identified | Common News Update

Apr12021 by adminNo Comments

New vulnerable sites identified on surface of COVID spike protein that ‘could help future vaccine development’

Technology

Scientists have discovered new vulnerable sites on the surface of the COVID-19 spike protein for antibodies which could help in the development of vaccines.Coronavirus is surrounded by spike proteins that it uses to enter and infect human cells. COVID vaccines work by teaching the immune system to make antibodies to the spike protein. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt, Germany, have developed a detailed model of the spike protein to identify potential target sites on its surface for the antibodies.They said previous models have not shown the flexibility of the spike protein or the movements of the protective glycans - which they describe as chains of sugar molecules - that coat it. ...

Jan122021 by adminNo Comments

Divers recover ‘black box’ from jet that crashed into sea as first victim identified

World

Navy divers have recovered a "black box" from an Indonesian airliner which crashed into the Java Sea on Saturday with 62 people on board.TV pictures showed in inflatable boat carrying a large white container, which in turn was carrying the box. It was unclear whether it was the Boeing 737-500's flight data or cockpit voice recorder.The boxes were believed to be buried under sharp objects which needed to be removed first, Admiral Yudo Margono of the Indonesian navy said. They were thought to be about 75ft (23m) below the surface of the sea.A remotely-operated vehicle was sent to the location between Lancang and Laki islands, just north of the capital, Jakarta, and at least 160 divers were involved in the search. ...

May12020 by adminNo Comments

Blood clots, skin lesions among newly identified possible COVID-19 symptoms

Health

April 30 (UPI) -- Blood clots, skin rashes and other lesions might be among the symptoms some people experience with COVID-19, according to new research released Thursday. None of the reports characterize how common the symptoms are with the disease, which is caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added six new symptoms to its list for the virus last week -- chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. Skin problems and blood clotting weren't among them. In a study published in the British Journal of Hematology, researchers from Ireland observed that patients admitted to the hospital with severe COVID-19 infection are experiencing abnormal blood clotting. In some cases, the clo...

Jun82019 by adminNo Comments

Four new plume moth species identified in the Bahamas

Science

June 7 (UPI) -- Scientists have identified four new species of plume moths in the Bahamas. Plume moths are a family of small moths with uniquely modified wings. Plume moths are named for the fringelike scales that adorn their wings. When extended, the outline of the mosquito-sized moths resembles a tiny star. There are now 23 known plume moths in the Bahamas. Several of them -- including the four described this week in the journal Insecta Mundi -- would likely still be fluttering around in anonymity if it wasn't for Deborah Matthews. Matthews, a biological scientist at the Florida Museum of Natural History, has been conducting plume moth expeditions and field studies in the Bahamas since 1987. "They were just so unique," she said in a news release. "It's the symmetry that really gets yo...

Oct192018 by adminNo Comments

New genetic cause of severe childhood epilepsy identified

Health

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A new genetic cause of severe and difficult-to-treat childhood epilepsy syndrome has been identified, offering clues to the potential medical treatments for the rare condition, according to researchers. Researchers found spontaneous mutations in one gene, called CACNA1E, disrupt the flow of calcium in brain cells, leading to epileptic overactivity. The findings were published Thursday in the American Journal of Human Genetics. "Whether or not we can predict disease course and severity from the genetic change is a frequent question from patients, families, and clinicians," first author Dr. Katherine L. Helbig, a research genetic counselor in the Neurogenetics Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, wrote in a blog post. "There is some suggestion that this may at so...