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Elizabeth Moseley

Experts Say Modified COVID19 Vaccines Are Required To Kill New Strains Of Coronavirus Within A Year

April 7, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

A survey that has been conducted by epidemiologists, virologists, and infectious disease experts has revealed that the first generation COVID19 vaccines might turn ineffective against new strains of coronavirus within a year or less. Therefore, there is a need for newly formulated COVID19 vaccines. Scientists have been saying that the vaccination effort across the world is required to defuse the threat of COVID19. They have said that it might be due to variations of the virus that are more contagious, lethal, and less vulnerable to vaccines. Such varied strains of the virus have been circulating across the world. People’ Vaccine Alliance that is a union of groups such as Amnesty International, Oxfam, and UNAIDS has carried out this survey.

It includes 77 scientists from 28 countries. Around one-third of the participants have said that a new vaccine might be needed within nine months or less. Nearly two-thirds of respondents from the survey have said that the first generation vaccines might be effective only for a year or less. As per the survey, around 88 percent of participants have said that vaccine-resistant mutants have been emerging due to constant low vaccine coverage in many countries. These respondents work in illustrious institutes such as John Hopkins, Yale, Imperial College, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the University of Edinburgh.

Dr. Gregg Gonsalves, who is an associate professor of epidemiology at Yale University, has said that new mutations of the virus emerge every day. At times, they find a forte that makes them stronger than their predecessors. He has said that these strains can spread more effectively and possibly evade immune responses to past variants. Dr. Gregg Gonsalves has said that until the whole world is vaccinated, the entire playing field is left open for more and more mutations that can lead to variants, which have the capacity to evade existing COVID19 vaccines. Experts will need booster shots to deal with these variants.

The participants of the survey have said that the currently available lot of COVID19 shots that have been approved by the governments so far are a blend of new and old technologies. They have said that companies like Pfizer- BioNtech and Moderna have used mRNA technology to develop their COVID19 vaccines. These vaccines can be modified within weeks or months. However, manufacturing glitches are always a potential issue. Health experts have said that these vaccines are not accessible to poor countries as they are highly expensive. These vaccines have arduous temperature storage constraints as well.

Rich countries like the US and UK have vaccinated nearly more than a quarter of their populations with one dose of one of these vaccines. On one hand, these countries have already procured hundreds of millions of supplies of these vaccines. On the other hand, countries such as South Africa and Thailand have not been able to obtain shots for even 1 percent of their populations. Some nations have not even started vaccinating their citizens with the first dose of the COVID19 vaccine.  Experts have said that Covax, which is a global vaccine initiative coalition that aims at defying so-called vaccine nationalism, has been trying to supply vaccines to at least 27 percent of the population of low-income nations in 2021.

The survey has noted that the urgency of rich countries to inoculate their citizens is not seen worldwide. Rich countries are planning to vaccinate their adult population by this summer. The head of inequality policy at Oxfam and the chairperson of People’s Vaccine Alliance, Max Lawson has said that although Covax is trying to manage vaccines for 27 percent of populations of poor countries by the end of this year, it might not be good enough. He has been requesting the manufacturers of COVID19 vaccines to openly share the technology and intellectual property of their products to increase the production of the vaccine across the world.

Therefore, poor countries as well have a sufficient supply to vaccinate their populations. Health experts have said that COVID19 vaccine developers should keep the ambitious global goal in mind. They have said that at this time, the goal seems to be lost. The respondents of the survey have said that health officials and governments should understand that limited vaccination can be quite dangerous in the future.

Filed Under: Health

Health Experts Warn Against Some Strange Side Effects After COVID19 Vaccination

April 6, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

An increasing number of people are being vaccinated against COVID19 as the vaccine program is being rolled out at a  rapid speed in the US. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that more than 51 million people in the US have been vaccinated with full two doses of the vaccine for COVID19. The CDC data has revealed that around 93 million people have been given the first dose of the vaccine. However, this means that more people are dealing with side effects that are linked to COVID19 vaccines. Most of these side effects are mild and fade away with time but health experts are worried about more serious adverse reactions. An adverse reaction of COVID19 vaccines is swelling that can take place in three particular areas of the body such as lips, eyes, and tongue. Experts have said that some COVID19 vaccine side effects make people feel a little low.

However, these side effects can be dealt with by resting up, staying hydrated, and using mild over-the-counter painkillers. An allergic reaction can also be seen in few small numbers of cases, said the experts. Now experts from the Mayo Clinic have warned people against some of the adverse side effects. They have said that people should be alert if they notice continuous shortness of breath or panting, redness, or swelling in parts of the body other than the limb where the shot has been given.

Experts have said that if people experience swelling on their lips, eyes, or tongue, they should immediately contact their health care provider. The CDC officials have said that it can be an adverse reaction to the vaccine. They have said that in severe cases treatment with epinephrine or hospitalization might be needed. The CDC has said that people should be monitored for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine to determine if patients have a quick reaction to the vaccine.

The agency has said that if people notice such a reaction, they should get in touch with their doctor and refrain from getting the second dose of the vaccine. If this reaction has surfaced after getting the mRNA vaccines like Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna, people should not receive either of these vaccines, said the agency. A report from the CDC has shown that an instant reaction takes place within four hours of getting the shot. It includes symptoms such as hives, swelling, and panting, which is known as respiratory distress as well.

Experts have said that after people with such reactions contact their health care provider, they might be referred to allergies and immunology specialists for more care and advice. The CDC has reported that some people who have been vaccinated against COVID19 have been found to have red, itchy swollen, or painful rashes at the injection site. Experts have informed that the rash, which has been termed as COVID arm, can surface more than a week after the vaccination. As per the reports, most of the time, the COVID arm has been seen in people who have been vaccinated with the COVID19 vaccine that is developed by Moderna, therefore many people call it the Moderna arm.

Esther Freeman, the director at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has said that people who are vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine have been having such skin reactions at least 8 days after the vaccination, which is very surprising. She has said that few people who have been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine as well have developed these delayed rashes. However, the CDC officials have said that these rashes are not severe allergic reactions like the swelling of eyes, lips, and tongue. Therefore, people with these rashes should receive the second dose of the vaccine.  Health experts have said that most of the people who have been vaccinated with mRNA vaccines might be dealing with these side effects. They have said that these adverse reactions indicate that the body is responding to the vaccine.

These side effects show that the immune system is learning to recognize the pathogen and fight it next it tries to infect the body. As per the experts, people might suffer some usual side effects that indicate that the body is building up immunity against the virus. These side effects might impact people’s ability to do daily tasks; however, they should fade away in a few days. On the other hand, some people do not have any side effects after the vaccination. Some of the most commonly seen side effects of COVID19 vaccines are pain and rashes at the injection site, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, tiredness, nausea, and fatigue.

Filed Under: Health

State Officials Report Incidents of Rabbit Ebola For The First Time In Idaho

April 5, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Health experts have warned that a destructive disease, which is often referred to as Rabbit Ebola has been discovered in Idaho for the first time. Idaho state officials have advised domestic rabbit owners to follow precautionary measures to keep their pets safe. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a lethal disease that easily transmits among rabbits, said the experts. However, it does not infect humans, livestock, or other species of pets. The officials have confirmed that two jackrabbits have been found dead near the Boise Airport. The animals have been found to be infected with RHD. The Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) in New York has conducted the test on dead animals. The animals have been sent for initial testing before being sent to the FADDL for verification. A veterinarian from Idaho State, Dr. Scott Leibsle has said that domestic rabbit owners need to reduce the interaction of their pets with wild rabbits, they need to disinfect their boots and coveralls and wash their hands before and after interacting with their rabbits. Experts have said that infected rabbits often show only one symptom of the disease, which is sudden death. Other common symptoms of the disease are bloody nose, dullness, and loss of appetite, said the experts.

Health officials have said that the RHD virus can live on clothing and corpses for months. The virus can easily spread via fleas, flies, and mosquitoes. Dr. Scott Leibsle has said that people should never handle a dead rabbit on their own if they find it in the wild. He has said that people should immediately call Idaho Fish & Games if they find a dead rabbit. The officials have said that if any domestic rabbit is suspected of being infected with the RHD virus, owners should immediately isolate the animal. Owners of infected domestic rabbits should directly inform their veterinary doctor and Idaho State Department of Agriculture. However, Dr. Scott Leibsle has said that if rabbits recover and survive the disease, they might be the potential carriers of the virus and can infect others as well. The animals who survive the disease are considered a potential risk for continued shedding and spread of the virus, said the experts.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has not issued any orders to euthanize the animals that are infected with the virus neither the officials have asked to cancel the rabbit show as of now. A vaccine for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is available in the US but it is not easy to get. This vaccine needs to be brought from Europe after obtaining permission from the federal regulators. Dr. Scott Leibsle has said that domestic rabbit owners who want to get their pets vaccinated should form a group, get in touch with a veterinarian, who is eager to try and import the vaccine. He has said that after this he can work with the veterinarian to obtain required permission from the authorities to import a bulk of shipment of vaccine to the state.

Filed Under: Health

Democratic Party Leader Bill Nelson Nominated To Head NASA, Senate Approval Awaited

March 25, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

NASA’s long wait for a new administrator is set to end. The agency is finally getting a new head. President Joe Biden has nominated Bill Nelson for the role. Nelson will serve as the 14th administrator of the space agency. Nelson is a former Senator. He is also a one-time astronaut. He is seen as a moderate Democrat. His nomination has invited bipartisan praise. Nelson, 78, will take charge once the nomination is confirmed in the Senate. Nelson thanked Biden for showing trust in him. The former Senator said that he was honored to be nominated for the role. He promised to lead the agency and Americans into an exciting future. White House in a statement said that no one can think of anyone other than Nelson to head the agency.

White House added that every particular of space and the science-related law has Nelson’s imprint. He served as a Senator until 2019 since 2001 from Florida. In 1986, Nelson traveled into space. He was a Payload Specialist. He flew on a Columbia space shuttle. With this, he became the second sitting Congress member to travel into space. Former NASA chief Jim Bridenstine appointed Nelson to the agency’s Advisory Council in 2019. As the NASA administrator, he will succeed Bridenstine. Bridenstine resigned from the chair in January soon after Biden took over as the President. Bridenstine, a member of the Republican Party, was appointed to the post in April 2018 by then President Donald Trump.

The post of NASA administrator was lying vacant since Bridenstine’s exit. The delay in the appointment of a NASA chief had raised apprehensions over the goal of the Artemis program. Acting NASA administrator Steve Jurczyk welcomed Nelson’s nomination. He said that the agency is pleased to see that Nelson has been nominated as the 14th Administrator. Nelson is known for advancing the country’s position in the human exploration of space. Steve said that agency looks forward to working under Nelson’s leadership. NASA will carry out critical missions including the Moon missions under his guidance. Steve is confident that the Senate will approve Nelson’s nomination.

Filed Under: Business

Google Rolls Out Dark Mode Theme For Google Maps On Android Globally

March 24, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

The dark mode theme is becoming very popular. Search engine giant Google is also adding support for the dark mode to its apps and services. The company has announced that the theme is now available for Google Maps on Android. It said that a full-fledged dark mode feature is being rolled out for users worldwide. Google started testing the dark mode in September last year. The company tested the feature with a limited number of users to iron out the issues. Google introduced dark mode theme for Maps on iOS in February but it was delayed for Android.

Google said that the dark mode has numerous benefits. It gives a soothing view because of the low contrast. The theme also saves battery and enhances its performance. Google said downloading the latest update of the app on Android devices is necessary to get access to the feature. The latest version that is available for download is 10.61.2. The company has added the dark mode support in this version. Users are given options to turn on and off the feature. One has to go to the profile option in Google Maps and then look for theme settings. Now search for the configuration and enable the dark mode.

As the name suggests, the dark mode theme will convert the display into a dark color. It will make it easier for users to read texts. Google first launched the dark mode theme in 2018 on Google Maps. But it was restricted for navigation purposes. The company delayed the feature’s expansion on the app. Additionally, Google has added a new tool for Android devices. It is called Password Checkup. The company said that the feature is integrated into smartphones. Devices running Android 9 and above version will get the feature in-built. Using Password Checkup will ensure the security of users’ passwords. Google will warn users in case of a compromised password. The feature will curb incidents of breaches. Users can manually review saved passwords and perform a checkup.

Filed Under: Technology

Moderna Inoculates The First Lot Of Children In The Second Phase Of Pediatric COVID19 Vaccine Trial

March 22, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

The first lot of children has been vaccinated with the first dose of the COVID19 vaccine in the second phase of Moderna’s pediatric COVID19 vaccine trial. The clinical trial of children’s COVID19 vaccine is known as KidCOVE Study of mRNA 1273. The trial will include around 6750 children from the US and Canada, who are in the age range of 6 months to 11 years. Moderna has divided this clinical trial into two parts. In the first part of the clinical trial, children will be given different doses of the vaccine. Experts have said that kids in the age group of 6 months to 11 years will be given two doses of the Cambridge-based Moderna vaccine candidate for COVID19 in the gap of 28 days at either a 25 or a 50 or a 100-microgram level. Children who are in the age group of 2 to 11 years will be given two doses of the vaccine about 28 days apart at either a 50 or a 100-microgram level. As per the officials, the outcomes of the first part will help them identify which dose will be used in the second part of the clinical trial.

The second part of the clinical trial will include those children as well who are given a saline placebo, which does not have any effect. Experts have said that the children will be followed for 12 months after the second shot of the vaccine. Moderna is conducting these trials to determine whether its vaccine will provide enough immunity to kids against the COVID19 if they are exposed to the virus or contract the disease. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel has said that they are thrilled to start the 2/3 study of mRNA-1273 on healthy kids in the US and Canada. He has said that the findings of the pediatric trial will help experts to assess the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the COVID19 vaccine in the young age population. The company has joined hands with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority at the US Department of Health and Human Services for the study.

The officials of the company have said that the primary findings of the phase three COVE study of mRNA-1273 in adult people who have been in the age group of 18 years and above have encouraged them to conduct the pediatric trial. As Moderna is testing its COVID19 vaccine on children, Pfizer and BioNTech as well have started testing its COVID19 vaccine on children. Johnson & Johnson as well has declared its plan to launch a study to test its one-shot COVID19 vaccine on young people in the age group of 12 to 18 years. In December, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use of Moderna’s COVID19 vaccine for adults and the COVID19 vaccine which has been developed by Pfizer-BioNTech for people who are in the age range of 16 years and above. In the month of February, The FDA has approved the emergency use of a one-shot vaccine, which has been developed by Johnson & Johnson.

Filed Under: Health

Apple To Discontinue Full-Size HomePod Four Years After Launch, Shifts Focus On Mini

March 18, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Tech giant Apple has decided to discontinue the HomePod speaker. The full-size speaker will soon be out of the market. The product is famous among music lovers. It is touted as the perfect speaker for music enthusiasts. It allowed music lovers to explore a variety of aural entertainment. The HomePod was announced by Apple in 2017. The company will not focus on promoting the HomePod mini. The device has garnered public attention and has been a huge success in the market. Apple in a statement said that the full-size speaker will be available till its supplies last. The gadget will be available via Apple Retail Stores, Apple Online Store till the supply ends. It will also be available through Apple’s authorized resellers.

The company will provide software updates, technical support, and hardware services to HomePod customers via Apple Care. The decision to discontinue the original HomePod comes in the backdrop of a fall in the sales of the gadget. The HomePod mini was launched late last year. According to Apple, the HomePod mini has been a hit since its launch. The device comes in two colors white and grey. Apple said that it works effortlessly with iPhone and other company devices. The company said that it also workers perfectly with Apply TV. It elevates the sound and plays music from a Mac and more. The HomePod mini uses a full-range driver. The speaker deepens bass and offers high frequencies.

According to Apple’s website, the HomePod mini comes with a three-microphone array. It enhances the experience of music lovers by offering quality and impressive sound and services. It has smart home capabilities. The company said that it has built-in privacy and security. It works smoothly with Apple products. Besides listening to music, the smart speaker makes it easy to answer calls. The device has innovative technologies and advanced software. It comes with a new Intercom feature. This lets users in a home connect with each other. Apple said that the HomePod mini takes the sound to the next level.

Filed Under: Technology

Facebook Revokes Ban On Political Ads After Four Months

March 10, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Social media giant Facebook has announced to change a key policy related to the advertisement. The company has revoked the ban on political ads. It said that political and social issues ads will be allowed on the platform from March 4. These ads will, however, require verification. They will also need to display a disclaimer. It should tell users that messages in the ads are paid for by’ a specific group or person. Facebook banned political ads in November 2020. Such ads were barred from the platform to check the spread of misinformation during the Presidential election in the United States. Facebook said that it took the feedback of users into account before resuming political ads.

Facebook said that the public feedback helped the company to understand more about such ads. The company will keep a close watch on such ads. It will introduce changes if there are scope and merit. Notably, there is no mechanism available to fact-check political ads on Facebook. This is one of the reasons why the company often faces criticism for its policies regarding political ads. The ban on ads also came close on the heels of confusions that were created by then President Donald Trump who used social media platforms to publicly fight the results. Around a Senate runoff in Georgia in January, Facebook had allowed some political ads. But soon it re-imposed the ban.

According to Facebook, political ads on the platform make a very small part of its business model. The ban also helped in addressing concerns that candidates could influence or mislead the voters about the Presidential election to swing the outcomes. Facebook said that it will store the content of ads in its library. By doing this, the company said that it will become easy for researchers and others to view the ads. Earlier, search engine giant Google also announced to lift the ban on political ads. Both Facebook and Google dominate the digital advertising sector worldwide. Google too had suspended political ads to check the flow of misinformation involving the elections.

Filed Under: Business

Luxury Giant LVMH Buys 50 Per Cent Stake In Jay-Z’s Champagne Brand

March 2, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Luxury goods conglomerate LVMH has purchased a 50 percent stake in Armand de Brignac, a champagne brand owned by Shwan ‘Jay-Z’ Carter. The champagne brand is also famous as ‘Ace of Spades.’ The terms of the deal have not been made public and therefore it is not how much the French conglomerate has paid for the deal. The deal has been signed at a time when LUMH is working on diversifying its offering. According to reports, the value of half of the champagne brand was valued at around USD 250 million in 2018. The company has been criticized for the lack of diversity by many.

Reports suggest that the deal between the hip-hop mogul and the luxury brand happened ‘very naturally’ and the two brands are eager to work together. They will now work to find ways to promote the brand among other luxe champagnes like Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, and Krug. But the path is going to be tough as they deal comes a time when the champagne industry is going through one of its toughest times. This is because there has been a huge fall in demand for the drink because of the decline in events and celebrations. Most of the restaurants and event destinations have suffered a huge blow because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which directly affected the sales of the drinks.

Meanwhile, LVMH signed start tennis player Naomi Osaka as its new brand ambassador. Osaka was in limelight during the US Open as he extended support to the Black Lives Matter protests. The protest had started over the summer. The company has also signed skateboarder Lucien Clark for skate shoes and apparel. LVMH has been trying to associate with Black celebs for quite some time. Last year, it signed singer Rihanna on Fenty Fashion House. She was the first black woman to be associated with the luxury brand. However, Fenty Fashion House was discontinued recently. However, LVMH said that it will continue to support the other products of the Fenty empire. The focus will be now more on beauty and skincare items along with lingerie lines.

Filed Under: Business

First Mars Sample Collect Mission By NASA Nears Red Planet, To Land At Jezero Crater

February 24, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

The Mars sample collection mission by NASA is set to arrive at the Red Planet. The space agency said that its Perseverance rover will land on the planet on February 18. Perseverance was launched in July 2020. It nears touchdown after traveling 300 million miles from Earth in over seven months. It is the first mission by NASA to collect Mars samples. The rover will collect broken rock and dust. NASA said that the rover will land at Jezero Crater. Scientists believe that the crater was once flooded with water. Past studies indicated that life may have developed in the crater. There is a high probability that clays contain a rich fan-delta deposit.

NASA said that Perseverance is the most sophisticated rover it has launched ever. The Jezero crater is 28 miles wide. It is full of hazards. The site is said to be a dangerous place to make a soft landing. The rover’s objective is to characterize the Red Planet’s geology and its past climate. The data collected will pave the way for human exploration. NASA said that the lander vision system will be activated to identify where the rover can make a safe landing. The system will allow the rover to determine its position on the surface. The agency expects a soft landing as experts had conducted extensive testing of the rover’s landing both in the laboratory and in the field with an ambiance similar to the crater.

NASA said that a team will be monitoring everything when the rover lands. The team will check the camera’s power and ensure that data is flowing as planned. Experts will keep a close watch on the health of the rover’s system. Meanwhile, NASA said that the rover’s entry into the Martian atmosphere, its descent, and landing will be telecast live. The agency said that the live coverage and landing commentary will be available on the NASA TV Public Channel and its official website. People can also watch it live on the NASA App, NASA’s YouTube channel, and other social media networks.

Filed Under: Science

New Study Finds Seven Different Strain Of The Novel Coronavirus In The US

February 23, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

A group of health experts has discovered seven unique strains of COVID19 spreading across the US. The study has reported that these distinct new strains have been mutating within the US itself. The seven new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been found between August and November 2020. All variants have been found to be in the same growing lineage. Experts have said that unlike more deadly variants, which have been identified in the UK and South Africa, these seven mutants show no sign of increased transmissibility. They have said that none of these seven variants have become prominent in the US. The authors of the study have said that neutral mutations can become constant in a lineage selectively by chance or human behavior. Therefore, the new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can show up and shoot up in numbers with time in the absence of any clear or persistent selective gain. One of the co-authors of the study, Jeremy Kamil, who is a virologist at Louisiana State University (LSU), has said that he has found these new strains of the virus while he has been sequencing coronavirus test samples. Then he has uploaded the details of these viral mutants on an online database. The co-author of the study, Daryl Domman from the University of New Mexico and Jeremy Kamil have found that the same mutants have been discovered in both places and the two have started investigating further.

Experts have said that the new mutation is more troublesome as it emerges within a gene that affects how the virus interacts with the human cells. It helps the virus to enter and attach to the human cells and attack the immune system. The authors of the study have said that that there is an apparent sign of an evolutionary benefit in the mutation. The study has noted that the lineage, which has been found by Jeremy Kamil, has separately grown a mutation in the 677th amino acid in the genetic sequence same as other six variants, which have been newly found across the US. Experts have said that the improved ability to bind and infect cells more easily and effectively is the superpower of the virus. They have proved that the virus has been able to adapt to its human host in more than many ways as it has survived over the many months. As per the experts, the variation in the 677th amino acid, which has been found in the seven new strains of the virus, makes it easy for the spike protein of the virus to be activated, which helps the virus to latch on and infect the human cells. It can lead to subsequent infection as well. It does not mean that the new strains are more infectious or can spread faster than the original variant but it means that encounters with the new strains can result in a greater percentage of infection.

The author of the study Emma Hodcroft has said that the common appearance of these new mutations in samples during the genomic analysis might be due to erratic outbreaks, super-spreader events, and holiday travel. Emma Hodcroft has been working on a number of studies as an epidemiologist at the University of Bern. Some experts have said that the way virus interacts with other organisms needs more research into the functionality of the mutation. They have said the findings of the new study need to be followed up with more experimental data. To validate the findings of this study, experts need to test a bigger set of coronavirus samples as compared to what is available right now. Well, the exact origin of these seven viral strains is still uncertain. The authors of the study have said that some of these variants are more prominent across the Midwest and others are quite prevalent across the coasts.

Filed Under: Health

China Blocks Access To Popular Chat App Clubhouse, Hailed As Free Speech Haven

February 10, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Fast-rising audio chat app Clubhouse has been reportedly blocked in China. Users of this app in mainland China are complaining about their inability to access the app. The app was being used by people to discuss sensitive issues with people living in other countries, including Taiwan. Chinese authorities have now blocked the app. With this, Clubhouse has joined the long list of social media apps and websites which are blocked in the country ruled by the Communist party. The move comes at a time when the app was getting extremely popular in the country. However, the decision is not shocking as some of the most popular social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are already banned in China.

According to a non-profit group in the United States, service to users in mainland China was interrupted at around 7 pm on Monday. The group monitors internet filtering and help people to avoid it. The Chinese government has never accepted the existence of its internet filters but researchers have found traced blockages within China Telecom Ltd. Internet traffic have to pass through it in order to function. The Chinese government said that it is promoting ‘internet sovereignty.’ The government says that it is the right of the political leaders to limit what the people of their country see online.

Clubhouse gained popularity, especially in China, in a very short span of time as it proved to be a platform where people can freely talk about politically sensitive issues. It is a totally different app as it uses oral conversation instead of text like other social media apps. This app also allowed people of mainland China to interact with people in Taiwan. In order to use this service of the app, users have to provide their name and phone number. However, there is no indication so far that anyone in China has been punished for the social media platform.

Filed Under: Business

ISS Primary Power System of ISS Fully Upgraded To Lithium-ion Technology

February 8, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

The US space agency NASA has said that the International Space Station is now upgraded to the lithium-ion battery. It took more than 10 years to upgrade the ISS’ primary power system. Thirteen astronauts conducted 14 spacewalks to replace the old batteries. NASA said that the ISS used the nickel-hydrogen batteries since its launch. The task to upgrade the system started in 2009. A study was conducted to know the risk. The findings said that lithium-ion batteries can be used at the ISS. The program to develop the new battery was approved in 2011. The production started in 2014. In December 2016, the work commenced replacing the power storage system at the research facility.

NASA said that the upgrades will boost the space station’s capability. It will ensure uninterrupted support to astronauts for doing research and develop space technology for future missions. The lithium-ion battery is an advanced technology battery. It only uses lithium ions. It is popular for aerospace applications. The battery is mostly used for portable gadgets. It is also used extensively by car making companies in electric vehicles. It can deliver large amounts of power. The maintenance cost is very low. There is no need for scheduled cycling to maintain life. Their life is very long. Commercial production started in 1991.

Meanwhile, the ISS is now open for business activities. The ISS was launched in 1998. It serves as a base for space agencies to conduct experiments in low-Earth orbit. The latest achievement will help NASA to prepare for future long-duration missions including the Artemis program and then the Mars. NASA said that the new lithium-ion batteries were provided by Boeing. To install one lithium-ion battery and adapter plate at the ISS, astronauts replaced two nickel-hydrogen batteries. ISS orbits 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. It is the largest man-made body in low Earth orbit. The facility is so huge that humans can see it with the naked eye from Earth. Astronauts from 19 countries have visited the ISS since it began operations.

Filed Under: Technology

Amazon CEO Jeffery Bezos’s Heartwarming Mail a ‘Kindle’ For Ambitious Minds

February 5, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Amazon Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder Jeffrey Preston Bezos is all set to step down from his position by 2021 end, and switch to executive chair post, handing over the reins to Andrew. R. Jessy. Jeffery has been CEO at E-commerce giant, ‘Amazon’ since 1995 and has come a long way since the days when Amazon was just an online bookseller, and is currently a US$ 1.7 Trillion multi-national retail and logistics behemoth. Andrew Jessy on the other hand, has worked for Amazon Web Services (AWS) since 1997 and is currently serving as the CEO of Amazon’s cloud business, and AWS, which is one of the largest revenue contributors to Amazon.

Jeffery wrote a heartwarming email to his employees in which he mentioned details about his journey and stated, ‘This journey began around 27 years ago, when Amazon was just an idea and had no name’.  He also mentioned ‘When you’re the founder, people listen no matter the title. He also shared that he was frequently asked a question back then – ‘What is Internet?’ Today, the company employs approximately 1.3 Million dedicated, young and talented individuals, and serves millions of businesses and customers worldwide, which has made it as one of the leading global multinational technological company. This in anyone’s mind will certainly kindle ambition and open up possibilities and imagination that if a mere online bookstore can become a trillion-dollar brand, then what has been stopping them from also coming up with a 100-dallar idea, product, service, or plan that can eventually become a trillion-dollar conglomerate in a short span of three decades going by the way time flies these days.

Jeff also provided insights that inferred that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going in such situations. In his email, Jeff said that he is excited for job transition, which will help him to focus on working on outside projects. ‘As Amazon’s executive chair, I will focus on new products and bigger initiatives,’ he said. He further mentioned, ‘Being CEO of a company is a big responsibility, and it is time and energy consuming, and when you have a responsibility like that, it’s hard to focus on anything else’. Once he is Executive Chair, he will not only be engaged in more important Amazon initiatives, but also have much needed time and energy to focus on ‘the Bezos Earth Fund’, ‘Day 1 Fund’, ‘The Washington Post’, ‘Blue Origin’, and his other passions.

Jeff also added that ‘Jessy will be an outstanding leader, and he has my full confidence, he is an obvious choice for this post, especially after the retirement announcement made by Jeff Wilke, head of Amazon’s global consumer division and another Amazon leader in August 2020’. To this, Tim Hubbard, assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business said ‘Andy Jassy’s is a natural fit as a CEO at Amazon’. In addition to this he said, ‘AWS is a powerhouse within Amazon, driving revenue growth significantly, and this transition indicate that the company is going to continue the path it is going’.

Under Andy Jassy’s command, the cloud computing segment is projected to register highest growth in the coming years as the company aims to be more effective in the era of digital-first interactions. In 2020, Amazon’s shares sank as the market was closed; however, it has gained 1% growth in just two hours after the closing bell. The company’s stocks have since gained exponentially since then. Amazon published its quarterly net sales of around US$ 125.6 Billion, which is up 44% compared to same period in the prior year. This quarterly income includes Prime Day sales revenue held on October 13 and 14 in the last year, which was being postponed over summer 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Though coronavirus cases surged, revenue from Prime Day, and increasing demand for online shopping contributed 40% Y-o-Y (2019–2020) revenue growth of the company. Net sales in the North America market accounted for US$ 75 Billion, and international sales registered 57% growth to approximately US$ 37.5 Billion.

Filed Under: Business

Exxon, Chevron Reportedly Held Talks For Potential Merger To Form Second-Largest Oil Company

February 3, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

The chief executive officers of Exxon and Chevron reportedly held talks about the potential merger of the oils giants. The talks were held in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic shook the entire world. People privy to the development said that the talks were to test the water before finalizing what could be one the largest mergers ever. The discussion between Exxon CEO Darren Woods and Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth came after the pandemic which resulted in a steep decline in demand for gas and oil. This put an enormous financial strain on both the oil firms. People said that the talks were just preliminary and are not going on. “However it could be resumed in the future.”

If the deal happens, it would bring back together with the two largest descendants of John D Rockefeller’s Standard Oil monopoly. The company was split in 1911 by US regulators and the reunion will definitely reshape the oil industry. The combined value of the company could above USD 350 billion. While the current market of Chevron is around USD 164 billion, Exxon is valued at USD 190 billion. Once reunited, they would become the world’s second-largest oil firm by production and market capitalization. They would combine produce about 7 million barrels of gas and oil per day. The first one in the world is Saudi Aramco.

But the merger could not be a cakewalk for these firms as the move could face antitrust scrutiny from the Department of Justice under the new administration. US President Joe Biden has already said that climate change is the biggest challenge for the country. Biden had said that he would push the country away from the oil industry. One of the persons familiar with the development said that the companies missed an opportunity to make a deal under the Trump administration. Donald Trump was seemed to be more friendly to the industry. Several such deals were seals last year, including a USD 5 billion takeovers of Noble Energy by Chevron.

Filed Under: Business

NBA Icon LeBron James To Join Pepsi By Ending 18 Years Of Association With Coca Cola

January 21, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

NBA star LeBron James has been synonymous with Coca-Cola for around 18 years but he has now decided to switch allegiances. James is now reportedly joining the PepsiCo brand and is set to sign a new endorsement deal. As per the new deal with Pepsi, James is expected to promote the upcoming drink ‘Rise Energy’ of Pepsi’ Mountain Dew brand. It is being said that the deal could be extended companywide. The development comes at a time when the company has already signed deals with several other NBA players. One of the prominent players who signed the deal is Zion Williamson.

It must be noted that James signed a deal with Coca Cola way back in 2003. At that time, he had not even started his NBA career and remained with Cola ever since. In 2014, the beverage conglomerate launched ‘Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James’. It was his signature drink and also featured its own campaign. But the NBA player’s pact with Coca Cola came to an end in September 2020. Sources privy to the development said that the contract of LeBron came for renewal at a time when both the NBA star and the beverage company were actively reviewing all options.

“The company wanted to make sure that its investment goes for a long term and benefit the company,” Coca-Cola said. The company said that the decision was mutually agreed upon. “After many rounds of discussion with the player and his team, it was mutually agreed that we should part ways.” Interestingly, Coca Cola was replaced by Pepsi as the official food and beverage partner of the WNBA and NBA in 2015. This had ended 30 years of partnership with Coca Cola. On the other hand, PepsiCo continued to grow its dominance and grabbed an even larger share of the market space by acquiring Rockstar in March 2020 for a huge USD 3.85 billion.

Filed Under: Business

Visa Scraps USD 5.3 Billion Takeover Deal With Plaid After Antitrust Lawsuit By Department Of Justice

January 19, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Almost two months after the Department of Justice (DOJ) raised antitrust concerns, Visa has scrapped USD 5.3 billion acquisition deal with Plaid. The antitrust lawsuit was filed by the DOJ on the grounds that the deal would reduce competition in the payments industry. But the company had denied it saying it in no way was trying to eliminate the competition. However, Visa has announced that the deal is being scrapped on mutual understanding. The move is being considered as a setback to Visa as it has been trying to add the fintech services to its payments business. Plaid is known for providing software solutions to companies like Venmo and Mint. The services help payments groups and financial planning companies to connect with their bank accounts.

The deal between the two companies was in January last year. Al Kelly, chief executive officer of Visa, had then said that the deal would have brought the combined company at the epicenter of the fintech firms. However, the DOJ moved the antitrust lawsuit in November 2020 alleging that Visa decided to acquire Plaid as it was developing its own platform. This would have challenged the dominance of Visa in the sector. The lawsuit had cited an internal Visa document wherein an executive of the company allegedly referred to Plaid as a ‘volcano.’ The executive had said that the ‘current capabilities of Plaid are just the tip which is visible above the water.’

According to the lawsuit, senior management of Visa had warned directors of the company about the potential downside risk of around USD 400 million if any rival company manage to buy Plaid. These claims were outrightly rejected by Visa and Plaid echoed it. However, the DOJ has now claimed that the termination of the deal between the two companies is a victory for consumers as well as small businesses. Plaid has now said that it will work with Visa as a partner and an investor going forward.

Filed Under: Business

Hyundai Motor, Apple In Early Stage Discussions Reportedly Over Developing Electric Car

January 16, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co. is in talks with Apple reportedly over working together on developing an electric vehicle. The discussions are in a very early stage and nothing has been finalized yet. Without mention what the talks are about, Hyundai Motor said the tech giant is in talks with various automakers across the globe and Hyundai Motor is one of them. “Nothing has been decided,” the company said. The statement comes after local media reported that Apple has put forward the terms of the tie-up and Hyundai Motor is reviewing it. As per the report, the proposal includes both development of batteries as well as the production of electric vehicles. “The electric vehicle could be launched in 2027,” the report said.

While Hyundai Motor issued a statement on the report, Apple has refused to comment. “We have been getting a lot of queries regarding cooperation for autonomous driving electric vehicles. Discussions are going on but no decisions have been made as they are in a very early stage,” the company said. The development comes days after reports emerged that Apple has been working on developing an electric car under Project Titan. The report quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying that the iPhone maker has set the target of launching its electric car by 2024.

The reports sent shares of Hyundai soaring but prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo feels that the hype is merely speculation. Kuo said that these companies may provide some part for the electric vehicle of Apple. Talking about the launch date, Kuo said that he would not be surprised if Apple fails to launch the vehicle until 2028 or later. He said that this would be a possibility only if Apple starts full-fledged development of the vehicle immediately. Kuo even said that all the specifications of the electric vehicle being developed by the tech giant will be known only by 2022. He also opined that despite having an edge, it is not important that Apple will succeed in new business.

Filed Under: Technology

Scientists Claim Medicine Used For Treating Cancer Might Be Able To Cure COVID19 Disease

January 8, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

A new study has found that a drug, which is being used to treat cancer for more than a decade, might be able to treat patients who have been diagnosed with COVID19. Scientists have said that this drug is called Pralatrexate. It is a chemotherapy medication, which has been developed to cure lymphomas, a type of cancer, which begins in the glands. Chinese scientists have said that this drug might be able to outperform Remdesivir, which is currently being used as a leading anti-viral drug for the treatment of COVID19 patients. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given a green signal to Pralatrexate in 2009 for treating patients who are dealing with a terminal disease despite its toxic nature. There are many adverse side effects, which are linked to Pralatrexate such as fatigue, nausea, and mucositis. Mucositis is a type of inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes, which layers the digestive tract. Scientists have said that they might be able to repurpose this drug to eliminate the side effects, which will be more effective in treating COVID19.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Haiping Zhang from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, China has said that it is important to identify drugs that can cure COVID19. He has said that approved drugs can be straight away tested in clinical trials. The study has shown that Pralatrexate might be able to reduce the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The drug is able to trigger stronger inhibitory activity as compared to Remdesivir within the same experimental conditions, said the expert. They have said that artificial intelligence can be a great help to identify such drugs. It will simulate how differently these drugs react with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which leads to COVID19 disease. Zhang and his teammates have merged many computational methods, which are able to imitate drug-virus reactions to support virtual screening of existing drugs.

Scientists have used a hybrid screening method to test 1906 existing drugs for their potency to reduce the multiplication of the virus. They have targeted a viral protein known as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). RdRP is an important protein present in the genomes of all RNA containing pathogens like the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The hybrid screening approach has been able to find out four effective drugs. Scientists have said that there have been two drugs Pralatrexate and Azithromycin, which have been able to reduce the replication of the virus effectively. Further lab tests have proved that Pralatrexate has been able to cut down the replication of the virus more strongly than Remdesivir. It shows that Pralatrexate can be repurposed for treating COVID19. However, this medicine can lead to adverse side effects as it is used for treating lymphoma. Therefore, it cannot be immediately used to treat COVID19 patients. The lead author of the study has said that the novel hybrid approach involves deep learning technologies and traditional imitation of molecular dynamics.

Scientists have published the findings of the study in the journal called PLOS Computational Biology. They are going to develop additional computational techniques to produce novel molecular formations, which can be developed into a new drug that can treat COVID19 patients. Scientists have been a little cynical about the efficiency of Remdesivir, which has been developed to treat Hepatitis C and later has been repurposed to treat Ebola as well. The drug has delivered poor outcomes during the treatment of Ebola in 2014. Later it has been tested for the treatment of COVID19 in the early days of the pandemic. Scientists have been testing different drugs, which have been developed to treat other issues and can be repurposed to treat COVID19 as well.

Filed Under: Health

Google Pixel 6 To Come With An Under-Display Selfie Camera Technology

January 2, 2021 by Elizabeth Moseley Leave a Comment

Google is actively working on a new model of the Pixel series. It will be called Pixel 6. The search-engine giant will launch Pixel 6 in 2021. According to a patent filed by the company, Pixel 6 will feature an under-display selfie camera. The patent didn’t go into any detail about the handset. It remains unclear how Google will achieve this. The patent only stated that the camera will be underneath the smartphone’s display. The patent revealed other details about the device. The smartphone will have a basic design. The patent said that the smartphone’s primary camera design and location will remain the same as seen on Pixel 5. The module will come with two sensors. There will an LED flash.

Pixel 6 will be the successor of Pixel 5. Google is planning to launch the smartphone in the second half of 2021. The new device will sport a 6.0-inch display. The display will be a full HD+ OLED screen. The aspect ratio will be 19.5:9. The smartphone will run on Android 11. The handset will be powered by an octa-core Snapdragon processor. The device will come with a storage capacity of 128GB. It will have 8GB RAM. Google is likely to offer a 4,080mAh battery with the device. Besides, Google is also mulling to provide fast-charging support with Pixel 6. Meanwhile, Google said that it is also working on a Pixel 5 Pro. It will probably be launched before Pixel 6 is made available to the public.

Notably, Google is the first company that is working on a smartphone with an under-display selfie camera. Earlier, ZTE had released a smartphone that featured an under-screen camera. Xiaomi and OPPO have also exhibited their prototypes. Samsung is also working on bringing the technology into its products. The South Korean giant is likely to release Galaxy Z Fold 3 with a camera fitted behind the screen. The smartphone is likely to hit the shelves in the second half of 2021.

Filed Under: Technology

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