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Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Gene mutation enhances cognitive flexibility in mice, study suggests

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered in mice what they believe is the first known genetic mutation to improve cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt to changing situations. The gene, KCND2, codes for a protein that regulates potassium channels, which control electrical signals that travel along neurons. The…

Your Fitness Tracker Might Play An Important Role In Tracking COVID-19 Symptoms

Since it’s still difficult to get tested for COVID-19, people are getting creative when it comes to self-diagnosing. For some, that’s included looking to their fitness tracker for early signs of illness. “I had a sudden onset of fever and fatigue like I’ve never experienced,” one 37-year-old Whoop user based…

France extends stay-at-home order until at least April 15: PM

France extended its stay-at-home order for all non-essential employees, as well as widespread business closures, until at least April 15 in an effort to curtail the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Friday. “In agreement with the president, today I’m announcing the renewal of the confinement period for two…

Weight gain may reduce risk of breast cancer before menopause

New research has found that women who gain weight in early adulthood are at a decreased risk of breast cancer before menopause. A new study, which features in the International Journal of Cancer, has found that women who gain weight from early adulthood are at a reduced risk of developing…

Single-patient isolation and transport system could help tackle the coronavirus outbreak

Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide. Increased efforts to combat COVID-19 and other recent outbreaks like Ebola and Middle East respiratory syndrome cases have highlighted the challenges involved with patient logistics. Enter the EU-funded EpiShuttle 2.0 project that has launched its eponymous solution: a hard-top polycarbonate, reusable…

Three countries have kept coronavirus in check; here’s how they did it

Vietnam. South Korea. Taiwan. All three countries are placed uncomfortably close to China, the initial epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic that’s now swept across the world. But they also have one other thing in common: They’ve each managed to contain their COVID-19 infections, preventing the new coronavirus from reaching epidemic…