A research carried out by scientists from the University of Oxford has discovered a gene that doubles the risk of lung failure and death from the deadly coronavirus. Scientists have claimed that around 60 per cent of people from South Asian backgrounds and 15 per cent of people from European ancestry carry the high-risk version of the gene.

Professor James Davies, a geneticist at Oxford University’s Radcliffe Department of Medicine and a senior author of the paper said, "The genetic factor we have found explains why some people get very seriously ill after coronavirus infection … There’s a single gene that confers quite a significant risk to people of south Asian background."

The risky version of the gene is present in about 2 per cent&nbsp;of people from African-Caribbean backgrounds and 1.8 per cent&nbsp;of people of East Asian descent.

The study relies on previous works that identifies a large chunk of DNA that shows how COVID-19 can cause people to be severely ill.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizers-experimental-covid-pill-reduces-hospitalisations-and-deaths-company-claims-426982">Also read |&nbsp;Pfizer's experimental Covid pill reduces hospitalisations and deaths, company claims</a>

Meanwhile, Pfizer recently claimed that their experimental pill against the deadly coronavirus can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and deaths in high-risk patients.

The pharmaceutical company has revealed that the interim analysis before the end of the trial has shown that there is an 89 per cent decline in risk of hospitalisations and COID-19 deaths. However, the data has not been peer reviewed yet.

Pfizer has been testing this pill in high-risk adult Covid patients. In these trials, some of the volunteers have been given the pill combination while others have been given a placebo, within three to five days of the start of their symptoms.

A research carried out by scientists from the University of Oxford has discovered a gene that doubles the risk of lung failure and death from the deadly coronavirus.

A research carried out by scientists from the University of Oxford has discovered a gene that doubles the risk of lung failure and death from the deadly coronavirus. Scientists have claimed that around 60 per cent of people from South Asian backgrounds and 15 per cent of people from European ancestry carry the high-risk version of the gene. Professor James Davies, a geneticist at Oxford University’s Radcliffe Department of Medicine and a senior author of the paper said, "The genetic factor we have found explains why some people get very seriously ill after coronavirus infection … There’s a single gene that confers quite a significant risk to people of south Asian background." The risky version of the gene is present in about 2 per cent of people from African-Caribbean backgrounds and 1.8 per cent of people of East Asian descent. The study relies on previous works that identifies a large chunk of DNA that shows how COVID-19 can cause people to be severely ill. Also read | Pfizer's experimental Covid pill reduces hospitalisations and deaths, company claims Meanwhile, Pfizer recently claimed that their experimental pill against the deadly coronavirus can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and deaths in high-risk patients. The pharmaceutical company has revealed that the interim analysis before the end of the trial has shown that there is an 89 per cent decline in risk of hospitalisations and COID-19 deaths. However, the data has not been peer reviewed yet. Pfizer has been testing this pill in high-risk adult Covid patients. In these trials, some of the volunteers have been given the pill combination while others have been given a placebo, within three to five days of the start of their symptoms.

Common gene in South Asians can double the risk of death due to COVID-19

A jump in the number of people in China infected with bird flu this year is raising concern among experts, who say a previously circulating strain appears to have changed and may be more infectious to people.

China has reported 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of avian influenza in 2021 to the World Health Organization (WHO), compared with only five last year, it said.

Though the numbers are much lower than the hundreds infected with H7N9 in 2017, the infections are serious, leaving many critically ill, and at least six dead.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-should-adopt-emergency-mode-as-new-covid-outbreaks-are-predicted-experts-423645">China should adopt 'emergency mode' as new Covid outbreaks are predicted: Experts</a>

"The increase in human cases in China this year is of concern. It's a virus that causes high mortality," said Thijs Kuiken, professor of comparative pathology at Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam.

Most of the cases had come into contact with poultry, and there are no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission, said the WHO, which highlighted the rise in cases in a statement on October&nbsp;4.

It said further investigation was "urgently" required to understand the risk and the increase in spill over to people.

Since then, a 60-year-old woman in Hunan province was admitted to hospital in a critical condition with H5N6 influenza on October13, according to a Hong Kong government statement.

While human H5N6 cases have been reported, no outbreaks of H5N6 have been reported in poultry in China since February 2020.

China is the world's biggest poultry producer and top producer of ducks, which act as a reservoir for flu viruses.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could not be reached for comment on the rise in H5N6 human cases. However, a study published on its website last month said the "increasing genetic diversity and geographical distribution of H5N6 pose a serious threat to the poultry industry and human health".

Avian influenza viruses constantly circulate in domestic and wild birds, but rarely infect people. However, the evolution of the viruses, which have increased as poultry populations grow, is a major concern because they could change into a virus that spreads easily between people and cause a pandemic.

The largest number of H5N6 infections have been in southwestern Sichuan province, though cases have also been reported in neighbouring Chongqing and Guangxi, as well as Guangdong, Anhui and Hunan provinces.

At least 10 were caused by viruses genetically very similar to the H5N8 virus that ravaged poultry farms across Europe last winter and also killed wild birds in China. That suggests the latest H5N6 infections in China may be a new variant.

"It could be that this variant is a little more infectious (to people)or there could be more of this virus in poultry at the moment and that's why more people are getting infected," said Kuiken.

Four of the Sichuan cases raised poultry at home and had been in contact with dead birds, said a September report by China's CDC. Another had bought a duck from a live poultry market a week before developing symptoms.

China vaccinates poultry against avian influenza but the vaccine used last year may only partially protect against emerging viruses, preventing large outbreaks but allowing the virus to keep circulating, said Filip Claes, Regional Laboratory Coordinator at the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases at the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs did not respond to a request for comment.

Backyard farms in China are common and many people still prefer to buy live chickens at markets.

Guilin city in Guangxi region, which had two human cases in August, said last month it had suspended trading of live poultry in 13 urban markets and would abolish the trade within a year.

A jump in the number of people in China infected with bird flu this year is raising concern among experts, who say a previously circulating strain appears to have changed and may be more infectious to people.

A jump in the number of people in China infected with bird flu this year is raising concern among experts, who say a previously circulating strain appears to have changed and may be more infectious to people. China has reported 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of avian influenza in 2021 to the World Health Organization (WHO), compared with only five last year, it said. Though the numbers are much lower than the hundreds infected with H7N9 in 2017, the infections are serious, leaving many critically ill, and at least six dead. Also Read | China should adopt 'emergency mode' as new Covid outbreaks are predicted: Experts "The increase in human cases in China this year is of concern. It's a virus that causes high mortality," said Thijs Kuiken, professor of comparative pathology at Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam. Most of the cases had come into contact with poultry, and there are no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission, said the WHO, which highlighted the rise in cases in a statement on October 4. It said further investigation was "urgently" required to understand the risk and the increase in spill over to people. Since then, a 60-year-old woman in Hunan province was admitted to hospital in a critical condition with H5N6 influenza on October13, according to a Hong Kong government statement. While human H5N6 cases have been reported, no outbreaks of H5N6 have been reported in poultry in China since February 2020. China is the world's biggest poultry producer and top producer of ducks, which act as a reservoir for flu viruses. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could not be reached for comment on the rise in H5N6 human cases. However, a study published on its website last month said the "increasing genetic diversity and geographical distribution of H5N6 pose a serious threat to the poultry industry and human health". Avian influenza viruses constantly circulate in domestic and wild birds, but rarely infect people. However, the evolution of the viruses, which have increased as poultry populations grow, is a major concern because they could change into a virus that spreads easily between people and cause a pandemic. The largest number of H5N6 infections have been in southwestern Sichuan province, though cases have also been reported in neighbouring Chongqing and Guangxi, as well as Guangdong, Anhui and Hunan provinces. At least 10 were caused by viruses genetically very similar to the H5N8 virus that ravaged poultry farms across Europe last winter and also killed wild birds in China. That suggests the latest H5N6 infections in China may be a new variant. "It could be that this variant is a little more infectious (to people)or there could be more of this virus in poultry at the moment and that's why more people are getting infected," said Kuiken. Four of the Sichuan cases raised poultry at home and had been in contact with dead birds, said a September report by China's CDC. Another had bought a duck from a live poultry market a week before developing symptoms. China vaccinates poultry against avian influenza but the vaccine used last year may only partially protect against emerging viruses, preventing large outbreaks but allowing the virus to keep circulating, said Filip Claes, Regional Laboratory Coordinator at the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases at the Food and Agriculture Organization. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs did not respond to a request for comment. Backyard farms in China are common and many people still prefer to buy live chickens at markets. Guilin city in Guangxi region, which had two human cases in August, said last month it had suspended trading of live poultry in 13 urban markets and would abolish the trade within a year.

Rise in human bird flu cases in China shows risk of fast-changing variants: Experts

A new research suggests that the coastal infrastructure will have a major ecological impact if not well managed as the artificial structures have replaced more than half of the coastline of 30 cities all across the globe.

“Coastal hardening” is “consistently extensive” across various cities in North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, says the study.&nbsp;

Coastal hardening refers to replacing natural coastal habitats with seawalls,&nbsp;wharves and other structures. The authors have warned that a surge in coastal hardening “will result in the loss of extensive remaining natural habitat”, such as rocky reefs, sandy beaches, mudflats and mangroves.

Dr Ana Bugnot of the University of Sydney, who is one of the co-authors has said that the team found a correlation between the extent of coastal hardening and the number of invasive marine species in the local area.

She was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Ports particularly are big hotspots of invasive species, because they come in the hulls of ships, and ballast water."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/oxygen-sucking-asteroids-could-have-permanently-altered-earths-atmosphere-422864">Also read |&nbsp;Oxygen sucking asteroids could have permanently altered Earth's atmosphere</a>

Non-native species then “find those [artificial] structures that are not really colonised much by the natural biodiversity&nbsp;from there they can spread to surrounding areas.”

Various researchers from Australia and New Zealand analysed coastal infrastructure in 30 cities including Adelaide, Baltimore, Belfast and Vancouver. The researchers found several factors that were linked to an increase in coastal hardening.&nbsp;

Bugnot said, “In this set of estuaries that we studied, the indicators of growth were related to regional GDP of an area, population and then a series of shipping and boating parameters,” such as higher numbers of port visits by cargo ships, and more marinas for recreational boating.

The team developed an AI model to forecast the regional expansion of common types of coastal infrastructure.&nbsp;New Zealand was used as a specific case study. The researchers then forecast an expansion of coastal infrastructure between 50 and 76 per cent. This was done over a 25-year period.

A new research suggests that the coastal infrastructure will have a major ecological impact if not well managed as the artificial structures have replaced more than half of the coastline of 30 cities all across the globe.

A new research suggests that the coastal infrastructure will have a major ecological impact if not well managed as the artificial structures have replaced more than half of the coastline of 30 cities all across the globe. “Coastal hardening” is “consistently extensive” across various cities in North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, says the study. Coastal hardening refers to replacing natural coastal habitats with seawalls, wharves and other structures. The authors have warned that a surge in coastal hardening “will result in the loss of extensive remaining natural habitat”, such as rocky reefs, sandy beaches, mudflats and mangroves. Dr Ana Bugnot of the University of Sydney, who is one of the co-authors has said that the team found a correlation between the extent of coastal hardening and the number of invasive marine species in the local area. She was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Ports particularly are big hotspots of invasive species, because they come in the hulls of ships, and ballast water." Also read | Oxygen sucking asteroids could have permanently altered Earth's atmosphere Non-native species then “find those [artificial] structures that are not really colonised much by the natural biodiversity from there they can spread to surrounding areas.” Various researchers from Australia and New Zealand analysed coastal infrastructure in 30 cities including Adelaide, Baltimore, Belfast and Vancouver. The researchers found several factors that were linked to an increase in coastal hardening. Bugnot said, “In this set of estuaries that we studied, the indicators of growth were related to regional GDP of an area, population and then a series of shipping and boating parameters,” such as higher numbers of port visits by cargo ships, and more marinas for recreational boating. The team developed an AI model to forecast the regional expansion of common types of coastal infrastructure. New Zealand was used as a specific case study. The researchers then forecast an expansion of coastal infrastructure between 50 and 76 per cent. This was done over a 25-year period.

‘Coastal hardening’: Natural habitats of 30 cities around the world at risk

China's central bank on Friday broke its silence over Evergrande's debt troubles as it said that the risk of spillover from the property giant to the financial sector was "controllable," state media reported.

Local authorities are "carrying out risk disposal and resolution work in accordance with the principles of rule of law and marketisation," People’s Bank of China official Zou Lan said at a briefing, according to an outlet of the Xinhua state news agency.

Zou's comments came amid growing concern that the cash crunch at Evergrande, which is struggling with more than $300 billion in liabilities, could lead to contagion for the Chinese economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/evergrande-investors-in-dark-as-no-news-on-interest-payment-emerges-415591">Also read |&nbsp;Evergrande investors in dark as no news on interest payment emerges</a>

Evergrande's liabilities make it the most indebted property firm in the world. The debts stretch into hundreds of billions of dollars, which makes it equal to 2 per cent of Chinese GDP.&nbsp;

Shares in Evergrande have plunged 80 per cent so far this year, while its property services unit has dropped 43 per cent as the group scrambles to raise funds to pay its many lenders and suppliers.

"In recent years, the company has been poorly managed, and was unable to operate cautiously in accordance with changes in the market situation," Zou said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hong-kong-stock-exchange-halts-trading-of-evergrande-shares-418036">Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong Stock Exchange halts trading of Evergrande shares</a>

He added, "Instead, it blindly diversified and expanded, causing the serious deterioration of operating and financial indicators, and eventually an explosion of risk."

China's central bank on Friday broke its silence over Evergrande's debt troubles as it said that the risk of spillover from the property giant to the financial sector was "controllable," state media reported.

China's central bank on Friday broke its silence over Evergrande's debt troubles as it said that the risk of spillover from the property giant to the financial sector was "controllable," state media reported. Local authorities are "carrying out risk disposal and resolution work in accordance with the principles of rule of law and marketisation," People’s Bank of China official Zou Lan said at a briefing, according to an outlet of the Xinhua state news agency. Zou's comments came amid growing concern that the cash crunch at Evergrande, which is struggling with more than $300 billion in liabilities, could lead to contagion for the Chinese economy. Also read | Evergrande investors in dark as no news on interest payment emerges Evergrande's liabilities make it the most indebted property firm in the world. The debts stretch into hundreds of billions of dollars, which makes it equal to 2 per cent of Chinese GDP. Shares in Evergrande have plunged 80 per cent so far this year, while its property services unit has dropped 43 per cent as the group scrambles to raise funds to pay its many lenders and suppliers. "In recent years, the company has been poorly managed, and was unable to operate cautiously in accordance with changes in the market situation," Zou said. Also read | Hong Kong Stock Exchange halts trading of Evergrande shares He added, "Instead, it blindly diversified and expanded, causing the serious deterioration of operating and financial indicators, and eventually an explosion of risk."

Evergrande risks 'controllable', says China's central bank

An alarming study published on Saturday has revealed that up to 660,000 jobs will be at serious risk if the UK continues to fall behind other countries in the amount it invests in green infrastructure and jobs.

Coming just two months before Boris Johnson’s government hosts the United Nations Climate Conference, the report highlights that the impact on employment in the UK as a result of jobs moving “offshore” to countries in the vanguard of green investment and technology will be particularly acute in the UK’s industrial heartlands, Yorkshire and the Humber.

In separate research, it was found out that the UK is second from bottom in the league table of G7 economies for its record in investment in green investment and jobs.

This comes in despite Johnson’s claims to be a leading force in the race to save the planet from global warming.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-evangelical-lutheran-church-installs-first-openly-transgender-bishop-412518">Also read |&nbsp;US Evangelical Lutheran Church installs first openly transgender bishop</a>

The UK Treasury is expected to invest only about £180 per person on green recovery and jobs over the next decade, whereas,

President Joe Biden plans to allocate more than £2,960 per person on a green recovery in the US.

Relative to population, the UK’s green recovery investment is just 24 per cent that of France, 21 per cent that of Canada, and 6 per cent that of the US.

As per the report, 79,000 jobs are at risk, as other countries race ahead in green development, in the UK rubber and plastic sector, 63,200 in the UK chemicals sector and 26,900 in iron and steel.&nbsp;

In total it says that 260,000 manufacturing jobs could be at risk as well as 407,000 in supply chains. 
&nbsp;

An alarming study published on Saturday has revealed that up to 660,000 jobs will be at serious risk if the UK continues to fall behind other countries in the amount it invests in green infrastructure and jobs.

An alarming study published on Saturday has revealed that up to 660,000 jobs will be at serious risk if the UK continues to fall behind other countries in the amount it invests in green infrastructure and jobs. Coming just two months before Boris Johnson’s government hosts the United Nations Climate Conference, the report highlights that the impact on employment in the UK as a result of jobs moving “offshore” to countries in the vanguard of green investment and technology will be particularly acute in the UK’s industrial heartlands, Yorkshire and the Humber. In separate research, it was found out that the UK is second from bottom in the league table of G7 economies for its record in investment in green investment and jobs. This comes in despite Johnson’s claims to be a leading force in the race to save the planet from global warming. Also read | US Evangelical Lutheran Church installs first openly transgender bishop The UK Treasury is expected to invest only about £180 per person on green recovery and jobs over the next decade, whereas, President Joe Biden plans to allocate more than £2,960 per person on a green recovery in the US. Relative to population, the UK’s green recovery investment is just 24 per cent that of France, 21 per cent that of Canada, and 6 per cent that of the US. As per the report, 79,000 jobs are at risk, as other countries race ahead in green development, in the UK rubber and plastic sector, 63,200 in the UK chemicals sector and 26,900 in iron and steel. In total it says that 260,000 manufacturing jobs could be at risk as well as 407,000 in supply chains.

660,000 jobs at risk amid UK’s green investment lag

General Motors announced Friday a second recall of the all-electric Chevrolet&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;to address a battery defect blamed for recent car fires.

GM cited&nbsp;"two rare manufacturing defects" in the high-voltage batteries, which are produced by LG Chem in South Korea.

The&nbsp;automaker said it will notify 2017-2019&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;owners when replacement parts are available. The recall affects about 69,000&nbsp;cars&nbsp;globally, including around 51,000 in the United States.

"Out of an abundance of caution, customers should continue to park their vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight," GM warned.

The announcement follows a July 14 consumer alert from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urging&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;owners to park their&nbsp;cars&nbsp;outside and away from homes due to fire risk.

NHTSA said it knew of two recent fires involving the vehicles.&nbsp;According to news reports, one of the recent fires occurred in Vermont and another in New Jersey.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sales-of-electric-cars-charge-ahead-in-europe-400204">Also read |&nbsp;Sales of electric cars charge ahead in Europe</a>

While the fix is being rolled out, GM directed&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;owners to adjust vehicle settings to enable a maximum charge of 90 percent.

Customers also were urged to charge their vehicle after each use and avoid letting the charge dip below 70 miles of available range.

This is the second time the company has had to address a fire risk in the&nbsp;cars: GM recalled the same population of vehicles in November 2020.

The recall comes as the manufacturer ramps up its push to remake itself as a leader in electric vehicles. In June, it boosted its capital spending plan by 30 percent to $35 billion through 2025 to accelerate efforts on EVs and autonomous driving technology.

Shares of GM fell 1.2 percent to $54.97 in morning trading, but later recovered some ground.

General Motors announced Friday a second recall of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt to address a battery defect blamed for recent car fires. GM cited "two rare manufacturing defects" in the high-voltage batteries, which are produced by LG Chem in South Korea.

General Motors announced Friday a second recall of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt to address a battery defect blamed for recent car fires. GM cited "two rare manufacturing defects" in the high-voltage batteries, which are produced by LG Chem in South Korea. The automaker said it will notify 2017-2019 Bolt owners when replacement parts are available. The recall affects about 69,000 cars globally, including around 51,000 in the United States. "Out of an abundance of caution, customers should continue to park their vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight," GM warned. The announcement follows a July 14 consumer alert from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urging Bolt owners to park their cars outside and away from homes due to fire risk. NHTSA said it knew of two recent fires involving the vehicles. According to news reports, one of the recent fires occurred in Vermont and another in New Jersey. Also read | Sales of electric cars charge ahead in Europe While the fix is being rolled out, GM directed Bolt owners to adjust vehicle settings to enable a maximum charge of 90 percent. Customers also were urged to charge their vehicle after each use and avoid letting the charge dip below 70 miles of available range. This is the second time the company has had to address a fire risk in the cars: GM recalled the same population of vehicles in November 2020. The recall comes as the manufacturer ramps up its push to remake itself as a leader in electric vehicles. In June, it boosted its capital spending plan by 30 percent to $35 billion through 2025 to accelerate efforts on EVs and autonomous driving technology. Shares of GM fell 1.2 percent to $54.97 in morning trading, but later recovered some ground.

GM announces 2nd Bolt recall to address fire risk

Maintaining a healthy body weight and increasing HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol levels can help lower the risk of Covid-19 infections, claim researchers in a new study.

Previous studies showed that people with Type-2 diabetes and a high body mass index are at a greater risk of experiencing hospitalisations and other severe complications related to Covid-19.

However, the new research from the University of Maryland in the US has identified certain lifestyle factors like body weight and cholesterol as new risk factors for Covid-19.

"Our findings point to some healthy measures people can take to help potentially lower their risk of Covid-19 infection," said Charles Hong, Professor of medicine at the University’s School of Medicine.

"Controlling body weight is very important during this time, and measures to increase HDL levels like regular exercise and a diet rich in monounsaturated fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocados might be helpful too," Hong noted.

The team found that people, who were Covid positive, were more likely to be obese or have Type-2 diabetes. They were also at greater risk of getting symptomatic infection in the first place, the researchers claimed.

On the other hand, those who tested negative were more likely to have high levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and be at a healthy weight with a normal body mass index (BMI), revealed the study published in the journal PLoS ONE.

"Certain baseline cardiometabolic factors appear to either protect a person from Covid-19 infection while others make a person more vulnerable to infection," Hong said.

"But this study wasn’t designed to determine what factors actually cause Covid-19 infections. These are statistical associations that point to the importance of a healthy functioning immune system for protecting against Covid-19 infection," Hong added.

For the study, the team used data from the UK Biobank of 5,00,000 British volunteers over age 40. Health factors were compared between those who tested positive for Covid-19 and those who tested negative.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Maintaining a healthy body weight and increasing HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol levels can help lower the risk of Covid-19 infections, claim researchers in a new study.

Maintaining a healthy body weight and increasing HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol levels can help lower the risk of Covid-19 infections, claim researchers in a new study. Previous studies showed that people with Type-2 diabetes and a high body mass index are at a greater risk of experiencing hospitalisations and other severe complications related to Covid-19. However, the new research from the University of Maryland in the US has identified certain lifestyle factors like body weight and cholesterol as new risk factors for Covid-19. "Our findings point to some healthy measures people can take to help potentially lower their risk of Covid-19 infection," said Charles Hong, Professor of medicine at the University’s School of Medicine. "Controlling body weight is very important during this time, and measures to increase HDL levels like regular exercise and a diet rich in monounsaturated fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocados might be helpful too," Hong noted. The team found that people, who were Covid positive, were more likely to be obese or have Type-2 diabetes. They were also at greater risk of getting symptomatic infection in the first place, the researchers claimed. On the other hand, those who tested negative were more likely to have high levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and be at a healthy weight with a normal body mass index (BMI), revealed the study published in the journal PLoS ONE. "Certain baseline cardiometabolic factors appear to either protect a person from Covid-19 infection while others make a person more vulnerable to infection," Hong said. "But this study wasn’t designed to determine what factors actually cause Covid-19 infections. These are statistical associations that point to the importance of a healthy functioning immune system for protecting against Covid-19 infection," Hong added. For the study, the team used data from the UK Biobank of 5,00,000 British volunteers over age 40. Health factors were compared between those who tested positive for Covid-19 and those who tested negative. (With inputs from agencies)

Body weight, 'bad' cholesterol new risk factors for coronavirus

As American health authorities say they expect the novel coronavirus to eventually spread in the United States, the city of San Francisco in California declares emergency to prepare for the virus.

America at risk of coronavirus spread

What is dengue, and why is it so widespread this year?

China on Monday warned students and academics on the "risk" of studying in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-cant-use-pressure-to-force-trade-deal-223677">United States</a>, citing an uptick in visa denials and delays amid a trade war and other tensions.

The education ministry in a statement urged students to "strengthen risk assessment&nbsp;and make relevant preparations". The ministry said Chinese students and academics have experienced visa restrictions, delays in obtaining them, and visas with shorter duration.

China is the biggest source of international students on US campuses, with 360,000 of them last year, or a third of the foreign student body, with many paying full tuition.&nbsp;

The warning comes after FBI director Christopher Wray said in April that Beijing has used Chinese graduate students and researchers, among others, in its economic espionage efforts in the United States.

Last month, Republicans in the US Congress introduced legislation aimed at barring Chinese military scientists from obtaining visas to study or work in the United States.

The bills in the House and Senate would compel the White House to identify a list of research and scientific institutions that the president determines are affiliated with or funded by the People’s Liberation Army.

The PLA Visa Security Act would prevent people currently or formerly employed or sponsored by such entities from entering the United States on student or research visas.

China's state-run Global times has published accounts from several Chinese academics saying their 10-year visas to the US were cancelled, with officials citing concerns about links to Chinese intelligence.

US scholar Michael Pillsbury, who advises US President Donald Trump on China, said his visa to enter the country for a forum earlier this year was blocked in apparent retaliation

China on Monday warned students and academics on the "risk" of studying in the United States, citing an uptick in visa denials and delays amid a trade war and other tensions.

China on Monday warned students and academics on the "risk" of studying in the United States, citing an uptick in visa denials and delays amid a trade war and other tensions. The education ministry in a statement urged students to "strengthen risk assessment and make relevant preparations". The ministry said Chinese students and academics have experienced visa restrictions, delays in obtaining them, and visas with shorter duration. China is the biggest source of international students on US campuses, with 360,000 of them last year, or a third of the foreign student body, with many paying full tuition. The warning comes after FBI director Christopher Wray said in April that Beijing has used Chinese graduate students and researchers, among others, in its economic espionage efforts in the United States. Last month, Republicans in the US Congress introduced legislation aimed at barring Chinese military scientists from obtaining visas to study or work in the United States. The bills in the House and Senate would compel the White House to identify a list of research and scientific institutions that the president determines are affiliated with or funded by the People’s Liberation Army. The PLA Visa Security Act would prevent people currently or formerly employed or sponsored by such entities from entering the United States on student or research visas. China's state-run Global times has published accounts from several Chinese academics saying their 10-year visas to the US were cancelled, with officials citing concerns about links to Chinese intelligence. US scholar Michael Pillsbury, who advises US President Donald Trump on China, said his visa to enter the country for a forum earlier this year was blocked in apparent retaliation

China urges students to weigh risk of studying in US

A variety of potentially toxic substances, including glyphosate, has been found in babies' nappies in France, according to a study published on Wednesday by the French environment agency ANSES.

"Following studies carried out on nappies and how they are used, the watchdog has found evidence of several chemical substances at dangerously high levels," the agency said.

According to the study, the substances include butylphenyl methylpropional used in beauty products, certain aromatic hydrocarbons, and glyphosate, a widely-used weed-killer - all of which pose potential risks.

The French government said manufacturers and retailers should ensure the substances are removed from nappies.

"We call on manufacturers and retailers to take measures within the next 15 days to eliminate these substances from babies' nappies," said a statement issued jointly by the health, environment and finance ministries.

Glyphosate, which is off-patent and marketed worldwide by dozens of chemical groups, is due to be phased out in France within three years although farmers are exempt from the ban where there is no credible alternative to the pesticide.

A variety of potentially toxic substances, including glyphosate, has been found in babies' nappies in France, according to a study published on Wednesday by the French environment agency ANSES.

A variety of potentially toxic substances, including glyphosate, has been found in babies' nappies in France, according to a study published on Wednesday by the French environment agency ANSES. "Following studies carried out on nappies and how they are used, the watchdog has found evidence of several chemical substances at dangerously high levels," the agency said. According to the study, the substances include butylphenyl methylpropional used in beauty products, certain aromatic hydrocarbons, and glyphosate, a widely-used weed-killer - all of which pose potential risks. The French government said manufacturers and retailers should ensure the substances are removed from nappies. "We call on manufacturers and retailers to take measures within the next 15 days to eliminate these substances from babies' nappies," said a statement issued jointly by the health, environment and finance ministries. Glyphosate, which is off-patent and marketed worldwide by dozens of chemical groups, is due to be phased out in France within three years although farmers are exempt from the ban where there is no credible alternative to the pesticide.

Toxic substances found in nappies in France: Government agency

World stocks slipped on Friday as expectations of trade tensions dominating this weekend's summit of G7 countries, along with renewed talk of monetary tightening by major central banks, weighed on risk sentiment.

The MSCI All-Country World index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was down nearly half a per cent in morning trade in Europe - though it was still set to break a three-week streak of losses.

Fears of a trade war, expectations of more rate hikes in the United States, and a wind-down of a massive monetary stimulus in Europe fuelled a risk-off tone in markets, investors said.

The US&nbsp;Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates for a second time this year next week. The focus is on whether it will hint at raising rates four times in 2018.

European Central Bank policymakers meeting on June 14 will debate whether to end bond purchases later this year, the bank's chief economist said this week, in a hawkish message that sent the euro to a three-week top, hit emerging markets, and spurred demand for safe-haven bonds.

Before those meetings, however, markets will have to digest fallout from the G7 summit in Quebec, where the mounting risk of a tariff war between the United States and its major trade partners will be in the spotlight.

An unprecedented US-North Korea summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, with Washington seeking to pressure Pyongyang into abandoning its nuclear weapons programme, is giving investors another reason for caution.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.1 per cent after six straight sessions of gains took it to its highest since mid-March. It was on track for a weekly gain of more than 1 per cent.

Chinese shares slipped, with the blue-chip Shangai-Shenzhen index down 1.7 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng.HSI declining 1.5 per cent.

Japan's Nikkei average and South Korea's KOSPI were off 0.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively, while Australian shares ended 0.1 per cent lower.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was on track for its third weekly loss in a row, with renewed strength in the euro also weighing. It was down 0.7 per cent.

Italy's government bonds faced renewed selling pressure, as the risk aversion in world markets and unease about Rome's spending plans set yields on short-dated debt up for their biggest weekly rise since 2012.

"A few things are contributing to nervousness today -- the trade issues are back on, then there is the Italy situation and we are not sure how the ECB will respond to that," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Management.

"And in emerging markets, there are some idiosyncratic risks (Turkey, Argentina and Brazil) which are becoming worrying." He remained "cautious" on adding risk, as "none of these issues seems to have a clear short-term resolution."

The dollar rebounded 0.3 per cent from near three-week lows against a basket of currencies, helped by the strong jobless claims numbers in the US&nbsp;on Thursday.

The dollar has come under pressure this week as the euro bounced back from 10-month lows thanks to an ebbing of political concerns over Italy as well as the possible ECB moves over its bond purchases.

The dollar fell against the safe-haven Japanese yen to 109.35 but remained well below a four-month top of 111.39 touched in May.

The euro inched down to $1.1763 after four straight session of gains took it to its highest level since mid-May.

In commodities, copper came off from a 4-1/2-year high touched on Wednesday.

Oil prices fell as surging US&nbsp;output and signs of weakening demand in China output outweighed support from supply woes in Venezuela and OPEC's production cuts.

U.S. crude fell 0.5 per cent to $65.64 a barrel, while Brent dropped 0.5 per cent to $76.95.

Spot gold slipped 0.1 per cent at $1,298.47 an ounce.

Fears of a trade war, expectations of more rate hikes in the United States, and a wind-down of a massive monetary stimulus in Europe fuelled a risk-off tone in markets, investors said

World stocks slipped on Friday as expectations of trade tensions dominating this weekend's summit of G7 countries, along with renewed talk of monetary tightening by major central banks, weighed on risk sentiment. The MSCI All-Country World index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was down nearly half a per cent in morning trade in Europe - though it was still set to break a three-week streak of losses. Fears of a trade war, expectations of more rate hikes in the United States, and a wind-down of a massive monetary stimulus in Europe fuelled a risk-off tone in markets, investors said. The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates for a second time this year next week. The focus is on whether it will hint at raising rates four times in 2018. European Central Bank policymakers meeting on June 14 will debate whether to end bond purchases later this year, the bank's chief economist said this week, in a hawkish message that sent the euro to a three-week top, hit emerging markets, and spurred demand for safe-haven bonds. Before those meetings, however, markets will have to digest fallout from the G7 summit in Quebec, where the mounting risk of a tariff war between the United States and its major trade partners will be in the spotlight. An unprecedented US-North Korea summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, with Washington seeking to pressure Pyongyang into abandoning its nuclear weapons programme, is giving investors another reason for caution. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.1 per cent after six straight sessions of gains took it to its highest since mid-March. It was on track for a weekly gain of more than 1 per cent. Chinese shares slipped, with the blue-chip Shangai-Shenzhen index down 1.7 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng.HSI declining 1.5 per cent. Japan's Nikkei average and South Korea's KOSPI were off 0.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively, while Australian shares ended 0.1 per cent lower. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was on track for its third weekly loss in a row, with renewed strength in the euro also weighing. It was down 0.7 per cent. Italy's government bonds faced renewed selling pressure, as the risk aversion in world markets and unease about Rome's spending plans set yields on short-dated debt up for their biggest weekly rise since 2012. "A few things are contributing to nervousness today -- the trade issues are back on, then there is the Italy situation and we are not sure how the ECB will respond to that," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Management. "And in emerging markets, there are some idiosyncratic risks (Turkey, Argentina and Brazil) which are becoming worrying." He remained "cautious" on adding risk, as "none of these issues seems to have a clear short-term resolution." The dollar rebounded 0.3 per cent from near three-week lows against a basket of currencies, helped by the strong jobless claims numbers in the US on Thursday. The dollar has come under pressure this week as the euro bounced back from 10-month lows thanks to an ebbing of political concerns over Italy as well as the possible ECB moves over its bond purchases. The dollar fell against the safe-haven Japanese yen to 109.35 but remained well below a four-month top of 111.39 touched in May. The euro inched down to $1.1763 after four straight session of gains took it to its highest level since mid-May. In commodities, copper came off from a 4-1/2-year high touched on Wednesday. Oil prices fell as surging US output and signs of weakening demand in China output outweighed support from supply woes in Venezuela and OPEC's production cuts. U.S. crude fell 0.5 per cent to $65.64 a barrel, while Brent dropped 0.5 per cent to $76.95. Spot gold slipped 0.1 per cent at $1,298.47 an ounce.

Global Stocks: Stocks slip as central bank talk, trade, weigh on risk sentiment

Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

The risk to countries in the region was now "high", raised from "moderate", but the global risk remained "low", the WHO said.

The reassessment came after the first confirmed case in Mbandaka, a city of around 1.5 million in the northwest. Previous reports of the disease had all been in remote areas where Ebola might spread be more easily contained.

"The confirmed case in Mbandaka, a large urban centre located on major national and international river, road and domestic air routes, increases the risk of spread within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to neighbouring countries," the WHO said.

WHO Deputy Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response Peter Salama had told reporters on Thursday that the risk assessment was being reviewed.

"We're certainly not trying to cause any panic in the national or international community," he said.

"What we're saying though is that urban Ebola is very different phenomenon to rural Ebola because we know that people in urban areas can have far more contacts so that means that urban Ebola can result in an exponential increase in cases in a way that rural Ebola struggles to do."

Later on Friday, the WHO will convene an Emergency Committee of experts to advise on the international response to the outbreak, and decide whether it constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern".

The nightmare scenario is an outbreak in Kinshasa, a crowded city where millions live in unsanitary slums not connected to a sewer system.

Jeremy Farrar, an infectious disease expert and director of the Wellcome Trust global health charity, said the outbreak had "all the features of something that could turn really nasty".

"As more evidence comes in of the separation of cases in space and time, and healthcare workers getting infected, and people attending funerals and then travelling quite big distances - it's got everything we would worry about," he told Reuters.

The WHO statement said there had been 21 suspected, 20 probable and 3 confirmed cases of Ebola between April 4 and May 15, a total of 44 cases, including 15 deaths. Mbandaka had three suspected cases in addition to the confirmed case.

The WHO is sending 7,540 doses of an experimental vaccine to try to stop the outbreak in its tracks, and 4,300 doses have already arrived in Kinshasa. It will be used to protect healthworkers and "rings" of contacts around each case.

The vaccine supplies will be enough to vaccinate 50 rings of 150 people, the WHO said. As of 15 May, 527 contacts had been identified and were being followed up and monitored.

The risk to countries in the region was now 'high', raised from 'moderate'

Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously. The risk to countries in the region was now "high", raised from "moderate", but the global risk remained "low", the WHO said. The reassessment came after the first confirmed case in Mbandaka, a city of around 1.5 million in the northwest. Previous reports of the disease had all been in remote areas where Ebola might spread be more easily contained. "The confirmed case in Mbandaka, a large urban centre located on major national and international river, road and domestic air routes, increases the risk of spread within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to neighbouring countries," the WHO said. WHO Deputy Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response Peter Salama had told reporters on Thursday that the risk assessment was being reviewed. "We're certainly not trying to cause any panic in the national or international community," he said. "What we're saying though is that urban Ebola is very different phenomenon to rural Ebola because we know that people in urban areas can have far more contacts so that means that urban Ebola can result in an exponential increase in cases in a way that rural Ebola struggles to do." Later on Friday, the WHO will convene an Emergency Committee of experts to advise on the international response to the outbreak, and decide whether it constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern". The nightmare scenario is an outbreak in Kinshasa, a crowded city where millions live in unsanitary slums not connected to a sewer system. Jeremy Farrar, an infectious disease expert and director of the Wellcome Trust global health charity, said the outbreak had "all the features of something that could turn really nasty". "As more evidence comes in of the separation of cases in space and time, and healthcare workers getting infected, and people attending funerals and then travelling quite big distances - it's got everything we would worry about," he told Reuters. The WHO statement said there had been 21 suspected, 20 probable and 3 confirmed cases of Ebola between April 4 and May 15, a total of 44 cases, including 15 deaths. Mbandaka had three suspected cases in addition to the confirmed case. The WHO is sending 7,540 doses of an experimental vaccine to try to stop the outbreak in its tracks, and 4,300 doses have already arrived in Kinshasa. It will be used to protect healthworkers and "rings" of contacts around each case. The vaccine supplies will be enough to vaccinate 50 rings of 150 people, the WHO said. As of 15 May, 527 contacts had been identified and were being followed up and monitored.

Congo faces 'very high' risk from Ebola outbreak: WHO

Economists on Monday warned that a hung parliament may risk Australia&#39;s coveted AAA credit rating with the inconclusive result of weekend elections seen as bad news for the economy and investment markets. 
 
A final outcome from the polls won&#39;t be known for days, if not weeks, with millions of postal and absentee votes still to be processed, which could prove crucial in a race too close to call. 
 
It adds to the global trend of rising political uncertainty, amid concern about Donald Trump&#39;s run for the White House and Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union (EU). 
 
Despite this, markets were undeterred with the benchmark ASX/200 only marginally lower at 5,235.4 in morning trade while the Aussie dollar being down by 0.4 per cent at 74.66 US cents. 
 
So far Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull&#39;s Liberal/National coalition and the Labor opposition both have 67 seats, the Greens one and independents four, according to results from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 
 
That leaves 11 seats to be decided with 76 needed to rule outright in the 150-seat House of Representatives, raising the prospect of a second hung parliament in three years, where neither side can form a majority government. 
 
Instead, support would be needed from the often obstructionist minor lawmakers. A similar scenario is forecasted for the upper house Senate, which does not bode well for getting legislation passed, potentially causing policy gridlock. 
 
Economists said this could stymie efforts to rein in debt and deficits, undermining business and consumer confidence with repercussions for the economy. 
 
&quot;Even if the coalition does win government it won&#39;t have control of the Senate with the balance of power remaining with the Greens and minority parties which will act as a huge constraint on the government,&quot; said AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver. 
 
&quot;The end result will be poor prospects for getting government spending and the budget deficit under control over the next three years and for the coalition implementing its policy to cut corporate taxes let alone undertaking serious productivity enhancing economic reforms.&quot; 
 
Australia is one of only a handful of nations to hold the top AAA credit rating from all three major agencies, having dodged recession during the global financial crisis. 
 
They are yet to pass judgement on the weekend polls but Oliver said political uncertainty never boded well. 
 
&quot;Whoever wins it means that the risk of a sovereign credit rating downgrade has increased further,&quot; he said, in a view echoed by leading independent economist Saul Eslake. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t know whether any of them will formally downgrade Australia&#39;s rating, or put Australia on a &#39;negative watch&#39;, but I wouldn&#39;t be surprised if at least one of them does,&quot; he told the Australian Financial Review. 
 
A downgrade would mirror what happened in Britain in the days after its decision to exit the EU, due to the economic uncertainties. 
 
Generally, losing a AAA rating means the nation would be forced to pay higher interest on its debt. 
 
TD Securities analyst Annette Beacher said hung parliaments had never historically been conducive to good governance and policy reform and &quot;the risk of losing AAA/stable is not insignificant&quot;. 
 
&quot;There is a significant probability that Australia experiences another three years of fiscal policy paralysis,&quot; she said, adding that it would leave the Reserve Bank of Australia &quot;as the only public authority with tools to manage the business cycle&quot;. 
 
The central bank holds its monthly board meeting on Tuesday. With rates already at a historic low of 1.75 per cent, most economists do not expect it to intervene again just yet. 
 
But they see a possibility of a cut to 1.5 per cent in August should official inflation figures continue to point to benign price pressures, a sign of a flagging economy. 
 
(AFP)

Australia is one of the only nations to hold top AAA credit rating, having dodged recession during the global financial crisis

Economists on Monday warned that a hung parliament may risk Australia's coveted AAA credit rating with the inconclusive result of weekend elections seen as bad news for the economy and investment markets. A final outcome from the polls won't be known for days, if not weeks, with millions of postal and absentee votes still to be processed, which could prove crucial in a race too close to call. It adds to the global trend of rising political uncertainty, amid concern about Donald Trump's run for the White House and Britain's vote to leave the European Union (EU). Despite this, markets were undeterred with the benchmark ASX/200 only marginally lower at 5,235.4 in morning trade while the Aussie dollar being down by 0.4 per cent at 74.66 US cents. So far Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal/National coalition and the Labor opposition both have 67 seats, the Greens one and independents four, according to results from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. That leaves 11 seats to be decided with 76 needed to rule outright in the 150-seat House of Representatives, raising the prospect of a second hung parliament in three years, where neither side can form a majority government. Instead, support would be needed from the often obstructionist minor lawmakers. A similar scenario is forecasted for the upper house Senate, which does not bode well for getting legislation passed, potentially causing policy gridlock. Economists said this could stymie efforts to rein in debt and deficits, undermining business and consumer confidence with repercussions for the economy. "Even if the coalition does win government it won't have control of the Senate with the balance of power remaining with the Greens and minority parties which will act as a huge constraint on the government," said AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver. "The end result will be poor prospects for getting government spending and the budget deficit under control over the next three years and for the coalition implementing its policy to cut corporate taxes let alone undertaking serious productivity enhancing economic reforms." Australia is one of only a handful of nations to hold the top AAA credit rating from all three major agencies, having dodged recession during the global financial crisis. They are yet to pass judgement on the weekend polls but Oliver said political uncertainty never boded well. "Whoever wins it means that the risk of a sovereign credit rating downgrade has increased further," he said, in a view echoed by leading independent economist Saul Eslake. "I don't know whether any of them will formally downgrade Australia's rating, or put Australia on a 'negative watch', but I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them does," he told the Australian Financial Review. A downgrade would mirror what happened in Britain in the days after its decision to exit the EU, due to the economic uncertainties. Generally, losing a AAA rating means the nation would be forced to pay higher interest on its debt. TD Securities analyst Annette Beacher said hung parliaments had never historically been conducive to good governance and policy reform and "the risk of losing AAA/stable is not insignificant". "There is a significant probability that Australia experiences another three years of fiscal policy paralysis," she said, adding that it would leave the Reserve Bank of Australia "as the only public authority with tools to manage the business cycle". The central bank holds its monthly board meeting on Tuesday. With rates already at a historic low of 1.75 per cent, most economists do not expect it to intervene again just yet. But they see a possibility of a cut to 1.5 per cent in August should official inflation figures continue to point to benign price pressures, a sign of a flagging economy. (AFP)

Australia may risk its AAA credit rating over possible hung Parliament

Nearly 200 people have died in the last month at a camp for people made homeless by Boko Haram violence in northeast Nigeria, an aid agency said Wednesday, warning of a growing malnutrition crisis. 
 
A Doctors Without Borders (MSF) team on Tuesday visited the camp, home to around 24,000 people including 15,000 children, and found what it called &quot;a catastrophic humanitarian emergency&quot; unfolding. 
 
One in five of over 800 children it examined had severe acute malnutrition, while 16 severely malnourished children &quot;at immediate risk of death&quot; were referred to its in-patient treatment centre. 
 
At least 188 people have died in the internally displaced people (IDP) camp in Bama, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) from Maiduguri, since May 23 -- about six a day -- mainly from diarrhoea and malnutrition, MSF said in a statement. 
 
A total of 1,233 graves, many of them of for children, had been dug near the camp in the past year, the agency said. 
 
&quot;This is the first time MSF has been able to access Bama, but we already know the needs of the people there are beyond critical,&quot; said MSF head of mission in Nigeria, Ghada Hatim. 
 
&quot;We are treating malnourished children in medical facilities in Maiduguri and see the trauma on the faces of our patients who have witnessed and survived many horrors.&quot; 
 
&#39;Walking corpses&#39;&nbsp; 
 
The Borno state government and international aid agencies have previously warned about acute food shortages for IDPs in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region. 
 
On June 15, the Borno state government said it had transferred nearly 700 people, most of them children, from Bama to Maiduguri for treatment for severe malnutrition. 
 
Sixty-one young children and babies were said to be &quot;critically malnourished&quot;. 
 
A civilian vigilante and a soldier based in the remote town of Banki, 60 kilometres from Bama near the Cameroon border, told AFP 
this month at least 10 people were &quot;starving to death&quot; every day. 
 
The vigilante said 376 people had been buried in the last three months and those still alive were like &quot;walking corpses&quot;. 
 
- Security issues - 
 
Boko Haram, whose seven-year Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria has left at least 20,000 dead and displaced more than 2.6 million, controlled swathes of territory in the northeast in 2014. 
 
But the Nigerian government has said IDPs housed in camps or host communities can return after a military counter-offensive pushed the militants out of captured towns and villages. 
 
Despite assurances the northeast is largely clear of the rebels, sporadic attacks continue and security remains an issue, while houses, businesses and farms have largely been destroyed. 
 
Domestic and international aid agencies are mainly based in Maiduguri and dependent on Nigerian army assistance to access camps outside the city. 
 
The Borno state governor Kashim Shettima last week ordered police to investigate reports that relief material, including bags of rice meant for IDPs, was being stolen. 
 
The UN&#39;s children&#39;s agency, UNICEF, said it has been working with its partners in Bama since March and has provided health and nutrition support for some 19,000 people. 
 
Its primary health care centre sees on average 140 patients a day for conditions ranging from malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhoea, as well as malnutrition screening and treatment. 
 
(AFP)

One in five of over 800 children had severe acute malnutrition, while 16 severely malnourished children 'at immediate risk of death'

Nearly 200 people have died in the last month at a camp for people made homeless by Boko Haram violence in northeast Nigeria, an aid agency said Wednesday, warning of a growing malnutrition crisis. A Doctors Without Borders (MSF) team on Tuesday visited the camp, home to around 24,000 people including 15,000 children, and found what it called "a catastrophic humanitarian emergency" unfolding. One in five of over 800 children it examined had severe acute malnutrition, while 16 severely malnourished children "at immediate risk of death" were referred to its in-patient treatment centre. At least 188 people have died in the internally displaced people (IDP) camp in Bama, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) from Maiduguri, since May 23 -- about six a day -- mainly from diarrhoea and malnutrition, MSF said in a statement. A total of 1,233 graves, many of them of for children, had been dug near the camp in the past year, the agency said. "This is the first time MSF has been able to access Bama, but we already know the needs of the people there are beyond critical," said MSF head of mission in Nigeria, Ghada Hatim. "We are treating malnourished children in medical facilities in Maiduguri and see the trauma on the faces of our patients who have witnessed and survived many horrors." 'Walking corpses' The Borno state government and international aid agencies have previously warned about acute food shortages for IDPs in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region. On June 15, the Borno state government said it had transferred nearly 700 people, most of them children, from Bama to Maiduguri for treatment for severe malnutrition. Sixty-one young children and babies were said to be "critically malnourished". A civilian vigilante and a soldier based in the remote town of Banki, 60 kilometres from Bama near the Cameroon border, told AFP this month at least 10 people were "starving to death" every day. The vigilante said 376 people had been buried in the last three months and those still alive were like "walking corpses". - Security issues - Boko Haram, whose seven-year Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria has left at least 20,000 dead and displaced more than 2.6 million, controlled swathes of territory in the northeast in 2014. But the Nigerian government has said IDPs housed in camps or host communities can return after a military counter-offensive pushed the militants out of captured towns and villages. Despite assurances the northeast is largely clear of the rebels, sporadic attacks continue and security remains an issue, while houses, businesses and farms have largely been destroyed. Domestic and international aid agencies are mainly based in Maiduguri and dependent on Nigerian army assistance to access camps outside the city. The Borno state governor Kashim Shettima last week ordered police to investigate reports that relief material, including bags of rice meant for IDPs, was being stolen. The UN's children's agency, UNICEF, said it has been working with its partners in Bama since March and has provided health and nutrition support for some 19,000 people. Its primary health care centre sees on average 140 patients a day for conditions ranging from malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhoea, as well as malnutrition screening and treatment. (AFP)

200 die in one month at camp for people made homeless by Boko Haram violence

At least 17 million women and girls in Africa collect water every day, which increases their risk of sexual abuse, disease and dropping out of school, a study published recently has found.

It is one of the first studies to calculate how many women and children were responsible for water collection in Africa, the researchers said.

Using datasets from the World Bank, the UN&nbsp;children&#39;s agency UNICEF, and the US&nbsp;Agency for International Development, researchers found that around 3 million children and 14 million women collect water in sub-Saharan Africa.

&quot;The absolute number of adult females affected by this practice was a shock to me,&quot; Jay Graham, lead author of the study, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

&quot;I knew it would be large... but I didn&#39;t realise it would be that high,&quot; added Graham, who is professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

The daily practice causes musculoskeletal damage, soft tissue damage and can lead to early arthritis, Graham said.

People also have to contend with water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, an infection caused by parasitic worms living in fresh water, he said.

Across all 24 countries examined, including Sierra Leone, Malawi and Niger, more girls were tasked with water collection than boys. Women were also the primary water collector in all countries.

Children are pulled out of school for the daily task, and many women cannot earn an income because of the time and energy it takes to collect water, Graham said.

Since they often need to walk long distances to find water, women and children are also at a higher risk of sexual abuse, he added.

In a statement issued last month, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone said drought was putting even more pressure on children to find water.

&quot;Children, particularly girls, are out in the street very late at night or as early as 4a.m. in search of water,&quot; the statement read.

&quot;This heightens their vulnerability and contributes to increase in teenage pregnancy, child labour, high rates of school drop outs, and poor school performance,&quot; it said.

Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world&#39;s population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations.

As climate change strengthens, drought is becoming more frequent and severe in southern Africa, and that &ndash; combined with this year&#39;s El Nino phenomenon &ndash; is taking a heavy toll on rural lives and economies.

&quot;With climate change, it&#39;s going to be more of an uphill battle,&quot; said Graham. &quot;If there&#39;s focused attention on it and resources, we can improve upon the situation but I do think it&#39;s going to become more difficult.&quot;

But it also crucial to address gender inequality and to recognise the unpaid labour that women do across the globe, he said, which he believes is the underlying issue.

&quot;There is a need to address cultural values and really shifting the belief that women and men are equal too.&quot;

Many have to travel real far to collect water, thus exposing them to the risk of being sexually abused. And there is the added threat of a water-borne disease and other ailments.

At least 17 million women and girls in Africa collect water every day, which increases their risk of sexual abuse, disease and dropping out of school, a study published recently has found. It is one of the first studies to calculate how many women and children were responsible for water collection in Africa, the researchers said. Using datasets from the World Bank, the UN children's agency UNICEF, and the US Agency for International Development, researchers found that around 3 million children and 14 million women collect water in sub-Saharan Africa. "The absolute number of adult females affected by this practice was a shock to me," Jay Graham, lead author of the study, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "I knew it would be large... but I didn't realise it would be that high," added Graham, who is professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. The daily practice causes musculoskeletal damage, soft tissue damage and can lead to early arthritis, Graham said. People also have to contend with water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, an infection caused by parasitic worms living in fresh water, he said. Across all 24 countries examined, including Sierra Leone, Malawi and Niger, more girls were tasked with water collection than boys. Women were also the primary water collector in all countries. Children are pulled out of school for the daily task, and many women cannot earn an income because of the time and energy it takes to collect water, Graham said. Since they often need to walk long distances to find water, women and children are also at a higher risk of sexual abuse, he added. In a statement issued last month, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone said drought was putting even more pressure on children to find water. "Children, particularly girls, are out in the street very late at night or as early as 4a.m. in search of water," the statement read. "This heightens their vulnerability and contributes to increase in teenage pregnancy, child labour, high rates of school drop outs, and poor school performance," it said. Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world's population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations. As climate change strengthens, drought is becoming more frequent and severe in southern Africa, and that – combined with this year's El Nino phenomenon – is taking a heavy toll on rural lives and economies. "With climate change, it's going to be more of an uphill battle," said Graham. "If there's focused attention on it and resources, we can improve upon the situation but I do think it's going to become more difficult." But it also crucial to address gender inequality and to recognise the unpaid labour that women do across the globe, he said, which he believes is the underlying issue. "There is a need to address cultural values and really shifting the belief that women and men are equal too."

The risks more than 17 million African women and girls have to take to fetch water

London, May 28 (IANS) Would-be mothers please take note! Prenatal exposure to harmful air-borne pollutants can likely increase the risk of stillbirth during the pregnancy`s third trimester, finds a new study based on `suggestive evidence.` 
 
 
According to the researchers, nearly 2.6 million children worldwide were stillborn at 28 weeks or more in 2015, with the wide geographical variation in prevalence suggesting that most of these deaths were preventable. 
 
&quot;Stillbirth is one of the most neglected tragedies in global health today,&quot; said Marie Pedersen from University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
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WHO rejects call for Olympics to moved due to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZikaVirus?src=hash">#ZikaVirus</a> <a href="https://t.co/dXLSk0wBCx">https://t.co/dXLSk0wBCx</a>
&mdash; dna (@dna) <a href="https://twitter.com/dna/status/736460787665883137">May 28, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The findings showed that specifically, a 4 microgram per cubic meter (&micro;g/m3) increase in exposure to small particulate matter of less than 2.5 in diameter (PM2.5) was associated with a 2 percent increased risk of stillbirth. 
 
Further, particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone also showed to increase stillbirth risks. 
 
&quot;The existing evidence is suggestive of causality for air pollution and stillbirth without precise identification of the timing of exposure,&quot; Pedersen added. 
 
For the study, published online in Occupational &amp; Environmental Medicine, the reviewed 13 studies, which found an association between exposure to air pollution -- particularly during the third term of pregnancy -- and a heightened risk of stillbirth. 
 
&quot;With the limited studies on the relevant topic, our review suggests strong priorities for future research. If the evidence of an association between ambient air population and stillbirth is confirmed in future studies, it would be of major public health importance,&quot; Pedersen noted. 
 
--IANS

Would-be mothers please take note! Prenatal exposure to harmful air-borne pollutants can likely increase the risk of stillbirth during the pregnancy`s third trimester, finds a new study based on `suggestive evidence

London, May 28 (IANS) Would-be mothers please take note! Prenatal exposure to harmful air-borne pollutants can likely increase the risk of stillbirth during the pregnancy`s third trimester, finds a new study based on `suggestive evidence.` According to the researchers, nearly 2.6 million children worldwide were stillborn at 28 weeks or more in 2015, with the wide geographical variation in prevalence suggesting that most of these deaths were preventable. "Stillbirth is one of the most neglected tragedies in global health today," said Marie Pedersen from University of Copenhagen in Denmark. WHO rejects call for Olympics to moved due to #ZikaVirus https://t.co/dXLSk0wBCx — dna (@dna) May 28, 2016 The findings showed that specifically, a 4 microgram per cubic meter (µg/m3) increase in exposure to small particulate matter of less than 2.5 in diameter (PM2.5) was associated with a 2 percent increased risk of stillbirth. Further, particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone also showed to increase stillbirth risks. "The existing evidence is suggestive of causality for air pollution and stillbirth without precise identification of the timing of exposure," Pedersen added. For the study, published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, the reviewed 13 studies, which found an association between exposure to air pollution -- particularly during the third term of pregnancy -- and a heightened risk of stillbirth. "With the limited studies on the relevant topic, our review suggests strong priorities for future research. If the evidence of an association between ambient air population and stillbirth is confirmed in future studies, it would be of major public health importance," Pedersen noted. --IANS

Air pollution may up stillbirth risk during third trimester

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