Tag

Transmission

All articles tagged with #transmission

Nipah Outbreak in India Triggers Regional Health Alerts Over Deadly Virus
health25 days ago

Nipah Outbreak in India Triggers Regional Health Alerts Over Deadly Virus

A Nipah virus outbreak in India's West Bengal has prompted heightened health screening and alerts across Asia. Nipah is a highly fatal, zoonotic virus with transmission from animals, contaminated foods, and limited human-to-human spread; there is currently no vaccine, though a treatment (m102.4) is in early trials. The immediate public health risk remains low for regions outside the affected area, but authorities are closely monitoring cases.

Nursery attendance seeds diversity in infants’ gut microbiomes
science1 month ago

Nursery attendance seeds diversity in infants’ gut microbiomes

A study tracking 43 infants in Italy over their first year found that attending nursery rapidly shifts their gut microbiomes through extensive baby-to-baby transmission; after four months, 15–20% of the microbes were shared with nursery peers, more than those acquired from family, and while diet also plays a role, social interactions greatly boost microbial richness and diversity, with strains like Akkermansia muciniphila moving from mother to infant to other babies and even back to parents.

Winter’s Real Culprits: Viruses, Not Cold Air
health1 month ago

Winter’s Real Culprits: Viruses, Not Cold Air

Cold weather doesn’t cause colds or flu; viruses do. Winter conditions raise infection risk by aiding viral survival in cold, dry air and by promoting indoor crowding, while cold exposure can weaken nasal defenses. Prevention focuses on better ventilation and humidity, plus supporting immune health (e.g., vitamin D). Public health messages should emphasize transmission routes rather than cold exposure alone.

Flu Exposure Study Finds No Transmission in Shared Room, Highlights Masks and Airflow
health1 month ago

Flu Exposure Study Finds No Transmission in Shared Room, Highlights Masks and Airflow

A small study exposed five flu-infected participants to 11 healthy volunteers in a poorly ventilated hotel room. Surprisingly, none of the healthy participants became sick, a result researchers attribute to factors like prior immunity in middle-aged adults, a mild flu season, and limited coughing; the study reinforces the value of good airflow and masks in reducing flu spread.

Unusual Jeep Transmission Features Dual Second Gears Explained
automotive2 months ago

Unusual Jeep Transmission Features Dual Second Gears Explained

The article explains why the Jeep 545RFE automatic transmission, despite being labeled as a five-speed, actually has six gears due to its internal planetary gearset design, including two second gears used for different shifting scenarios. It details the transmission's history, design features, and the benefits of its complex clutch system and adaptive learning control, highlighting its robustness and innovative engineering.

Tracking and Combating Avian Flu Impact on North American Wildlife and Agriculture
epidemiology3 months ago

Tracking and Combating Avian Flu Impact on North American Wildlife and Agriculture

The article discusses the ecology and spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in North America, highlighting multiple introductions from Europe and Asia, the critical role of migratory wild birds in dispersal across flyways, and the ongoing transmission dynamics involving wild and domestic birds, with implications for surveillance and outbreak control.

Dutch Car Pioneers CVT with Variomatic Transmission
automotive3 months ago

Dutch Car Pioneers CVT with Variomatic Transmission

The Netherlands played a pioneering role in automotive transmission technology with DAF's 1959 Variomatic CVT, which used a belt and pulley system for infinite gear ratios, leading to improved fuel economy. This technology was later adapted by Subaru in 1989 with electronic controls, making CVTs more common in modern vehicles, especially hybrids. The Variomatic's legacy includes its influence on the development of automatic transmissions and its widespread use in cars and racing.

DOE approves $1.6B loan guarantee for Midwest transmission upgrades
energy4 months ago

DOE approves $1.6B loan guarantee for Midwest transmission upgrades

The Energy Department finalized a $1.6 billion loan guarantee for American Electric Power to upgrade and rebuild 5,000 miles of transmission lines across five states, aiming to modernize the grid, expand capacity, and support economic growth, with the project benefiting from recent policy changes and emphasizing the role of government in strategic energy infrastructure.

CDC Study Warns of Evolving H5N1 Bird Flu Threat to Mammals
health1 year ago

CDC Study Warns of Evolving H5N1 Bird Flu Threat to Mammals

A CDC study suggests that the H5N1 bird flu virus is evolving to better infect mammals, though it still poses little risk to the general public. Detected in nearly 50 people in the U.S. this year, the virus has shown mild symptoms in humans but transmits easily between ferrets, a model for studying flu transmission. The study highlights the virus's potential to spread among mammals, though no human-to-human transmission has been observed. Researchers are monitoring the virus for genetic changes that could affect its behavior.

UK Faces Rising Cases of New Mpox Strain
health1 year ago

UK Faces Rising Cases of New Mpox Strain

Two new cases of the Clade 1b mpox strain have been identified in London, linked to household contacts of a previously reported case. This variant, first detected in central Africa, is more easily transmissible between people. The UK Health Security Agency is monitoring the situation, emphasizing that the overall risk to the public remains low. The agency is working to identify and contact all potential contacts of the infected individuals to prevent further spread. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, spreads through close physical contact and has been declared a global health emergency by the WHO.

"The Decline of the 5-Speed Transmission in the U.S."
automotive1 year ago

"The Decline of the 5-Speed Transmission in the U.S."

The five-speed transmission is nearly extinct in the U.S., with only two cars offering it, one automatic and one manual. The fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner, the last vehicle with a five-speed automatic, is being replaced with an eight-speed model, while the base-model Nissan Versa remains the only option for a five-speed manual. The shift towards more gears and the rise of CVTs in cheaper cars are contributing to the decline of the five-speed transmission, which was first introduced in 1991.

"Risks and Precautions: Bird Flu Transmission and Food Safety Concerns in Texas"
health1 year ago

"Risks and Precautions: Bird Flu Transmission and Food Safety Concerns in Texas"

The CDC issued a health alert after a cow-to-human transmission of H5N1 bird flu in Texas, marking a concerning development in the spread of this highly pathogenic virus, which has been affecting various species globally and posing potential pandemic risks. The virus strain identified in the Texan farm worker is not readily transmissible between humans and therefore not a pandemic threat, but it's a significant development nonetheless. The article also provides background on bird flu, symptoms, food safety, and prevention measures to avoid a potential pandemic.

"Uncovering the Threat: Hong Kong's First Human Case of B Virus from Wild Monkeys"
health1 year ago

"Uncovering the Threat: Hong Kong's First Human Case of B Virus from Wild Monkeys"

Hong Kong reports its first human case of B virus, also known as herpes simiae virus, transmitted from wild monkeys. The 37-year-old man was attacked and injured by monkeys at Kam Shan Country Park and is now in critical condition. The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to brain damage or death. It is spread through bites, scratches, or contact with monkey tissue or fluid. There is no vaccine, and only 50 human infections have been documented since 1932, with 21 resulting in death. Treatment includes antiviral medications and, in some cases, antiretroviral therapy.

Bird Flu Spreads to Dairy Cows Across Multiple States
health-agriculture1 year ago

Bird Flu Spreads to Dairy Cows Across Multiple States

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has spread to dairy herds in Michigan and Idaho, with presumptive positive test results also reported in New Mexico, Texas, and Idaho. The virus strain appears to have been introduced by wild birds, and there is concern it may have spread to Europe as well. However, initial testing hasn't found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans, and there's no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply.

"Surging Covid Cases in US Amid Lagging Vaccination Rates and Emerging Threats"
health-public-health1 year ago

"Surging Covid Cases in US Amid Lagging Vaccination Rates and Emerging Threats"

Mpox cases in the United States have doubled compared to last year, with 511 cases reported through March 16. Experts emphasize the need to improve vaccination coverage as transmission risks rise, especially with the emergence of a more transmissible and severe subtype. Men who have sex with men and those with HIV are particularly at risk, and efforts to reach these populations are crucial. Vaccination is seen as a more sustainable measure for prevention, and the availability of the vaccine is expected to expand, but challenges remain in ensuring access and treatment amidst tight budget pressures in the sexual health field.