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The Role Vitamin D Plays in Protecting Your Lungs (and other organs) Have been following, for a number of years, research on the importance of Vitamin D3 for supporting and regulating the immune system and inflammation in the body. Further recent research projects and trials suggest that it protects against respiratory infections/reduces their severity and helps to prevent accute inflammation which can be caused by autoimmune response. The evidence suggests, therefore, that Vitamin D has a powerful role to play - not only in relation to Covid 19 but also other infections. Presented by Dr John Campbell whose daily You Tube videos and updates on Covid 19 UK and worldwide developments are excellent in providing key information. Important Update. |
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Scientists Test Best Fabrics for Covid Masks In scientific studies on best fabrics for homemade masks, scientists at the University of Illinois, found that one layer of cotton T shirt material had a 40% droplet blocking efficiency and two layers a 98% efficiency - exceeding even some medical masks while maintaining better breathability. A study at Florida Atlantic University found when people coughed without a mask, droplets travelled more than 8 feet whereas with a stitched quilted cotton mask droplets travelled only 2.5 inches. These, and other research projects, present a strong case for the wearing of masks in public places and help identify the most effective types of fabrics for masks. |
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What You Need to Know About the Airborne Transmission of COVID-19 In Science News, 6 July, 2020, Lambert highlights the intensifying scientfic debate that Covid 19 can float in the air for extended periods of time. Over 200 experts have now presented an open letter to the World Health Organisation stressing it is time for WHO to recognise the need to update its prevention recommendations. The article cites, as examples, a single infected person at a choir practice who infected at least 45 other people, and another who infected nine others in a restaurant, with analysis suggesting that viruses were propelled as far as 20 feet by air conditioning units. |
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Looking at Deep Red Light for Just Minutes a Day Significantly Improves Declining Eyesight An article in SciTech Daily, an online magazine, reports on research at University College, London. Scientists believe the discovery, published in the Journals of Gerontology, could signal the dawn of new highly affordable home-based eye therapies, helping the millions of people globally with naturally declining vision. SciTech Daily offers science and technology coverage and analysis, sourcing a huge range of writers and research institutes. It was founded in 1998 with the idea to link to the most thought-provoking, well researched online items in the world of science and technology. |
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Blue Light Therapy That Can Kill MRSA Reported in The Brink, another breakthrough in the use of light therapy comes from Boston University, USA. In studies on mice with MRSA infections, the researchers discovered that blue light photons significantly damaged the bacteria’s membrane, wiping out 90% of MRSA cells. Using a combined therapy of blue pulsed light and a topically applied weak dilution of hydrogen pyroxide, 99.9% of the MRSA superbug, highly resistant to many antibiotics, was destroyed The Brink, a BU publication, delivers the latest news on Boston University research ptojects where faculty and students are on the cutting edge of new discoveries. |
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BBC Science Focus : Future Technology Magazine presenting 22 innovative ideas and projects that could help to shape the future. Includes tiny hybrid robots known as xenobots that could one day be used to swim around human bodies to specific areas requiring medicine, repair organs or to gather microplastic in the oceans; artificial neurons on silicon chips, mimicking the neurons in our nervous system which could be used in medical implants to treat conditions such as heart failure and Alzheimers; sonic fire extinguishers used to disrupt the air surrounding a fire, essentially cutting off the supply of oxygen to the fuel; floating farms on the sea or lakes which could be used to help meet the additional 70% of food estimated to be needed by 2050. |
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The Farm of the Future The idea of floating farms on water has taken another direction - that of creating city-based, high-tech, vertical farms that use no soil and 95% less water. From an aero farm in a forner steel mill in New Jersey and an underground farm in London, to a Japanese office building with a rice paddy field, city farms are springing up across the world. This new technology is aimed at providing a more sustainable future which addresses the problems of lack of availablility of fertile farmland and water, of transport pollution, and is not dependent on pesticides or favourable climate conditions. |
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The Best Smart Home Tech at CES 2020 Amazing overview of the latest home gadgets on display at the Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas - demonstrating just how rapidly technology is evolving. Makes fascinating viewing of what could become the norm in homes of the future like the smart fridge, front door system and the projected multi task touch display. Amongst the 'more affordable' gadgets are the very useful Charging Plate for devices and, Cosmo, a turn signal and brake light system for bikes that can be attached to a cycling helmet or the seat post. |
