Breaking News – Discovery and Science Channel Partner with The Washington Post to Capture Live Splashdown Return of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Spacecraft…

DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE CHANNEL PARTNER WITH THE WASHINGTON POST TO CAPTURE LIVE SPLASHDOWN RETURN OF SPACEX'S CREW DRAGON SPACECRAFT AFTER HISTORIC SPACE DOCKING

'SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: SPLASHDOWN,' a Multiplatform Event, to Simulcast Live Coast to Coast on Sunday, August 2, at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT on Discovery and Science Channel

(LOS ANGELES) - Discovery and Science Channel announced today it will capture the incredible live splashdown return of the NASA launch of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft after docking the past two months at the International Space Station (ISS). SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: SPLASHDOWN a multiplatform event, will air live on Sunday, August 2, at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT on Discovery and Science Channel.

This past May, Discovery and Science Channel worked with The Washington Post to document the first crewed mission from the United States since the end of the shuttle program in 2011. This successful NASA launch from Kennedy Space Center was a partnership between NASA and SpaceX, marking the first U.S. crewed mission to orbit on a privately built spacecraft. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley traveled to the ISS in the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, propelled by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Discovery and Science Channel's coverage drove record ratings -- ranking as the #1 telecast for the entire day across major demos and the highest-rated telecast in the history of Science Channel.

"This is the type of coverage that viewers can only find on Discovery and Science Channel," said Scott Lewers, Executive Vice President of Multiplatform Programming, Factual & Head of Content, Science. "With the incredible access of The Washington Post, we spent over a year documenting SpaceX's journey to become the first private company to launch American astronauts into space and we're excited to see their safe return back to Earth. Our live coverage will take viewers inside their incredible journey home."

This live event, capturing the first landing at sea for U.S. astronauts since 1975, is also made in partnership with The Washington Post and staff writer Christian Davenport, whose depth of experience allowed him to gain inside access to key players. Davenport is one of the country's leading chroniclers of the space industry. His background and experience will add keen insight to the day's event, as a co-host of the live broadcast. Davenport joined The Post in 2000 and was on a team that won a Peabody Award in 2010 for its work on veterans with traumatic brain injuries and has been on reporting teams that were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize three times. He is the author of two books, "The Space Barons: Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos" (2018) and "As You Were: To War and Back with the Black Hawk Battalion of the Virginia National Guard" (2009). He has also served as a Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a fellow at the Alicia Patterson Foundation.

"The Post has long covered this industry and continues to bring readers in-depth reporting on the new space endeavors with unparalleled access and compelling storytelling," said Emilio Garcia-Ruiz, managing editor for The Washington Post. "We are excited to once again partner with Discovery to deliver coverage of this historic event and bring our journalism to a live TV audience."

"We are honored to continue our partnership with Discovery and The Washington Post, to share this exhilarating new era in space exploration," said Aaron Fishman, President of Unscripted at Storied Media Group. "The extraordinary cooperation we have received from NASA and SpaceX are reigniting enthusiasm in space among young and old audiences alike."

The spacecraft is scheduled to splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean and would successfully conclude NASA and SpaceX's Demo-2 mission. Temperatures on the return can spike up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit on the exterior of the spacecraft due to the friction caused during re-entry. Regarding the spaceship's return, SpaceX Founder and Chief Engineer Elon Musk noted, "I think there's an argument that the return is more dangerous in some ways than the ascent."

Discovery and Science Channel's live coverage will have unprecedented coverage of the spacecraft's return as well as expert commentary from current and former astronauts, including Mike Massimino and Garrett Reisman, top engineers and other special guests, including adventurer and avid explorer Josh Gates.

TV personality Chris Jacobs will pick up where he left off as host of the live return. Jacobs has a long history with Discovery network live events, reporting live on-the-ground for EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: EGYPT LIVE as well as serving as the digital host during Nik Wallenda's tightrope walk over the Grand Canyon in SKYWIRE LIVE and in Chicago for SKYSCRAPER LIVE. Jacobs was host for DISCOVERY LIVE: INTO THE BLUE HOLE, CHOPPER LIVE, GOLD RUSH LIVE and the live broadcast of the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction for Velocity (now MotorTrend). In addition, he is the regular host for TLC's LONG LOST FAMILY and serves as host of the popular automotive makeover show OVERHAULIN' on MotorTrend.

Emmy Award-winning journalist David Kerley will also return as part of the reporting team. Kerley reported on aviation, railroads, the automobile industry and space for all ABC News broadcast and digital properties, including World News Tonight, Good Morning America, Nightline, ABC News Radio and ABCNews.com. His work has been recognized with Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards as well as the prestigious Joan Barone award from the Capitol Hill Radio and Television Correspondents Association.

In addition to watching the return on Discovery and Science Channel, viewers can stream it live by downloading the Discovery GO app. Fans can also create photos and videos of themselves in space wearing life-like SpaceX helmets using Discovery's Space Filter on Facebook or Instagram.

Follow Discovery on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter for the latest updates and join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #Splashdown.

SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: SPLASHDOWN is produced for Discovery Channel by Storied Media Group. Executive producers for Storied Media Group are Aaron Fishman, Todd Hoffman and Michael J. Miller. For Discovery and Science Channel, Executive Producers are Gretchen Eisele, Scott Lewers and Caroline Perez. To learn more, go to http://www.discovery.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/discovery and on Twitter @Discovery.

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit http://www.discovery.com

About Science Channel

Science Channel, a multi-media business unit of Discovery, Inc. is the home of all things science around the clock, including series such as MYTHBUSTERS, OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE, WHAT ON EARTH?, HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS, UNEARTHED, and MYSTERIES OF THE ABANDONED. Science Channel's programming also includes timely, expert-driven specials covering breaking science news and discoveries. Science Channel is the premiere TV, digital and social community for those with a passion for science, space, technology, archeology, and engineering, providing immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment across all Science Channel assets including: Science Channel television network, available in more than 63 million homes in the U.S; complimentary Video On Demand offering; SCI Go app allowing viewers to catch up on full episodes of their favorite shows anytime; deep video, interactive storytelling and virtual reality at http://www.sciencechannel.com; and conversations on Science Channel's popular social platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat via @ScienceChannel.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the leader in global entertainment reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery satisfies curiosity, entertains and inspires viewers with high-quality content through global brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and through the Discovery Digital Networks portfolio, including Seeker and SourceFed. Discovery owns Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education. For more information, please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com.

Link:

Breaking News - Discovery and Science Channel Partner with The Washington Post to Capture Live Splashdown Return of SpaceX's Crew Dragon Spacecraft...

Growth of Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market 2020-2025 | Airbus SAS, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Astrobotic, Bradford, Blue Origin – My…

The Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market study added by Reports web, exhibits a comprehensive analysis of the growth trends present in the global business scenario. The study further presents conclusive data referring to the commercialization aspects, industry size and profit estimation of the market.

The trends affecting the Industry in emerging regional sectors have additionally been explained in this study. The current findings and recommendations the analysts suggest for the future growth of the market have also been evaluated in this Deep Space Exploration and Technology report.

Request for Sample Copy of this report: https://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00013442499/sample

Key Vendors are Involved in Industry:

Airbus S.A.S, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Astrobotic, Bradford, Blue Origin, Axiom Space, MAXAR Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Nanoracks LLC, Masten Space Systems, Planetary Resources, Thales Group, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), The Boeing Company, Sierra Nevada Corporation

The following part of the report explains the detailed segmentation of the Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market. Valuable data and information related to the key segments have been established via this market research report. The revenue share coupled with insightful forecasts for the major segments and the other significant sub-segments have been detailed via this report.

The key industry players that have contributed to the Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market have also been detailed in this report.

Ask For Discount: https://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00013442499/discount

Due to increase in competition in this market, a number of companies are entering into strategic partnerships with software companies to increase the overall product benefit and sustain their Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market position.

The Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market report focuses on the requirements of the clients from several global Market regions such as North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and India.

TOC ofDeep Space Exploration and Technology Market report:

Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope 2020

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

Chapter 3. Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market Variables, Trends & Scope (2020-2025)

Chapter 4. Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market Competitive Analysis

Chapter 5. Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market: Product Market Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 6. Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market: Application Market Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 7. Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market: Regional Estimates, by Product, & Application

Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape

Chapter 9. Approx. (2020-2025)

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00013442499/buying

*If you need specific information, which is not currently within the scope of the report, we will provide it to you as a part of customization

Contact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail:[emailprotected]Company Name: ReportsWebWebsite:Reportsweb.com

Phone: +1-646-491-9876

About ReportsWeb:

ReportsWeb.comis a one stop shop of Market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.

Continued here:

Growth of Deep Space Exploration and Technology Market 2020-2025 | Airbus SAS, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Astrobotic, Bradford, Blue Origin - My...

Ning Xu Selected Fellow of the American Chemical Society – Newswise

Newswise LOS ALAMOS, N.M., July 27, 2020 Ning Xu of the Actinide Analytical Chemistry group at Los Alamos has been selected as a member of the 2020 class of Fellows of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Xu is being recognized for her sustained contributions to actinide analytical chemistry in support of national nuclear defense, technical nuclear forensics, nuclear material safeguards and deep space exploration.

Being selected as an ACS Fellow is an incredibly prestigious honor and I cant think of anyone more deserving than Ning, said Jeanne Robinson, acting associate laboratory director for Chemical, Life, and Earth Sciences. She is committed to the future of chemistry at the Laboratory and gives tirelessly to the next generation of scientists through her ACS involvement.

Xu is widely recognized at Los Alamos and by the New Mexico Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for her dedication to students and mentoring. The ACS recognition acknowledged her for inspiring the next generation of scientists to pursue STEM careers through chemistry education outreach and for outstanding leadership of the ACS Central New Mexico Local Section. This award is particularly competitive, and Xu becomes only the eighth individual from Los Alamos to become an ACS Fellow since the program was founded in 2008.

Her division leader, T. Mark McCleskey says, Ning is an amazing person. She takes her passion and energy for science and uses it to inspire the next generation to take on STEM challenges.

Rebecca Chamberlin, a colleague of Xus for many years and herself a Fellow of the American Chemical Society echoes these sentiments. Ning exemplifies the spirit of the Fellows program in her contributions to the profession and her service to the ACS community. She is an exceptional analytical scientist and technical leader who consistently strives for positive transformation: increased productivity, worker hazard reduction, and pollution prevention.

Xu joined the Laboratory in 2006 after working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Risk Management Research Laboratory. She is an expert on the analysis of trace elements in plutonium and uranium for nuclear forensics and plutonium pit production. She has received numerous awards for technical innovations that have improved the environmental, safety and health practices of actinide analytical chemistry.

Xu holds a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, a M.S. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a B.S. from the Capital Normal University. Xu has been previously recognized with awards such as the National Nuclear Safety Administrations Sustainability Award, several Department of Energy Pollution Prevention Awards, and an Outstanding Reviewer Award from the Journal of Radioanalytical Chemistry. She has also served as the chair of the Central New Mexico Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Her Fellows award was announced on July 27th in the ACS journal Chemical and Engineering News.

About the American Chemical SocietyWith more than 150,000 members in 140+ countries, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is the worlds largest scientific society and one of the worlds leading sources of authoritative scientific information. A nonprofit organization chartered by Congress, ACS is at the forefront of the evolving worldwide chemistry enterprise and the premier professional home for chemists, chemical engineers and related professions around the globe. More about the American Chemical Society Fellow program.

About Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is managed by Triad, a public service oriented, national security science organization equally owned by its three founding members: Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle), the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), and the Regents of the University of California (UC) for the Department of Energys National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

Read more from the original source:

Ning Xu Selected Fellow of the American Chemical Society - Newswise

Making the connection: What technology, adults and teens have in common – boulder-monitor.com

It is not hard to associate aging adults with limited technological knowledge, nor is it difficult to understand that teens can jump onto a new device with ease. And anyone can understand that tech support in the form of automated chats or lengthy phone calls can lead to more stress than solutions.

Do we really need any more apps in the world right now? Trish Lopez asked herself as she listened to other people pitch at a startup incubator in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2015.

Lopezs own contribution to the incubator stemmed from her mothers love and hatred of technologyshe understood its benefits, but would grow frustrated with the learning curve. Lopezs experience at New Mexicos Startup Weekend: Womens Edition evolved into a pitch to connect teens with older adults to provide technology help.

Lopez founded Teeniors as a result, which uses intergenerational connection to provide personal technology support, and offers programs to support seniors who can pay and those who cannot. There are currently 14 teens in the program, who are referred to as Teeniors.

Oceana Wadhams saw a flyer advertising a Teeniors job and thought it would be a perfect fit. She grew up living with her great-grandparents and felt like working with older adults called to me. Barbara, her first client, needed help with her iPhone. The experience of helping her always stood out to me because she was so thankful, Wadhams said.

Teeniors, based in Albuquerque, was five years old before the coronavirus forced operations to change. Lopez asked teens if they were comfortable supporting seniors via video or phone call. The decision to go forward with a remote structure was unanimous, and funding from grants made the transition possible.

I think all of [the Teeniors] were ambivalent about how this would work, and I was too, Lopez said. Is this going to be as good as in-person coaching? No. But are we going to do our best to make it the best experience of virtual coaching possible? Yes.

Judith Binder has been a Teeniors client before and during COVID-19. She discovered Teeniors at a monthly potluck put on by county commissioners in Albuquerque. Despite having worked in a university computer science department in the 1980s, she found value in the service.

They didnt rush me. And Im sure thats part of their skill. They waited until I was able to really grasp the concepts that they were showing me, Binder said.

Pivoting to remote instruction allowed Teeniors to reach older adults beyond Albuquerque and New Mexico. Lopez estimated 100 virtual coaching sessions took place during April and May, and 15% of the calls have come from out-of-state.

We were able to pivot in a way I was comfortable with, because our kids wanted to work still, and certainly our seniors wanted to stay connected to friends and family, and all of us wanted to decrease social isolation, Lopez said. She noted that remote sessions will continue to be an option even as it becomes possible to offer in-person services.

Lopez was not surprised by the challengesfinding teleconferencing software that doesnt require an account, worrying about Zoom scams. What surprised her was how much steam Teeniors gained in the transition.

I look forward to the days when we can help people in-person again because I think theres really something to that intergenerational connection in-person, she said. But right now, the Teeniors are happy with how things are going, the clientswere getting great reviews on thisand weve also heard from a wider array of older adults, including younger people still in the workforce.

Teeniors new clients in the coronavirus era are diverse in age and ability. A high school and a college teacher wanted to get a grip on Zoom before hosting their first classes. David Larson [the reporters father], 62, not a Teeniors client but an engineer with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said he can relate to the need.

All of the sudden it was one of these things where I was supposed to learn all this technology, he said. Working from home meant learning how to navigate Zoom, Microsoft Teams and a remote work setting. Larson said it might have been easier to adapt if he was younger, but Im just an old guy, he said.

I dont even think its easier when youre 16 to learn [technology], Lopez said. I think that theres no social shame about not knowing,

Binder praised Teeniors ability to communicate effectively and complimented their respect and patience. From her perspective, some of the shame of not knowing can be alleviated by proper communication.

Lopez tries to collect client intake forms from every Teeniors session and conducts annual reviews with teens to understand what each party gains from interThrough the pivot to remote sessions, 99% of client reviews have been positive, and shes seen a 656% increase in calls for virtual coaching since the end of March.

I dont think thats because people like virtual coaching better, I think its because now its become a necessity that you have to learn technology, she said.

Ninety percent of Teeniors said they had benefited personally, all reported feeling more economically stablebetter equipped to enter the workforce or apply to collegeand all shared that being a Teenior improved their communication with older adults.

I think its important that we get clear on what the people need before we rush in to help. I think thats the biggest mistake that people tend to make in general, Lopez said.

In Big Sky, the Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO) and Big Sky Relief joined to brainstorm about what assistance older adults may need as the coronavirus entered Montana.

Senior Buddies, a program resulting from that conversation, has a similar model to Teeniors, but without the technology focus. A younger person is paired with an older adult to pick up mail and get groceries. Sixty-five community members volunteered and eight people requested assistance through the program.

[Technology support] was something we really discussed in the beginning, and we were having a hard time reaching out to that demographic in order to provide that service, said Mackenzie Johnson, program organizer for BSCO. The group had the volunteer power, but the adults Johnson spoke with got their technology help from family members or friends. The need, when she reached out, was not there.

Before Teeniors began, Lopez surveyed senior centers in New Mexico to find out whether technology help was needed and if seniors wanted teens to provide that help. Now, Teeniors employs young people with meaningful jobs, has created a nonprofit arm to support seniors who cannot afford to pay and, through the evolution to online support, reaches seniors and others outside New Mexico.

In the past months, many people have rediscovered the human need for connection, and Teeniors has found that assisting older adults with technology can help build those connections, bridging generational divides and helping those on both sides to better connect with each other.

I really believe that ageism is the last acceptable prejudice, Lopez said. She is confident the young adults she employs as Teeniors are prepared to change that.

More here:

Making the connection: What technology, adults and teens have in common - boulder-monitor.com

Duke Robotics Presents TIKAD Combat Drone Equipped with Innovative Stabilization Technology – PRNewswire

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --(OTC:USDR)Duke Robotics, a leader in robotics technology and drone solutions, introduces TIKAD, an innovative military UAS octocopter drone with a mounted lightweight firearm and advanced stabilization technology. TIKAD features a lightweight robotic gimbal with the unparalleled ability to carry and stabilize payload recoil up to three times its weight. In addition, TIKAD's gimbal offers real-time, 6 DOF (degrees of freedom), a capability that provides an advantage to U.S. and allied forces in combat.

TIKADadvances military strategy by integrating an aerial support system into combat missions. The UAS drone can engage with troops or lead precision strikes without the need for intrusive action. TIKAD can be used in various military applications including border patrol law enforcement, drone on drone warfare and counter terrorism.

According to a recent report, Fortune Businessprojects the military drone market to reach $21.76 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 12.4% during the forecast period. The report says, "Advanced defense technologies, such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, multi-sensor data fusion for UAV navigation, cloud computing-based services for military UAVs, and technological advancements in drone payloads are expected to support the market growth during the forecast period. mid-air refueling of drone, and anti-UAV defense system are the major upcoming trends in the military drone market."

About Duke Robotics:

UAS Drone Corp. (OTC:USDR) recently acquired Duke Robotics.

Duke Robotics is a forward-thinking company focused on bringing necessary products and solutions to defense sector. Duke Robotics developed TIKAD, an advanced robotic system designed to serve the growing need for tech solutions in the combat field. Duke Robotics' revolutionary stabilization technology enables remote, real-time and accurate firing of lightweight firearms and weaponry via an unmanned aerial platform (UAV). The proprietary and confidential complex kinematic algorithms address the crucial need of modern warfare to carry weapon on remote to bear on remote hostile targets without risk to the military personnel.

We believe that troops can use TIKAD to handle potentially dangerous situations quickly and efficiently from the air. This technology also allows troops to potentially disarm a situation remotely, without ever deploying a ground presence.

For more information about Duke Robotics, please visitwww.dukeroboticsys.comor view documents that USDR files with the Securities and Exchange Commission athttp://www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "future" and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will" are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment including, but not limited to: the successful integration of acquisitions; significant fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and competition, including technological advances. For additional information on these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Relations 347-839-0993[emailprotected]

SOURCE Duke Robotics

Link:

Duke Robotics Presents TIKAD Combat Drone Equipped with Innovative Stabilization Technology - PRNewswire

New Technology Visualizes Hundreds to Thousands of Genomes Simulataneously – Technology Networks

Researchers from Harvard university, the Centro Nacional de Anlisis Genmico (CNAG) and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), describe the first technology able to visualize hundreds to potentially thousands of genomes at the same time under the microscope. The tech images genomes more cheaply, more quickly and increases range of visibility compared to currently available methods. The technique is described in Nature Methods.

Each human cell has two metres of genome condensed down into 10 microns within the cell nucleus. This blueprint of life folds to help genes make physical contact with other genes that may be located quite a distance away along the chromosome. This three-dimensional organisation is crucial for cell function, but its complexity and constant dynamism make it incredibly difficult to visualize. Imaging more than a handful of genes at the same time has been impossible, limiting researchers ability to characterize how genomes function.

One of the most common ways of studying the genome is by using fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH), which uses fluorescent probes to mark the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. Scientists have made landmark discoveries such as how cells divide thanks to FISH, and still use it this day for medical applications or species identification, amongst other applications.

First developed in the 1980s, FISH is an ageing technology that can only visualise a handful of genes at the same time. Since then, new methods have been created that can image genomes at a high resolution, but map a very limited number of regions or chromosomes at a time.

Today authors of a a new study in Nature Methods describe OligoFISSEQ, a technology using new computational methods that overcomes these limitations. They used it to create three-dimensional maps of 66 genomic targets across six chromosomes in hundreds of cells, showcasing OligoFISSEQs potential to visualize the entire genome at a molecular resolution out of reach until now.

Up to this moment, seeing a large number of different genes at the same time under the microscope was impossible, says Marc A. Marti-Renom, co-lead author of the study and ICREA Professor at CNAG-CRG. We combined existing sequencing technologies in a smart way so that we can see hundreds of genes by sequencing their targets under the microscope. Before OligoFISSEQ, reaching this number of genes at the same time was slow and expensive. It is like upgrading from a dial-up phoneline to fibre-optic internet and paying 40 times less for it.

The researchers also tested OligoFISSEQ by mapping all of the 46 regions along the length of the human X chromosome. The higher resolution of the technology revealed new patterns in the way the genome organizes itself, including that the length of the chromosomes arm is not correlated with its angle. The researchers hypothesise this may be indicative of cell type, cell state or cellular health or age.

The resolution offered by OligoFISSEQ has huge potential to shed new light on patterns we could not see before, concludes Marti-Renom. Because of the coverage it provides to study the genome, it is well suited for spotting what may seem like a minor, seemingly inconsequential change in one part of the nucleus that may have a butterfly effect elsewhere. What may have previously have been thought of as random may turn out to be anything but. That is the power of this tool.

Reference: Nguyen et al. (2020).3D mapping and accelerated super-resolution imaging of the human genome using in situ sequencing. Nature Methods.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-020-0890-0.

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

More here:

New Technology Visualizes Hundreds to Thousands of Genomes Simulataneously - Technology Networks

Dairyland Laboratories and ServiTech Collaborate on Feed Testing Technology – Business Wire

DODGE CITY, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ServiTech, Inc. and Dairyland Labs today announced a strengthened laboratory partnership for serving the beef and dairy industry. Building on a relationship that has been primarily focused on beef production within the ServiTech footprint, both laboratories are committing to an expanded level of service and feed science for the growing number of dairy herds in the high plains and southwestern United States. Benefits to the customer include seamless sample drop off, submission and reporting from both labs.

ServiTech has three strategically located laboratory locations in geographies with growing dairy herds, said Greg Ruehle, President and CEO of ServiTech. Dairyland Labs rich history and commitment to science commands respect in the dairy feed testing space, and we are very excited about this new partnership moving forward. Its a win for both labs, and ultimately a win for producers within the ServiTech service area.

The agreement allows laboratory users the flexibility to ship to or drop off feedstuff samples at any ServiTech laboratory location, while still being able to access the experts at Dairyland. ServiTech will process samples and run NIR spectral scans. The NIR spectral scans will be predicted using the Dairyland proprietary calibrations, which are the most robust in the industry. The customer may choose to view test results online through an account with either laboratory.

The new strengthened laboratory partnership builds on the analytical strengths of both companies, said Dave Taysom, President of Dairyland Laboratories, Inc. This unique relationship between ServiTech and Dairyland will provide real value in analytical services for the beef and dairy industry. We are excited to get started.

To connect with ServiTech on social media, please follow:Facebook: facebook.com/servitechinc/ YouTube: youtu.be/ZUKvzshbM-w Twitter: @servitechincLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/servi-tech-inc-

To connect with Dairyland Labs on social media, please follow:Facebook: facebook.com/dairylandlabsinc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pEC3s_xaXxGp1EKKST69A Twitter: @dairylandlabsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dairyland-laboratories-inc-/

About ServiTech, Inc.

ServiTech, Inc. is the nation's largest crop consulting firm and agricultural laboratory. Started in 1975, ServiTech relies on the most current technologies, research and science to make productive and profitable recommendations for thousands of growers on millions of acres in North America. In 2020, ServiTech celebrates its 45th anniversary. For more information, please visit: http://www.servitech.com.

About Dairyland

Dairyland Laboratories Inc. is an independent agriculture testing laboratory providing timely, comprehensive, and accurate analysis. Established in 1958, Dairyland has built a reputation of being a reliable, responsible, resourceful, and evolving laboratory in the industry. Dairyland is a recognized leader in NIR technology and calibrations. For more information, please visit http://www.dairylandlabs.com

Read this article:

Dairyland Laboratories and ServiTech Collaborate on Feed Testing Technology - Business Wire

212 Media Studios Partners with Amplified Solutions to Augment Technology Offerings – Kokomo Perspective

WARSAW, Ind., July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --To provide clients with cutting-edge, enhanced technology solutions, 212 Media Studios has partnered with Amplified Solutions, a development startup based in northern Indiana. The partnership also augments 212's already robust web development services and opens doors for more successful developments in the future.

"Having worked with the principals of Amplified for some time, I've always respected their service delivery process, attention to client needs, and ongoing willingness to stay ahead of the technology curve when it comes to software development," says 212 Chief Marketing Officer David Phelps. "This partnership will allow us to provide next-level solutions that compete with the country's leading firmsbut at price points and delivery times far below average."

In the past year, 212 and Amplified Solutions have already worked together to deliver a revolutionary online reservation and collaboration solution for an international client headquartered in San Francisco. As technology advances and clients' needs increase, both companies are looking forward to the expanded partnership.

"This partnership allows us to combine the engineering expertise of Amplified Solutions with the marketing polish and impeccable user experience that 212 Media Studios is known for," says Brandon Wilhite of Amplified Solutions. "The result is an enhanced ability to provide a complete set of software development services for all types of businesses."

About 212 Media Studios212 Media Studios is a team of strategic thinkers and visionary creators based in Warsaw, Indiana. Through research, branding and inbound marketing, 212 creates comprehensive, personalized strategies that meet the business needs of clients in industries like technology, healthcare, higher education and non-profit. To learn more about 212 Media Studios' services and offerings, visit 212mediastudios.com.

Contact: Bailey GerberEmail: bgerber@212mediastudios.comPhone: (574) 269-0720

Follow this link:

212 Media Studios Partners with Amplified Solutions to Augment Technology Offerings - Kokomo Perspective

Modern Hire Expands Global Footprint with Acquisition of Automated Video Interviewing Technology Provider Sonru – News-Herald.com

Increased geographical reach furthers Modern Hire's ability to address enterprises' talent acquisition challenges now and in the future

CLEVELAND and DELAFIELD, Wisc., July 28, 2020 /CNW/ -- Modern Hire, the all-in-one enterprise hiring platform that enables organizations to continuously improve hiring experiences and outcomes with trusted science and technology, announced its acquisition of Sonru, an Ireland-based provider of automated video interviewing technology. The combined organization offers the most comprehensive enterprise hiring technology product suite in the global marketplace, extending Modern Hire's team, reach and expertise, and providing enhanced value to Sonru's clients.

"Modern Hire has established itself as the innovation leader trusted by known brands to modernize their virtual hiring process, with a focus on the candidate experience," said Brian Stern, President, Modern Hire. "The combination with Sonru was compelling due to our tremendous alignment in culture and values, and Sonru's success in the EMEA and APAC regions. This will increase our in-market presence in major growth geographies and enable us to better anticipate the changing needs of our global buyers. We welcome Sonru to the Modern Hire team, and look forward to supporting their clients with the strength of our technology, team and reach."

Over the past decade, Sonru has established itself as a talent acquisition technology leader within the EMEA and APAC regions. Its video interviewing solution maximizes the candidate experience and enables recruiters to replicate a live interview by replacing early-stage phone, Skype or face-to-face interviews. This cuts early stage screening time, freeing up recruiters to focus on more strategic tasks and ensuring consistency, fairness and the application of best practices. Sonru's technology reduces recruitment lifecycle time and costs by 50 percent. Its customers come from a wide variety of industry, including several Fortune Global 500 companies such as DHL, Nestl, Qatar Airways, Rolls-Royce, UBS and Westpac.

Incorporating Sonru into the Modern Hire brand expands Modern Hire's client-facing presence to include offices and staff in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, enabling Modern Hire to serve most major regions and time zones around the world.

"The Sonru and Modern Hire union brings together two companies focused on innovation with emphasis on the candidate experience," said Ed Hendrick, founder and CEO, Sonru. "Our strategic decision to combine with Modern Hire allows us reinforce our clients' leadership in enhancing the candidate experience with Modern Hire's expanded suite of solutions. We look forward to contributing further to our clients' success with the most comprehensive enterprise hiring platform globally, empowering them to use science and data to attract and engage the right talent."

Modern Hire partners with hundreds of leading global brands including 47 of the Fortune 100 to modernize their virtual hiring process. The company's SaaS hiring platform supports interviewing technology, pre-hire assessments, workflow automation, AI capabilities and predictive analytics. These solutions work together to enable organizations to continuously improve hiring results for more than 300 industry-leading enterprises, including Amazon, Capital One, CVS Health, FedEx, Humana, Procter & Gamble, Siemens and Walmart, which rely on Modern Hire to hire the right candidates quickly and fairly, at scale.

"Companies are seeking better interview management solutions, and Modern Hire's acquisition of Sonru signals strength in a burgeoning market," said Madeline Laurano, founder, Aptitude Research Partners. "We're seeing companies shift course rapidly from stand-alone interview and assessment tools to more comprehensive solutions to improve quality of hire and the overall experience. Bringing Sonru under the Modern Hire brand greatly expands Modern Hire's reach and marketshare, while signaling high demand for the talent acquisition industry."

About Modern HireModern Hire is the all-in-one enterprise hiring platform that enables organizations to continuously improve hiring results through more personalized, data-driven experiences for candidates, recruiters, and hiring managers. The Modern Hire platform merges trusted science with proven SaaS technology to predict performance, ensure fairness, and automate workflowenterprise-wide. It combines AI, predictive analytics, workflow automation, assessment, and interviewing technology in a single SaaS solution that integrates with leading HCM systems. Trusted by 47 of the Fortune 100, Modern Hire transforms each step of the hiring process, from post-apply to hire and beyond. To learn more about Modern Hire's vision for making hiring personal, visit: http://www.modernhire.com.

ContactAllison ZulloWalker Sands, for Modern HireModernHire@walkersands.com312-241-1474

Read more here:

Modern Hire Expands Global Footprint with Acquisition of Automated Video Interviewing Technology Provider Sonru - News-Herald.com

Hong Kong spotlights why China cannot be trusted on technology | TheHill – The Hill

China has been showing its true colors in Hong Kong with the imposition of the new national security law on the former British colony. Approved last month, largely in secrecy with astonishing speed, and then almost immediately imposed on the city, the legislation provides Beijing nearly unlimited authority. The Chinese domination of Hong Kong, which until now was behind the scenes, burst into the open with the passage of this law and the crackdown on democracy protests in recent months.

Under the law, the Hong Kong police can censor content on the internet, search without warrants, surveil suspects without court orders, and shut down websites and take them offline. The Hong Kong police has power to crack down on protests, intervene with the Hong Kong legal system, and suppress the rights of free speech and expression of Hong Kong citizens. The law takes Hong Kong behind the great firewall of China.

In any other era, this law and this behavior would be cause for significant concern and outrage. But imagine combining this new sweeping authority with unparalleled application of technology to control what you see, what you do, and where you go, all under the guise of social credit. That is the future Hong Kong is facing. It could well be a future in the Western world where the data of citizens is used against them if the Chinese Communist Party and Huawei are successful in building the 5G network.

The only laws China respects are its own and not international laws or the privacy laws of other countries. This is reflected in how its companies do business. Huawei, for instance, is a company that hopes citizens will trust it with their data and its 5G network. Among other things, Huawei steals intellectual property, launders money, violates sanctions, and incentivizes trade secret theft. Indeed, if this were any other company from any other country, doing business with them would be unthinkable.

We need to ensure the Chinese Communist Party does not control the 5G network. Thankfully, the United States is taking steps to prevent this from occurring. The White House is finalizing regulations that would prevent the federal government from buying products from any company that uses Huawei or four other Chinese firms. The Federal Communications Commission has also designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats, cutting them off from billions of dollars in subsidies.

Moreover, the United Kingdom has announced a halt on the installation of any Huawei equipment and will remove all equipment already installed by 2027. This is a great step forward, and this recent decision is undoubtedly motivated by the behavior of China toward the former British territory of Hong Kong. Other countries must see this decision as a signal as to how serious the national security threat posed by Huawei gear is.

China and Huawei will, however, not go quietly into the night. They are working to push back on the accurate perception that they are bad faith actors. In response to the legal arrest of Huawei financial executive Meng Wanzhou by Canadian authorities, China arrested two Canadian citizens, consultant Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is absolutely right in saying that in this case in Canada, China is hostage taking to pressure Ottawa on Huawei. The Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, Liu Xiaoming, warned London against gross interference in response to the British decision to open a pathway to citizenship for up to three million Hong Kong citizens who may flee the city in response to the national security law.

Ignorance of such behavior and conduct by China is no longer an excuse. Its imposition of near totalitarian restrictions on Hong Kong, along with its imprisonment of more than one million Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps and its aggressive behavior across the South China Sea illustrates its intentions better than any Western analysis could. The aggressive use of data by China to restrict movement and speech is not something that should be imported anywhere, but that is precisely what Beijing hopes countries will do by buying and installing Huawei equipment.

We cannot allow Beijing to control our digital future, and that means the United States must push back on its attempts to dominate 5G. The federal government must continue to advance regulations that effectively limit access of Huawei and other Chinese companies to the American market. Around the world, we must continue to raise the awareness of the malign behavior, bad intentions, and illegal activities of Beijing. Anything less will cede us the future of China, and we cannot afford that scenario.

Mike Rogers, a former representative from Michigan in Congress, served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. He is currently chairman of the group 5G Action Now. You can follow him on Twitter @RepMikeRogers.

Excerpt from:

Hong Kong spotlights why China cannot be trusted on technology | TheHill - The Hill

Transformative Raises $1.7M Seed Round After Developing Technology That Predicts Sudden Cardiac Arrest – Business Wire

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Transformative, a healthcare startup whose software predicts sudden cardiac arrest, announced today that it has raised a $1.7 million seed round, led by Tera Ventures. The round includes funding from the Wellcome Trust, which provided Transformative a Healthcare Innovator Award, and from InHealth Ventures, which had previously invested in Transformatives pre-seed round. Investors Andrus Oks of Tera Ventures and Nick Slater of AI Seed are joining Transformatives board.

Transformatives first patented technology predicts sudden cardiac arrest by analyzing data from patient monitoring devices that are standard in hospitals. Transformative will use its seed funding to obtain FDA clearance for its first product and to begin developing technologies that predict other life-threatening conditions, according to Josh Oppenheimer, MD, MBA, the companys co-founder and CEO and a practicing emergency medicine physician.

On each shift, I experience the tragedy of delayed care and the marvel of early, preventive interventions, Oppenheimer said. AI-augmented patient monitoring detects subtle changes preceding patient deterioration that are invisible to physicians, allowing us to be in the right place at the right time and save more lives.

292,000 adults and 7,000 children suffer cardiac arrest in US hospitals each year, with only 25% surviving to hospital discharge, according to a 2019 estimate by the American Heart Association. Globally, 6 million people die from sudden cardiac arrest annually. The American Heart Association recommends early intervention which Transformatives technology enables as the centerpiece of its guidelines on improving cardiac arrest care.

Jack Lewin, MD, the Chairman of the National Coalition on Health Care, the former CEO of the American College of Cardiology, and an advisor to Transformative, noted that many patients who survive in-hospital cardiac arrest suffer serious cognitive deficits due to delayed care. While this is disheartening, there is new hope. Transformative has developed amazing and disruptive technology capable of predicting sudden cardiac arrest minutes to hours in advance, and with 94% accuracy. Transformative will soon help physicians and hospitals save many thousands of lives each year, Lewin said.

Transformatives other co-founders are Marek Sirendi, PhD, a physicist named to MITs Innovators Under 35 list, and Marek Rei, PhD, a machine learning researcher at Imperial College London. The company formed in 2016 through Entrepreneur Firsts startup program and participated in the Philips HealthWorks program.

Oks, Tera Ventures founding partner, said that investing in future technologies is essential so that the younger generation of researchers and innovators can develop solutions that will affect the future of all humankind.

About TransformativeTransformative is a medical software company operating in the US, the UK, and Estonia. Its predictive patient monitoring software identifies patients at imminent risk of life-threatening medical events, enabling preventive care. Its first patented technology predicts in-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. For more information, go to http://www.transformative.ai.

About Tera VenturesTera Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Tallinn, Estonia and focused on exceptional founders from Estonia, Scandinavia and CEE disrupting digital space globally. Tera builds presence and networks in the markets where our portfolio companies want to expand to - the UK, the US, and Asia. With presence in Estonia, Finland, and California, Tera Ventures is supported by a global advisory network and provides portfolio companies with access to expertise and hands-on support necessary to grow from seed stage to successful exit. For more information, go to http://www.tera.vc.

About WellcomeWellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive. We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. Wellcome is a politically and financially independent foundation.

About InHealth VenturesInHealth Ventures (IHV) is a London-based early stage venture capital fund that invests across health IT and medtech at seed and series A. IHVs mission is to contribute to bending the healthcare cost curve, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the working lives of clinical and non-clinical staff. IHV is linked to InHealth Group, the largest private provider of preventative and diagnostic services in the UK and Ireland. Other recent investments include Clarify Health Solutions, Heydoc, Kheiron Medical Technologies, Laudio and Nye Health.

Excerpt from:

Transformative Raises $1.7M Seed Round After Developing Technology That Predicts Sudden Cardiac Arrest - Business Wire

The owner of WeChat thinks deepfakes could actually be good – MIT Technology Review

The news: In a new white paper about its plans for AI, translated by China scholars Jeffrey Ding and Caroline Meinhardt, Tencent, the owner of WeChat and one of Chinas three largest tech giants, emphasizes that deepfake technology is not just about faking and deceiving, but a highly creative and groundbreaking technology. It urges regulators to be prudent and to avoid clamping down on its potential benefits to society.

The examples: Tencent listed five examples of what it perceives as beneficial applications of deepfake technology that already exist or could soon exist today:

Why it matters: Tencent says its already working to advance some of these applications. This will likely spur its competitors to do the same if they havent yet, and influence the direction of Chinese startups eager to be acquired. As a member of Chinas AI national team, which the government created as part of its overall AI strategy, the company also has significant sway among regulators who want to help foster the industrys growth.

Any concerns? Tencent acknowledges that deepfake technology can cause harm, particularly in its use for face-swapping people into pornography. But the company is forcefully optimistic that it will not topple societys truths, much less pose a threat to the world order. Of course, thats easy to say for a company that stands to benefit significantly from the technologys commercialization.

Go here to read the rest:

The owner of WeChat thinks deepfakes could actually be good - MIT Technology Review

Nordis Technologies takes its innovation-driven growth to new heights with Ricoh alliance – PRNewswire

EXTON, Pa., July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced that Nordis Technologies, an innovator and leader in offering technology solutions to solve communications and payment challenges, has chosen Ricoh to help enhance its exciting business growth. Nordis sought a partner that could help address its needs for higher throughput, more efficiencies and shortened turn times, further enhanced by its game-changing, patent-pending Expresso application, used for streamlining and managing communications and payments. Nordis found its answer with the RICOH Pro VC40000,Ricoh's InfoPrint 5000and RICOH ProcessDirectortechnologies that help drive consistency and efficiency across communication channels and devices with tailored, automated, intelligent workflows.

Over the past 30 years, Nordis Technologies has made a name for itself delivering technology-enabled solutions, providing excellent customer service, and forging relationships that turn into true partnerships built on mutual respect and trust. Its proprietary Expresso platform allows customers to make changes to communications from wherever they are working in real time that automatically update within Nordis' system up to the moment production begins. Since its inception, Expresso has brought in many new customers and jobs. All of that growth began to outpace Nordis' capacity. The company wanted single-pass, continuous-feed, full color print, so they could increase throughput, add dynamic color and messaging, and streamline operations.

"We felt we'd reached a tipping point," said Ronnie Selinger, President and CEO, Nordis Technologies. "Moving to continuous-feed made sense for our volumes, but we wanted to do it right. We needed to move seamlessly among devices and channels, with centralized control that was compatible with Expresso. We also wanted to make color applications more robust and more cost effective. Fortunately, after some in-depth conversations about our current environment and our goals, the Ricoh team knew exactly how to help."

The addition of Ricoh hardware and software backed by expert service and support made single-pass, vibrant color for transactional documents a reality and strengthened Expresso's already-powerful value proposition. Its award-winning workflow solution boosted efficiencies by eliminating the need to transform AFP files when sending to Ricoh platforms. RICOH ProcessDirector also enabled barcode-assisted automation of perforation and streamlined handling of AFP transforms that maintains the architecture's signature page-level recovery to help drive reliability. Additionally, Ricoh's continuous-feed production devices helped lower storage costs and reduce waste associated with pre-printed shells. With these integrated technology advancements, Nordis and its customers can now more intuitively and flexibly customize any part of the application including color, graphics, or text right up to when the job goes to press.

"We often talk about the advantages of leaving pre-printed shells behind for single-pass color, but RICOH ProcessDirector's synergy with Expresso really takes it to the next level," said Mike Herold, Director, Global Marketing, Commercial Printing Business, Ricoh. "The most exciting thing about collaborating with so many unique customers is finding new, tailored ways to help their businesses realize their full potential. The resounding success of Nordis' transformation to a mixed sheet-fed and continuous-feed shop, with increased capabilities, greater throughput and faster turn times, is a testament to the power of well-considered alliances built on a foundation of collaborative innovation."

RICOH ProcessDirector helps keep jobs running smoothly, centralizing control of sheet-fed and continuous-feed devices, as well as non-print communication channels. This single point of access made interfacing with Expresso simple and streamlined, so changes could be pushed to all channels without added manual steps. RICOH ProcessDirector's security and compliance-minded features, such as the ability to create defensible audit trails, were just as important to Nordis, which counts many healthcare and financial services organizations among its clients.

For more information on Ricoh, visit http://www.takealookatricohproduction.com or follow along and engage on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter using #LookAtRicoh or #ImagineWithInkjet.Follow Nordis on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

| About Ricoh|

Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, communications services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2020, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,008 billion yen (approx. 18.5 billion USD).

For further information, please visit http://www.ricoh.com

2020 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc.

http://www.ricoh-usa.com

Continued here:

Nordis Technologies takes its innovation-driven growth to new heights with Ricoh alliance - PRNewswire

Improved Testing Method Produces COVID-19 Results in 36 Minutes – Technology Networks

Clinician-scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore's (NTU Singapore) Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) have demonstrated a way to improve the speed, handling time and cost of COVID-19 laboratory tests. The improved testing method yields results in 36 minutes - a quarter of the time required by existing gold-standard tests.

Their new approach could enable the wider adoption of COVID-19 testing for diagnosis in academic or research laboratories, and allow for screening and research especially in countries and regions with limited laboratory capabilities. The test, which can be done with portable equipment, could also be deployed in the community as a screening tool.

Currently, the most sensitive method for testing for COVID-19 is through a laboratory technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in which a machine amplifies viral genetic material by copying it over and over again so any trace of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be detected.

A big bottleneck in sample testing is RNA purification - separating RNA from other components in the patient sample - a laborious process that requires chemicals that are now in short supply worldwide. Its steps have to be performed by highly trained technical staff and can take a few hours. Currently, automated equipment for sample preparation costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and requires specialised laboratory facilities.

The method developed by NTU LKCMedicine combines many of these steps and allows direct testing on the crude patient sample, cutting down the turnaround time from sample-to-result, and removing the need for RNA purification chemicals.

Details of the new approach were published in the scientific journal Genes in June.

Mr Wee Soon Keong, a PhD candidate at NTU LKCMedicine and the first author of the paper, said: "While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a venerable technology that has proven to be a workhorse for biological research, it has some drawbacks when used outside of the laboratory environment. The process is fiddly and time-consuming. Our rapid COVID-19 test involves a single-tube reaction that reduces hands-on time and biosafety risk for lab personnel, as well as the likelihood for carryover contamination during the processing of samples."

Aside from testing for COVID-19, the same method developed by the NTU LKCMedicine team can also be used to detect other viruses and bacteria, including the dengue virus, which is set to plague Singapore as the country braces itself for one of the worst dengue outbreaks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Leader of the research team, Associate Professor Eric Yap, who also heads the Microbial Genomics Laboratory, said: "We previously demonstrated that this method works for dengue virus as well. When used directly on a crude blood sample with dengue virus, the test yielded results in 28 minutes. As Singapore battles the dual outbreak of dengue and COVID-19, both with similar early symptoms, our test could help in differentiating between the two infectious diseases."

Professor James Best, Dean of NTU LKCMedicine, said: "As Singapore continues with proactive testing to detect, isolate, and contain the possible spread of the coronavirus, rapid portable screening tools like the one developed by Assoc Prof Yap and his team could come in handy at testing sites in the community, allowing for infected patients to be identified quickly, and swift action to be taken to prevent transmission."

From benchtop to portable testing

Typically, in PCR tests, the genetic material on a swab sample collected from a patient has to be extracted to remove any substances in the sample that prevent the PCR test from working. An example of an inhibitor in respiratory samples is mucin (a main component of mucus).

The test designed by the NTU LKCMedicine team, which includes senior research fellow Dr Sivalingam Paramalingam Suppiah, uses the 'direct PCR' method, removing the need for RNA purification, a time-consuming and costly step. Instead, they added inhibitor-resistant enzymes and reagents targeting compounds that obstruct RNA amplification, such as mucin, a main component of mucus. These enzymes and reagents, which are commercially available, have high resistance to such compounds that otherwise inhibit PCR, rendering the test inaccurate.

The biochemical mix of crude sample and inhibitor-resistant enzymes and reagents is placed into a single tube, which is inserted into a laboratory thermocycler, a machine used to amplify genetic material in PCR. After 36 minutes, results reveal whether there is any trace of COVID-19 with confidence.

"By skipping the RNA extraction step with our direct-PCR method, we see cost savings on nucleic acid extraction kits, and avoid the problem of reagents in short supply when lab testing is ramped up and the demand increases globally," said Dr Sivalingam.

The team also tested this method on a portable thermocycler, which can be deployed in low-resource settings and endemic areas, pointing to the possibility of having this test done in community healthcare settings by frontline healthcare workers.

Assoc Prof Yap said: "We are now trying to deploy such direct-PCR methods, developed by ourselves and others, for routine diagnostics. We need to determine the actual utility and benefits in a real-world setting, and to understand if there are any trade-offs. When one bottleneck is removed, other challenges may emerge - like ensuring quality control, or reducing manual errors."

The team is now looking to use this method for COVID-19 testing at the NTU Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory at LKCMedicine that Assoc Prof Yap heads.

"Our goal is to develop ultrafast and automated tests that yield results in minutes, and that can be performed by healthcare workers in the clinic with similar accuracy and sensitivity as in specialised laboratories. This will allow us to take PCR testing out of conventional laboratories nearer to the point-of-care, and into the low-resource settings that need them the most," he said.

Reference:Wee, S. K., Sivalingam, S. P., & Yap, E. P. (2020). Rapid Direct Nucleic Acid Amplification Test without RNA Extraction for SARS-CoV-2 Using a Portable PCR Thermocycler. Genes, 11(6), 664. doi:10.3390/genes11060664

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Continued here:

Improved Testing Method Produces COVID-19 Results in 36 Minutes - Technology Networks

Color Star Technology Announces the Addition of Renowned Singer Win (Wei Xun) and Musician Mike McLaughlin as Star Teachers on its Color World…

BEIJING, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Color Star Technology Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq CM: HHT) (the "Company", "we" or "HHT"), a company engaged in the business of providing education services, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Color China Entertainment Limited ("Color China") has signed a Cooperation Agreement with a famous Chinese singer Win (Wei Xun) and an international musician Mike Mclaughlin, who will serve as Star Teachers on 'Color World', an online education platform created by Color Star.

Mike McLaughlin, once served as the guitarist of the live band of Qi Qin's and Xin Xiaoqi's concerts, participated in the production and recording of Xu Wei's album "Love Like a Boy", and performed and cooperated with members of the legendary rock band Kiss. He also cooperated with Chen Sheng, Shun Zi, Xin Orchestra, SHE, Zhang Huimei and Liang Jingru, etc. Before 2002, Mike was engaged in professional recording work in Los Angeles, USA. He recorded an album by Peter Criss, who is the drummer of the Kiss Heavy Metal Orchestra. He also cooperated with Peter Criss and became his professional guitarist, having tour performances all over the United States. In 2015, Mike participated in the recording of the solo album "ONEFOR ALL" released by Peter Criss. In 2017, he collaborated with Peter Criss for his latest solo concert in Australia. During his stay in the United States, by coincidence, he met Qi Qin, a legend in the music industry. Mike was invited by Qi Qin to come to Taiwan in 2002 and started his Asian music journey. From 2002 to 2018, Mike worked with numerous professional singers in Asia, and he also participated in the arrangement and recording of his albums, as well as the production of his concerts. They work well together and received rave reviews. The addition of Mike makes the professional production team of "Color World" stronger.

Win (Wei Xun), a rising-star and male pop singer in mainland China, participated in the "China's Karaoke King Trial" in 2011 and won the national champion. In 2014, he joined the Orchestra and served as the lead singer. In 2015, Win served as a judge of the "Second SING Original Chinese Pop Music Network Competition". In 2017, he successively released his solo singles "Hey We Go" and "I Miss U". In the same year, he participated in the contest of the entertainment program "Happy Boy" on Hunan TV Station in China, and won the national finals. On January 22, 2018, the solo single "MY QUEEN" was released. As a new generation of Chinese artists, Win (Wei Xun) has a huge fan base in China. His joining will make our software "Color World" gain more recognition and participation in the huge Chinese market.

Biao (Luke) Lu, CEO of Color Star, said, "With the addition of more top artists around the world, we will have more fans and users in various countries. We believe that our software will become a brand new entertainment education model. Color Star's software is under development, and the contracted artists of Color Star are also busy doing their work. We believe that the launch of our software will surely make millions of fans around the world excited."

About Color Star Technology Co., Ltd.

Color Star Technology is a holding company whose primary business is offering both online and offline innovative education services. Its business operations are conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Color China Entertainment Ltd. and CACM Group NY, Inc. The Company also anticipates providing an after-school tutoring program in New York via its joint venture entity Baytao LLC, and providing online music and entertainment education via a platform branded "Color World."

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include the business plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of the parties following the completion of the acquisition, and HHT's estimated and future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment and potential growth opportunities. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, our actual results may differ materially from our expectations or projections. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: there is uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it will have on HHT's operations, the demand for the HHT's products and services, global supply chains and economic activity in general. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in the other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by HHT. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact our expectations and projections will be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. HHT's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. HHT disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Color Star Technology Co., Ltd. Contact: Investor Relations FinancialBuzzIR [emailprotected]Tele: +1-877-601-1879

SOURCE Color Star Technology Co., Ltd.

See the original post here:

Color Star Technology Announces the Addition of Renowned Singer Win (Wei Xun) and Musician Mike McLaughlin as Star Teachers on its Color World...

Louisiana’s 360 AUTO Introduces Innovative Touchless Retail Technology for Auto Dealers – PRNewswire

LAFAYETTE, La., July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Retailers that do the best job adapting to the need for safe, contactless shopping are leading the rebuild of the post-Covid19 economy, says Frankie Russo, Founder & CEO of 360 AUTO, which specializes in Customer Experience Technology for the automotive industry.

Fueled by demand for contactless salesas a result of the Covid19 pandemic, 360 AUTO, a Louisiana-based Inc. 500 company, is among the top MarTech companies that are flourishing during this ever-changing time.

This month, 360 AUTO entered the Digital Retailing Business with their best-in-class digital retailing technology for automotive consumers.

"Our CXM now seamlessly allows consumers to complete a car buying transaction without ever entering a dealership," says Russo. "360 AUTO has turned over all the controls to the customer!"

360 AUTO's new Digital Retailing technology, says Russo, empowers the everyday dealership to deliver an experience that, to date, only Carvana and Tesla have offered.

360 AUTO's centerpiece, the 360CXM, is a customer experience technology for Automotive Dealers with a focus on Identifying, scoring and targeting In-Market car buyers for marketing, equity mining, digital retailing, and attribution purposes.

Russo says the latest trends show that 50% of consumers, across income levels, are using digital retailing tools when they enable a faster and easier car-buying process. And when customers engage those tools dealers experience a closing rate 15% higher than typical internet sales, higher F&I profits, and in-store deals are completed within 30 minutes.

Making that experience memorable in a digital retailing world is crucial for dealers. And what makes 360 AUTO's technology unique is that it creates a personalized website for each customer.

Studies show that car buyers are spending less time shopping for cars, making decisions more quickly and that fact, coupled with the Covid19 shopping experience, is forcing companies to switch their mindset from being product-focused to being customer-focused and making every single customer interaction that much more important.

"Every employee, from the top to the bottom, has a role in CXM," says Russo.

"Each employee has a chance to meet or exceed expectations as they all play a part in designing and reacting to customer interactions. The hope, obviously, is that each interaction leads to greater customer satisfaction and brand loyalty."

Because many customers come armed with more information and are ready to buy when they arrive at the dealership website, it has changed that key interaction between salesman and customer, Russo says.

"Today's consumers are smarter and more informed than ever and you need to treat them that way. So, today's salesman should serve as more of a consultant as customers want honesty and transparency throughout the customer experience journey," Russo says.

Founded in 2015, 360 AUTO, a subsidiary of 360ia, is a Lafayette, LA based MarTech software company focused on cutting edge customer experience technology. For more information visit 360 AUTO.

Contact:Lou Rom2123003649 [emailprotected]

SOURCE 360 AUTO

http://www.360.auto

More here:

Louisiana's 360 AUTO Introduces Innovative Touchless Retail Technology for Auto Dealers - PRNewswire

The Expanse Season 5: Cast, Plot, Release And Everything You Want To Know! – World Top Trend

- Advertisement -

The Expanse Season five Renewal Status: Yes, It is renewed. The Expanse Season five already renewed with the aid of using Amazon Prime Video on July 27, 2019. Before the run of Season four, The Amazon Prime Video declared Season fives renewal status. Throughout its Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, its miles mentioned the renewal.Though Amazon does now no longer formally affirm the discharge date, It indicates that Amazon is attempting to gather the Season five out. According to the sources, the Filming of Season five already started, and the Filming of Season five formerly completed primarily based totally on one of these Star Cast Shohreh Aghdashloo. This suggests we might also additionally assume the Season five release on the cease of 2020, historical in 2021. We will hold updating you!

The Main Star Cast for Your Expanse Series is the following: Thomas Jane Cas Anvar seemed as Alex Kamal. Dominique Tipper acted as Naomi Nagata whilst Steven Strait performed James Holden. Season five will truly be accomplished in with the aid of using Each of the cast, together with the only too, besides for the characters. Davis Strathairn wont go back as his position resulted in Season four.

The Expanse Season five Plot goes to be primarily based totally on the Nemesis Games. It is some of the maximum well-known James S.A Coreys Novels. It clarifies the problems across the Solar System because of the electricity of Mars and Earth. People went to Ring Gates. In Season five, The Most Important Plot will screen the Casts Personal lives. Naomis Past and Alex visit forestall with the aid of using his wife. Also, Amos back to Earth.

The Main Storyline is all approximately the avoidance of battle among Earth and Mars. A United Nations govt Chrisjen Avasarala appoints to features on it. While joe miller appoints to achieve the lacking lady Julie Mao. The boats damage canterbury Donnager, The Martain Navy flagship. Jules Pierre Mao constructed the ones ships. Alex Kamal, Naomi Nagata, James Holden, and Amos Burton visit a gunship known as Tachi. They rename the delivery as Rocinante, which turns into a useful resource for this collections storyline.

Miller enables the team of the boat to investigate, and that they observed a Biohazard. It kills. Subsequently, collection of activities will arise until Season four; in Season four, it completed with Earth begins offevolved to spend money on significant resources; the citizens have been hoping to enhance the lifetime, terraforming on Mars, start to wane, etc..

The Expanse was given approval for Visuals, Character Development, and Political narrative. Its a Hugo award for Best Dramatic Presentation. Its nominated for three Saturn Awards.

No Trailer is launched to date for Season five. Here Im presenting Season four Watch, Trailer, and Enjoy! Its to be had in Amazon Prime Video in case you would really like to look at Season four; you may Watch and revel in!

- Advertisement -

See more here:

The Expanse Season 5: Cast, Plot, Release And Everything You Want To Know! - World Top Trend

With these rules, Seychelles will reopen to travellers from 1 August – Cond Nast Traveller India

If you need a shot of Vitamin Sea, heres one more option. After the Maldives, which reopened last week, it is the gorgeous island of Seychelles that will soon welcome travellers. Per reports, the African island nation will start accepting commercial passenger flights starting 1 August.

Among the early birds are Etihad Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, who will fly twice a week to the Seychelles from Abu Dhabi and Adis Abbaba respectively. More airlines are likely to join the party, as per the Seychelles News Agency.

As per the plan, only visitors from countries classified as Low Risk and Medium Risk will be permitted for now. India is not on either list. The list of Low Risk countries includes China, Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, Norway and Belgium. Persons travelling from these countries will need a negative PCR test results not older than 72 hours, or an antigen test. The list of Medium Risk countries includes Italy, Spain, Greece, Denmark, South Korea, Singapore, Canada and Sri Lanka. Visitors from these countries will have to provide a negative PCR test resultan antigen test will not do as it is considered less reliable. There are other health guidelines too including a restriction on resort-hopping. For the first seven days, visitors cannot stay in more than two accommodations/liveaboards, and they cannot book private residences at any point during the stay. (Check the full list of guidelines for travellers here).

So how has Seychelles been coping with COVID? The island with a population of less than 100,000 has logged 100 cases of COVID-19 so far. Of these, 73 are active and 27 persons have recovered. To keep things under control, Seychelles is permitting only arrivals by private jets, chartered flights and private yachts from low risk countries till 1 August. But with new safety protocol in place, the island will gradually start opening to the rest of the world.

Read this article:

With these rules, Seychelles will reopen to travellers from 1 August - Cond Nast Traveller India

Minnesota is contacting people who have been exposed to COVID-19 cases. At current infection rates, it might not do much good – MinnPost

If you test positive for COVID-19 in Minnesota, youre going to get a phone call from a public health worker who wants to know who you are, where you likely picked up the virus and whom you might have spread it to.

These efforts to test, trace and isolate COVID-19 cases have been ongoing since the start of the pandemic, in which time the number of people making the calls has increased from about 20 to hundreds.

The good news is that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) thinks it now has enough contact tracers to handle the states current caseload. The bad: The number of daily new cases in Minnesota is so high that contact tracing may be of little use in containing the epidemic.

Article continues after advertisement

Contact tracing is nothing new its used routinely to intervene in measles, whooping cough and other outbreaks. But unlike those diseases, which vaccines and antibiotics fend off, there isnt a cure for COVID yet. All public health officials can do in this case is recommend to those who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus to distance themselves from others.

We have to rely on the non-pharmaceutical stuff. Its a little bit like turning back the clock to 1918, said Kathy Como-Sabetti, an MDH epidemiologist, referring to the flu epidemic.

The current contact tracing strategy revolves around phone calls. We call people, we do an interview, we ask for their contacts, we call their contacts, Como-Sabetti said.

So when someone tests positive, they can expect to get a phone call from a contact tracer asking them information about demographics like age, race and ethnicity, where they live, what their living situation looks like and where they might have acquired the virus.

Have you been out and about? Have you been to bars and restaurants, doing sports, whatever it may be, Como-Sabetti said.

When a tracer gets a case, they call, and leave a voicemail if the person doesnt pick up, asking them to return the call. Refusal rates are pretty low around 3 percent, Como-Sabetti said.

Tracers also ask about a persons contacts. Going back 48 hours before the person developed symptoms, or 48 hours before they were tested for those who are asymptomatic, the contact tracer determines whom the positive case was at risk of exposing to coronavirus.

Oftentimes, the main people exposed to a positive case are the people who live with them, and those household contacts are already aware that their family member or roommate has COVID-19.

But additional calls are made to others who may have been at risk of exposure. That typically includes anyone who was within 6 feet of a person for at least 15 minutes. But it obviously ranges kissing someone for 30 seconds is a more intimate, though shorter form of contact that could also transmit the virus.

Article continues after advertisement

Tracers consider social contacts and workplace contacts. In some employment situations, such as if someone works at a child-care facility, public health officials coordinate with the employer to help determine who was exposed and how to best notify people.

The situation gets trickier in some social settings like bars, which have been catalysts for outbreaks in the last month-or-so.

There really isnt a good way to get ahold of every person who came to a bar, Como-Sabetti said. For that reason, we have been providing bar and restaurant names when we have evidence of transmission and they meet a certain threshold that we feel comfortable.

In the last month, for example, MDH has announced outbreaks stemming from bars including Cowboy Jacks and the Kollege Klub in Minneapaolis and Rounders Sports Bar and 507 in the Mankato area.

People who are deemed at risk of possible exposure to COVID-19 are asked to stay home and quarantine for 14 days after their last exposure to the positive case.

MinnPost photo by Peter Callaghan

The Kollege Klub in Dinkytown was implicated as a source of a recent outbreak of the coronavirus.

When the pandemic started, MDH had about 20 workers doing contact tracing. Today, between Minnesota Department of Health and local public health officials, plus a contractor with workers available to provide surge staffing, there are currently a potential 800 people making contact tracing phone calls in Minnesota.

How many contact tracers are needed to adequately manage a pandemic depends on whom you ask, and what the spread of COVID-19 looks like at any given time. A staffing calculator by researchers at George Washington University suggests a baseline of 15 tracers per 100,000 population, which suggests Minnesota would need about 882. But it also has a staffing output that takes into account current case loads and suggests Minnesota needs more than 3,000 contact tracers.

A mid-June report by National Public Radio found that only 14 states had the staffing levels or had reserve staff adequate to meet their states needs based on case counts, using the GW metrics. Minnesota wasnt one of them.

Article continues after advertisement

The current staff in Minnesota has been enough to handle caseloads, Como-Sabetti said MDH has reported between about 500 and 862 new cases daily in recent days but MDH is planning for a potential worst-case scenario where cases rise in the fall, leading to a doubling or tripling of current staff levels. Como-Sabetti said MDH will likely make a proposal to the state for funds to reach those levels.

The department is also looking to add technology that would streamline the process for people who dont need as much guidance, including texting people or having part of their interviews done as a survey online.

Some people need more help and they need more information than others. Were trying to accommodate people who need a lower level of intervention, she said.

While contact tracing is one of the only tools to manage a pandemic that has no real pharmaceutical preventions or cures, it is not always very effective as a containment strategy.

Contact tracing as a means of preventing a virus spread works best when there isnt a lot of transmission of the virus in the community. Thats because when there are few infections, its easier to test, trace and isolate the people who have them and any potential contacts.

Thats part of what makes it so important to get the number of cases down. It actually becomes feasible to test, trace and isolate a large share of the cases when there are fewer of them, said Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

Osterholm listed Hong Kong, Singapore and some European countries as places where caseloads have been successfully reduced enough to effectively test, trace and isolate. But examples of places that have been successful arent just abroad.

One of the things I think the state of New York has demonstrated is when you do not just bend the curve but drive the case numbers down, you can do test and trace, he said.

Article continues after advertisement

Here in Minnesota, case counts have been on an increasing trajectory since mid-June. On Sunday, MDH reported a record 862 new cases and about a third of the cases have no known source of transmission.

The numbers here are just way too high, Osterholm said. What we should be striving for is to see if we get our numbers to one-tenth of what they are today, then we have a real chance of doing contact tracing and follow up. If not, its going to be a challenge.

University of Minnesota

Michael Osterholm: One of the things I think the state of New York has demonstrated is when you do not just bend the curve but drive the case numbers down, you can do test and trace.

This complicates contact tracing. While people are asked to remain at home to limit exposure as they wait for test results, COVID-19 is thought to be most infectious before people who develop symptoms get them, which means exposure can occur before anyone suspects it.

Contact tracing is limited in what it can do when there is widespread transmission given both the issue of the impact that asymptomatic transmission has on overall transmission as well as just the sheer numbers and the timeliness of testing, how fast can you get test results back, Osterholm said.

Link:

Minnesota is contacting people who have been exposed to COVID-19 cases. At current infection rates, it might not do much good - MinnPost

How Face Masks Work and Which Types Offer the Best Covid-19 Protection – The Wall Street Journal

Face masks are a simple way to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus through talking, coughing or sneezing, scientists and public-health specialists say. But they need to be worn properly.

While some types of masks are more effective than others, public-health officials say any face coveringeven a bandannais better than nothing.

Heres how different types of masks stack up, and how they are meant to be used.

Common masks fall into three categories: cloth masks or coverings like gaiters, intended to prevent an infected person from spreading the virus by catching large droplets; surgical masks, with a more sophisticated design also meant to prevent the wearer from spreading diseases; and N95 masks, which protect the wearer as well, and fit tightly to the face.

Cloth

- Typically homemade

- Style and materials vary widely

- Prevents wearer from spreading disease

- Work in herd-immunity: the more wear masks,

the more effective they are

- Wash after use

Surgical

- Loose fit

- Prevents wearer from spreading disease

- Dispose after use

- Made from a material called polypropylene

N95

- Tight fit, must be fit tested

- Protects wearer if fitted properly

- Limited quantity

Cloth

- Typically homemade

- Style and materials vary widely

- Prevents wearer from spreading disease

- Work in herd-immunity: the more wear masks, the more effective they are

- Wash after use

Surgical

- Loose fit

- Prevents wearer from spreading disease

- Dispose after use

- Made from a material called polypropylene

N95

- Tight fit, must be fit tested

- Protects wearer if fitted properly

- Limited quantity

A good cloth mask filters well and is comfortable to breathe through.

A cloth mask should consist of three layers: an inner layer near the mouth that can get moist, a middle filtration layer and an outer layer exposed to the outside environment. Here are the materials for homemade masks that do this best, according to the World Health Organization, using a scale that combines filter quality and breathability. A higher rating is better.

How a mask fits is as important as what it is made of.

1. Check for defects in the face mask, such as tears or

broken loops

2. Place one loop over each ear. Mask will contour to face,

but not as tightly as an N95.

3. Mask should sit on bridge of nose

1. Straps rest at the back of your head. An N95 will contour

tightly to face.

2. Mold metal strip to the shape of your nose

3. Re-adjust straps or nosepiece until a

proper seal is achieved

4. Place both hands over the respirator and breathe.

If theres leakage, there is not a proper seal.

5. If you cant get a proper seal, try a different N95 size

or model.

Surgical Mask

1. Check for defects in the face mask, such as tears

or broken loops

2. Place one loop over each ear. Mask will contour

to face, but not as tightly as an N95.

3. Mask should sit on bridge of nose

N95

1. Straps rest at the back of your head. An N95

will contour tightly to face.

2. Mold metal strip to the shape of your nose

3. Re-adjust straps or nosepiece until a

proper seal is achieved

4. Place both hands over the respirator and breathe.

If theres leakage, there is not a proper seal.

5. If you cant get a proper seal, try a different

N95 size or model.

Removing a mask properly is also important to prevent the spread of the virus.

Do not touch the front of the N95 to remove your mask. This can cause contamination.

Pull the straps from the back of your head. Discard while making sure to avoid touching the respirator.

If you need to re-use an N95 mask, store it in a paper bag for five days. Then you can re-use it.

N95 masks filter out at least 95% of very small particles when worn properly, including droplets carrying viruses. Versions with a plastic valve at the center, which makes the mask easier to exhale through, are intended for industrial workers and offer protection only to the wearer.

True N95s arent easy to wear properly. They must have a tight seal to the face to ensure that all air goes through the filter instead of around the edges. But they offer the best protection against the coronavirus, which is why the WHO recommends these masks be reserved for health-care workers.

A manufacturer business name

or logo should be printed on

the mask

NIOSHname

should appear on

an official N95 respirator

N95 respirators manufactured

after September 2008, must

have a TC-Approval number

The LOT number is an identification

number that may also include the

date the mask was made. Its

recommended, but not required.

1. NIOSHname should appear on an official N95

respirator

Original post:

How Face Masks Work and Which Types Offer the Best Covid-19 Protection - The Wall Street Journal