MERS, which struck South Korea in a 2015 outbreak, was caused by a coronavirus--the same family of viruses that is responsible for COVID-19. Recently, a Korean research team announced that it had developed a new vaccine platform using RNA-based adjuvants for the MERS coronavirus. The research team successfully conducted an experiment on nonhuman primates. It is expected that the new vaccine platform will soon be applicable to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, an urgent global health priority.

When seeking the fastest pathway to a vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), defining the stakes and potential hurdles is critical, says Barney Graham in this Perspective.

Tissue engineering has a unique set of tools and technologies for developing preventive strategies, diagnostics, and treatments that can play an important role during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina show in a new report that the RNA interference machinery, normally thought to reside in the nucleus or cytoplasm, predominantly localizes to these apical junctions and influences cell biology in the colon. Interestingly, in colon tumors, this localization is dysregulated and may shift the balance of RNAs to promote tumorigenesis.

As interest in the application of plasma medicine -- the use of low-temperature plasma (LTP) created by an electrical discharge to address medical problems -- continues to grow, so does the need for research advancements proving its capabilities and potential impacts on the health care industry. Across the world, many research groups are investigating plasma medicine for applications including cancer treatment and the accelerated healing of chronic wounds, among others.

New research describes a new model for how the brain interprets patterns in complex networks. They found that the ability to detect patterns stems in part from the brain's desire to represent things in the simplest way possible and that the brain is constantly weighing the pressures of complexity and simplicity when making decisions.

In recent years, giant viruses have been unearthed in several of the world's most mysterious locations, from the thawing permafrost of Siberia to locations unknown beneath the Antarctic ice. But don't worry, 'The Thing' is still a work of science fiction. For now.

The direction of ocean currents can determine the direction of gene flow in rafting species, but this depends on species traits that allow for rafting propensity. This is according to a City College of New York study focusing on seahorse and pipefish species. And it could explain how high genetic diversity can contribute to extinction in small populations.

A fine end to the day with late sunshine & clear skies

Emily Nuttall, 26, has sought help from charities such as Mind and Beat to help her cope with mental health problems during lockdown.

One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced.

Temperatures will reach highs of 23 Celsius (73F) and it will feel noticeably warmer along North Sea coasts.

Warm with sunshine away from hit & miss showers in western counties

Late, low sunshine with scattered showers easing to leave it dry

Closures dragged total sales down, despite a 109.6% jump in online retail sales for the month – the highest increase on record.

The report stated that the groups identified are not an exhaustive list of essential employees.

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw revealed the losses ahead of VE Day on Friday.

Indications are emerging about the plan the Prime Minister will set out on Sunday for lifting the lockdown in England.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the move in an address to the nation on Sunday.

State governors like New York's Andrew Cuomo are making the big decisions on the coronavirus outbreak, and are providing a vivid contrast to Donald Trump.

China's government is putting on a show of sending aid to countries suffering from COVID-19, but undermining efforts to control the source of further pandemics.

A Danish study of more than 200,000 patients has concluded that individuals with affective disorders who use benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics are not at increased risk of developing dementia.
Medscape Medical News

In a new study, Italian researchers analyzed how hundreds of people with multiple sclerosis fared following infection with the novel coronavirus.
Medscape Medical News

PAUL Gallen is closing in on the two biggest fights of his career, culminating in a showdown with Sonny Bill Williams. Maroon Josh McGuire even got an invite.

The Prime Minister says it's ultimately up to states and territories to decide how much current restrictions are relaxed.

Cyber security experts and the State Opposition say there are still questions to be answered after an article published in the New York Times claimed an Israeli software company found hackers with links to China had sent malware in an email sent to the Premier's office in January.

New satellite photos from NASA's Earth Observatory show ice on the cap of Eagle Island has almost disappeared after less than 10 days of extreme heat.

Climate change and sea-level rise are currently on track to wipe out half the world's sandy beaches by 2100, researchers warn.

MORE than 20,000 calls to Victoria’s child abuse hotline went unanswered in an 18-month period, with some callers waiting more than two hours for an operator.

In what appears to be a lax enforcement by China of UN sanctions, North Korean vessels — some carrying illicit coal shipments — are seen anchored in Chinese waters last year in photos from a UN report.

The Federal Government has been spruiking a renewed focus on Australia's shrinking manufacturing sector in the post-COVID-19 world. But experts say it will be tough to flick the switch on a withering part of the economy.

Queensland's State Development Minister Cameron Dick is warning the NSW Treasurer to "back off" over a move to lure Virgin Australia from Brisbane to Sydney as part of a possible bailout package for the embattled airline.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton reveals theoretical modelling which suggests 36,000 people could have been killed by coronavirus in Victoria if no physical-distancing measures were put in place.

Virgin Australia captain George Kailis has been flying planes for almost 20 years, but fears for himself and co-workers as the company looks likely to enter into voluntary administration.

In an open letter to Virgin employees, Sir Richard Branson calls on the UK Government to help save Virgin Atlantic, while warning against allowing Qantas "a monopoly" should Virgin Australia "disappear".

The Federal Government has thrown airline Regional Express a funding lifeline to continue servicing airports in regional Australia during the ongoing pandemic.

Virgin Australia's potential collapse has left staff scrambling for jobs, as tourism and aviation industries prepare for the threat of major player leaving the market.

The tourism industry warns if Virgin Australia collapses it could deliver a knockout blow to many WA businesses who were already on their knees as a result of coronavirus.

As numerous laboratories race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation warns that it can't just be available to people in wealthy countries.

Reports of interference with aircraft radio communications at one of regional Victoria's busiest airports, where a flying school training pilots for Chinese airlines has been operating for about a year, are being investigated.