A robot at a hospital in the Mexican capital is providing a lifeline for coronavirus patients separated from their relatives and reducing the risk of infection for medical workers. “Hi, I’m LaLuchy Robotina! What’s your name?” the 1.4-meter-tall (4.6 feet)…
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New study explains potential causes for "happy hypoxia" condition in patients with the COVID-19 virus
A new research study provides possible explanations for COVID-19 patients who present with extremely low, otherwise life-threatening levels of oxygen, but no signs of dyspnea (difficulty breathing). This new understanding of the condition, known as silent hypoxemia or “happy hypoxia,”…
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Universities scramble to deal with virus outbreaks
North Carolina’s flagship university canceled in-person classes for undergraduates just a week into the fall semester Monday as college campuses around the U.S. scramble to deal with coronavirus clusters linked in some cases to student housing, off-campus parties and packed…
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Is the COVID-19 virus pathogenic because it depletes specific host microRNAs?
Why is the COVID-19 virus deadly, while many other coronaviruses are fairly innocuous and just cause colds? A team of University of Alabama at Birmingham and Polish researchers propose an answer—the COVID-19 virus acts as a microRNA “sponge.” This action…
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Dutch government plans to tighten virus quarantine measures
The Dutch health minister said Tuesday he plans to introduce mandatory home quarantine for people identified by local authorities as having been in close contact with somebody infected with the coronavirus, and for travelers returning from high-risk countries. Health Minister…
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Indonesia starts human trials of China-made virus vaccine
Indonesia on Tuesday launched human trials of a Chinese-made coronavirus vaccine with some 1,600 volunteers slated to take part in the six-month study. The vaccine candidate, produced by Sinovac Biotech, is among just a few in the world to enter…
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WHO sees hope despite looming 750,000 virus death toll
The World Health Organization insisted Monday there was still hope of conquering the coronavirus pandemic despite the suffering behind the looming landmarks of 750,000 deaths and 20 million cases. With both figures expected to be reached within days, the WHO…
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Philippines virus cases top 100,000 in ‘losing battle’
Coronavirus infections in the Philippines surged past 100,000 Sunday in a troubling milestone after medical groups declared that the country was waging “a losing battle” against the virus and asked the president to reimpose a lockdown in the capital. The…
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Slow tests, poor tracing: virus disaster unfolds in Florida
Florida has emerged as a major new epicenter of the US coronavirus battle, but two key weapons in the state’s fight are misfiring badly: testing and contact tracing. Health officials say that when a person is tested they need to…
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Young adults majority of new virus cases in Canada
Canadians under the age of 39 make up a clear majority of new cases of COVID-19 in Canada, health authorities said Sunday, warning young adults they are not “invincible” against the disease. “Recent national surveillance data show that young adults…
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