Easily-detected biomarker predicts clinical progression of COVID-19, respiratory outcomes

Researchers at the University of Rome Tor Vergata have demonstrated for the first time an elevated expression of the HERV-W ENV protein in the blood cells of COVID-19 patients, particularly in T-lymphocytes, important cells of the immune response against viruses and bacteria. In COVID-19 patients, the protein was correlated to inflammation and alteration of the activation and exhaustion of the immune response.

Older adults most likely to make the effort to help others: study

Older adults are more willing to make an effort to help others than younger adults, according to new research from the University of Birmingham.

Sweat sensor could alert doctors, patients to looming COVID cytokine storm

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors recognized that patients who developed a "cytokine storm"—a surge of pro-inflammatory immune proteins—were often the sickest and at highest risk of dying. But a cytokine storm can also occur in other illnesses, such as influenza. Today, scientists report preliminary results on a sweat sensor that acts as an early warning system for an impending cytokine storm, which could help doctors more effectively treat patients.

Communication researcher shows freewill is key to combat online extremism

Douglas Wilbur '14, a visiting Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Communication at UTSA, has published a study that shows how researchers can craft message campaigns to protect individuals from adopting extremist views.

Vitamin D deficiency may impair muscle function

Vitamin D deficiency may impair muscle function due to a reduction in energy production in the muscles, according to a mouse study published in the Journal of Endocrinology. Vitamin D deficient mice were found to have impaired muscle mitochondrial function, which may have implications for muscle function, performance and recovery. This may suggest that preventing vitamin D deficiency in older adults could help maintain better muscle strength and function and reduce age related muscle deterioration, but further studies are needed to confirm this.

In Canada, psychedelics re-emerge in treatment of depression

To manage her stress and fears, Andrea Bird—who is suffering from terminal cancer—uses psychedelics, which are seeing a sudden re-emergence in Canada as a possible treatment for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Amazon conciliatory as US eyes regulation

US tech giant Amazon on Thursday sounded conciliatory notes as the US government considers stricter regulatory measures against America's largest digital platforms.

Zuckerberg urged to nix kids' version of Instagram

Advocates for children from around the world urged Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday to ditch plans for a version of Instagram geared toward pre-teens.

Apple announces $200 mn forestry fund to reduce carbon

Apple on Thursday announced a $200 million fund to invest in timber-producing commercial forestry projects, with the goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere while also generating profit.

Pfizer CEO: Vaccine third dose 'likely' needed within 12 months

The head of Pfizer said in an interview aired Thursday that people will "likely" need a third dose of his company's COVID-19 shot within six to 12 months of vaccination, while elsewhere defending the relatively higher cost of the jab.

Google broke Australian law over location data collection: court

Google violated Australian law by misleading users of Android mobile devices about the use of their location data, a court ruled Friday in a landmark decision against the global digital giant.

Japan expands virus alert in Tokyo area as surge spreads

Japan is set to raise the coronavirus alert level in Tokyo's three neighboring prefectures and a forth area in central Japan to allow tougher measures as a more contagious coronavirus variant spreads, along with doubts whether the Olympics can go ahead.

SpaceX, NASA give 'go' for astronaut launch, 3rd for Dragon

SpaceX is gearing up for its third astronaut launch in under a year, after getting the green light from NASA a week ahead of next Thursday's planned flight.

NASA spacecraft leaves mess after grabbing asteroid samples

A NASA spacecraft left a mess at an asteroid when it grabbed a load of rubble last year for return to Earth, new pictures revealed Thursday.

Heart health of shift workers linked to body clock

Working hours that deviate from an individual's natural body clock are associated with greater cardiovascular risk, according to research presented at ESC Preventive Cardiology 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Key policy considerations for reducing public consumption of vice products

Researchers from University of British Columbia, Emory University, and New York University published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that investigates the relationship between branding and counter-marketing in the cigarette industry.

Reliable COVID-19 short-term forecasting

A new study by Texas A&M University researchers published in PLOS ONE details a new model for making short-term projections of daily COVID-19 cases that is accurate, reliable and easily used by public health officials and other organizations.

Thirdhand smoke exposure linked to fabric type, heat, and humidity

A study led by scientists at the University of California, Riverside, has found chemicals in thirdhand smoke, or THS, get extracted more readily from household fabrics in a humid environment than in a dry one.

A new treatment for rare muscular disease

Rare diseases are sometimes the most difficult to treat because of a lack of research and fewer participants to study.

Past COVID-19 infection does not fully protect young people from reinfection

A past COVID-19 infection does not completely protect against reinfection in young people, according to an observational study of more than 3,000 healthy members of the US Marines Corps most of whom were aged 18-20 years, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.