Author: sh ytlk

Coronavirus self-isolation: a psychologist explains how to avoid cabin fever

People who suspect they may have come into contact with the coronavirus are being advised to self-isolate (stay at home) for 14 days. For some people, the idea of self-isolation may seem like a dream come true. For others, the idea of being cut off from the outside world, alone or with only a few close family members, will fill them with dread—ask any parent who has had to entertain two small children at home on a wet afternoon.
Read More

Coronavirus is accelerating a culture of no touching – here’s why that’s a problem

Touch has profound benefits for human beings. But over the last few decades, people have become increasingly cautious about socially touching others for a range of reasons. With the novel coronavirus spreading, this is bound to get worse. People have already started avoiding shaking hands. And the British queen was seen wearing gloves as a precaution not to contract the virus.
Read More

A molecular network to balance inflammatory programs in immune cells

A research team led by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Bellinzona, Switzerland, affiliated with Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), has identified a molecular network required to balance the responses of human lymphocytes. The activities of these immune cells must be carefully regulated in order to ensure effective defense of the organism. At the same time, the risk of damaging healthy tissues must be limited. Tissue damage may derive from excessive, unrestrained immune responses that cause many chronic inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. With this work, the IRB researchers have identified a molecular module involved in regulating the features that characterize highly proinflammatory and potentially pathogenic lymphocytes.
Read More

Coronavirus: When Canadian compassion requires social distancing

Canadians are well known for their reserved politeness. If someone accidentally steps on our toe or bumps into us, we apologize: “Sorry.” We are also widely known as a compassionate people—we value personal autonomy, but also embrace collective responsibility. In times of trouble, we can usually be counted on to reach out in an effort to help others at home and around the world.
Read More