Month: June 2021

Scientists using computer modeling to study SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, have discovered the virus is most ideally adapted to infect human cells — rather than bat or pangolin cells, again raising questions of its origin. In a paper published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, Australian scientists describe how they used high-performance computer modeling of the form of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the beginning of the pandemic to predict its ability to infect humans and a range of 12 domestic and exotic animals. “Humans showed the strongest spike binding, consistent with the high susceptibility to the virus, but very surprising if an animal was the initial source of the infection in humans.” — Professor David Winkler, La Trobe University T...

About 80% of adult Bay Area residents have detectable antibodies to the COVID-19 virus, up from about 70% a month ago, suggesting that the region is edging towards herd immunity — increased safety due to very low levels of viral transmission. Statewide, immunity is not much lower, at 76.6%, according to an analysis presented by state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan on Wednesday. That, too, represents improvement. “We’ve made huge strides on this,” Pan told the state’s Community Vaccine Advisory Committee this week. “Seeing this increase over time, with vaccination, is very encouraging.” The state’s studies, known as serological surveys, involve testing the blood of healthy people — taken at blood banks or doctor’s offices — to determine whether they carry antibodies from prior infectio...

It's summer, so you're staying hydrated… right? Great—and if slimming down is another health goal on your list, get ready to refill your cup. Two diet and nutrition pros have just listed the three best beverages to drink if you'd like to maximize your metabolism this summer. Keep reading to learn the exact drinks that nutritionists say will help speed up your metabolism… and, on the flip side, don't miss The Worst Foods for Your Metabolism. The simpler your sip selection, the better for your body. You already know this: Choosing drinks with sugar, sodium, and fat weigh down your system in ways that make it tougher to be toned. Also, if you have access to learn the ingredients of whatever you're drinking, seek...

We all have a craving for chocolate now and again, but not usually when we first wake up. However, a new study has claimed that eating the sugary snack for breakfast could actually have 'unexpected benefits' by helping your body burn fat.   Researchers in Boston, Massachusetts gave 100 grams of milk chocolate to 19 post-menopausal women within one hour after waking up and one hour before bedtime.   Scroll down for video  Starting the day with chocolate could actually help your body burn fat, scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston say That is about the equivalent of two standard-sized Mars bars (58g) – although the researchers used standard milk chocolate containing 18.1g of cocoa.  Amazingly, the team discovered that neither morning or night time milk c...