The University of Basel is part of the global search for a drug to fight the rampant coronavirus. Researchers in the Computational Pharmacy group have so far virtually tested almost 700 million substances, targeting a specific site on the virus – with the aim of inhibiting its multiplication.
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Category: Uncategorized
Marketing makes dubious claims about infant formulas
Marketing claims promote benefits of providing infant formula and toddler milks that are not supported by scientific evidence, yet 60% of caregivers mistakenly believe these products provide nutrition not present in breastmilk, whole milk, or other healthy foods, according to a new paper published in Maternal and Child Nutrition from researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut. Relatedly, caregivers who believe these unsupported claims are significantly more likely to serve infant formula and toddler milk to their children, despite expert recommendations that toddler milks are not necessary for toddlers and that breastmilk is superior to infant formula for infants up to 12 months.
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Albania records first coronavirus death in Western Balkans
Albania reported the first death from the novel coronavirus in the Western Balkans on Wednesday, as one of Europe’s poorest regions braces for the spread of virus wreaking havoc across the globe.
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France’s Macron to address nation over coronavirus Thursday
President Emmanuel Macron will make a televised address on France’s response to the coronavirus outbreak Thursday, as authorities prepare for a surge in cases in the coming weeks.
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When safety measures lead to riskier behavior by more people
Coronavirus fears triggered a recent surge in sales of protective masks, as well as disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Now there’s a shortage and concern that even health care providers who must wear face masks won’t be able to get the gear they need.
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U.S. primary care docs unprepared for surge in Alzheimer’s cases
(HealthDay)—Many U.S. primary care doctors worry they aren’t ready to care for the growing ranks of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease, a new report suggests.
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An app for patients and doctors to calculate cancer survival probabilities
A new app is able to calculate personalized survival probabilities for patients suffering from soft tissue sarcoma. Doctors and patients can use the app to calculate personalized survival probabilities together. Mathematician Anja Rüten-Budde received her doctorate for her research into survival probability statistics that led to the creation of the app.
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Antibiotics: City dwellers and children take the most
City dwellers take more antibiotics than people in rural areas; children and the elderly use them more often than middle-aged people; the use of antibiotics decreases as education increases, but only in rich countries: These are three of the more striking trends identified by researchers of the NRW Forschungskolleg “One Health and Urban Transformation” at the University of Bonn in a recent study. They evaluated 73 publications on the use of antibiotics in the outpatient sector around the world. The subject is of great importance: Too many antibiotics are still being administered. Possible consequences are resistance. Already there are hardly any effective drugs available against some bacteria. The study will be published in May in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, but is already available online.
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JNK protein triggers nerve cells to withdraw their synapses when stressed
Synapses are tiny cell protrusions where electrochemical impulses pass between nerves. Prolonged stress in the brain causes synapse withdrawal and maladaptive changes to circuits that are linked to the development of major depressive disorder.
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Anticholinergic burden tied to adverse effects in middle age
Anticholinergic burden (ACB) is associated with adverse outcomes in a middle- to older-aged population, according to a study published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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