COVID-19: PPE, plus training, lowers risk of COVID-19 for health care workers.

PPE, plus training, lowers risk of COVID-19 for health care workers.Health care workers carry a significant burden of coronavirus infections worldwide, but a new evidence review shows the rate can be lowered with the use of personal protective equipment combined with proper training in infection control. Adequate supplies of personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns and eye protection have been the subject of heightened attention throughout the pandemic. Chou said the evidence suggests that lowering the rate of infection among health care workers must also include adequate training and education to ensure workers use the equipment properly. "Infection control training is important," Chou said. "It's not just about providing the equipment, but helping health care workers understand how they need to use it. Training and education were consistently associated with decreased risk of infection."

Tackling airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.

Tackling airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.Preventing airborne transmission of Covid-19 should be the next front of the battle against the virus. In a study published by the City and Environment Interaction journal, scientists from Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), together with partners from Australia's Queensland University and Technology, argue that the lack of adequate ventilation in many indoor environments -- from the workplace to the home -- increases the risk of airborne transmission of Covid-19. Madonna posted a video tribute to George Floyd, and it didn't go down well Covid-19, like many viruses, is less than 100mn in size but expiratory droplets (from people who have coughed or sneezed) contain water, salts and other organic material, along with the virus itself. Experts from GCARE and Australia note that as the water content from the droplets evaporate, the microscopic matter becomes small and light enough to stay suspended in the air and over time the concentration of the virus will build up, increasing the risk of infection -- particularly if the air is stagnant like in many indoor environments. The study highlights improving building ventilation as a possible route to tackling indoor transmission of Covid-19.

AGRIBUSINESS:Global food production to be transformed using new technology..

AGRIBUSINESS:Global food production to be transformed using new technology.The world's growing population will necessitate a 30-70% increase in food production over the next 3 decades. If we are to succeed, it will require a complete overhaul of the way we produce food. Researchers have now created an overview of solutions that include a number of new technologies that can collectively address this global challenge.Together with an array of leading researchers from the 'Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization' and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, Svend Christensen has identified a number of new and upcoming technologies that together, and each with their own approach, will be able to solve this global challenge for society. Most of these technologies are fully developed, while others are just a few steps away.

AGRIBUSINESS: Combined production of fish and vegetables can be profitable.

AGRIBUSINESS: Combined production of fish and vegetables can be profitable

. When it comes to future food production, the combined farming of fish and vegetables through aquaponics is currently a hotly debated topic.

Sewage poses potential COVID-19 transmission risk.

Sewage poses potential COVID-19 transmission risk.Environmental biologists have warned that the potential spread of COVID-19 via sewage 'must not be neglected' in the battle to protect human health. Environmental biologists at the University of Stirling have warned that the potential spread of COVID-19 via sewage "must not be neglected" in the battle to protect human health.The response to the global pandemic has focused upon preventing person-to-person transmission, however, experts now believe the virus could also be spread in wastewater.

Vitamin D levels appear to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates.

Vitamin D levels appear to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates.Patients with severe deficiency are twice as likely to experience major complications.Researchers analyzed patient data from 10 countries. The team found a correlation between low vitamin D levels and hyperactive immune systems. Vitamin D strengthens innate immunity and prevents overactive immune responses. The finding could explain several mysteries, including why children are unlikely to die from COVID-19. The researchers noted that patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates, such as Italy, Spain and the UK, had lower levels of vitamin D compared to patients in countries that were not as severely affected.

WILD LIFE: In chimpanzees, females contribute to the protection of the territory.

WILD LIFE: In chimpanzees, females contribute to the protection of the territory. Researchers have extensively studied several neighboring groups of western chimpanzees and their findings reveal that females and even the entire group may play a more important role in between-group competition than previously thought.



 They found that even though adult males seem important in territory increase, territory maintenance and competitive advantage over neighbors act through the entire group in this population of chimpanzees in the Taï National Park.


 In humans, warfare and territoriality have traditionally been considered male "business." Chimpanzees, with whom we share this propensity for out-group hostility and territoriality, are thought to follow the same gender difference.