42 articles from SATURDAY 24.4.2021

‘We’re the poo crew’: sleuths test for Covid by reading signs in sewage

Scientists in Exeter are identifying Covid through human faeces – this could be be expanded to monitor other diseasesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThey call themselves the “poo crew” – a team of health detectives who are tracking down and heading off Covid outbreaks by reading the signs in our sewage. And they are expanding. Earlier this month, the...

Can our passion for pets help reset our relationship with nature?

As lockdown puppy sales soar and the cats of Instagram are liked by millions, endangered species are vanishing from the planet. Can pets teach us how to care about all animals?It was the carefree summer of 2019, and I was on a beach in San Francisco – surrounded by a thousand corgis. Sand is not the natural environment for dogs whose legs are only as long as ice lollies. But this was Corgi Con,...

Fears Covid anxiety syndrome could stop people reintegrating

Exclusive: compulsive hygiene habits and fear of public places could remain for some after lockdown lifted, researchers sayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageScientists have expressed concern that residual anxiety over coronavirus may have led some people to develop compulsive hygiene habits that could prevent them from reintegrating into the outside world, even though...

Global experts define how to assess quality of care for patients with atrial fibrillation

The first internationally agreed quality indicators for the management and outcomes of adults with atrial fibrillation are presented today at EHRA 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The document is published in EP Europace, a journal of the ESC. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 40 million people...

Simple foot test detects heart rhythm disorder in patients with diabetes

Atrial fibrillation can be detected during annual foot assessments in patients with diabetes, according to research presented today at EHRA 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1"In our study, one in six patients with diabetes had previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation," said study author Dr. Ilias Kanellos of the European University of Cyprus,...

Study highlights risks of anxiety and depression after cardiac device implantation

Patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) should be regularly screened for anxiety and depression, according to research presented at EHRA 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1Study author Professor Susanne Pedersen of Odense University Hospital, Denmark said: "Most patients adapt well to living with an ICD. For others it...

Western Australia Covid lockdown: AMA condemns hotel quarantine failures

Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid says state governments are not doing enough to protect those in quarantine from coronavirusContinued leaks from hotel quarantine are “a frustration to all Australians” and state governments are not doing enough to prevent it, the president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Omar Khorshid, has said.Western Australia’s Perth and...

From toxic ions to single-atom copper

Researchers offer conclusive research for understanding how bacteria found in copper mines convert toxic copper ions to stable single-atom copper. Their research demonstrates how copper-resistant bacterium from a copper mine in Brazil convert copper sulfate ions into zero-valent metallic copper.

US lifts pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine after advisers say benefits outweigh risk

The vaccine was temporarily halted while scientists investigated rare but dangerous blood clotsUS health officials have lifted an 11-day pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccinations following a recommendation by an expert panel. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday the benefits of the single-dose Covid-19 shot outweigh a rare risk of blood clots.Panel members said...