AsianScientist (Dec. 31, 2020) – Even because the COVID-19 outbreak rapidly unfolded by means of the yr, science stored tempo, bolstered by cross-border collaborations amongst researchers. For one, scientists in China raced to sequence the SARS-CoV-2 genome when it was first found, later sharing this info with the remainder of the world.
In the meantime, Singapore’s hospitals equipped recovered affected person plasma to US biotech agency Regeneron, inadvertently contributing to President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 remedy—as Asian Scientist Journal first reported. Amid the “infodemic” fuelled by misinformation surrounding the virus, we additionally revealed related explainers on COVID-19 diagnostics, greatest practices and even the origins of SARS-CoV-2.
With essentially the most eventful yr in latest scientific historical past drawing to an in depth, our prime 10 items of 2020 have a good time scientific advances within the struggle in opposition to COVID-19. Whereas COVID-19 stands out as the matter of the hour—and certainly, the yr—numerous breakthroughs by Asian researchers in different fields like quantum physics and supercomputing show that the progress of science continues to be diversified and relentless.
Because the coronavirus unfold throughout the globe, so did one thing equally insidious: misinformation on social media platforms. Posts surfaced claiming that Kyoto College’s Tasuku Honjo had mentioned the SARS-CoV-2 virus was ‘man-made’ or ‘invented’ in a laboratory, main the 2018 Nobel Laureate to problem a public refutation in April.
The pandemic was nonetheless in its early phases when a analysis group from China sequenced the SARS-CoV-2 genome, discovering that it most definitely originated from bats. Led by Dr. Wang Jianwei on the Chinese language Academy of Medical Sciences, the workforce revealed their findings in Chinese language Medical Journal in February, paving the way in which for future research on the supply and nature of the virus because it superior worldwide.
With signs akin to a runny nostril, sore throat and fever, COVID-19 in its mildest type may simply be mistaken for a typical chilly. This makes testing essential—on a nationwide stage, a rustic’s capacity to check as many individuals as potential is essential to containing the outbreak.
However not all assessments are alike, and every form of diagnostic has its personal strengths and weaknesses. On this function by Asian Scientist Journal editor in chief Dr. Rebecca Tan, discover out extra about obtainable diagnostics and the way every one performs a job within the struggle in opposition to COVID-19.
When US President Donald Trump contracted COVID-19, he was handled with an experimental antibody cocktail. One of many two antibodies within the cocktail was developed utilizing blood samples from sufferers in Singapore, with US biotech firm Regeneron making use of plasma equipped by Singapore’s Nationwide Heart for Infectious Ailments.
Every month, the Protein Knowledge Financial institution highlights a related molecule from its repository of over 160,000 organic constructions. February’s Molecule of the Month was none aside from the COVID-19 protease, which resembles the image of a coronary heart. In a dishearteningly ironic twist, the molecule performs an integral function in propagating the virus..
Controversial claims over the coronavirus’ origin have proliferated on the web, however the verdict is in: ‘proof’ for the engineered virus principle is flimsy and illogical. On this explainer, Asian Scientist Journal debunks false claims one after the other to point out that the only rationalization is probably going the perfect one: the virus’ origins are pure.
At 0.05 %, Singapore’s COVID-19 demise charge is among the many world’s lowest—and properly under the worldwide common of three %. From multi-agency job forces to meticulous contact tracing that might catch 40 % of infections whereas nonetheless asymptomatic, Singapore’s efficient pandemic response confirmed the pace and thoroughness of its authorities, writes Noticed Swee Hock Faculty of Public Well being’s Dr. Jeremy Lim.
On condition that COVID-19 is typically asymptomatic, the demand for quick and correct diagnostic assessments is booming. To deal with this hole, Singapore-based medtech agency Biolidics developed a speedy check package. Utilizing serum, plasma or blood samples, the check can obtain an accuracy of greater than 95 % in simply 10 minutes—a lot quicker than the three hours that the present gold customary, polymerase chain response, takes.
Amid the rising COVID-19 outbreak in February, Singapore had gained reward for its ‘gold customary’ response. Removed from resting on their laurels, native medical veterans rapidly set to work by figuring out seven crucial points that also required pressing motion.
Already essentially the most cited engineer in historical past, MIT Professor Robert Langer joined the celebrated ranks of billionaire-scientists this yr, his fortunes boosted by the skyrocketing inventory value of Moderna. Langer spoke to Wildtype Media Group’s CEO Dr. Juliana Chan in April in regards to the agency’s vaccine and the function science performs in our collective struggle in opposition to COVID-19.
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Journal; Photograph: Freepik.
Disclaimer: This text doesn’t essentially replicate the views of AsianScientist or its employees.
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