Scientists isolate anti-COVID-19 nanobodies produced by a llama
National Institutes of Health researchers have isolated a set of promising, tiny antibodies, or nanobodies, against SARS-CoV-2 that were produced by a llama named Cormac. Preliminary results published in
Scientific Reports suggest that at least one of these nanobodies, called NIH-CoVnb-112, could prevent infections and detect virus particles by grabbing hold of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. In addition, the nanobody appeared to work equally well in either liquid or aerosol form, suggesting it could remain effective after inhalation. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.
The study was led by a pair of neuroscientists, Thomas J. T.J. Esparza, B.S., and David L. Brody, M.D., Ph.D., who work in a brain imaging lab at the NIH s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
“The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein acts like a key. It does this by opening the door to infections when it binds to a protein called the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, found on the surface of some cells,” said T.J. Esparza, the study’s lead author and a neuroscientist for the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “We developed a method that would isolate nanobodies that block infections by covering the teeth of the spike protein that bind to and unlock the ACE2 receptor.”
A nanobody is an antibody produced by the immune systems of camelids, a group of animals that includes llamas, alpacas and camels.
EEG Brainwave Study Connects Experiences and Expectations
Source: Kateryna KDN/Science Photo Library/Getty Images
December 15, 2020
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A set of high-frequency brain waves may help us unconsciously set expectations of the world around us and gauge when things are different by comparing memories of past and present experiences. In a study done on epileptic patients with EEG electrodes implanted into their brains, NIH scientists showed how feedforward signals can establish a link between a single visual experience and electrical waves in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
“Our results suggest that every experience we store into memory can be used to set our expectations and predictions for the future,” said Kareem Zaghloul, MD, PhD, principal investigator at the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and senior author of the study, “Feedforward prediction error signals during episodic memory retrieval,” published in
How is sleep apnoea treated?
Sleep apnoea does not always need to be treated if it s mild but there are more specialist treatments available if necessary.
According to the NHS, many people need to use a device called a CPAP machine - you ll be given this for free on the NHS if you need it.
A CPAP machine gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep.
It can help:
Improve the quality of your sleep and help you feel less tired
Reduce the risk of problems linked to sleep apnoea (like high blood pressure).
The familiar, all-consuming pain hit Kate Sosin in early May: a migraine.
As a chronic migraine sufferer who typically experienced full-blown attacks a couple of times a month, Sosin simply thought: “Here we go again.”
But the intense migraine attacks started coming more frequently, and are “eating me alive,” said Sosin, a 35-year-old reporter for the 19th, an online news organization. The Los Angeles resident, who uses they/them pronouns, now has three to four bad days a week – despite an increase in medication and regular treatment through a headache clinic.
“Since May, I’ve gotten a few small breaks, but I haven’t been able to get it under control,” they said.