Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is a fruit-bearing tropical vine that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family. It is closely related to cucurbits typically found in the human diet, such as pumpkins, melons, squash and zucchinis. The fruit of this medicinal plant is popular as a disease-fighting superfood. In fact, extracts from different parts of … Continue reading Eating bitter melon is a great way to keep diabetes at bay
Scientists find that the coronavirus has another doorway to infect human cells
The deadly pathogen behind the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have yet another doorway to get into human cells, suggest two new papers published in the journal Science. The teams behind the papers independently discovered a protein called the neuropilin-1 receptor, which they say is an alternative doorway for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – the proper name for the coronavirus behind COVID-19 – to … Continue reading Scientists find that the coronavirus has another doorway to infect human cells
CDC: Coronavirus 5 times deadlier than the flu for hospitalized patients
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that patients hospitalized with the Wuhan coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are five times more likely to die than those with influenza. In addition to a higher mortality rate, the study also found that COVID-19 patients are at higher risk for 17 additional health complications than flu patients. … Continue reading CDC: Coronavirus 5 times deadlier than the flu for hospitalized patients
Study: People living in highly polluted areas have a higher chance of dying from coronavirus
A new study reveals that people who live in highly polluted areas are more likely to die from COVID-19, the disease caused by the Wuhan coronavirus. Researchers from Harvard University looked at the impact of particles less than 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5) from various sources, such as vehicle exhausts, on COVID-19 health outcomes. According to their findings, which appeared in the journal Science Advances, even … Continue reading Study: People living in highly polluted areas have a higher chance of dying from coronavirus
Study: Coronavirus social distancing measures will trigger a flu surge next winter
Social distancing and other measures meant to slow the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) this year could result in a surge of flu cases next year. This is according to a new study by researchers from Princeton University. According to the researchers, social distancing and other so-called non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have helped slow down COVID-19, as … Continue reading Study: Coronavirus social distancing measures will trigger a flu surge next winter
Fight the coronavirus with proper diet and good nutrition
Good nutrition is key to maintaining a healthy immune system and boosting its ability to fight infectious diseases. Therefore, eating a well-balanced diet is especially important during this pandemic that’s caused by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). In a paper published in the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, researchers from Aga Khan University in Pakistan explored the relevance of good nutrition to immune health and … Continue reading Fight the coronavirus with proper diet and good nutrition
Study: N95 masks with exhalation valves cannot stop the spread of coronavirus
A new study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is warning the public against using N95 face masks that have built-in exhalation valves, as these allow unfiltered air to escape. This makes these kinds of masks useless at preventing the wearer of the mask from spreading the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) to others. NIST research engineer … Continue reading Study: N95 masks with exhalation valves cannot stop the spread of coronavirus
Weird Nature and stormquakes: Hurricanes or strong storms can trigger seismic events in nearby oceans, report scientists
A study published in the Geophysical Research Letters suggests that hurricanes or even just really strong storms can trigger seismic events called “stormquakes” in the nearby ocean. Researchers from Florida State University (FSU), the University of California, San Diego and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts analyzed more than a decade of seismic and oceanographic records. They found a strong correlation … Continue reading Weird Nature and stormquakes: Hurricanes or strong storms can trigger seismic events in nearby oceans, report scientists
What’s in the coronavirus’s genome that makes it a much better antiviral target than its spike protein?
Researchers have uncovered molecular interactions within the genome of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) that could lead to more effective antiviral agents. In a study published Nov. 05 in the journal Molecular Cell, a team from the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with researchers from Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany, mapped the RNA-RNA interactions that govern the mechanisms by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus behind … Continue reading What’s in the coronavirus’s genome that makes it a much better antiviral target than its spike protein?
Scientists link vitamin D deficiencies to higher risk of coronavirus infection and severe complications
Vitamin D is known to protect against viral infections like the common cold and the flu. Given the vitamin’s immunomodulating properties and the active search for a safe and effective COVID-19 treatment, vitamin D has received widespread attention for its potential role in protecting against the dreaded disease. In a recent study, scientists from the University of Chicago found that vitamin D … Continue reading Scientists link vitamin D deficiencies to higher risk of coronavirus infection and severe complications
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 