From the moment the coronavirus spilled out of China and spread around the world, the great hope for the return of normal life lay with safe and effective vaccines. While wearing masks and washing hands helped to reduce the flood of infections, they would never be enough to hold back the tide. Social distancing – a phrase that does nothing to convey the hardship of the act – suppresses the virus, no doubt. But what kind of life is a life lived apart?
In response to the pandemic, the first great shock of the 21st century, scientists around the world came together in a staggering effort to tackle the crisis. No element of that work has been more impressive than the rapid development and testing of vaccines. To have shots in the arms of the most vulnerable people, which protect them against a virus unheard of 12 months ago, is an achievement worth reflecting upon.
Scientists at Oxford University were among the small number of teams at the forefront of the race to find a Covid vaccine. In the space of 10 months, they designed and manufactured a candidate vaccine and proved its safety and efficacy through rigorous clinical trials in tens of thousands of volunteers in multiple countries. The shots are now being churned out in their millions, and by agreement with Oxford’s partner, AstraZeneca, will be sold at cost price to poorer countries.
Image Credit: David Levene
Post by Amanda Scott, NA CEO. Follow her on twitter @tantriclens
Thanks to Heinz V. Hoenen. Follow him on twitter: @HeinzVHoenen
News
How bacteria trigger colon cancer
In a recent study published in Nature, scientists used murine models to investigate how certain bacteria, such as Escherichia coli strains that contain a polyketide synthase (pks) island encoding enzymes that produce colibactin genotoxin, could increase the [...]
Nanoparticles designed to trap and neutralise large amounts of SARS-CoV2
(Nanowerk News) Researchers from the IBB-UAB have developed a new class of nanostructures capable of trapping and neutralising large quantities of the SARS-CoV2 virus particles, both in liquid solutions and on the surface of [...]
Nanodiscs: What Are They and How Are They Shaping the Future of Medicine?
Nanodiscs are synthetic phospholipid particles with a distinct morphology and size that enhance their efficiency in drug delivery applications.1 First developed by Sligar et al. in the early 2000s, these model membrane systems measure around 10 [...]
New Discovery Reveals How Ovarian Cancer Starves Immune Cells
Researchers discovered that ovarian tumors hinder T cells’ energy supply by trapping a key protein, blocking lipid uptake. A new approach to reprogram T cells could enhance immunotherapy for aggressive cancers. Researchers at Weill Cornell [...]
Innovative Drug-Design Strategies to Overcome Antibacterial Resistance
Antibacterial resistance occurs when antibiotics fail to treat bacterial infections. This incidence is considered one of the top global health threats, stemming from the misuse or overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals.1 The [...]
Team introduces a cost-effective method to redesign search engines for AI
The internet search engine of the future will be powered by artificial intelligence. One can already choose from a host of AI-powered or AI-enhanced search engines—though their reliability often still leaves much to be [...]
Experiments demonstrate precise delivery of nanoparticles to lung
In recent years, bio-medical engineers have been developing promising techniques that could help diagnose diseases or precisely target specific regions inside the human body. Among these promising therapeutic strategies are methods that rely on [...]
What is Lassa fever? Everything to know about Ebola-like virus
Lassa fever has reached the US for the first time in a decade, in a case that has surprised health officials. The middle-aged patient in Iowa, who was not identified, died a 'short time' after being hospitalized [...]
Harvard Study Links Popular Plastic Ingredient to DNA Damage
Phthalate affects egg formation in C. elegans, resulting in abnormal chromosome numbers. A recent study conducted on roundworms has discovered that a common plastic ingredient can cause DNA strand breaks, leading to egg cells with an abnormal [...]
New research finds that subtle eye movements optimize vision
Our ability to see starts with the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells in our eyes. A specific region of the retina, termed fovea, is responsible for sharp vision. Here, the color-sensitive cone photoreceptors allow us to [...]
Scientists Were Wrong: Plants Absorb 31% More CO2 Than Previously Thought
New research shows plants absorb 31% more CO2 than previously estimated, raising the global GPP to 157 petagrams per year. Using carbonyl sulfide as a proxy for photosynthesis, this study highlights tropical rainforests’ critical role [...]
Doctors test first mRNA vaccine against norovirus
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the norovirus, which is widespread worldwide, is the cause of a large proportion of gastrointestinal infections. Those who catch the virus suffer from nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. [...]
Study reveals resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to common cleaning agents
A new study reveals widespread resistance of a major bacterial pathogen to the active ingredients in cleaning agents commonly used in hospitals and homes. The American Chemical Society Infectious Diseases published the research, led [...]
AI’s Next Frontier: System 0 and the Future of Human Thought
“System 0” represents an emerging cognitive tool powered by AI that works alongside human intuition and analysis to enhance cognitive abilities. This new system promises to support complex decision-making and problem-solving but requires careful [...]
The Global Nanomedicine Market: Key Players and Emerging Technologies in Healthcare
This article provides an overview of the global nanomedicine market, highlighting key players, emerging technologies, and the challenges and opportunities that influence its growth and commercialization in the healthcare sector. Nanomedicines are nanotechnology-based drug products [...]
Scientists Have Discovered Toxic “Forever Chemicals” in Bottled Water
Scientists have found toxic PFAS in drinking water samples from around the world, with higher levels in tap water from China compared to the UK. Boiling water or using a filtration jug can reduce [...]