Prepared to administer 1 million Covid-19 vaccines a day: Apollo Hospitals Group.
Leading healthcare provider Apollo Hospitals Group on Thursday said it is prepared to administer 1 million Covid-19 vaccines daily to augment and support the government’s efforts to fight the pandemic.The group will work with the government in tandem to make sure that the largest number of people get the vaccine safe and fast, Apollo Hospitals Group Executive Vice-Chairperson Shobana Kamineni said in a virtual media conference.“Apollo Hospitals have been strengthening its vaccine cold chain...
Scientists warn of aggravated Covid-19 spread in winter via respiratory droplets.
While transmission of the novel coronavirus as small aerosol particles is more significant in summer, direct contact with respiratory droplets may be more pronounced in the winter months, according to a new research.The modelling study, published in the journal Nano Letters, also noted that the currently followed physical distancing guidelines are inadequate in curbing the transmission of Covid-19.“We found that in most situations, respiratory droplets travel longer distances than the 6-foot social...
Covid-19 antibodies last at least three months; so do symptoms for many.
The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.Covid-19 antibodies last at least three monthsPeople infected with Covid-19 develop antibodies targeting the new coronavirus that last for at least three months, according to two reports published on Thursday in Science Immunology. The two studies, together involving nearly 750 patients, both point to immunoglobulin...
Regeneron’s antibody cocktail may offer protection against Covid-19: Study.
The experimental antibody cocktail which US President Donald Trump received when he tested positive for Covid-19 offers benefits against the novel coronavirus infection, according to a new study in animal models which provides more evidence of the clinical potential of the therapeutic. While earlier studies had shown that the cocktail of two antibodies targeting the coronavirus spike protein could be used to neutralise the pathogen, scientists from the American biotechnology company Regeneron noted...
Assisted reproductive technology bill sent to standing committee.
The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Regulation Bill 2020, that aims to regulate clinics offering IVF and other assisted reproductive services in the country, has been referred to the standing committee on health and family welfare for examination. The committee has been asked to report with their suggestions within three months.Chairman, Rajya Sabha, in consultation with the Speaker of Lok Sabha referred the Bill to the standing committee earlier this week.The bill—which was introduced in the Lok Sabha...
Urban air pollution may make Covid-19 more deadly, says study.
Researchers have found long-term exposure to urban air pollution may have made Covid-19 virus more deadly.“Both long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with direct and indirect systemic impact on the human body by enhancing oxidative stress, acute inflammation, and respiratory infection risk,” says Donghai Liang of Emory University, first co-author on the recent paper along with Liuhua Shi.In a recent study conducted by researchers analysed key urban air pollutants,...
Covid science: Breathing with face mask does not alter oxygen level; virus can last 9 hours on skin.
The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.Breathing with face masks does not affect the lungsThe average face mask may be uncomfortable but does not limit the flow of oxygen to the lungs, even in people with severe lung diseases, researchers say. They tested the effect of wearing surgical masks on gas exchange - the process by which the body adds oxygen to the blood...
Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine to use ViroVax’s adjuvant for longer-lasting immunity.
Vaccines major Bharat Biotech on Monday announced its coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine Covaxin will use adjuvant Alhydroxiquim-II to boost immune response.An adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that improves the immune response of a vaccine by producing more antibodies and providing longer-lasting immunity.Kansas-based ViroVax LLC has licensed their adjuvant for the use of Covaxin, which is currently undergoing advanced stages of clinical trials in India.Covaxin is an inactivated...
Indian scientists find method for early diagnosis of peptic ulcer-causing bacteria.
Scientists at the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata have found a method for early diagnosis of a peptic ulcer-causing bacteria with the help of a biomarker called ‘BreathPrint’ found in the breath, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) said on Saturday.The team of researchers at the SNBNC, an institute under the DST, recently spotted the new biomarker for diagnosis of helicobacter pylori in semi-heavy water (HDO) in exhaled human breath.The team used the study...
ICMR DG hails Gandhian perspective of healthy living in Covid-19 times.
Following Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of healthy lifestyle -- “Less is more” and “Health is wealth” especially in the times of crisis will be a prominent way to foster ease of living during the Covid-19 pandemic, said Prof (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday.Speaking on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Prof (Dr) Bhargava said that Gandhi has spent his life promoting the message of preventive health to the masses.“In today’s unprecedented...