Nobel Prize Winners for Medicine: How They Helped Create COVID-19 Vaccines

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October 3, 2023

2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. winners Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has announced the winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They are Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. These two scientists have made important discoveries about how to change some parts of the genetic material, called nucleoside base modifications, to make mRNA vaccines work well against COVID-19.

Why This Is a Big Deal

The work of Karikó and Weissman was crucial in making COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, like the ones from Pfizer and Moderna, possible. These vaccines have been vital in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020. Thanks to their discoveries, scientists were able to develop these vaccines quickly when the world needed them the most.

Understanding Vaccines

Vaccines are like training for your immune system. They teach your body how to recognize and fight specific diseases. In the past, we used vaccines made from weakened or killed viruses, like the ones for polio, measles, and yellow fever. Then, we started making vaccines from parts of the virus, like proteins, which trigger your immune system to fight the virus. Examples of these include vaccines for hepatitis B and human papillomavirus. There are also vaccines that use harmless viruses to carry pieces of the virus we want to fight, like the Ebola virus.

The Challenge with Traditional Vaccines

Making these vaccines usually involves growing lots of cells in a lab, which takes a long time and a lot of resources. So, when new diseases like COVID-19 appear, we need faster ways to make vaccines.

The Promise of mRNA Vaccines

Here’s where mRNA comes in. In our cells, DNA carries genetic information, and mRNA helps make proteins using this information. In the 1980s, scientists found ways to make mRNA outside of cells, called “in vitro transcription.” This was a big deal for biology. But using mRNA as medicine had problems. It was fragile, hard to deliver, and could cause inflammation.

Katalin Karikó’s Dedication

Katalin Karikó, a scientist from Hungary, was determined to make mRNA work for medicine. In the early 1990s, she joined forces with immunologist Drew Weissman. They discovered that our immune cells see some types of mRNA as foreign, causing inflammation. They realized that the difference was in the chemical building blocks of mRNA, called bases.

The Breakthrough

RNA has four bases: A, U, G, and C. They found that the mRNA made in labs didn’t have changes in these bases like the mRNA made in our cells. When they added these changes to lab-made mRNA, the inflammation went away. This was a game-changer in how we use mRNA for medicine. They published their findings in 2005, long before COVID-19.

Making mRNA Vaccines a Reality

With this knowledge, researchers could develop mRNA vaccines for diseases like Zika and MERS-CoV. When COVID-19 hit, they used base-modified mRNA to make vaccines incredibly quickly. These vaccines were proven to be around 95% effective and were approved in December 2020.

The Future of mRNA Vaccines

This technology allows us to make vaccines faster and could help fight other diseases. It might even be used to treat some types of cancer. Thanks to Karikó and Weissman’s work, mRNA vaccines have saved countless lives and given us hope in the battle against COVID-19.

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Disease X: The Next Potential Global Health Threat

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October 3, 2023

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Disease X: - The Next Potential Global Health Threat

Health experts from all over the world are raising a serious concern about something called “Disease X.” They say it could be even worse than COVID-19 and could result in more than 50 million people losing their lives. This makes COVID-19 look like a warning for even more dangerous pandemics in the future.

A Dire Warning from Dame Kate Bingham

Dame Kate Bingham, who led the UK’s efforts to develop vaccines, has given a grim warning about Disease X. She wants us to understand that we’ve been lucky with COVID-19, and the next pandemic could be much deadlier.

WHO Recognizes Disease X

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially acknowledged Disease X as a looming threat. They believe it might already be starting to spread, which is a big problem for global health.

How Deadly Could Disease X Be?

COVID-19, which began in 2019, has already taken almost seven million lives worldwide. Dame Kate Bingham thinks Disease X could be more than seven times deadlier than COVID-19 and might come from a virus we already know about.

Similarities with the 1918-1919 Flu Pandemic

Dame Kate Bingham is comparing Disease X to the devastating flu pandemic of 1918-1919, which killed over 50 million people. She’s worried that there are many viruses out there that could cause such a disaster because viruses can multiply and change quickly.

Keeping an Eye on

Many Viruses Scientists are closely watching 25 groups of viruses, each with thousands of individual viruses. Some of these could turn into serious pandemics. However, this monitoring doesn’t cover viruses that can jump from animals to humans, which is an additional threat.

Efforts to Prepare and Make Vaccines

UK Scientists Working on Vaccines To prepare for Disease X, scientists in the UK are working hard to develop vaccines for this unknown but potentially deadly virus. Over 200 scientists are involved, and they’re doing this research in a highly secure lab in Wiltshire called Porton Down.

Focusing on Animal Viruses

The research is mostly looking at viruses that can pass from animals to humans and spread quickly across the world. They’re studying viruses like bird flu, monkeypox, and hantavirus (which comes from rodents). These viruses are particularly concerning.

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NASA’s $1 Billion Plan to Bring the ISS Back to Earth

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October 3, 2023

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NASA International Space Station (ISS) Retirement

The International Space Station (ISS) is a special space station that orbits close to Earth. It’s like a team effort involving five space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA. The ISS isn’t just a massive object in space; it’s also the biggest satellite flying around Earth. You can even see it from the ground, and it’s been a hub for all sorts of science projects.

NASA’s Retirement Idea

Recently, NASA shared its plan to retire the ISS and bring it back to Earth. This is a huge job and could cost around $1 billion! To make it happen, NASA needs to create a new space vehicle, and they’re looking for help. On September 20, they asked companies to help build something called the US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). This special vehicle will play a vital role in bringing the ISS safely back home.

What’s the USDV’s Job?

Think of the USDV as a space tow truck. Its main job is to move the ISS from where it is now, which is about 175 miles above Earth, to a lower spot at around 75 miles above Earth. This is the first step in retiring the ISS. NASA wants the USDV to be safe, reliable, and not too expensive because it’s a big mission.

Similar to the Mir Space Station

Some experts say this idea is a bit like what happened with the Mir space station in the past. Back then, they also brought it back to Earth, and lots of stuff came down into the ocean. When this happens, they’ll make sure to warn everyone and clear the sky. It’s kind of like how smaller spacecraft like ISS cargo ships return to Earth about once a month.

Challenges in Bringing It Down

While the ISS can be carefully lowered to about 250 km above Earth, after that, the special USDV will have to take control. It’s a bit like driving on a windy road, and it takes a lot of power to steer. If they lose control and the ISS starts tumbling, it could cause problems because they won’t be able to use the rocket engines effectively.

The ISS’s Important Role in Science

For more than 20 years, the ISS has been like a floating lab for space scientists. They’ve done all kinds of experiments in areas like biology, physics, medicine, materials, Earth science, and space science. This huge space station weighs about 444,615 kg and has been a place for groundbreaking research and development.

The ISS Crew’s Job

The crew living on the ISS has been a big part of these experiments. They’ve volunteered to be test subjects to study how humans adapt to living in space. Besides their scientific work, they also do everyday things like cooking and cleaning during their long stays. These experiments are super important for getting us ready to explore the rest of the solar system.

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What to expect from Google Pixel 8 launch event?

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October 2, 2023

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Google to launch Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, the Pixel Watch 2, and the next-generation Pixel Buds Pro.

Google is preparing for a highly anticipated product launch event on October 4th. The tech giant is set to unveil its cutting-edge portfolio at the next Made By Google event, which will include the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, the Pixel Watch 2, and the next-generation Pixel Buds Pro.

The Pixel 8 series will be unveiled at 7:30 PM IST and will be streamed live on YouTube and other key social media channels. Along with the new hardware, it is expected that Google will make the formal introduction of Android 14 during the event.

The Pixel 8 series is Google’s third-generation smartphone endeavor, including an in-house Tensor chip co-engineered with Samsung. According to sources, the Tensor G3, which powers the Pixel 8 series, features a unique 9-core CPU architecture. This combination has four efficient or “little” cores, four high-performance “big” cores, and a single high-performance core based on the latest ARM Cortex X3 architecture with a maximum clock speed of 3GHz.

Keeping with tradition, the Pixel 8 series will include a slew of proprietary software features powered by the Tensor G3’s new Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The Tensor G3’s nine CPU cores are all aligned with the latest ARMv9 2022 architecture, which may make the Pixel 8 series one of the first Android phone sets to abandon support for 32-bit programs.

In terms of design, the Pixel 8 appears to follow the same design language as its predecessor, the Pixel 7. Meanwhile, the more expensive Pixel 8 Pro is expected to have a revolutionary camera setup, maybe with three cameras with different focus lengths. The Pixel Watch 2 has a similar appearance to the first Pixel Watch but will, significantly, make its formal debut in the Indian market this time.

The Pixel 8 series, Pixel Watch 2, and the new Pixel Buds Pro will be available for pre-order on Flipkart in the near future.

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WhatsApp Bans over 3.5 Million Accounts in India

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October 2, 2023

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WhatsApp Bans over 3.5 Million Accounts in India

WhatsApp, a Meta subsidiary, took decisive action in August to enforce the new IT Rules 2021 in India, resulting in the deactivation of an astounding 7,420,748 accounts. According to WhatsApp’s monthly compliance report, 3,506,905 accounts were proactively identified and removed without user reports. With over 500 million users, India saw an increase in consumer complaints, hitting 14,767 in August. Notably, WhatsApp responded to 71 of these complaints with corrective actions.

The term “Accounts Actioned” refers to situations in which WhatsApp responded to user reports by either banning an account or reinstating a previously banned one, depending on the circumstances.

WhatsApp highlights the importance of its user-safety report, which includes not just user complaints and actions taken, but also proactive efforts done by the network to counteract abuse.

Furthermore, the Indian government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), established to empower social media users, issued only one decision in August, which WhatsApp dutifully followed. The GAC, a significant development in India’s digital regulatory landscape, is entrusted with hearing user appeals against social media site rulings.

WhatsApp is proud of its industry-leading position in providing end-to-end encrypted messaging services that prioritize abuse prevention and mitigation. To manage these critical activities, the corporation employs a varied staff of engineers, data scientists, analysts, researchers, and specialists in law enforcement, internet safety, and technology.

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Scientists Dive Deep to Reveal Secrets of Zealandia: Earth’s ‘Hidden’ 8th Continent

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October 2, 2023

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Detailed map of Zealandia, the submerged continent, showing its underwater features and topography.

A group of scientists from around the world has undertaken an exciting mission to uncover the mysteries of Zealandia, often called the ‘eighth continent.’ They’ve created an impressive new map that tells us a lot about this hidden part of our planet.

Where in the World is Zealandia?

Zealandia might sound like something from a fantasy story, but it’s a real place hiding beneath the Pacific Ocean. In fact, a whopping 94% of it is underwater! The remaining 6% pokes out of the water, including places like New Zealand and nearby islands.

The Ancient Story of Zealandia

Zealandia’s history goes way back, around 83 million years ago. It all began when massive volcanic forces caused a supercontinent called Gondwana to break apart. This breakup eventually led to the continents we know today.

Creating the Detailed Map

Making this new map was a big job. The scientists used a bunch of methods to reveal Zealandia’s secrets. Here’s how they did it:

1. Examining Oceanic Rocks and Sediments: They carefully studied rocks and sediments taken from the ocean floor. These precious materials were collected during special underwater drilling and coastal trips.

2. Analyzing Seismic Data: The researchers also looked at data from earthquakes in the Zealandia area. This data helped them understand what the continent is made of.

3. Mapping the Whole Continent: With all this information in hand, the scientists got to work on the huge task of mapping Zealandia. Imagine mapping an area as big as 5 million square kilometers underwater!

Unlocking Geological Mysteries

Their hard work paid off. They found some interesting things about the geology of Western Antarctica, hinting at the possibility of a subduction zone near the Campbell Plateau on New Zealand’s western coast. This is where tectonic plates slide under each other. However, there are still magnetic patterns in the region that suggest a different type of movement along the Campbell Fault.

The scientists believe that these magnetic patterns happened when Gondwana was being stretched apart, like pulling apart a piece of bread. This stretching caused a big break, creating the ocean floor that’s now part of Zealandia.

In a nutshell, this new map and research help us understand more about Zealandia, a hidden world beneath the waves. It’s like uncovering the Earth’s secrets one discovery at a time!

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Ancient Sea Turtle’s DNA Discovered: A Six-Million-Year Surprise!

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September 30, 2023

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In a remarkable discovery, scientists have stumbled upon traces of DNA in the fossilized remains of a sea turtle that lived six million years ago. This finding is a rare gem in the world of ancient fossils.

The Fossil Find:

The fossil was found on the Caribbean coast of Panama back in 2015. It holds well-preserved bone cells called osteocytes. Though it’s not a complete fossil, it includes a mostly intact shell from a sea turtle that was about a foot long when it roamed the seas.

The DNA Surprise:

The leader of the research, paleontologist Edwin Cadena, explained that some of the cell nuclei within the osteocytes reacted when exposed to a chemical solution. This reaction hinted at the presence of DNA, but it’s important to note that they didn’t extract the DNA itself, just its remnants. Cadena is part of the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Preserving DNA:

DNA is usually very delicate and vanishes with time, but in certain special conditions, it can stick around in ancient remains. Scientists have previously found DNA from animals, plants, and tiny creatures dating back around two million years in the soil at a remote spot in Greenland’s north.

Ancient DNA Club:

Until now, the only older vertebrate fossils with similar DNA traces belonged to two famous dinosaurs – Tyrannosaurus, which lived about 66 million years ago, and Brachylophosaurus, which lived around 78 million years ago. There have also been reports of DNA remnants in insects that go back tens of millions of years.

A view shows fossil cells, in Bogota, Colombia, in this image taken in 2022. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Meet the Turtle:

The fossilized turtle belongs to the same group, or genus, called Lepidochelys, as two of the world’s seven sea turtle species – the Kemp’s ridley, the smallest sea turtle, and the olive ridley.

Unlocking Turtle History:

This ancient fossil helps us understand more about the history of Lepidochelys, which we don’t know much about. It’s like finding a missing puzzle piece.

Preservation Magic:

Cadena mentioned that every fossil and where it’s found has unique conditions that can sometimes help preserve stuff like proteins and DNA. This discovery has opened the door to future research that might even allow us to learn more about their close relatives or dig into a bigger study of evolution using these genetic clues.

So, there you have it – an amazing DNA discovery from a turtle that swam the seas six million years ago. Science never stops unraveling the mysteries of our planet’s past!

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India’s Space Dreams Soaring High: ISRO’s Gaganyaan & Solar Mission Updates

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September 27, 2023

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Hey there, space enthusiasts! Exciting news from ISRO, the folks who send cool stuff into space. They’re getting ready for India’s first-ever human spaceflight called Gaganyaan. Here’s the lowdown in simple words:

1. Unmanned Test Flights: Before sending astronauts, they want to make sure everything works perfectly. So, they’re going to do some test flights without people first. The first one, called Test Vehicle flight (TV-D1), will happen around October this year. They want to show that if something goes wrong, they can safely get the astronauts back to Earth.

Gaganyaan's Giant Leap: India's Space Engine Roars to Life as ISRO's CE20 E13 Engine Passes Crucial Tests, Paving the Way for Astronaut Missions

2. More Tests Coming: ISRO has big plans. They’re doing a bunch of test flights in the next few years to make sure everything’s safe. In 2023, there will be TV-D1 and D2, and in 2024, D3 and D4. These tests will check all the important stuff to make sure Gaganyaan goes smoothly.

3. Crew Escape System: In the October test, they’ll check something called the “crew escape system.” It’s like a safety button for astronauts. If there’s a problem, it helps them get out of the rocket safely. They’ve already made all the parts they need for this test.

ISRO Gaganyaan Mission Crew Escape System

4. Gaganyaan Plan: The big plan is to send three astronauts into space using a powerful rocket called LVM Mk3. They’ll live in a module in space for a few days and then come back safely to Earth. This is a huge deal because it’s India’s first-ever human spaceflight.

5. Solar Mission: ISRO is also working on studying the Sun. They launched a mission called Aditya L1 on September 2. It will take about 90 more days for it to reach its destination. Once there, it will help us learn more about the Sun for five years.

6. Made in India: ISRO is proud that most of the stuff they use in their rockets is made in India. About 95% of it comes from here, including important electronics. Even the computer chips that run the rockets are Indian-made.

7. Moon Mystery: Remember Chandrayaan-3, the mission to the Moon? Well, there’s a little mystery. They landed successfully, but they lost contact with it when night fell on the Moon. They’ve been trying to talk to it again, but no luck so far. They won’t give up, though.

So, there you have it! ISRO is super busy with space adventures, from human spaceflight to studying the Sun and solving Moon mysteries. Keep your eyes on the sky for more exciting news!

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Gaganyaan’s Giant Leap: India’s Space Engine Roars to Life

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September 26, 2023

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Hey there, young space enthusiasts! Exciting news from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – they’ve taken a big step towards sending astronauts into space as part of the Gaganyaan mission.

So, what’s the big deal? Well, ISRO has been testing a special engine called CE20 E13. This engine is super important because it’s going to power the part of the rocket that carries astronauts to space.

The test happened on September 22 at a place called ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri. They call it a “hot test,” but don’t worry, it’s not about heat – it’s just a way to check if the engine works perfectly.

Now, this CE20 engine is like the heart of a big rocket called LVM3. It’s the part that helps the rocket go higher and higher. And guess what? This engine has already been used in six missions, including sending spacecraft like Chandrayaan-2 and even commercial missions into space.

But ISRO doesn’t stop there. They want to make the rocket even better. They’re upgrading the engine to make it more powerful and carry more stuff into space. This means they’re giving it a boost to make it work harder and lift heavier things.

To make sure everything is A-OK, ISRO did some tests. First, they did the E13 HT-01 test to make sure the engine was tuned up properly. Then, they did the E13 HT-02 test on August 30, where the engine ran smoothly for a really long time – 720 seconds! That’s like 12 minutes of pure power.

Finally, they did the E13 HT-03 test, which was the big one. The engine ran at its highest power level – 22 tonnes – for 670 seconds. Both the engine and the testing place did an amazing job, meeting all the goals they set.

So, what does this mean? It means that the CE20 engine is ready to go for the Gaganyaan mission, where astronauts will be sent into space. ISRO has done all the tests, and now they’re all set for this exciting journey into space and future missions.

Get ready, because India’s space adventures are about to get even cooler!

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Samudrayaan: India’s First Deep-Sea Exploration Mission

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September 15, 2023

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Samudrayaan - India’s First Deep-Sea Exploration Mission

India is all set to embark on its first deep-sea exploration mission, the Samudrayaan Mission, which aims to explore the depths of the ocean. The mission is being developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and will be executed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai. The mission is part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission, which was approved in 2021.

The mission will use a manned submersible called Matsya 6000 to explore the depths of the ocean. The submersible is being designed to send three scientists 6 km (6000 m) underwater to study the deep ocean resources such as precious metals and minerals. The submersible is being developed at NIOT Chennai and will be commissioned soon.

The objectives of the mission are to study the deep sea resources and biodiversity assessment. The mission will also help in developing technology and vehicles to carry out sub-sea activities. If successful, it will put India in an elite club of nations including the US, Russia, Japan, France, and China.