The covid-19 pandemic may have derailed the world in 2020, but a far deadlier disease has shaped human history for thousands of years. Malaria defeated armies, fuelled the slave trade and jump-started the modern environmental movement. How covid-19 hinders the fight against malaria: https://econ.st/3gAsfCj
Category Archives: Health
Morning News Podcast: Stimulus Bill, Vaccine Trust & Cognitive Decline
Lawmakers near relief deal with second round of stimulus checks, do Americans trust the vaccine, and drinking red wine and eating cheese could reduce cognitive decline.
Health: Value Of A Healthy ‘Skin Microbiome’ (Video)
Our skin is home to billions of microorganisms, the vast majority of which are bacteria. Much like the microbiome in our gut, these microbes play a crucial part in keeping us healthy. They are part of a finely balanced ecosystem of friendly or ‘commensal’ bacteria, which protect our skin by creating an inhospitable environment for would-be invaders, bolstering the physical integrity of the skin, and training the immune system to distinguish commensal inhabitants from pathogens. A number of skin conditions are now understood to be influenced by a breakdown of this microbial ecosystem. Researchers are working out whether restoring the balance can treat these conditions. Understanding the ecology of this rich community is likely to be an important part of both dermatology and the study of the microbiome. Read more in https://www.nature.com/collections/sk…
Covid-19 Testing: First Rapid, Over-The-Counter Test Using Smartphone Is Approved By FDA
The patented detection method detects minute fluorescence signals using unique fluorescent nanoparticles and a sophisticated reader system to achieve accurate results from a clinical sample, overcoming the sensitivity limitations of typical lateral flow technology. The key elements of Ellume’s digital technology reduce the probability of false results, create new pathways to treatment, and optimize secure public health reporting. These unique features are critical to the approval, success and adoption of self-administered home testing.
Core Technology
Supercharged fluorescent immunochromatography using a quantum-dot based fluorescent particle
The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test’s core technology combines ultra-sensitive optics, electronics and proprietary software to leverage best-in-class digital immunoassay technology with next-generation multi-quantum dot fluorescence technology.
How it works
Safe, accurate and rapid self-test
The test includes a sterile Nasal Swab, a Dropper, Processing Fluid, and a Bluetooth® connected Analyzer for use with an app on the user’s smartphone. Utilizing the dedicated app, the user follows step-by-step video instructions to perform the test including a self-collected mid-turbinate nasal swab. The sample is analyzed, and results are automatically transmitted to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth® in 15 minutes or less. Results can be shared with healthcare professionals to enable optimal therapy.
Through a secure cloud connection, Ellume’s COVID-19 Home Test can provide real-time reporting of test results to health authorities, employers, and educators, for efficient COVID-19 mapping.
Infographics: ‘Leading Causes Of Death (2000-19)
Health: ‘CommonPass’ Smartphone App Confirms Covid-19 Vaccinations
In the coming weeks, major airlines including United, JetBlue and Lufthansa plan to introduce a health passport app, called CommonPass, that aims to verify passengers’ virus test results — and soon, vaccinations. The app will then issue confirmation codes enabling passengers to board certain international flights. It is just the start of a push for digital Covid-19 credentials that could soon be embraced by employers, schools, summer camps and entertainment venues.
The advent of electronic vaccination credentials could have a profound effect on efforts to control the coronavirus and restore the economy. They could prompt more employers and college campuses to reopen. They may also give some consumers peace of mind, developers say, by creating an easy way for movie theaters, cruise ships and sports arenas to admit only those with documented coronavirus vaccinations.
The CommonPass, IBM and Clear apps, for instance, allow users to download their virus test results — and soon their vaccinations — to their smartphones. The apps can then check the medical data and generate unique confirmation codes that users can show at airports or other locations to confirm their health status.
But the health passes do not share specific details — like where and when a user was tested — with airlines or employers, developers said. The QR codes, they said, act merely as a kind of green light, clearing users for entry.
Health: American ‘Covid-19 Data In Motion’ (Video)
Video highlights of COVID-19 data trends as of December 13, 2020. This daily report shares critical data on the spread of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.
For the latest news, trends, and expert insights on the coronavirus pandemic, visit the JHU Coronavirus Resource Center: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/
Explore COVID-19 trends around the world with our in-depth data tracking: New cases and cumulative cases: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/cumu…
Daily new cases, testing, and positivity ratio by U.S. state: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/t…
New cases by country: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/new-…
Social Media & Health: ‘Doomscrolling’ Your Way To Despair & Depression
Covid-19 Infographic: One-Year Progress Of Treatments & Vaccines
Covid-19: The Logistical Challenges Facing The Vaccine Rollout (Video)
As states and hospitals in the U.S. race to roll out the first Covid-19 vaccines, WSJ’s Daniela Hernandez hears from a hospital administrator and immunization expert about the logistical challenges involved in this first phase of the vaccination process.
Photo: Victoria Jones/Zuma Press
Boomers Daily 