Small poikilotherms such as the fruit fly Drosophila depend on absolute temperature measurements to identify external conditions that are above (hot) or below (cold) their preferred range and to react accordingly. Hot and cold temperatures have a different impact on fly activity and sleep, but the circuits and mechanisms that adjust behavior to specific thermal conditions are… Continue reading A thermometer circuit for hot temperature adjusts Drosophila behavior to persistent heat
Category: Environment
Single-Channel EEG Features Reveal an Association With Cognitive Decline in Seniors Performing Auditory Cognitive Assessment
Background: Cognitive decline remains highly underdiagnosed despite efforts to find novel cognitive biomarkers. Electroencephalography (EEG) features based on machine-learning (ML) may offer a non-invasive, low-cost approach for identifying cognitive decline. However, most studies use cumbersome multi-electrode systems. This study aims to evaluate the ability to assess cognitive states using machine learning (ML)-based EEG features extracted from… Continue reading Single-Channel EEG Features Reveal an Association With Cognitive Decline in Seniors Performing Auditory Cognitive Assessment
Home as the new frontier for the treatment of COVID-19: the case for anti-inflammatory agents
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is characterised by a broad spectrum of symptom severity that requires varying amounts of care according to the different stages of the disease. Intervening at the onset of mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms in the outpatient setting would provide the opportunity to prevent progression to a more severe illness and long-term… Continue reading Home as the new frontier for the treatment of COVID-19: the case for anti-inflammatory agents
Thirdhand Exposures to Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines through Inhalation, Dust Ingestion, Dermal Uptake, and Epidermal Chemistry
Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are emitted during smoking and form indoors by nitrosation of nicotine. Two of them, N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), are human carcinogens with No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) of 500 and 14 ng day–1, respectively. Another TSNA, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl) butanal (NNA), shows genotoxic and mutagenic activity in vitro. Here, we present additional evidence… Continue reading Thirdhand Exposures to Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines through Inhalation, Dust Ingestion, Dermal Uptake, and Epidermal Chemistry
Longitudinal analysis of antibody dynamics in COVID-19 convalescents reveals neutralizing responses up to 16 months after infection
Elucidating the dynamics of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescents is crucial in controlling the pandemic and informing vaccination strategies. Here we measured nAb titres across 411 sequential plasma samples collected during 1-480 d after illness onset or laboratory confirmation (d.a.o.) from 214 COVID-19 convalescents, covering the clinical spectrum of… Continue reading Longitudinal analysis of antibody dynamics in COVID-19 convalescents reveals neutralizing responses up to 16 months after infection
Are Lockdowns Effective in Managing Pandemics?
The present coronavirus crisis caused a major worldwide disruption which has not been experienced for decades. The lockdown-based crisis management was implemented by nearly all the countries, and studies confirming lockdown effectiveness can be found alongside the studies questioning it. In this work, we performed a narrative review of the works studying the above effectiveness,… Continue reading Are Lockdowns Effective in Managing Pandemics?
Immune boosting by B.1.1.529 (Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure
Importance of infection historyA long-term study of healthcare workers in the United Kingdom has allowed their history of infection and vaccination to be traced precisely. Reynolds et al. found some unexpected immune-damping effects caused by infection with a heterologous variant to the latest wave of infection by the Omicron/Pango lineage B.1.1.529. The authors found that… Continue reading Immune boosting by B.1.1.529 (Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure
Effects of wearing FFP2 masks on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in classrooms
Importance: Different mitigation measures are mandated in schools worldwide to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The efficacy of most measures, however, has not been investigated thus far. Objective: To investigate the usefulness of FFP-2 masks in classrooms to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Design: A retrospective comparative cohort study of infection rates (evaluated by PCR… Continue reading Effects of wearing FFP2 masks on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in classrooms
Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries — April–June 2022
Before April 2022, monkeypox virus infection in humans was seldom reported outside African regions where it is endemic. Currently, cases are occurring worldwide. Transmission, risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes of infection are poorly defined.METHODSWe formed an international collaborative group of clinicians who contributed to an international case series to describe the presentation, clinical course,… Continue reading Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries — April–June 2022
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