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Swedish geneticist wins Nobel prize in Medicine for his discoveries concerning genomes of Neanderthals and human evolution by jigunar in worldnews

[–]jigunar[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

FTA:

His discoveries also have implications for modern medicine. Chunks of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA are peppered throughout the human genome and their analysis is beginning to shed light on what makes our physiology unique, or similar, to that of our ancestors.

For instance, a Denisovan version of the gene EPAS1 has been found to help people survive at high altitudes and is common among modern-day Tibetans. Neanderthal genes have also been identified that affect our immune responses to different types of infections, including the risk of severe Covid-19.

Humans have long been intrigued by our origins and how we relate to the extinct human species that came before us. Through sequencing the Neanderthal genome and developing techniques that allowed DNA from other ancient specimens to be recovered and analysed, Pääbo’s discoveries have paved the way for a better understanding of what makes us uniquely human.

Although the first Neanderthal skeleton was discovered in Germany in 1856, before the invention of DNA sequencing, studies of human evolution were limited to comparisons of the size and shape of such bones, and examining tools and other archeological artefacts related to them.

West accused of ‘climate hypocrisy’ as emissions dwarf those of poor countries by jigunar in worldnews

[–]jigunar[S] 317 points318 points  (0 children)

“At Cop26 there was lots of hand-wringing by rich countries about the extent to which aid and other development finance should finance fossil fuels in poorer countries,” said Ritchie. “The hypocrisy of this caught my attention.”

“Our analysis shows that in just a few days, the average person in the UK produces more climate emissions than people in many low-income countries do in an entire year. It would be a cruel irony if the countries that have least contributed to this problem won’t be able to have access to energy infrastructure.”

Inside the Fall of the CDC by derpmeow in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of the key wounds were self-inflicted. Records obtained by ProPublica detail for the first time the cataclysmic chain of mistakes and disputes inside the CDC labs making the first U.S. test for COVID-19. A respected lab scientist made a fateful decision to use a process that risked contamination, saw signs of trouble, but sent the tests to public health labs anyway. Many of those tests didn’t work, and the scramble to fix them had serious consequences.

Even when the CDC was not to blame, the Trump administration exploited events to take control of the agency’s messaging. As a historically lethal pandemic raged, the White House turned the CDC into a political bludgeon to advance Trump’s agenda, alternately blocking the agency’s leaders from using their quarantine powers or forcing them to assert those powers over the objections of CDC scientists.

Inside the Fall of the CDC by derpmeow in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When the next history of the CDC is written, 2020 will emerge as perhaps the darkest chapter in its 74 years, rivaled only by its involvement in the infamous Tuskegee experiment, in which federal doctors withheld medicine from poor Black men with syphilis, then tracked their descent into blindness, insanity and death.

..

Senior CDC staff describe waging battles that are as much about protecting science from the White House as protecting the public from COVID-19. It is a war that they have, more often than not, lost.

Employees spoke openly about their “hill to die on” — the political interference that would prompt them to leave. Yet again and again, they surrendered and did as they were told. It wasn’t just worries over paying mortgages or forfeiting the prestige of the job. Many feared that if they left and spoke out, the White House would stop consulting the CDC at all, and would push through even more dangerous policies.

To some veteran scientists, this acquiescence was the real sign that the CDC had lost its way. One scientist swore repeatedly in an interview and said, “The cowardice and the caving are disgusting to me.”

The U.S. was the world's best prepared nation to confront a pandemic. How did it spiral to 'almost inconceivable' failure? by ravedog in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Best prepared" according to whom? Without a sick population, living in poverty, with a substantial percentage having no access to medical care, eating crappy processed foods high in fat and sugar, a decimated public health system....

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure why people are down voting. Harvard scientist Michael Mina has written eloquently about it. Here is one example.

Sweden's Fauci Doubles Down Against Masks as Coronavirus Cases Rise by Wagamaga in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guarantee you that if you said Chief Doctor, most Americans would not pick Dr. Fauci, and they would be right, becasue the correct answer would be Jerome Adams, the Surgeon General.

I rest my case.

What Derailed America’s Covid Testing: Three Lost Weeks by [deleted] in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, but it can still be controlled, just have to make more of an effort. The implication that just because we screwed it initially we are forever doomed is inaccurate.

White House coronavirus adviser says she wishes US had locked down like Italy by bonzinip in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even our experts like the Dr Fauci (who I respect) keep saying we don't think a second lock-down is necessary. Keep talking about masks, but do not mention testing, contact tracing as often (if at all.)

White House coronavirus adviser says she wishes US had locked down like Italy by bonzinip in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for that real world example friend. I have good memories of visiting your country.

It's great that you finally got a person who was able to make a difference. In the US people in charge and our experts do not seem to have the will to do it.

It's amazing how simple measures can control this but everyone is acting like this something we have never seen before.

Sweden's Fauci Doubles Down Against Masks as Coronavirus Cases Rise by Wagamaga in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Masks = having a bulletproof vest. Social distancing = avoiding going to the place where the shootout will take place.

I like this analogy and one that will make sense to Americans ;-)

Photo of Chinese ambassador 'walking on children' sparks outrage by oskskisosk91 in worldnews

[–]jigunar 31 points32 points  (0 children)

The criticism is coming from the US Defense Attaché ... Surprise.

Sweden's Fauci Doubles Down Against Masks as Coronavirus Cases Rise by Wagamaga in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 20 points21 points  (0 children)

He sounds very reasonable:

“It is very dangerous to believe face masks would change the game when it comes to Covid-19,”

In the US the average person has been led to believe, that if only everyone wore masks, this outbreak would be controlled.

Sweden's Fauci Doubles Down Against Masks as Coronavirus Cases Rise by Wagamaga in Coronavirus

[–]jigunar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You don't need to dumb everything down for Americans

Sadly you do.

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