Aerosols spread tuberculosis like Covid-19: Study

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Aerosols spread tuberculosis like Covid-19: Study

Much like Covid-19, tuberculosis (TB) is also spread primarily by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols more than coughing, as thought so far, according to study by South African researchers.

Researchers from the University of Cape Town presented the study at the 52nd Union World Conference on Lung Health, being held online between October 19-22.

The team showed that about 90 per cent of TB bacteria released from an infected person may be carried in tiny droplets, called aerosols, that are expelled when a person exhales deeply, the New York Times reported.

The study echoes the recent findings that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, along with others such as MERS-CoV, influenza, measles, and the rhinoviruses that cause the common cold all spread via aerosols that can build up in indoor air and linger for hours.

“Our model would suggest that, actually, aerosol generation and TB generation can happen independent of symptoms,” Ryan Dinkele, a graduate student at the University of Cape Town who presented the results, was quoted as saying by the NYT.

However, the new study does not change that the TB transmission occurred via droplets — a single cough can expel more bacteria than a single breath.

“But if an infected person breathes 22,000 times per day while coughing up to 500 times, then coughing accounts for as little as 7 per cent of the total bacteria emitted by an infected patient,” Dinkele said.

The finding helps explain why tightly packed indoor spaces, like prisons, often are breeding grounds for TB, as they are for Covid.

Further, the study also suggested that measures used to curb Covid transmission like masks, open windows or doors, are important in limiting TB, the report said.

TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lungs.

It is the world’s deadliest infectious disease after Covid-19, claiming more than 1.5 million lives in 2020 — the first increase in a decade, according to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global TB report published last week.

Covid-19 has pushed back progress made on TB as the pandemic disrupted access to healthcare and supply chains around the globe. In 2020, 5.8 million people were diagnosed with TB. But the WHO estimates that about 10 million people were infected, the report said.

YouTube plans livestream shopping with creators from Nov 15

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YouTube plans livestream shopping with creators from Nov 15

Video streaming giant YouTube is ready for a larger test of its live shopping platform, with plans to host a week-long live shopping event, “YouTube Holiday Stream and Shop,” starting on November 15.

The event will allow viewers to shop new products, unlock limited-time offers and engage with creators and other viewers via Q&As and polls, the company said.

According to TechCrunch, the company first unveiled its plans to invest in live shopping at the beginning of 2021, as part of a larger initiative around integrated shopping on YouTube.

The initial tests had been focused on videos on demand before the livestream pilot kicked off this summer.

Since then, many YouTube creators have tried out livestream shopping with their fans. Other retailers also participated more directly, YouTube noted.

The upcoming Stream and Shop event, which kicks off with the Merrell Twins, will also feature products from top retailers, including Walmart, Samsung and Verizon.

Despite the steps it’s been making toward livestream shopping, YouTube hasn’t yet made the feature broadly available. Instead, it’s continuing to test live shopping with individual creators, the report said.

In the meantime, however, rival TikTok has moved forward with live shopping features of its own.

Earlier this year, TikTok began piloting TikTok Shopping in the US, UK and Canada, in partnership with Shopify.

At an event last month, the company said it was expanding shopping with new partners Square, Ecwid, PrestaShop, Wix, SHOPLINE, OpenCart and BASE.

It also introduced a suite of solutions and features under the brand TikTok Shopping, which includes ways to integrate products into videos, ads and LIVE shopping support.

Actress Lahari Shari to be back in ‘Bigg Boss Telugu 5’

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Actress Lahari Shari to be back in ‘Bigg Boss Telugu 5’

Anchor and actress Lahari Shari, who was eliminated from the Bigg Boss Telugu 5 house in the third week, is apparently set to make a re-entry on the reality show. Fresh reports suggest that the makers of ‘Bigg Boss’ are planning to use their ‘Wild Card’ option to send Lahari Shari into the house yet again.

Lahari, who is a noted TV anchor also appeared in movies, of which ‘Arjun Reddy’ brought her instant fame. Lahari’s stay in the ‘Bigg Boss Telugu’ house had all the other contestants think she would be one of the top contestants in the race for the finale.

But Lahari’s unfortunate elimination had her leave the show in the very early stages. The viewers also expressed their dissatisfaction over eliminating a potential winner of the show. So, the makers who have made a survey about Lahari’s eviction, are keen on bringing her on board in the coming days, as per the reports.

Now that these reports are coming out, Lahari is to be seen in a blasting re-entry soon. Lahari had a cute bond with one of the top contestants Manasa, while she also had a bond built with anchor Ravi, by the time she had to leave the reality show.

Lahari was eliminated after she was nominated by actress Priya and the reason she quoted for nominating Lahari was ‘because she was spending much time with the men rather than women’. Though this statement by actress Priya grabbed much negativity, Lahari had to the price.

Well, as the glamourous actress Lahari is to be back on the show, how things would work in the house is to be seen.

Apple’s AR/VR headset production delayed until end of 2022: Report

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Apple’s AR/VR headset production delayed until end of 2022: Report

Apple is working on the most advanced chips for its unannounced AR/VR headset, however, a new report has claimed that the iPhone maker may not begin the mass production of its upcoming headset until the end of the fourth quarter of 2022.

According to Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, before launching the headset, the Cupertino-based tech giant wants to have “complete software, ecosystem and services,” which Kuo cites as the reason why Apple could be planning to delay mass production of AR/VR headset, reports MacRumors.

Kuo noted that creating a virtual or mixed-reality headset is much more complicated than making products like Apple’s best iPhones, such as the iPhone 13.

The upcoming headset would likely not be aimed at consumers, but instead be geared towards developers and business customers.

Kuo also said he expects Apple’s headset to lead the “next wave of user interface revolution” and change market consensus that AR/VR devices are mainly for gaming.

The upcoming Apple headset will be similar to the Oculus Quest, and some prototypes being tested include external cameras to enable some AR features.

It may feature at least 15 camera modules, eye-tracking, possibly iris recognition, and could cost between $2,000 and $3,000.

The AR headset is expected to sport a sleek design so that it is lightweight and comfortable for the wearer to roam around for prolonged periods.

It is also expected that the device will sport a high-resolution display, allowing users to read small bits of text while seeing other people in front of them at the same time.

Modi inaugurates Kushinagar international airport

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Modi inaugurates Kushinagar international airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport and said that this was a ‘manifestation of decades of aspirations and efforts’.

The first flight from Sri Lanka touched down at the Kushinagar airport on Wednesday morning, bringing a high-level delegation that comprised ministers and Buddhist monks.

“This was my commitment and we have fulfilled it. We lay special emphasis on linking Buddhist destinations, improving hospitality facilities and ensuring the comfort of tourists. This airport will not only serve tourists from India but also Buddhists from across the world, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Cambodia and other countries,” he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that other Buddhist destinations like Lumbini, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya were at a short distance from Kushinagar which added to the importance of the Buddhist circuit.

He said India had expanded its connectivity by increasing the number of airports and in the coming years, India would have 200 more airports.

“Flight academies are also being set up and our drone policy will benefit agriculture, health and other sectors, including disaster management.

Earlier, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, while welcoming the guests, said that flights from Kushinagar would soon begin for Mumbai and Kolkata and other destinations.

He said that 54 crore Buddhists across the globe would benefit with this airport becoming functional.

Built at a cost of Rs 260 crore and spread over 3,600 square metres, the airport is crucial for religious tourism as Kushinagar is the place where Lord Buddha attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’. It is one of the four prominent Buddhist circuits. The airport will also serve nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Kushinagar was the ninth airport in the state and 11 more were nearing completion.

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah concedes team was nervous, needs to improve

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Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah concedes team was nervous, needs to improve

There were occasions when Bangladesh felt the First Round Group B match against co-hosts Oman in the ICC T20 World Cup here could slip away, and skipper Mahmudullah was not too happy with the situation, saying after the 26-run win that, “I think there are a lot of areas we need to improve”.

After the shocking six-run defeat to newcomers Scotland in the opening match on October 17, Bangladesh overcame some nervy moments to defeat Oman by 26 runs on Tuesday evening. Bangladesh lost two early wickets in the first innings forcing them to take a cautious approach in Powerplays, managing only 29 after the first six overs.

By contrast, Oman raced out of the blocks, with Jatinder Singh and Kashyap Prajapati showing plenty of intent to reach 47 for two and looking threatening.

Bangladesh, however, stayed alive in the tournament but their performance in the powerplays left Mahmudullah jittery, who said during the post-match press conference that, “We’ll take this win, but I think there are a lot of areas we need to improve. I hope everyone is happy. Thanks to the crowd that came in, they expect us to win. Delivering a win for them, for the country is the most important thing.

“Shakib and Naim batted brilliantly, they had good partnerships and that took us to 150-plus. But we should have done better with the new ball, (we) bowled a lot of wides. We need to see those areas and correct them. I think our death bowling was going well. In the middle part we brought the game back. But the first six overs (powerplays) — batting and bowling — we need to improve.”

Even all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan conceded Oman were in the match till the 15th over.

“Oman played really good cricket but we held our nerve. Experience played a role. Oman were in the game for 15 overs, so credit to them. I think this win will settle our nerves.”

For Oman, the loss means it will all come down to the final game against Scotland. The big win over Papua New Guinea first up means that a win over Scotland would likely be enough, regardless of what Bangladesh do against PNG. If things fall the right way, Oman could yet top the group and secure the B1 spot in Group 2 of the Super 12.

Fuel rates hiked again, petrol at Rs 106.19 a litre in Delhi

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Fuel rates hiked again, petrol at Rs 106.19 a litre in Delhi

Petrol and diesel prices on Wednesday rallied to their highest ever levels across the country, as fuel rates were hiked again by 35 paise a litre after a two-day pause.

The price of petrol in Delhi rose to its highest-ever level of Rs 106.19 a litre and Rs 112.11 per litre in Mumbai, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. In Mumbai, diesel now comes for Rs 102.89 a litre; while in Delhi, it costs Rs 94.92 a litre.

The fuel prices remained static on Monday and Tuesday, but had risen for four straight days by 35 paise per litre each before (October 13-16. There was no change in rates on October 12 and 13.

Diesel prices have increased on 20 out of the last 26 days taking up its retail price by Rs 6.30 per litre in Delhi.

With diesel prices rising sharply, the fuel is now available at over Rs 100 a litre in several parts of the country. This dubious distinction was earlier available to petrol that had crossed Rs 100 a litre-mark across the country a few months earlier.

Petrol prices had maintained stability since September 5, but the oil companies finally raised the pump prices last week and this week gave a spurt in the product prices lately. Petrol prices have also risen on 17 of the previous 22 days taking up its pump price by Rs 5 per litre.

Crude prices have been on a surge rising over a three-year high level of over $ 85 a barrel now. It had softened a bit falling below $ 85 a barrel now. Since September 5, when both petrol and diesel prices were revised, the prices of both in the international market was higher by around $9-10 per barrel as compared to average prices during August.

UCL: Griezmann the hero and villain as Atletico lose to Liverpool

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UCL: Griezmann the hero and villain as Atletico lose to Liverpool

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann had a night he is unlikely to forget in a long time as his side lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool in their Uefa Champions League (UCL) tie. The Frenchman scored two goals at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium to bring his side back from 2-0 down, but then saw a red card that played a big part in their loss.

Griezmann probably didn’t have malice in mind when he challenged for the ball with Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino early in the second half, but his high foot in the Brazilian’s face left the referee with little option other than to send him off, in what was the decisive moment in an exciting game.

The game was only eight minutes old when Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead after cutting in from the right, dipping his shoulder and firing in a left-foot shot that took a touch off Geoffrey Kondogbia before finding the net late on Tuesday night.

It was 2-0 just five minutes later when Naby Keita latched onto Felipe’s poor clearance to volley past Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal to seemingly put Liverpool on track to a comfortable win, Xinhua reports. That changed in the 20th minute when Griezmann put the finishing touch to a move that started with Thomas Lemar, before Koke sent a low ball into the Liverpool area for the Frenchman to prod home from close range.

Alisson did well to save from Griezmann shortly afterwards when he was clean through on goal, but the Liverpool keeper’s save merely delayed the equaliser and Griezmann made it 2-2 with a crisp shot in the 34th minute after excellent work from Joao Tomas gave him space to finish.

Alisson saved magnificently from Yannick Carrasco immediately after the break, before Griezmann left his side with 10 men after his rush of blood.

Atletico tried to break up the play as much as possible after the ending off with a series of niggling fouls and constant appeals for free kicks, but Liverpool got a breakthrough with 12 minutes left. Mario Hermoso committed a needless shove on Diogo Jota and Salah beat Oblak from the penalty spot.

Atletico made a quadruple substitution with 10 minutes left to play and thought they had a penalty of their own after Jose Gimenez went down under a challenge from Jota, but the referee overturned his original decision after a VAR check and Liverpool claimed an important win.

In Amsterdam, Ajax crushed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 to take the lead in the Champions League Group C with three wins in as many matches.

In a sold-out Johan Cruijff Arena, Ajax took the lead through an own goal by Dortmund captain Marco Reus, who deflected Dusan Tadic’s free-kick into the ned.

After Daley Blind doubled the scoring, Ajax continued to dominate the German side and kept on creating chances.

Erling Haaland had the first opportunity for Dortmund on the stroke of half-time, and thought he had scored just after the break, but Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer and the crossbar saved Ajax.

Brazilian winger Antony made it 3-0 for Ajax on 57 minutes and Sebastien Haller headed in his sixth goal in three Champions League matches in the 72nd minute.

Ajax could have scored even more, but the 4-0 victory sees the Amsterdam side record their biggest European win against a German side since 1973 when they beat Bayern Munich by the same scoreline, while Dortmund suffered their biggest ever Champions League defeat.

Ajax now lead Group C with nine points, ahead of Dortmund on six points, Sporting CP with three points and Besiktas with zero.

Markets open on a positive note on Wednesday

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Markets open on a positive note on Wednesday

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) on Wednesday opened on a positive note during the morning trade.

The Sensex of the BSE opened at 61,800.07 points and touched a high of 61,876.38 points. The Sensex touched a low of 61,489.69 points.

On Tuesday the Sensex closed at 61,716.05 points.

The Sensex is trading at 61,875.47 points, up by 159.42 points or 0.26 per cent.

On the other hand, the broader 50-scrip Nifty at National Stock Exchange (NSE) opened at 18,439.90 points after closing at 18,418.75 points.

The Nifty is trading at 18,427.55 points in the morning.

India adds 14,623 fresh Covid cases, 197 deaths in a day

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India adds 14,623 fresh Covid cases, 197 deaths in a day

India reported 14,623 fresh Covid cases on Wednesday, 12 per cent higher than Tuesday and registered 197 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry data.

With the new 197 fatalities, the overall death toll has increased to 4,52,651.

The recovery of 19,446 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients to 3,34,78,247.

Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.15 per cent, currently at its highest peak since March 2020.

The active caseload has fallen below 2 lakh mark and is presently at 1,78,098, which is now lowest in 229 days. Active cases presently constitute 0.52 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.

The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 13,23,702 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 59.44 crore cumulative tests.

While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, weekly positivity rate at 1.34 per cent remains less than 3 per cent for the last 117 days now. The daily positivity rate stands at 1.10 per cent, below 3 per cent for the last 51 days and below 5 per cent for 134 consecutive days now.

With the administration of 41,36,142 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s Covid vaccination coverage has exceeded 99.12 crore as per provisional reports till 7 a.m. on Wednesday. This has been achieved through 97,99,506 sessions.

According to the data shared by the health ministry, over 10.78 cr balance and unutilized vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.

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