Science & Health

For faster detection of COVID, US FDA approves emergency use of new saliva test

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new SalivaDirect testing technique developed by the Yale School of Public Health to detect coronavirus, during emergency situations.

Aug 16, 2020

Third stage of Russia's Covid-19 vaccine may begin in 7-10 days

Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V is beginning its third stage of research will begin a little over than a week from now.

Aug 16, 2020

Not explosion, dimming of giant star Betelgeuse is due to other causes

Initially, scientists had speculated that giant star Betelgeuse is all set to explode, resulting in supernova

Aug 16, 2020

Russian Covid vaccine Sputnik is useless; WHO says 9 others on right track

A top Russian doctor has also quit from the Russian health ministry citing medical ethics violation while developing Sputnik V.

Aug 14, 2020

Kerala: Privacy breach or full-proof model, ask citizens amid CDR tracking row in COVID fight

The Kerala govt has revealed that it was using Call Data Records to track and trace COVID patients. This has sparked a huge row on the ethics and privacy breach by the government. However, is this the model that works for governments in the time of the pandemic?

Aug 14, 2020

Bengaluru: How citizens can help BBMP in waste collection during COVID

On Monday, BBMP's Special Commissioner for Solid Waste Management shared a video of citizens helping in segregation of waste in the city and what are the precautions one can take during the pandemic.

Aug 10, 2020

Coronavirus scare peaks as three new strains of virus detected in South Korea

The number of coronavirus positive cases in the world has now crossed 20 million, and more than 7,34,000 people have already lost their lives to this pandemic

Aug 10, 2020

A deflated croissant - that's how our solar system looks like: NASA

The shape of the heliosphere is more than a question of academic curiosity. The heliosphere acts as our solar system's shield against the rest of the galaxy.

Aug 9, 2020

How to sanitise N95 masks; here's the best way

The researchers see the potential for the electric- cooker method to be useful for healthcare workers and first responders, especially those in smaller clinics or hospitals that do not have access to large-scale heat sanitization equipment.

Aug 9, 2020

COVID crisis: MoHFW is offering psychological support to children amid pandemic

To help with anxiety in children amid the pandemic, the ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a helpline that citizens can now call on and seek support.

Aug 8, 2020

NASA maps Beirut blast damage in high-precision.

NASA maps unfathomable damage caused in Beirut blast in satellite image

NASA in collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore on Saturday released a detailed high-res image that maps the devastating explosion in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, that killed over 150 people and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars' worth of damage.

Aug 8, 2020

Karnataka revises guidelines for international travellers | See full list here

The Karnataka government has now revised guidelines for international travellers and released fresh guidelines on Friday. This is the 4th version of the guidelines.

Aug 8, 2020

Political correctness in space: NASA to eliminate offensive names from planets

Stephen T Shih, NASA's Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity lauded the recent move from the space agency.

Aug 8, 2020

Karnataka rains: 209 flood-prone areas identified across Bengaluru

As parts of Karnataka face crippling disaster due to incessant rain and landslides, BBMP in Bengaluru has identified 209 areas in the city that are prone to flooding. The civic body has formed 28 teams in preparation for any flood-like situation.

Aug 8, 2020

India's Serum Institute to get $150 million from Gates Foundation for COVID vaccine

Serum Institute of India said on Friday it would receive $150 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the GAVI vaccines alliance to make 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for India and other emerging economies as early as 2021.

Aug 7, 2020