Tag: health
Oxford scientists develop new coronavirus test that provides results in just 30 minutes
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed a new coronavirus test that produces results around three times faster than the current fastest testing methods, and that requires only relatively simple technical instrumentation. In addition to these benefits, the researchers behind the test’s development say that it could even help…
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Japanese flu drug appears ‘effective’ in coronavirus treatment in Chinese clinical trials
Japanese-made flu drug favipiravir (also known as Avigan) has been shown to be effective in both reducing the duration of the COVID-19 virus in patients, and to have improved the lung conditions of those who received treatment with the drug, based on results of clinical trials conducted with affected patients…
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Israel passes emergency law to use mobile data for COVID-19 contact tracing
Israel has passed an emergency law to use mobile phone data for tracking people infected with COVID-19 including to identify and quarantine others they have come into contact with and may have infected. The BBC reports that the emergency law was passed during an overnight sitting of the cabinet, bypassing…
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Pfizer and BioNTech announce joint development of a potential COVID-19 vaccine
Pharma giant Pfizer announced on Tuesday that it’s working on a potential COVID-19 vaccine with BioNTech, a German company working on new kinds of immunotherapy treatments. The joint effort, confirmed Tuesday via a signed letter of intent, will see both partners work together on a messenger RNA-based vaccine that will…
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U.S. government reportedly in talks with tech companies on how to use location data in COVID-19 fight
U.S. government officials are currently in discussion with a number of tech companies, including Facebook and Google, around how data from cell phones might provide methods for combatting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a new Washington Post report. The talks also include health experts tracking the pandemic and its…
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Instacart shopper ratings won’t affect access to orders during COVID-19 pandemic
As a way to try to ease some of the pressure and low ratings gig workers may face from panicked customers, Instacart has made some changes to its app. The first is that shopper ratings won’t affect their access to orders during the pandemic. Instacart will also forgive all ratings…
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