Dr. Digbijay Mahat, a research scientist at MIT, has developed and patented a novel methodology for single cell nascent RNA sequencing. His technology is used in blood biopsy, which helps to identify cancers before they metastasize to other organs. During the current pandemic, Dr. Mahat helped develop a new RT-PCR …
Read More »The Quest for Herd Immunity
Vaccines greatly reduce the risk of infection by working with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA). Vaccination protects people from getting the disease and passing on the pathogen, thus breaking any chains of transmission. And, vaccination of a significant …
Read More »COVID-19 VACCINATION
Till January 16, 2021, more than 39.7 million doses of various COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in 51 countries. While the US began its vaccinations on December 14, 2020, by vaccinating health workers, China and Russia authorized their vaccinations for some groups back in July and August, 2020, respectively. June …
Read More »Feeling the Nation’s Pulse
Dr. Sudha Sharma, MBBS, DGO, FRCOG, MPH, former Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal, is an obstetrician gynecologist and public health expert with major experiences in policy, governance, health systems, and quality of healthcare. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, UK, …
Read More »No benefit of four drugs for COVID patients, says WHO
The ongoing World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial of hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, lopinavir, or interferon-beta-1a for the treatment of COVID-19 were found not to prevent in-hospital death, reduce need for ventilation, or shorten duration of hospitalization. The results have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The open-label study …
Read More »Molnupiravir Suppresses SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Quickly
Researchers at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, have discovered that a new antiviral drug, Molnupiravir (MK-4482/EIDD-2801), completely suppresses SARS-CoV-2 transmission within 24 hours. The drug was originally found to be potent against influenza viruses. According to research team leader Dr. Richard Plemper, it is the first orally …
Read More »Favipiravir: Deciphering in COVID-19
The pandemic outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 that started in China in late December 2019 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS- CoV-2) and has now walloped the world. COVID-19 has led to unprecedented challenges with devastating health and socio-economic impacts. Scientists and researchers are striving to contain the coronavirus with …
Read More »THE EYE AND COVID-19: PROVIDING FACTS, NOT FEARS
The worldwide outbreak of the severe and acute respiratory coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the coronavirus strain SARS-CoV-2 is currently the focal point of discussion due to the suffering this syndrome is causing to humanity. However, the ophthalmological implications of this syndrome have not yet been well described. Both eyes …
Read More »Nepal: Waiting for COVID-19 Vaccine
Everyone is asking the question, when will the vaccine come to Nepal? We tried to find the answer from Dr. Suresh Tiwari, a public health expert, and Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, Spokesperson, Ministry of Health and Population, but unfortunately, they were not available for comment. We did talk to Dr. Prakash …
Read More »COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in the USA
In the United States, President Trump launched Operation Warp Speed in May 2020 to fast-track development, testing, regulatory approval, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The U.S. has booked hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine candidates in advance, and at least the initial vaccinations will be available to all Americans …
Read More »