Sewer slime can hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater
During the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater entering treatment plants has been one way that researchers have gauged the disease's spread. But could the slimy microbial communities that line most sewer pipes aff.....»»
Wastewater Monitoring Offers Powerful Tool for Tracking COVID and Other Diseases
A CDC database of sewage data from communities around the nation could provide earlier warning of outbreaks and new viral variants -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Sewer treasure: Engineers reveal how to optimize processes for transforming wastewater sulfur to valuable materials
One person's wastewater is another person's treasure. A new Stanford University study paves the way to mining sewage for valuable materials used in fertilizers and batteries that could someday power smartphones and airplanes. The analysis, published.....»»
Targeted enzymes destroy virus RNA
A research team led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has successfully used specific enzymes to destroy the genetic information of SARS-CoV-2 directly after the virus penetrates the cell. The findings could serve as the basis for a therapy.....»»
Genome sequence of COVID in a cat nearly identical to viral sequences found in people
Since being identified in people in 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has gone on to infect a wide range of animal species, wild and domestic. Concerns abound that these species jumps could lead to novel mutations and even harmful new variants......»»
Researchers may have ID’ed first deer-to-human SARS-CoV-2 transmission
A distinct lineage may have spread through deer and mink. (credit: Photograph by imelda) One of the more disturbing aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is its ability to readily hop between a variety of species, ranging from.....»»
Graphene sensor rapidly detects opioid metabolites in wastewater
The unique properties of the atom-thick sheet of carbon, known as graphene, enabled a new penny-sized, multiplexed bio-sensor that's the first to detect opioid byproducts in wastewater, a team of researchers from Boston College, Boston University, an.....»»
Chewing Gum with GMO Could Reduce the Spread of COVID
Gum carrying a protein produced by genetically modified lettuce traps SARS-CoV-2 -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
New research suggests way to turn SARS-CoV-2 against itself
Scientists have discovered a possible new way to fight COVID-19 by turning part of SARS-CoV-2 against itself......»»
Why natural killer cells react to COVID-19
Little has been known to date about how the immune system's natural killer (NK) cells detect which cells have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. An international team of scientist led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet now shows that NK cells resp.....»»
Discovery of New HIV Variant Sends Warning for COVID Pandemic
Infectious disease expert William A. Haseltine cautions that a coronavirus variant could emerge with the transmissibility of Omicron and the deadliness of the original SARS -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Sewage Sampling Already Tracks Covid. What Else Can It Find?
Everyone poops—and that reveals traces of pathogens. Comprehensively analyzing wastewater could help find flu and detect the next pandemic......»»
Keep curtains in place with a decorative and functional curtain rod
Curtains are a popular window treatment because they are cheap and easy to hang to give you and your family a bit of privacy. Whether you buy or make your curtains, the type of curtain rod you choose helps you make the final statement in your room......»»
How to correct Siri"s pronunciation
As hard as Siri may try, Apple's digital assistant just can't get the hang of some names.As someone with a difficult-to-pronounce last name, I understand. But you can give Siri a helping hand.If you already know that the iPhone's AI struggles with ce.....»»
Engineered antibody helps block SARS-CoV-2 transmission
Researchers at UC Davis Health have engineered a novel antibody, FuG1, that can directly interfere with the cell-to-cell transmission ability of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19......»»
Researchers identify SARS-CoV-2 variants with potential to escape cellular immune response
A number of existing strains of SARS-CoV-2, as well as other future variants that could arise, have the potential to escape the immune system's cytotoxic T cell response in some portion of the population. That's the conclusion of a new modeling study.....»»
Sewer slime can hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater
During the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater entering treatment plants has been one way that researchers have gauged the disease's spread. But could the slimy microbial communities that line most sewer pipes aff.....»»
The stunning recovery of a heavily polluted river in the Blue Mountains World Heritage area
For more than 40 years, an underground coal mine discharged poorly treated wastewater directly into the Wollangambe River, which flows through the heart of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area......»»
Discovery of natural compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 main protease through virtual screening
The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is an international scientific challenge regarding the search for strategies to fight the viral infection and prevent its damaging consequences. Besides the vaccines and approved drugs by the health authorities.....»»
Anti-COVID Nanobubbles Act as Viral Decoys
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered naturally-occurring extracellular vesicles in the blood that contain the ACE2 protein, which is the cellular target of SARS-CoV-2. The vesicles act as a binding site for viral particles within th.....»»
US Government Expands Sewage-System Testing for Data on Spread of Pathogens Including Covid-19
CNN reports that wastewater-based epidemiology "has proven to be so reliable in dozens of pilot projects across the U.S. that the government has invested millions to create the National Wastewater Surveillance System, or NWSS, a network of 400 testin.....»»