New coronavirus test provides results in as little as 5 minutes
The new point-of-care test, having just received an emergency-use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begins shipping today, April 1.
Science & academia
This archive covers milestones and breakthroughs from the scientific and academic world — researchers, universities, and institutions whose work advances human knowledge. Stories here highlight discoveries, studies, and scholarly efforts that point toward a better future.
MIT to publish plans for an emergency ventilator that can be built for $400
The ventilator shortage is a key barrier worldwide to effectively managing the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Now, teams around the world can use MIT’s plans to make them for less than $500.
Scientists can now accelerate COVID-19 testing by screening multiple samples at the same time
Health care professionals may be able to dramatically speed up COVID-19 testing now that Israeli scientists have developed a technique for screening up to 60 patient samples at the same time.
Japanese flu drug ‘clearly effective’ in treating coronavirus, says China
Patients who were given the medicine in Shenzhen turned negative for the virus after a median of four days after becoming positive, compared with a median of 11 days for those who were not treated with the drug.
New Lyme disease treatment kills bacteria that causes lingering symptoms
A new Stanford Medicine study provides evidence that the drug azlocillin could be effective for treating Lyme disease patients infected with drug-tolerant bacteria.
Second-ever patient cured of HIV
A man from London has become the second person in the world to be cured of HIV, doctors say. Adam Castillejo is still free of the virus more than 30 months after stopping anti-retroviral therapy.
USC will offer free tuition to students from families making $80K or less
The plan will be phased in with first-year students entering the university in fall 2020. Additionally, the university’s financial need calculations will no longer consider home ownership.
MIT uses machine learning to develop powerful antibiotic
The drug works in a different way to existing antibacterials and is the first of its kind to be found by setting AI loose on vast digital libraries of pharmaceutical compounds.
Scientists invent device that generates electricity ‘out of thin air’
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have designed a device that uses a natural protein to create electricity from moisture in the air.
Researchers invent an “EpiPen” for spinal cord injuries that can prevent paralysis
The approach was demonstrated in mice at the University of Michigan, with the nanoparticles enhancing healing by reprogramming the aggressive immune cells—call it an “EpiPen” for trauma to the central nervous system.