Study finds surprising risks for COVID-19 infection

A new paper in Biology Methods & Protocols investigates risk factors and protections against contracting COVID-19, and also for suffering from severe COVID. Researchers have identified several characteristics—including male sex, lower age, blood group B, and larger household size—that increased the risk of infection and many other characteristics—including mask-wearing and using vitamin D—that decreased it. They also identified the things that increased or decreased the risk of a severe course of COVID-19. Some of these findings are unexpected.

More exercise linked to less-severe COVID-19 outcomes

Kaiser Permanente members who were more physically active prior to being diagnosed with COVID-19 had a lower risk of severe outcomes, according to research published Dec. 15, 2022, in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Ancient grammatical puzzle solved after 2,500 years

A grammatical problem that has defeated Sanskrit scholars since the 5th century BC has finally been solved by an Indian Ph.D. student at the University of Cambridge. Rishi Rajpopat made the breakthrough by decoding a rule taught by "the father of linguistics," Pāṇini.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/ancient-grammatical-puzzle-solved-after-2-500-years

Prototype AR shopping devices could benefit both consumers and retailers, says new study

Augmented reality (AR) could change the way we buy clothes in the future.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/prototype-ar-shopping-devices-could-benefit-both-consumers-and-retailers-says-new-study

Team develops image deep learning technology to present VR and AR screens more vividly and realistically

Professor Jin Kyong-hwan's research team of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) has developed image processing deep learning technology that reduces memory speed and increases resolution by 3dB compared to existing technologies.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/team-develops-image-deep-learning-technology-to-present-vr-and-ar-screens-more-vividly-and-realistically

Study examines what microorganisms on Mars would need to survive

No life has yet been found on Mars, but it is exciting to explore the circumstances under which it might be possible. A team led by the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) with the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) has studied the cellular processes that regulate the adaptation of microorganisms to perchlorates. If microorganisms could genetically adapt their stress response to this salt, which occurs in some deserts and on Mars, their survival on the Red Planet might be possible.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-examines-what-microorganisms-on-mars-would-need-to-survive

Snakes have clitorises, scientists say, slamming research 'taboo'

Female snakes have clitorises, according to the first detailed study on the subject Wednesday, in which the scientists lashed out at how little female sex organs have been researched compared to males across species.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/snakes-have-clitorises-scientists-say-slamming-research-taboo

China says tracking COVID cases now 'impossible' as infections soar

China's top health body said Wednesday the true scale of coronavirus infections in the country is now "impossible" to track, with officials warning cases are rising rapidly in Beijing after the government abruptly abandoned its zero-COVID policy last week.

Research links gene variants to medication-induced fatal brain infection

New research has confirmed a strong link between four genetic mutations and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but often fatal brain infection that can be triggered by dozens of FDA-approved drugs.