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Category: Pandemics & Vaccines

  • Heating could be the best way to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

    Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, N95 face masks have been in short supply. Health care workers, in particular, desperately need these masks to protect themselves from the respiratory droplets of infected patients. But because of the shortage, many have to wear the same mask repeatedly.

    Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano have tested several methods for disinfecting N95 materials, finding that heating them preserves their filtration efficiency for 50 cycles of disinfection.

    N95 masks contain a layer of “meltblown” polypropylene fibers that form a porous, breathable network. To help capture smaller particles that could slip through the holes, the fibers are electrostatically charged.

    The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended several methods for disinfecting N95 masks, such as heating, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and bleach treatment, but so far they have not been tested extensively, especially for multiple rounds of disinfection.

    The researchers wanted to compare five of the methods that could reasonably be used within a hospital setting to see how mask materials hold up to repeated disinfections.

    In this study, instead of analyzing N95 masks — which should be reserved for health care workers — the researchers examined pieces of the meltblown fabric used to make these masks.

    They treated the material with a particular disinfectant and compared its ability to filter aerosol particles (resembling respiratory droplets, but lacking coronavirus) before and after disinfection.

    The team found that spraying the fabric with an ethanol or chlorine bleach solution drastically reduced the filtration efficiency after only one treatment, from about 96 per cent to 56 per cent (ethanol) or 73 per cent (bleach).

    A single steam treatment maintained filtration, but five steam treatments led to a sharp decline in efficiency. UV radiation allowed up to 20 cycles of disinfection; however, administering the exact dose of UV that kills the virus without damaging mask materials could be problematic, the researchers note.

    The best disinfection method appeared to be heating. For example, heating at 185 F for 20 minutes allowed the fabric to be treated 50 times without loss of filtration efficiency. But frequently donning and removing N95 masks could affect fit, which also impacts performance, the researchers point out.

    The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the US Congress.

  • Covid 19: Lockdown 4.0 to be different; need a self-reliant India, says PM Modi

    In an address to the nation today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the next lockdown will be different and the guidelines will be soon before May 18 regarding the measures to be taken during the fourth phase of the lockdown. 

    As per him, several experts and scientists have said that the virus is going to be part of our lives for a long time. But, it is also important to ensure that our life does-not revolve only around it. He exhorted people to work towards their targets while taking precautions like wearing masks and maintaining ‘do gaz doori’.

    Modi said the crisis that has emerged due to COVID-19 is unprecedented. He emphasised on the need to save ourselves from the novel coronavirus and also move ahead at the same time.

    The guidelines will be prepared keeping in mind the feedback received from the states, he said.

    The Prime Minister announced an economic stimulus package of Rs 20 lakh crore. “I am announcing a special financial package, which will play an important role in our atmanirbhar bharat abhiyan (self-reliant India campaign). If we add this package to RBI’s announcements, the government’s announcement, the total comes to nearly 20 lakh crore, which is nearly 10 per cent of India’s GDP.”

    Prime Minister observed that the package will also focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws. It will cater to various sections including cottage industry, MSMEs, labourers, middle class, industries, among others.

    He informed that the details of the contours of the package will be provided by the Finance Minister from tomorrow, in the coming few days.

    He stressed on the need for a structure to make India self-reliant. Modi elaborated five pillars for self-reliance.

    First pillar is Economy: As per him, India will have to bring an economy that doesn’t bring incremental change, but quantum jump.

    Second pillar is Infrastructure: He said we need an infrastructure which can become the identity of modern India.

    Third pillar is the System: He said there’s a need to not necessarily follow the norms of the previous century. It should be technology driven and should be able to fulfill India’s 21st century dreams.

    Fourth pillar is Vibrant Democracy: He called it as the source of energy for our dream to make India self-reliant.

    Fifth is Demand: As per him, the demand-supply chain is the real power and it should be used to its full potential.

    As per Modi, when India speaks of self-reliance, that does not mean self-centered. Instead self-reliance stands for world’s happiness, cooperation and peace.

    Prime Minister remarked that self-reliance will prepare the country for tough competition in the global supply chain, and it is important that the country wins this competition. “The same has been kept in mind while preparing the package. It will not only increase efficiency in various sectors but also ensure quality.”

    “Today we have the resources, the power and the best talent in the world. We will make the best products, improve our quality, and modernise the supply chain. We can and we will.”

    He said, “We have to be vocal with local. That  is, we should not only buy local products, but we should also be vocal in promoting them. I am confident that we can do this.”

  • NIPER-Guwahati designs innovative 3D products to fight COVID-19

    The Guwahati unit of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER-G) have come out with two products of help in the fight against the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19.

    The first product is a 3D-printed hands-free object that could be used to help open or close doors, windows, drawers (both vertical and horizontal), and refrigerator handle, or press elevator buttons, and laptop/desktop keyboards, including turning the switch buttons on/off.

    In a press note, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said, “The researchers came up with the design for the fabrication of the 3D-printed object after detailed analyses of several resources for risk measurement and on how viruses spread through bare hands.”

    As per note, the face shield is also easy to design and it is possible to have rapid development of prototypes. “It is also low cost, easy to wear, has good chemical stability, non-fragile and is easy to clean with the existing sanitizers or any alcoholic disinfectant.”

    The second product is a 3D-printed antimicrobial face-shield to control the spread of novel coronavirus. It was designed after a thorough study to understand how viruses spread through oral, ophthalmic, olfactory and other body cavities.

    A meeting was held through video conferencing yesterday under the chairmanship of new delhi to review NIPERS performance in research & innovation activities especially with regard to the ways in which NIPERs have and can contribute in country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

    “NIPER-G is committed to provide useful contributions cum solutions,” said Dr USN Murty, Director, NIPER-Guwahati.

    He said this on Thursday while attending a video conference with NIPER directors under chairmanship of Dr P D Vaghela, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.

    Murty said NIPER–G has also made a skin friendly herbal sanitizer. He informed that industrial scale manufacturing of its new products are being done in collaboration with Hindustan Antibiotics Limited( HAL), a departmental PSU.

    NIPERs are Centres of Excellence institutes of under the Department of Pharmaceutical, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

    The seven institutes are functional at Ahmadabad, Hyderabad, Hajipur, Kolkata, Guwahati, Mohali, and Raebareli.

    Pic source: Pixabay

  • Covid-19: Restaurants revenue to fall by 50% this fiscal

    India’s organised dine-in restaurants are on course for a 40-50 per cent fall in revenue this fiscal because of the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, says credit research firm Crisil.

    The outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic has led to outlet closures, job cuts and trickle-down effect on the food supply chain.

    Organised restaurants account for nearly 35 per cent of India’s restaurant industry, estimated at Rs 4.2 lakh crore in fiscal 2019. Dine-ins are 75 per cent of the organised restaurants, with online delivery/takeaways making up for the rest.

    Dine-ins and public entertainment venues in Mumbai, National Capital Region (NCR) and Bengaluru have been shut since March 13-14, 2020, before the government announced the first lockdown on March 25. Online delivery is available in select cities such as Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune and Bhubaneshwar, and that, too, at low service levels.

    “The organised sector has seen a 90 per cent reduction in sales since the lockdown. Dine-in is not operational and online orders have declined 50-70 per cent. And when the lockdown is lifted, the rebound is expected to be only gradual. This holds especially for Mumbai and Delhi NCR, which make up nearly half of the organised restaurant industry in India, but are red zones accounting for over 30 per cent of the Covid-19 cases in India,” said Rahul Prithiani, Director, Crisil Research.

  • Covid 19: Govt to develop RT-Lamp based test. What is it?

    In order to mitigate COVID-19 from India, CSIR has strategised its R&D to develop, integrate, scale-up and deploy necessary technological interventions for combating Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

    Considering the multifarious problems created by coronavirus, which require interventions, the CSIR under the guidance of its Director General, Dr. Shekhar Mande has formed five verticals to coordinate various research activities into Digital and Molecular Surveillance, Drugs & Vaccines, Rapid and Economical Diagnostics, Hospital Assistive Devices & PPEs, and Supply Chain and Logistics.

    “Since testing is vital component in COIVD-19 mitigation, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu a constituent laboratory of CSIR has partnered with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to develop and scale-up a new Reverse Transcriptase-Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-Lamp) based COVID-19 diagnostic kit for which a formal MOU has also been signed between CSIR-IIIM, Jammu and RIL,” said a press note by Ministry of Science & Technology.

    What is RT-Lamp?

    COVID-19 RT-Lamp test is a nucleic acid based test carried out from nasal/throat swab sample from patients. The test recipe has been developed and successfully demonstrated using synthetic templates. It is rapid (45-60 min), cost effective and accurate test. It has been tested with a small number of patients samples and validating the kit on more number of patient samples is planned and will be done together with RIL.

    The note said, “The advantage of this test is that the RT-Lamp based COVID-19 kit components are easily available and these can be completely manufactured in India. While the, the current COVID-19 testing is done by real-time PCR their components are mostly imported. Further these tests are expensive; require highly trained manpower, costly instruments and a relatively high-end lab and cannot be deployed at remote locations in quarantine centers, airports and railway stations, etc.”

    “On the other hand, the RT-Lamp test can be done in a single tube with minimal expertise in a very basic lab setup like mobile units / kiosks for testing at Airports, Railway Stations, Bus Stands and other public places. The end detection of the test is a simple colored reaction, which is easily visible in UV light, and now is being modified such that it can be detected in regular light.”

    After testing the accuracy of the kit, on a much larger number of patients, CSIR-IIIM and RIL will jointly approach ICMR for approval. RIL plans to rapidly scale up the tests for the larger population and use it for easy, rapid and widespread diagnosis for COVID-19 detection for the larger interest of society.

    “With the formal launch of the RT-Lamp based diagnostic test, the COVID-19 testing will not only be more rapid, cheap, easy and accessible but also would go a long way quickly isolating the infected individuals and mitigating the spread of virus,” the ministry said.

  • Let’s Open our Minds through Yoga to Fight Covid 19

    By Dr. M. Balasubramanyam

    “Covid 19 pandemic; Everything is closed; Everything is under lockdown; Let’s open our Minds; Attain Mindfulness through Yoga”

    As June 21 is the International Day of Yoga, the whole world is geared up for celebrating the day – this time with the crucial Covid-19 crisis and focused theme “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”. “In the post Covid-19 era, the focus on preventive healthcare will get stronger and that is why I am confident that yoga will become even more popular,” this is what the statement recently made by none other than Prime Minister of India, the honorable Narendra Modi.

    Yoga Relieves All Forms of Stress and Depression

    Stress and depression are known to increase the risk of acute respiratory infections. No doubt, alarmingly increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths worldwide are linked to increased stress and anxiety among the general public, while loneliness and depressive feelings are likely to build up several folds due to repeatedly imposed lockdowns and mandatory social distancing measures. Among other health benefits of yoga, pranayama is also known to improve functioning of lung. Yoga appears to be a great tool to help improve respiratory health and immunity, both of which are involved in the prevention and optimal management of Covid-19. In fact, mind-body therapies like meditation and yoga are demonstrated to reduce inflammatory markers and beneficially influence markers of virus-specific immune response. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggests yoga may be a potential and viable transdiagnostic intervention for the management of depressive symptoms in people with a range of mental disorders. These authors now comment that yoga may be the answer to your mental health worries during Covid-19.

    Yoga is a Metabolic Regulator!

    Recent studies endorse yoga as a metabolic regulator as it brings about a balance in autonomous nervous system and regulates metabolic parameters (blood pressure, glucose, lipids) by stabilizing sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. It’s no doubt that non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, neurodegenerative disorders and other chronic respiratory diseases), which are otherwise called as ‘lifestyle disorders’ are the big health burden worldwide and especially in developing countries like India” – says Balasubramanyam.  More importantly, these are the co-morbidities most often linked to the severity as well as mortality among the COVID19 patients. Therefore, yoga including meditation could be a simple and useful home-based practice for the prevention and post-recovery management of Covid-19.

    Practice Yoga to Reassure Post-Covid 9 Renaissance

    Covid-19 presents an unparalleled set of challenges for the world and its most vulnerable people, requiring collective action on a global scale. Even if you are virus-free, Covid is certain to affect your health. While the mental health fallout is likely to exceed the direct harms of Covid-19, worsening health and well-being also makes us more susceptible to the novel coronavirus and its complications. But the good news endorsed by science is that Mind-body relaxation by yoga is effective to combat all forms of lifestyle stress. ‘Therefore, practicing yoga is one way or perhaps the only way to reassure post-Covid-19 renaissance’ – says Balasubramanyam. Scientists need to collaborate with professional yoga institutions such as S-VYASA (Bangaluru) so as to study how Yoga could reassure post Covid-19 renaissance, adds Balasubramanyam.

    About Author:

    Dr. M. Balasubramanyam is Disease-Biologist and Dean of Research at Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (ICMR- Centre for Advanced Research on Diabetes), Chennai.

    References:

    1. Maxwell L, Barrett B, Chase J, et al. Self-reported mental health predicts acute respiratory infection. WMJ 2015;114: 100.
    2. Abel AN, Lloyd LK, Williams JS. The effects of regular yoga practice on pulmonary function in healthy individuals: a literature review. J Altern Complement Med 2013;19:185–190.
    3. Morgan N, Irwin MR, Chung M, Wang C. The effects of mind-body therapies on the immune system: meta-analysis. PLoS One 2014;9:e100903.
    4. Brinsley J, Schuch F, Lederman O et al. Effects of Yoga on Depressive Symptoms in People With Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Br J Sport Med 2020; DOI:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101242

  • Covid 19: Mental Well-being is Important Now — More Than Ever

    By Raddur Samaddar

    Since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have come a long way. While the healthcare workers throughout the world are racing to provide the best available supportive care and treatment to patients, we are actually somewhere between hopeful; but tired of the pandemic being in this long-drawn scenario than many of us might have imagined.

    So to say, we are hoping this pandemic would end. The physical stress, being added by staying at our homes in the state of lockdown and getting updates about the cases of ever-rising spread each day, it takes a heavy toll on our minds; and to overcome this stress is the biggest challenge of our times. We have started cursing the year 2020, with the thought that the blame-game would satisfy our panicked minds.

    In the past we have seen pandemics, lingering in for 2-3 years (H1N1) to even more than hundred years. The credibility of healthcare system lies in the fact, how fast a treatment can be implemented and the curves of rise can be curbed. Not all pandemics are same. A viral causative agent will pose far greater risks of an exponential spread like we are seeing now.

    At this point of time, we thought of focusing on certain issues that would have marked effects on our minds. Added to the fear of coming in contact with the virus, restricted flow of life is having a serious impact — worthy to be addressed.

    A Closer Look

    The psychological effects of the pandemic are best understood in terms of psychiatric and psychological problems that were present before the pandemic and the patho-plastic effects of the pandemic on these problems; the responses to social isolation and lockdown; the psychological response to the diagnosis, public responses to those with symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 infection, as well as the aftermath of the infection.

    We have to understand that lockdown is strictly a way of stopping the spread of this rapid infecting RNA virus. The healthcare workers and researchers are racing against time and trying to make the most out of the limited knowledge. We have gathered and continue to gather throughout. This means, staying indoors except for buying necessities and ideally only one healthy family member making the trips when it is absolutely necessary.

    Social isolation is a major aspect that is hard to be dealt with, while the increasing use of smartphones and internet can be thanked at this hour of need to waive off that factor. Connectivity is the key. This current period of social isolation will also exacerbate the epidemic of loneliness identified by a 2019 University of Michigan study on healthy aging in which 34 per cent of adults, aged 50 to 80 years, reported feeling lonely.

    Studies have shown increased delusions, suicidal attempts and psychosis in recent times. But relating to that, we should make the most of what is available to us. Telemedicine is an important use of internet, where the one in need could seek some professional help without a physical doctor’s visit. The medicine and healthcare world fears the onset of a ‘loneliness epidemic’.

    Societal maturity will play a very important factor for this cause. Now to handle the crisi we have to take care of the society and stay safe at the same time. Small endeavours like, making sure every news you are spreading has a silver-lining of positivity within it; not harming any class of people on a personal level because he or she has caught Covid-19 infection; making your peace with the fact that the news that we are getting to hear will not always be comforting, yet not panicking and dealing with them in the right way. Helping anyone and everyone in need and most importantly, if you know someone is going through a crisis that you can address and bring in some form of remedy (Source: UNICEF).

    The Focus Speaks for Itself

    The healthcare workers are taking a heavy toll of stress on their minds too. To stand and work for hours tirelessly with the fact of acceptance that supportive care is all that’s available at the moment. That takes some serious attitude driven strength to carry on and keep at it. Indeed, Covid-19 has impacted the mental health of the entire community in one or another manner. This has created an unprecedented mental health challenge in the face of limited specialist resources. This also means that we need to think beyond conventional strategies. We need to manage with what is available, but constantly update ourselves, almost daily. Simultaneously, we need to engage with non-psychiatric medical professionals to facilitate the psychiatric management of patients with Covid-19 infection and co-morbid physical illnesses. Digital-enabled learning and support for mental health issues need to be considered for all non-psychiatric medical professionals and frontline personnel. Online learning is equally useful for regular updates for psychiatrists as well.

    Hearing It From Experts

    I have had the chance to gather some words of wisdom from psychiatrist Dr. Bappaditya Chowdhury. He says, “In this trying time, we’re going through three parallel epidemics simultaneously. Along with Coronavirus, economics and psychogical epidemic creating a havoc on every section of society. We don’t know to what extent and how long this crisis is going to stay. Accordingly, people are trying their best to adjust to this ‘New Normal’. Here the painstaking courage shown by frontline healthcare worker, security persons and other public service personnel should be highlighted more . Their exemplary story of struggle and success should motivate and guide general population in this fightback. It’s time to show solidarity, shake off ignorance, follow health advisory meticulously. Share and care together, with keeping our hopes high, should be the principal in this ‘New Normal’ period.”

    A renowned psycho-counsellor Mr. Subrata Bhattacharyya shares insights, “Everyone has had a hard time coming to terms with the new normal of social isolation. To add to it, habitual life has been severely disrupted by the lockdown, leading to a sharp rise in anxiety, frustration and depression among people. India has witnessed a 20 per cent increase in the number of psychological disorders solely in the past few months of lockdown. It is of utmost importance now to focus on the very present and work to make it beautiful. We have to keep trying to think right, remain positive, and hope for the best.”

    Hearing It From Warriors

    “Being a Covid-19 patient is very stigmatizing, it involves separation from loved ones and living with fear and anxiety as there is always a fear of infecting other people, especially the family members who are not quarantined. In this situation, support of family is of utmost important. Always remember that it is a collective fight and by maintaining the rules and following proper guidelines and with support, self-isolation will not be too much difficult, keeping aside the society,” says Debanwita Roy Burman, 22, who has successfully recovered after being treated at CNCI, Rajarhat, Kolkata.

    “Support from your family and nearest is required. Social boycotting is unhealthy. Doctors and specially nurses are unparralel. I have seen losing two of my fellow Covid warriors. It was hurting and created fear in mind. Those recovered and released gave me a ray of hope for future to live together and work together,” says Ajit Sarkar, 50, who is a bank employee and a victim of workplace contact infection, treated at Desun Hospital, Kolkata.

    About Author:

    Raddur Samaddar is pursuing B.Tech in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. He has worked as a Covid-19 pandemic volunteer with Microbiologists Society of India and as a frontline professional at Peerless Hospital, Kolkata.

    (Pic source: Pixabay)

  • Is Covid-19 transmitted through breast milk?

    As the novel coronavirus continues to spread around the world, so do the concerns of breastfeeding mothers. Although there have been no documented cases to date of an infant contracting Covid-19 as a result of consuming infected breast milk, the critical question of whether there is potential for this form of transmission remains.

    In a recent study, researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine and University of California Los Angeles collaborated to find the answer.

    The study examined 64 samples of breast milk collected by the Mommy’s Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository from 18 women across the United States infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although one sample tested positive for viral RNA, subsequent tests found that the virus was unable to replicate, and thus unable to cause infection in the breastfed infant.

    “Detection of viral RNA does not equate to infection. It has to grow and multiply in order to be infectious and we did not find that in any of our samples,” said Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, co-principal investigator of the study, professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine, director of Mommy’s Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository and co-director of the UC San Diego Center for Better Beginnings. “Our findings suggest breast milk itself is not likely a source of infection for the infant.”

    The current recommendations to prevent transmission while breastfeeding are hand hygiene and sterilizing pumping equipment after each use.

    “In the absence of data, some women infected with SARS-CoV-2 have chosen to just not breastfeed at all,” said Grace Aldrovandi, MD, co-principal investigator of the study, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and a professor of pediatrics in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UC Los Angeles. “We hope our results and future studies will give women the reassurance needed for them to breastfeed. Human milk provides invaluable benefits to mom and baby.”

    Early breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome and obesity in children, as well as improved immune health and performance on intelligence tests. In mothers, breastfeeding has been associated with lower risks for breast and ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

    The researchers also mimicked conditions of the Holder pasteurization process commonly used in human donor milk banks by adding SARS-CoV-2 to breast milk samples from two different donors who were not infected. The samples were heated to 62.5°C for 30 minutes and then cooled to 4°C. Following pasteurization, infectious virus was not detected in either sample.

    “This is a very positive finding for donor milk, which so many infants, especially those born premature, rely on,” said Chambers. “Our findings fill in some important gaps, but more studies are needed with larger sample sizes to confirm these findings.”

    Chambers said future work will not only look at whether breast milk is free of the virus, but also whether it contains active antiviral components. For example, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 that women may produce after exposure to the virus and then transfer to their infants through breast milk, protecting them from Covid-19.

  • Hot or cold, weather alone has no significant effect on Covid-19 spread

    At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, there were high hopes that hot summer temperatures could reduce its spread. Although summer didn’t bring widespread relief, the connection between the weather and Covid-19 continues to be a hot topic.

    The link between weather and Covid-19 is complicated. Weather influences the environment in which the coronavirus must survive before infecting a new host. But it also influences human behavior, which moves the virus from one host to another.

    Research led by The University of Texas at Austin is adding some clarity on weather’s role in Covid-19 infection, with a new study finding that temperature and humidity do not play a significant role in coronavirus spread.

    That means whether it’s hot or cold outside, the transmission of Covid-19 from one person to the next depends almost entirely on human behavior.

    “The effect of weather is low and other features such as mobility have more impact than weather,” said Dev Niyogi, a professor at UT Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences and Cockrell School of Engineering who led the research. “In terms of relative importance, weather is one of the last parameters.”

    Other researchers who contributed to the study are Sajad Jamshidi, a research assistant at Purdue University, and Maryam Baniasad, a doctoral candidate at Ohio State University.

    The study defined weather as “equivalent air temperature,” which combines temperature and humidity into a single value. The scientists than analyzed how this value tracked with coronavirus spread in different areas from March to July 2020, with their scale ranging from U.S. states and counties, to countries, regions and the world at large.

    At the county and state scale, the researchers also investigated the relationship between coronavirus infection and human behavior, using cellphone data to study travel habits.

    The study examined human behavior in a general sense and did not attempt to connect it to how the weather may have influenced it. At each scale, the researchers adjusted their analyses so that population differences did not skew results.

    Across scales, the scientists found that the weather had nearly no influence. When it was compared with other factors using a statistical metric that breaks down the relative contribution of each factor toward a particular outcome, the weather’s relative importance at the county scale was less than 3 per cent, with no indication that a specific type of weather promoted spread over another.

    In contrast, the data showed the clear influence of human behavior — and the outsized influence of individual behaviors. Taking trips and spending time away from home were the top two contributing factors to COVID-19 growth, with a relative importance of about 34 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. The next two important factors were population and urban density, with a relative importance of about 23 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

    “We shouldn’t think of the problem as something driven by weather and climate,” Jamshidi said. “We should take personal precautions, be aware of the factors in urban exposure.”

    Baniasad, a biochemist and pharmacist, said that assumptions about how coronavirus would respond with weather are largely informed by studies conducted in laboratory settings on related viruses. She said that this study illustrates the importance of studies that analyze how the coronavirus spreads through human communities.

    “When you study something in lab, it’s a supervised environment. It’s hard to scale up to society,” she said. “This was our first motivation to do a more broad study.”

    Marshall Shepherd, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University of Georgia who was not part of the study, said that the research offers important insights about weather and coronavirus across scales.

    “This important work clarifies some of the innuendo about weather — Covid-19 connections and highlights the need to address science challenges at the appropriate scales,” Shepherd said.

    Niyogi said that one of the key lessons of the coronavirus pandemic is the importance of analyzing phenomena at the “human scale” — the scale at which humans live their day-to-day lives. He said that this research is an example of this type of perspective.

    “Covid, it is claimed, could change everything,” Niyogi said. “We have been looking at weather and climate outlooks as a system that we scale down, down, down and then seeing how it might affect humans. Now, we are flipping the case and upscaling, starting at human exposure scale and then going outwards. This is a new paradigm we will need for studying virus exposure and human environmental modeling systems involving new sensing and AI-like techniques.”

    Photo: A study led by UT Austin Professor Dev Niyogi has found that temperature and humidity do not play a significant role in coronavirus spread. (Credit: Ian Dolphin)

  • Norovirus: Is it more dangerous than Coronavirus?

    The post Norovirus: Is it more dangerous than Coronavirus? appeared first on Medical News India.