Everyday Science in a Nutshell

On March 3, 2020, a very recent study published in National Science Review found that two strains of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) are spreading around the world, based on the analysis of 103 SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Researchers found that these viruses evolved into two major types (L and S), which are well defined by two different Single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs that show nearly complete linkage across the viral strains sequenced to date. Approximately 70 % of samples were L type, whereas 30 % of samples were S type (the ancestral version).  In the early stages of outbreak in Wuhan, the L type was more prevalent. But, after this, the frequency of the L type decreased, which may be attributed to the fact that human intervention may have placed more severe selective pressure on the L type ( the more aggressive and spread one) On the other hand, the S type, which is evolutionary older and less aggressive, might have increased in relative frequency due to relat...

Hong Kong authorities confirmed that a pet dog belonging to a coronavirus patient is infected with a “low level” of the virus, marking what’s likely the first known instance of human-to-animal transmission. The dog had tested “weak positive” for the virus last week, raising the question of whether it had been contaminated by traces of the virus in its surroundings or genuinely infected with a disease. Further tests confirmed the virus in the pet’s nasal and oral cavities, “which indicates a low-level of infection" said Hong Kong’s agricultural and fisheries department in an official statement late Wednesday The dog has not shown any symptoms of Covid-19 and will remain in quarantine until it tests negative, the department said. References https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/04/P2020030400658.htm https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/03/05/Dog-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-in-Hong-Kong-SCMP-.html?fbclid=IwAR2VA7x9sFWdpcuiYLenvNxZxzfxVyglDR...

On February 24, 2020, an unprecedented study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that novel antiviral drug Remdesivir could be used against new coronavirus or the deadly COVID-19. The novel antiviral drug Remdesivir is a member in the class of nucleotide analogs. Back in 2014, it was developed by Gilead Sciences as a treatment for Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus infections. According to the authors of the study from the University of Alberta, the Remdesivir had previously been found to be effective against other similar viruses such as MERS and SARS, which are also coronaviruses and are structurally similar to COVID-19. The team, therefore, wanted to test the efficacy of Remdesivir against the new COVID-19 strain. References https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200301/Drug-for-Ebola-MERS-effective-against-COVID-19.aspx https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-remdesivir-treat-covid-19-begins https://ww...

Health officials repeatedly  advised suspected contacts  of people with the new coronavirus disease to isolate themselves for 14 days, the incubation period of the disease. If they did not develop any symptoms, they are free to go. Now, health officials have warned that the incubation period can be more than previously thought. It could be 27 days! In China, a man, who had close contact with a family member who tested positive of the coronavirus, developed symptoms after 27 days of exposure.  References https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200224/Coronavirus-incubation-period-could-be-27-days-longer-than-previously-thought.aspx Dong, E., Du, H., and Gardner, L. (2020). An interactive web-based dashboard to track COVID-19 in real time. The Lancet. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30120-1/fulltext U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.c...

On February 4, 2020, a new study published in ACS Infectious Diseases found that a non-psychoactive cannabis compound called cannabigerol (CBG) has antibiotic potential against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in mice. Researchers found that CBG is able to target the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. References https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00419 https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200226/Researchers-uncover-hidden-antibiotic-potential-of-cannabis-compound.aspx .

On February 19, 2020, a new study published in the Jo urnal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that substantial breakfasting should be preferred over large dinner meals to prevent obesity and high blood glucose peaks. Researchers found that diet-induced thermogenesis (heat energy that is produced from the food eaten) is remarkably higher in the morning than in the evening, irrespective of the consumed calorie amount. References https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200220/Researchers-say-e28098yese28099-to-a-heavy-breakfast-to-lose-weight.aspx https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/105/3/dgz311/5740411?redirectedFrom=fulltext

On February 20, 2020, unprecedented study published in the journal   Cell designed a computer program that has the ability to screen through a hundred million potential chemicals that could be antibiotics and select the appropriate molecule. This compound could have the properties required to kill the bacterial strains. References https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200220/Artificial-Intelligence-brings-a-novel-antibiotic-compound.aspx https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(20)30102-1.pdf