leeds University.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/reforestation-might-threaten-global-security-warns-oxfam-402682">Also read |&nbsp;Reforestation might threaten global security, warns Oxfam</a>

Professor Susan Short, the principle investigator on the new trial and Professor of Clinical Oncology and Neuro-Oncology at Leeds said, "The treatment of glioblastomas remains extremely challenging. Even with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, nearly all of these brain tumours re-grow within a year, and unfortunately there are very few options for patients once this occurs".

She added, “Glioblastoma brain tumours have been shown to have receptors to cannabinoids on their cell surfaces, and laboratory studies on glioblastoma cells have shown these drugs may slow tumour growth and work particularly well when used with temozolomide".

Cancer charities and the NHS in the UK are looking forward to investigating whether a cannabis-based mouth spray can treat brain tumours and help the patients. The drug, already used in treating multiple sclerosis, was found to be tolerable in combination with chemotherapy, with the potential to extend survival, in phase I trial in glioblastomas earlier this year.

Cancer charities and the NHS in the UK are looking forward to investigating whether a cannabis-based mouth spray can treat brain tumours and help the patients. The drug, already used in treating multiple sclerosis, was found to be tolerable in combination with chemotherapy, with the potential to extend survival, in phase I trial in glioblastomas earlier this year. "The new three-year phase II trial (ARISTOCRAT), funded by The Brain Tumour Charity and co-ordinated by the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham, is due to begin recruiting more than 230 patients across all UK nations in early 2022, subject to sufficient funds being raised", read the news release by Leeds University. Also read | Reforestation might threaten global security, warns Oxfam Professor Susan Short, the principle investigator on the new trial and Professor of Clinical Oncology and Neuro-Oncology at Leeds said, "The treatment of glioblastomas remains extremely challenging. Even with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, nearly all of these brain tumours re-grow within a year, and unfortunately there are very few options for patients once this occurs". She added, “Glioblastoma brain tumours have been shown to have receptors to cannabinoids on their cell surfaces, and laboratory studies on glioblastoma cells have shown these drugs may slow tumour growth and work particularly well when used with temozolomide".

Researchers to test if cannabis-based mouth spray can treat brain tumours

Researchers at Germany’s Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry have developed antibodies that they claim to be “highly potent and stable” and can effectively block SARS CoV-2, the virus which causes the coronavirus disease.

The antibodies were developed from the blood of alpacas.&nbsp;

Alapacas are a mammal found in South America.

As a part of the study, the team immunised three alpacas with parts of the coronavirus spike protein.&nbsp;

The animals then produced antibodies, while scientists also extracted a small sample of blood from them.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pfizer-astrazeneca-vaccine-antibody-levels-may-decline-after-2-3-months-lancet-study-400925">Also read |&nbsp;Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccine antibody levels may decline after 2-3 months: Lancet study</a>

After this, the team used bacteriophages to select the best antibodies from an initially vast pool.&nbsp;

These were then tested for efficacy against SARS CoV-2 and accordingly modified.

Dirk Gorlich, director at MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, said, "For the first time, these antibodies combine extreme stability and outstanding efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma".

The study also highlighted that these nanobodies are “1000 times better” than previously developed antibodies. Also, these nanobodies can be produced at low costs and in large quantities could be a solution to the global demand for COVID-19 therapeutics.

Researchers at Germany’s Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry have developed antibodies that they claim to be “highly potent and stable” and can effectively block SARS CoV-2, the virus which causes the coronavirus disease.

Researchers at Germany’s Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry have developed antibodies that they claim to be “highly potent and stable” and can effectively block SARS CoV-2, the virus which causes the coronavirus disease. The antibodies were developed from the blood of alpacas. Alapacas are a mammal found in South America. As a part of the study, the team immunised three alpacas with parts of the coronavirus spike protein. The animals then produced antibodies, while scientists also extracted a small sample of blood from them. Also read | Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccine antibody levels may decline after 2-3 months: Lancet study After this, the team used bacteriophages to select the best antibodies from an initially vast pool. These were then tested for efficacy against SARS CoV-2 and accordingly modified. Dirk Gorlich, director at MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, said, "For the first time, these antibodies combine extreme stability and outstanding efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma". The study also highlighted that these nanobodies are “1000 times better” than previously developed antibodies. Also, these nanobodies can be produced at low costs and in large quantities could be a solution to the global demand for COVID-19 therapeutics.

Researchers develop antibodies for neutralising SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid

For the first time, scientists have clearly identified a ring of gas and dust circling a planet outside our solar system -- a discovery that could help reveal how planets and moons are formed, a study showed Thursday.

The disc surrounds an exoplanet dubbed PDS 70c, one of two gas giants similar in size and mass to Jupiter that orbit the star PDS 70, nearly 400 light years from our solar system.

Astronomers from the European Southern Observatory discovered PDS 70c in 2019 using their Very Large Telescope. &nbsp;

Those observations combined with high-resolution images from the ALMA telescope, also in Chile, allowed them to conclude that PDS 70c's disk holds material that will allow moons to form around the planet, said the study, published in&nbsp;The&nbsp;Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Astronomers have known since 2006 that the star PDS 70 is surrounded by a very large ring of material but limitations on the observational equipment only allowed them to guess at the presence of a planet between the star and the ring.&nbsp;

"Our ALMA observations were obtained at such exquisite resolution that we could clearly identify that the disc is associated with the planet, and we are able to constrain its size for the first time,"&nbsp;the study's lead author Myriam Benisty said in a press release.

Both planets discovered in the system hold major interest for researchers because they belong to a young star system.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-space-telescope-captures-images-of-two-unusual-galaxies-399481">Also read |&nbsp;NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures images of two unusual galaxies</a>

The star PDS 70 is 5.4 million years old -- a spring chicken compared to our Sun, which has been around for 4.6 billion years.

Miriam Keppler, a researcher at the Max Planck institute and study co-author, discovered PDS 70b in 2018.

"More than 4,000 exoplanets" -- planets outside our solar system -- "have been found until now, but all of them were detected in mature systems," she said in the press release.

"PDS 70b and PDS 70c, which form a system reminiscent of the Jupiter-Saturn pair, are the only two exoplanets detected so far that are still in the process of being formed."

The material surrounding PDS 70c is enough to form our&nbsp;moon&nbsp;three times over. Jupiter, which is a much older planet, has four moons and dozens of smaller satellites.

For the first time, scientists have clearly identified a ring of gas and dust circling a planet outside our solar system -- a discovery that could help reveal how planets and moons are formed, a study showed Thursday.

For the first time, scientists have clearly identified a ring of gas and dust circling a planet outside our solar system -- a discovery that could help reveal how planets and moons are formed, a study showed Thursday. The disc surrounds an exoplanet dubbed PDS 70c, one of two gas giants similar in size and mass to Jupiter that orbit the star PDS 70, nearly 400 light years from our solar system. Astronomers from the European Southern Observatory discovered PDS 70c in 2019 using their Very Large Telescope. Those observations combined with high-resolution images from the ALMA telescope, also in Chile, allowed them to conclude that PDS 70c's disk holds material that will allow moons to form around the planet, said the study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Astronomers have known since 2006 that the star PDS 70 is surrounded by a very large ring of material but limitations on the observational equipment only allowed them to guess at the presence of a planet between the star and the ring. "Our ALMA observations were obtained at such exquisite resolution that we could clearly identify that the disc is associated with the planet, and we are able to constrain its size for the first time," the study's lead author Myriam Benisty said in a press release. Both planets discovered in the system hold major interest for researchers because they belong to a young star system. Also read | NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures images of two unusual galaxies The star PDS 70 is 5.4 million years old -- a spring chicken compared to our Sun, which has been around for 4.6 billion years. Miriam Keppler, a researcher at the Max Planck institute and study co-author, discovered PDS 70b in 2018. "More than 4,000 exoplanets" -- planets outside our solar system -- "have been found until now, but all of them were detected in mature systems," she said in the press release. "PDS 70b and PDS 70c, which form a system reminiscent of the Jupiter-Saturn pair, are the only two exoplanets detected so far that are still in the process of being formed." The material surrounding PDS 70c is enough to form our moon three times over. Jupiter, which is a much older planet, has four moons and dozens of smaller satellites.

Researchers detect first 'moon-forming' disc surrounding exoplanet

According to a study, the earliest roots of cannabis may have been stemmed from northwestern China and not South Asia as it was commonly believed earlier.&nbsp;

The cannabis sativa species is likely to be emerged in the region during Neolithic era (10,000-3,000 BC), the researchers said on Friday in a news release by the journal ‘Science Advances’, where the study was published. The 'much beloved and maligned plant' is widely used as a recreational drug. &nbsp;

One of the first plants domesticated by humans, cannabis has a long history of being utilised in textiles, food, etc, the study said. Nowadays, several nations are mulling over legalising marijuana use. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A team led by researchers in Switzerland and China compiled around 110 whole genomes in order to trace the origins of cannabis. It covered a spectrum of different wild-growing feral plants, domesticated varieties and modern hybrids of hemp and psychoactive forms of the plant with higher levels of the compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a recent study from the US National Institutes of Health has found that cannabis is linked with a higher probability of youngsters thinking about suicide.&nbsp;

The study published in the journal JAMA Network Open on Tuesday collected data of more than 281,000 people aged 18 to 34. These participants answered questions related to cannabis use or disorder, major depressive episodes and suicidality, which include suicidal ideation, plans or attempts in the last year.&nbsp;

Participants who have been unable to control cannabis use, used cannabis for a longer period than thought, and stopped important tasks because of cannabis, among others are kept under the category of cannabis use disorder.&nbsp;

In fact, people who claimed they didn't consume cannabis every day, or fewer than 300 days per year, "were more likely to have suicidal ideation and to plan or attempt suicide than those who did not use the drug at all," the researchers noted.&nbsp;

According to a study, the earliest roots of cannabis may have been stemmed from northwestern China and not South Asia as it was commonly believed earlier. The cannabis sativa species is likely to be emerged in the region during Neolithic era (10,000-3,000 BC), the researchers said on Friday in a news release by the journal ‘Science Advances’, where the study was published.

According to a study, the earliest roots of cannabis may have been stemmed from northwestern China and not South Asia as it was commonly believed earlier. The cannabis sativa species is likely to be emerged in the region during Neolithic era (10,000-3,000 BC), the researchers said on Friday in a news release by the journal ‘Science Advances’, where the study was published. The 'much beloved and maligned plant' is widely used as a recreational drug. One of the first plants domesticated by humans, cannabis has a long history of being utilised in textiles, food, etc, the study said. Nowadays, several nations are mulling over legalising marijuana use. A team led by researchers in Switzerland and China compiled around 110 whole genomes in order to trace the origins of cannabis. It covered a spectrum of different wild-growing feral plants, domesticated varieties and modern hybrids of hemp and psychoactive forms of the plant with higher levels of the compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Meanwhile, a recent study from the US National Institutes of Health has found that cannabis is linked with a higher probability of youngsters thinking about suicide. The study published in the journal JAMA Network Open on Tuesday collected data of more than 281,000 people aged 18 to 34. These participants answered questions related to cannabis use or disorder, major depressive episodes and suicidality, which include suicidal ideation, plans or attempts in the last year. Participants who have been unable to control cannabis use, used cannabis for a longer period than thought, and stopped important tasks because of cannabis, among others are kept under the category of cannabis use disorder. In fact, people who claimed they didn't consume cannabis every day, or fewer than 300 days per year, "were more likely to have suicidal ideation and to plan or attempt suicide than those who did not use the drug at all," the researchers noted.

Cannabis may have originated in China: Study  

A recent study has revealed that rising temperatures, reduced snowfall and increased rain might shut Yellowstone Park's most famous geyser. The Greater Yellowstone Area is among the world’s last intact temperate ecosystems.

A recent study has revealed that rising temperatures, reduced snowfall and increased rain might shut Yellowstone Park's most famous geyser. The Greater Yellowstone Area is among the world’s last intact temperate ecosystems. It includes two national parks, five national forests, half a dozen tribal nations and stunning biodiversity. Also, it is a supervolcano that is home to 10,000 hydrothermal features, including 500 geysers. If the temperatures at Yellowstone rise 10F by the end of the century, as predicted, this vast ecosystem will be disrupted. The geyser will almost shut off completely, and the snowpack that feeds rivers throughout the west may disappear. This is not the first problem that such a problem is being witnessed. About 800 years ago, extreme heat and drought made the geyser come to a complete standstill for decades. This shift changed everything from what plant species grew in the area to what the land looked like. Also Read | Scientists believe they have discovered Alaska’s Yellowstone ‘super volcano’ Researchers are now trying to use the park’s recent past as a 'climate roadmap'. This will help them to predict what might happen next. However, reading the map will not be easy or clean. In 2018, Chris Schiller, a post-doctoral research associate at Montana State University, ventured out to find out what made one lake in the geyser basin go from thermal to freshwater centuries ago. In the lab, Schiller’s team discovered evidence of fire, drought and temperature shifts in the sediment. The research helps in filling in the gaps in prehistoric climate and vegetation. These are all indicators of how this land has changed. As per a recent Yellowstone climate assessment, in recent decades, the average temperature in the park has been as high or higher than in any period in the last 20,000 years. Also, this could be the warmest of the last 800,000 years.

Yellowstone’s most famous geyser could shut down, reveals study

A team of scientists have discovered a tiny beetle in fossilised droppings of the Silesaurus opolensis - a lizard-like creature related to the dinosaurs. It was discovered when the scientists were scanning the inside of the poo, using special technology, to find more about what the animal ate when they discovered the special beetle.

A team of scientists have discovered a tiny beetle in fossilised droppings of the Silesaurus opolensis - a lizard-like creature related to the dinosaurs. It was discovered when the scientists were scanning the inside of the poo, using special technology, to find more about what the animal ate when they discovered the special beetle. It was small, had a beak, weighed around 15kg and lived in what is now the country of Poland around 230 million years ago. Martin Qvarnstrom, from Uppsala University in Sweden, also one of the scientists behind the discovery, was quoted by BBC saying that, "We were absolutely amazed by the abundance and fantastic preservation of the beetles in the coprolite fragment". He added, "There are heaps of things you can study based on fossilised droppings". Also Read | New dinosaur species discovered in Australia declared the continent's largest As per researchers, the beetle was too small to have been the only prey for ancient lizards. Therefore, it has been concluded that it may have been swallowed alongside larger beetles. However, the remains of those insects did not end up in droppings in a recognisable shape. Usually, creatures like it would be preserved in amber instead but this beetle is really well preserved inside the droppings with its legs and antennae fully intact. Meanwhile, earlier in June, a huge dinosaur discovered in “the Land Down Under” was identified as a new species by palaeontologists. The dinosaur, newly named as “Australotitan cooperensis” roamed the Earth about 100 million years ago and constituted the “titanosaur” family. The first description of the species comes 15 years after its bones were uncovered in the country. Palaeontologists estimate that the species was 5-6.5 metres (16-21 feet) high and possessed a length of 25-30 metres (82-98 feet), making it the largest dinosaurs species found on the continent. "Based on the preserved limb size comparisons, this new titanosaur is estimated to be in the top five largest in the world," Robyn Mackenzie, a director of the Eromanga Natural History Museum was quoted as saying by AFP

Beetle discovered in 230 million-year-old lizard poo, reveal researchers

In a recent development, Chinese researchers have unveiled an 'ancient skull' that could belong to a completely new species of human. The team claims that it is their 'closest evolutionary relative' among known species of ancient humans, such as Neanderthals and Homo erectus.

In a recent development, Chinese researchers have unveiled an 'ancient skull' that could belong to a completely new species of human. The team claims that it is their 'closest evolutionary relative' among known species of ancient humans, such as Neanderthals and Homo erectus. The species is nicknamed 'Dragon Man' and it represents a human group that lived in East Asia around 146,000 years ago. Found at Harbin, north-east China, in 1933, the species only gained the attention of scientists recently. Prof Chris Stringer from London's Natural History Museum, who is one of the UK's leading experts in human evolution, and also a member of the research team was quoted by BBC saying that, "In terms of fossils in the last million years, this is one of the most important yet discovered". He added, "What you have here is a separate branch of humanity that is not on its way to becoming Homo sapiens (our species), but represents a long-separate lineage which evolved in the region for several hundred thousand years and eventually went extinct". Also Read | Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death As per the researchers, the recent discovery can rewrite the story of human evolution. Also, this analysis suggests that it is more closely related to Homo sapiens as compared to Neanderthals. The skull of the species is huge compared with the average skulls belonging to other human species and its brain was comparable in size to those from our species. Also, the species had large, almost square eye sockets, thick brow ridges, a wide mouth, and oversized teeth. Xijun Ni, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hebei GEO University in Shijiazhuang was quoted by BBC saying that "We found our long-lost sister lineage". He further added, "I said 'oh my gosh!' I could not believe that it was so well preserved, you can see all the details. It is a really amazing find!".

Researchers unveil ancient skull nicknamed as 'Dragon Man'

The animosity between the US and China is at an all-time high. The United States in particular has targetted China and Chinese nationals on several accounts. One of the accusations is that the Chinese researchers working in the US have hidden links to the Chinese military.

US acts tough on China: Clamps down on Chinese researchers

Nearly three hundred scientists gathered in a global program for the planet are trying to promote a "big bang" of women in science, in order to motivate more girls to take an interest in this field and advance in the struggle for equality and visibility.

Data presented by the United Nations on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 reveal that, despite the international effort over the past 15 years to promote women's participation in science, they continue to face barriers.

"When I was pregnant they did not renew my temporary contract and many potential employers told me that I was not suitable for fieldwork or that because I had to take care of my family I would not meet the deadlines," explains Australian Beth Strain after returning from a trip to Antarctica under the women's leadership program Homeward Bound, in which EFE also participated.

"I submitted hundreds of job applications and spent approximately two years looking for work as a researcher," added the marine biologist, who is currently a lecturer at the University of Melbourne and a driving force for green development in her country.

Strain's experience is shared by many of the nearly 300 engineers, doctors, astronomers, biologists and mathematicians in the global Homeward Bound program, who nonetheless see it possible to overcome obstacles with three objectives: becoming visible, working together and impacting the world.

"I still remember the first conference I attended: I almost ran out, seeing only old men in the same dark suits," says Danish Mette Hoe, a leader in the transition to electric transport in her country.

"But, on closer inspection, I discovered that the key to them was networking. I focused on it, I made mistakes like almost everyone else, but I improved, and today strategic networking is a central skill in my leadership role," the 45-year-old expert explains.

The main objective of the Homeward Bound program, of which these scientists are part, is to create a network of 1,000 women of different ages and nationalities within ten years, in order to address the low representation of women in leadership positions and in the same field of science.

According to the UN, " at present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 - 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)fields in higher education."

"I've never doubted the potential of women in science, but we've been losing that potential inside a leaking pipeline, where the higher the academic level, the fewer women we find," says Daisy Hessenberger, a 29-year-old Austrian geneticist and passionate member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

That dropout, according to engineers Kristen Howard and Kelsie Clarke, can be attributed to factors such as job bias, in which a man is more likely to be hired than a woman; the gender pay gap, which increases with age, race or disability; or the difficulty of being both a scientist and a mother.

In line with the goals of Homeward Bound, which already includes scientists from some thirty nationalities, including Spanish and Latin American, the UN is promoting this year's campaign "Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth."

The theme is part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, in which it has been stressed that future work will be driven by technology and innovation and if inequality in the field of STEM is maintained, the overall gender gap is likely to widen.

Homeward Bound, a 12-month program created by Australian Fabian Dattner and whose annual ending has taken place in Antarctica with the support of Spanish firm Acciona, provides participants with tools to improve their leadership style.

Nearly three hundred scientists gathered in a global program for the planet are trying to promote a "big bang" of women in science, in order to motivate more girls to take an interest in this field and advance in the struggle for equality and visibility.

Nearly three hundred scientists gathered in a global program for the planet are trying to promote a "big bang" of women in science, in order to motivate more girls to take an interest in this field and advance in the struggle for equality and visibility. Data presented by the United Nations on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 reveal that, despite the international effort over the past 15 years to promote women's participation in science, they continue to face barriers. "When I was pregnant they did not renew my temporary contract and many potential employers told me that I was not suitable for fieldwork or that because I had to take care of my family I would not meet the deadlines," explains Australian Beth Strain after returning from a trip to Antarctica under the women's leadership program Homeward Bound, in which EFE also participated. "I submitted hundreds of job applications and spent approximately two years looking for work as a researcher," added the marine biologist, who is currently a lecturer at the University of Melbourne and a driving force for green development in her country. Strain's experience is shared by many of the nearly 300 engineers, doctors, astronomers, biologists and mathematicians in the global Homeward Bound program, who nonetheless see it possible to overcome obstacles with three objectives: becoming visible, working together and impacting the world. "I still remember the first conference I attended: I almost ran out, seeing only old men in the same dark suits," says Danish Mette Hoe, a leader in the transition to electric transport in her country. "But, on closer inspection, I discovered that the key to them was networking. I focused on it, I made mistakes like almost everyone else, but I improved, and today strategic networking is a central skill in my leadership role," the 45-year-old expert explains. The main objective of the Homeward Bound program, of which these scientists are part, is to create a network of 1,000 women of different ages and nationalities within ten years, in order to address the low representation of women in leadership positions and in the same field of science. According to the UN, " at present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 - 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)fields in higher education." "I've never doubted the potential of women in science, but we've been losing that potential inside a leaking pipeline, where the higher the academic level, the fewer women we find," says Daisy Hessenberger, a 29-year-old Austrian geneticist and passionate member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). That dropout, according to engineers Kristen Howard and Kelsie Clarke, can be attributed to factors such as job bias, in which a man is more likely to be hired than a woman; the gender pay gap, which increases with age, race or disability; or the difficulty of being both a scientist and a mother. In line with the goals of Homeward Bound, which already includes scientists from some thirty nationalities, including Spanish and Latin American, the UN is promoting this year's campaign "Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth." The theme is part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, in which it has been stressed that future work will be driven by technology and innovation and if inequality in the field of STEM is maintained, the overall gender gap is likely to widen. Homeward Bound, a 12-month program created by Australian Fabian Dattner and whose annual ending has taken place in Antarctica with the support of Spanish firm Acciona, provides participants with tools to improve their leadership style.

Women from all over the world promote a female 'big bang' in science

Coral bred in one part of the Great Barrier Reef was successfully transplanted into another area, Australian scientists said Sunday, in a project they hope could restore damaged ecosystems around the world.

In a trial at the reef&#39;s Heron Island off Australia&#39;s east coast, the researchers collected a large amount of coral spawn and eggs late last year, grew them into larvae and then transplanted them into areas of the damaged reef.

When they returned eight months later, they found juvenile coral that had survived and grown, aided by underwater mesh tanks.

&quot;The success of this new research not only applies to the Great Barrier Reef but has potential global significance,&quot; lead researcher Peter Harrison of Southern Cross University said.

&quot;It shows we can start to restore and repair damaged coral populations where the natural supply of coral larvae has been compromised.&quot;

Harrison said his mass larval-restoration approach contrasts with the current &quot;coral gardening&quot; method of breaking up healthy coral and sticking healthy branches on reefs in the hope they will regrow, or growing coral in nurseries before transplantation.

He was optimistic his approach, which was earlier successfully trialed in the Philippines in an area of reef highly degraded by blast fishing, could help reefs recover on a larger scale.

&quot;The results are very promising and our work shows that adding higher densities of coral larvae leads to higher numbers of successful coral recruits,&quot; he added.

The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth, is reeling from an unprecedented second-straight year of coral bleaching because of warming sea temperatures linked to climate change.

The chief scientist of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the government agency that manages the area, said there was a need for such efforts amid the accelerating impacts of climate change.

&quot;The success of these first trials is encouraging -- the next challenge is to build this into broader scale technology that is going to make a difference to the Reef as a whole,&quot; David Wachenfeld said.

&nbsp;

Researchers collected a large amount of coral spawn and eggs, grew them into larvae, and then transplanted them into areas of the damaged reef

Coral bred in one part of the Great Barrier Reef was successfully transplanted into another area, Australian scientists said Sunday, in a project they hope could restore damaged ecosystems around the world. In a trial at the reef's Heron Island off Australia's east coast, the researchers collected a large amount of coral spawn and eggs late last year, grew them into larvae and then transplanted them into areas of the damaged reef. When they returned eight months later, they found juvenile coral that had survived and grown, aided by underwater mesh tanks. "The success of this new research not only applies to the Great Barrier Reef but has potential global significance," lead researcher Peter Harrison of Southern Cross University said. "It shows we can start to restore and repair damaged coral populations where the natural supply of coral larvae has been compromised." Harrison said his mass larval-restoration approach contrasts with the current "coral gardening" method of breaking up healthy coral and sticking healthy branches on reefs in the hope they will regrow, or growing coral in nurseries before transplantation. He was optimistic his approach, which was earlier successfully trialed in the Philippines in an area of reef highly degraded by blast fishing, could help reefs recover on a larger scale. "The results are very promising and our work shows that adding higher densities of coral larvae leads to higher numbers of successful coral recruits," he added. The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth, is reeling from an unprecedented second-straight year of coral bleaching because of warming sea temperatures linked to climate change. The chief scientist of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the government agency that manages the area, said there was a need for such efforts amid the accelerating impacts of climate change. "The success of these first trials is encouraging -- the next challenge is to build this into broader scale technology that is going to make a difference to the Reef as a whole," David Wachenfeld said.

Coral transplant raises Great Barrier Reef survival hopes

Boys are slightly more likely to be sexually abused than girls in South&nbsp;Africa, where a third of all children have experienced some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime, according to the first-ever national study of child maltreatment.

Nearly 37 percent of boys and 34 percent of girls have been sexually abused by the age of 17, either physically or in non-physical ways - such as being forced to watch sexual acts, look at genitalia or explicit material.

Girls were more likely to have been sexually abused physically and boys more likely to have experienced non-contact sexual abuse, researchers said in the study published on Tuesday.

&quot;Even though the forms the abuse takes may differ it can nonetheless be equally harmful to the victim and should be treated just as seriously,&quot; Ian Welle-Skitt, spokesman for UBS Optimus Foundation which commissioned the research.

&quot;This study puts South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;in line with the rest of the world, and challenges the myth that South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;is a more violent society than others,&quot; Welle-Skitt&nbsp;told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

A similar study carried out in Switzerland by UBS Optimus Foundation found that abuse between peers and cyber-abuse was higher there than in South&nbsp;Africa.

There were more than 350,000 cases of sexual abuse among children in South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;last year, according to researchers from the University of Cape Town, and the Cape Town-based Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, who carried out the study.

Only 31 percent of girls and no boys reported sexual abuse to the police. Young males were especially reluctant to report any form of abuse, the researchers found.

&quot;The sexual abuse and maltreatment of children is preventable, but until now, a lack of data has hindered the development of systems needed to protect and support children,&quot; researchers&nbsp;said.

The study found that when parents knew who their children spent time with and where, they were less likely to become victims of sexual abuse.&nbsp;A&nbsp;supportive relationship between parents and their daughters also significantly lowered the risk for girls.

The researchers&nbsp;recommended that teachers be trained in school safety and that children have classes on sex, gender and violence.&nbsp;They also found substance abuse played an important role.

&quot;Since parental substance misuse is associated with sexual abuse of children, one key preventive strategy is to make substance abuse treatment programmes far more widely available and accessible than they are at present,&quot; the researchers said.

A third of all children in the country have experienced some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime

Boys are slightly more likely to be sexually abused than girls in South Africa, where a third of all children have experienced some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime, according to the first-ever national study of child maltreatment. Nearly 37 percent of boys and 34 percent of girls have been sexually abused by the age of 17, either physically or in non-physical ways - such as being forced to watch sexual acts, look at genitalia or explicit material. Girls were more likely to have been sexually abused physically and boys more likely to have experienced non-contact sexual abuse, researchers said in the study published on Tuesday. "Even though the forms the abuse takes may differ it can nonetheless be equally harmful to the victim and should be treated just as seriously," Ian Welle-Skitt, spokesman for UBS Optimus Foundation which commissioned the research. "This study puts South Africa in line with the rest of the world, and challenges the myth that South Africa is a more violent society than others," Welle-Skitt told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A similar study carried out in Switzerland by UBS Optimus Foundation found that abuse between peers and cyber-abuse was higher there than in South Africa. There were more than 350,000 cases of sexual abuse among children in South Africa last year, according to researchers from the University of Cape Town, and the Cape Town-based Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, who carried out the study. Only 31 percent of girls and no boys reported sexual abuse to the police. Young males were especially reluctant to report any form of abuse, the researchers found. "The sexual abuse and maltreatment of children is preventable, but until now, a lack of data has hindered the development of systems needed to protect and support children," researchers said. The study found that when parents knew who their children spent time with and where, they were less likely to become victims of sexual abuse. A supportive relationship between parents and their daughters also significantly lowered the risk for girls. The researchers recommended that teachers be trained in school safety and that children have classes on sex, gender and violence. They also found substance abuse played an important role. "Since parental substance misuse is associated with sexual abuse of children, one key preventive strategy is to make substance abuse treatment programmes far more widely available and accessible than they are at present," the researchers said.

In South Africa, boys more likely to be sexually abused than girls: researchers

The new planet is in constellation Lyra and is likely to be rocky and possibly could have oceans, scientists said.

A planet which about 1,200 light-years away from Earth and 40 per cent larger than its size may be habitable, according to US researchers.

Kepler-62f, which is in the direction of the constellation Lyra, is within the range of planets that are likely to be rocky and possibly could have oceans, scientists said. 
 
NASA&#39;s Kepler mission discovered the planetary system that includes Kepler-62f in 2013, and it identified Kepler-62f as the outermost of five planets orbiting a star that is smaller and cooler than the sun, they said.

But the mission did not produce information about Kepler-62f&#39;s composition or atmosphere or the shape of its orbit.

Now, scientists from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Washington came up with possible scenarios about what its atmosphere might be like and what the shape of its orbit might be to determine whether the planet could sustain life.

&quot;We found there are multiple atmospheric compositions that allow it to be warm enough to have surface liquid water.

This makes it a strong candidate for a habitable planet,&quot; said Aomawa Shields from UCLA.

On Earth, carbon dioxide makes up 0.04 percent of the atmosphere, researchers said.

Because Kepler-62f is much farther away from its star than Earth is from the sun, it would need to have dramatically more carbon dioxide to be warm enough to maintain liquid water on its surface, and to keep from freezing, they said.

Researchers ran computer simulations based on Kepler-62f having an atmosphere that ranges in thickness from the same as Earth&#39;s all the way up to 12 times thicker than our planet&#39;s.

Kepler-62f also has various concentrations of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, ranging from the same amount as is in the Earth&#39;s atmosphere up to 2,500 times that level, and there are several different possible configurations for its orbital path, scientists said.

They found many scenarios that allow it to be habitable, assuming different amounts of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.

Shields said that for the planet to be consistently habitable throughout its entire year, it would require an atmosphere that is three to five times thicker than Earth s and composed entirely of carbon dioxide.

Having such a high concentration of carbon dioxide would be possible for the planet because, given how far it is from its star, the gas could build up in the planet&#39;s atmosphere as temperatures get colder to keep the planet warm, she said.

Scientists made their calculations of the shape of the planet&#39;s possible orbital path using an existing computer model called HNBody, and they used existing global climate models to simulate its climate.

The findings were published in the journal Astrobiology.

Researchers have found a new planet 1,200 light-years from earth that might have life.

The new planet is in constellation Lyra and is likely to be rocky and possibly could have oceans, scientists said. A planet which about 1,200 light-years away from Earth and 40 per cent larger than its size may be habitable, according to US researchers. Kepler-62f, which is in the direction of the constellation Lyra, is within the range of planets that are likely to be rocky and possibly could have oceans, scientists said. NASA's Kepler mission discovered the planetary system that includes Kepler-62f in 2013, and it identified Kepler-62f as the outermost of five planets orbiting a star that is smaller and cooler than the sun, they said. But the mission did not produce information about Kepler-62f's composition or atmosphere or the shape of its orbit. Now, scientists from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Washington came up with possible scenarios about what its atmosphere might be like and what the shape of its orbit might be to determine whether the planet could sustain life. "We found there are multiple atmospheric compositions that allow it to be warm enough to have surface liquid water. This makes it a strong candidate for a habitable planet," said Aomawa Shields from UCLA. On Earth, carbon dioxide makes up 0.04 percent of the atmosphere, researchers said. Because Kepler-62f is much farther away from its star than Earth is from the sun, it would need to have dramatically more carbon dioxide to be warm enough to maintain liquid water on its surface, and to keep from freezing, they said. Researchers ran computer simulations based on Kepler-62f having an atmosphere that ranges in thickness from the same as Earth's all the way up to 12 times thicker than our planet's. Kepler-62f also has various concentrations of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, ranging from the same amount as is in the Earth's atmosphere up to 2,500 times that level, and there are several different possible configurations for its orbital path, scientists said. They found many scenarios that allow it to be habitable, assuming different amounts of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. Shields said that for the planet to be consistently habitable throughout its entire year, it would require an atmosphere that is three to five times thicker than Earth s and composed entirely of carbon dioxide. Having such a high concentration of carbon dioxide would be possible for the planet because, given how far it is from its star, the gas could build up in the planet's atmosphere as temperatures get colder to keep the planet warm, she said. Scientists made their calculations of the shape of the planet's possible orbital path using an existing computer model called HNBody, and they used existing global climate models to simulate its climate. The findings were published in the journal Astrobiology.

A planet that may sustain life found 1,200 light-years away from Earth

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