Tag: Virus

Lies and Statistics: Coronavirus #2019nCoV

The current Coronavirus #2019nCoV “situation” has the world spinning with “experts” and “comparisons” to keep things in “perspective”. Scientific fact requires data. Data takes time to collect. The world is collecting data. Get your facts and statements from trusted sources. The outbreak is indeed serious. Not because of the numbers speculated everyday. Rather because of the unknown. It’s a new virus. An emerging threat.

The current Coronavirus #2019nCoV “situation” has the world spinning with “experts” and “comparisons” to keep things in “perspective”. Scientific fact requires data. Data takes time to collect. The world is collecting data. Get your facts and statements from trusted sources. The outbreak is indeed serious. Not because of the numbers speculated everyday. Rather because of the unknown. It’s a new virus. An emerging threat.

Cooperation between Bacteria and Viruses: New Tools Emerging from This Duo

There are approximately the same number of bacterial cells in our bodies as human cells (Sender et al, 2016). These microorganisms help us with many of our own functions and, through billions of years of co-evolution, we have formed a symbiotic relationship. We provide a suitable environment for the bacteria and, in return, they help to process nutrients and many other activities in our bodies. The bacteria undergo constant evolution to further improve their fitness (their ability to grow and reproduce). This has caused a great strain on our healthcare system, as this evolution has led to the spread of harmful things, like antibiotic resistance.

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Viruses are travelling in groups now! What that means for us.

A recent study from researchers at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recently identified that rotavirus, one of the most common childhood viral infections, travel in clumps causing more severe infections than a solo virus. Typically associated with GI issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea, the researchers found that mice with these viruses shed the viruses in clusters in their feces. It was already known that the virus was shed in stool, but the vesicles add a new spin on our understanding.

Continue reading “Viruses are travelling in groups now! What that means for us.”