News at a glance: Hong Kong’s high COVID-19 death rate, Biden’s ‘test and treat,’ and a ResearchGate lawsuit | Science

THERAPEUTICS Big COVID-19 trial notches another effective drug The world’s largest study of COVID-19 treatments has yielded another drug that can reduce mortality. On 3 March, researchers with the United Kingdom’s Recovery trial announced that baricitinib, an oral drug that dampens an overactive immune system and is commonly used by people with rheumatoid arthritis, reduced … Read more

Omega-3 supplements could reduce the number of premature births

South Australia has launched a world-first programme to reduce premature births by testing omega-3 levels during pregnancy and giving supplements when they are low Health 28 February 2022 By Alice Klein Omega-3 fish oil can be taken as daily supplements R_Szatkowski/Shutterstock Giving omega-3 supplements to pregnant women with low levels of this fatty acid could … Read more

Muscle Strengthening Linked to Lower Risk of Dying – Even in Short Amounts

Spending just 30-60 minutes a week on muscle strengthening exercises could be enough to significantly reduce your risk of dying, according to a new study – even with no extra cardio exercise like running or cycling added in.   Based on an analysis of 16 previous studies, covering up to 25 years of research and … Read more

Dogs Seem to Truly Grieve For Their Lost Canine Buddies, Survey Reveals

The loss of a beloved canine companion is devastating, and new research shows that you might not be the only one feeling it. Any other dogs in your family could also go through mourning, as indicated by their behavior.   A survey of 426 multiple-dog owners in Italy revealed that, when one dog in the … Read more

Pet dogs really do grieve the deaths of other dogs they live with

Nearly all dogs that lose a “companion” dog from the same household show behaviours like going off their food and seeking more human attention Life 24 February 2022 By Clare Wilson Dogs show grief-like behaviour when another dog from their home dies Edwin Tan/Getty Images Pet owners may have long suspected it, but now a … Read more

Some Children Die Without Explanation. Genetics Is Finally Giving Us Answers

The sudden and unexpected death of a child is a tragedy made all the worse when there’s absolutely no explanation. Each year in the United States, hundreds of children die for undetermined reasons, usually in their sleep or while resting. Due to the way deaths are investigated and certified, it’s hard to say how often this … Read more

Personalised medicine: Australia aims to end childhood cancer deaths

An Australian plan to eliminate childhood cancer deaths using personalised medicine will be made available to all Australian children with the condition from 2023 Health 15 February 2022 By Alice Klein DNA sequencing helps offer a personalised approach to cancer Getty Images/iStockphoto An ambitious Australian programme to use personalised medicine to reduce the number of children … Read more

The Black Death Plague Didn’t Actually Kill Half of Europe, New Study Claims

In popular imagination, the Black Death is the most devastating pandemic to have ever hit Europe. Between 1346 and 1353, plague is believed to have reached nearly, if not every, corner of the continent, killing 30-50 percent of the population.   This account is based on texts and documents written by state or church officials … Read more

Storm-battered SpaceX Starlink satellite’s fiery death captured on video

A dramatic video serves as a memorial to a star-crossed satellite that lived fast and died very young. SpaceX launched 49 satellites to low Earth orbit on Feb. 3 to further beef up the company’s huge and growing Starlink internet megaconstellation. But most of those newly lofted spacecraft will never beam any broadband signals down, … Read more