Neanderthal and early modern human stone tool culture co-existed for over 100,000 years

The Acheulean was estimated to have died out around 200,000 years ago but the new findings suggest it may have persisted for much longer, creating over 100,000 years of overlap with more advanced technologies produced by Neanderthals and early modern humans.

What to know about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination

You've gone through the appointment rigmarole to get signed up for a COVID vaccine, got your first shot, waited the required three to four week period for your second. But when that booster dose comes, be warned that you might be experiencing symptoms a few hours later.

Neanderthal and early modern human stone tool culture co-existed for over 100,000 years

The Acheulean was estimated to have died out around 200,000 years ago but the new findings suggest it may have persisted for much longer, creating over 100,000 years of overlap with more advanced technologies produced by Neanderthals and early modern humans.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-neanderthal-early-modern-human-stone.html

Rarest seal breeding site discovered

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown breeding site used by the world's rarest seal species.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-rarest-site.html

Rarest seal breeding site discovered

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown breeding site used by the world's rarest seal species.

WHO expert panel strongly advises against use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19

The anti-inflammatory drug hydroxychloroquine should not be used to prevent infection in people who do not have COVID-19, say a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) panel of international experts in The BMJ today.

Birthweight strongly linked to type 2 diabetes risk in adulthood

A birthweight of 2.5 kg or more is strongly linked to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.

Africans have authored just 3% of COVID-19 research

Africans have authored just 3% of COVID-19 research papers, despite the fact that 17% of the world's population lives in Africa, reveal two analyses, published in the online journal BMJ Global Health.

Microplastic sizes in Hudson-Raritan Estuary and coastal ocean revealed

Rutgers scientists for the first time have pinpointed the sizes of microplastics from a highly urbanized estuarine and coastal system with numerous sources of fresh water, including the Hudson River and Raritan River.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-microplastic-sizes-hudson-raritan-estuary-coastal.html

Visiting water bodies worth $800bn to economies, study finds

Europeans spend more than £700 billion (€800bn) a year on recreational visits to water bodies—but perceived poor water quality costs almost £90 billion (€100bn) in lost visits, a new study has found.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-bodies-worth-800bn-economies.html

'Overwhelming' international support for more government action on environment, message-testing experiment finds

With eight months to go before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), an international survey experiment has found evidence of "overwhelming" support across seven major countries for governments to "do more" to protect the environment.

The right '5-a-day' mix is 2 fruit and 3 vegetable servings for longer life

Studies representing nearly 2 million adults worldwide show that eating about five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, in which 2 are fruits and 3 are vegetables, is likely the optimal amount for a longer life, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

'Overwhelming' international support for more government action on environment, message-testing experiment finds

With eight months to go before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), an international survey experiment has found evidence of "overwhelming" support across seven major countries for governments to "do more" to protect the environment.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-overwhelming-international-action-environment-message-testing.html

'Never seen anything as effective' – the not-so-new-drug repurposed for a rare disease

The earliest signs of alkaptonuria are often subtle and harmless, like a diaper stained black. However, over the years, this rare genetic disease can lead to a lifetime of surgery. Now, after 20 years of research, a not-so-new drug can offer relief for thousands of patients worldwide.

Covid vaccine acceptance rises in some countries: study

Willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine is on the rise compared to last year, a survey of six industrialised countries published on Monday showed.

Argentine titanosaur may be oldest yet: study

A colossal dinosaur dug up in Argentina could be the oldest titanosaur ever found, having roamed what is now Patagonia some 140 million years ago at the beginning of the Cretaceous period, scientists said Sunday.

Biden backs Amazon workers' right to unionize

US President Joe Biden on Sunday backed the right of Amazon workers to unionize, but stopped short of explicitly encouraging them to form a union.

Facebook to pay $650mn settlement over US privacy dispute

A US federal judge has given final approval to Facebook's $650 million payment to settle a privacy dispute between the social media giant and 1.6 million users in the state of Illinois.

Argentine titanosaur may be oldest yet: study

A colossal dinosaur dug up in Argentina could be the oldest titanosaur ever found, having roamed what is now Patagonia some 140 million years ago at the beginning of the Cretaceous period, scientists said Sunday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-argentine-titanosaur-oldest.html

Biden backs Amazon workers' right to unionize

US President Joe Biden on Sunday backed the right of Amazon workers to unionize, but stopped short of explicitly encouraging them to form a union.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-biden-amazon-workers-unionize.html

Facebook to pay $650mn settlement over US privacy dispute

A US federal judge has given final approval to Facebook's $650 million payment to settle a privacy dispute between the social media giant and 1.6 million users in the state of Illinois.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-facebook-650mn-settlement-privacy-dispute.html

US to distribute 4 million J&J COVID vaccines by Tuesday

Four million doses of the latest COVID-19 vaccine to get US approval will be delivered across the country as early as Tuesday, a senior administration official said.

UK jabs top 20 mn as Europe lags behind, Czechs turn to Sputnik V

Britain said Sunday that more than 20 million of its people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while the rest of Europe lagged behind, with the hard-hit Czech Republic turning to Russia's Sputnik V jab as it fights the world's highest infection rate.

'Light' after darkness as Philippines COVID-19 vaccinations begin

The Philippines launched its COVID-19 vaccination drive on Monday, with health workers, soldiers, police and government officials first in line to get donated Chinese jabs despite concerns over their effectiveness.

India giving COVID-19 vaccines to more people as cases rise

India is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination drive beyond health care and front-line workers, offering the shots to older people and those with medical conditions that put them at risk. Among the first to be inoculated on Monday was Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Countries call on drug companies to share vaccine know-how

In an industrial neighborhood on the outskirts of Bangladesh's largest city lies a factory with gleaming new equipment imported from Germany, its immaculate hallways lined with hermetically sealed rooms. It is operating at just a quarter of its capacity.

Financial incentives for hospitals boost rapid changes to opioid use disorder treatment

Hospital emergency departments (EDs) not only care for patients with overdose and other complications from opioid use, but they also serve as vital touch points to engage patients into longer-term treatment. After an overdose, patients are at risk for repeat overdose and death. Pennsylvania is unique in establishing a voluntary incentive program to improve the rate at which patients with opioid use disorder receive follow-up treatment after emergency department care. Evaluations of the program show that financial incentives are effective in producing rapid treatment innovations for opioid use disorder.

'Silent epidemic of grief' leaves bereaved and bereavement care practitioners struggling

Major changes in bereavement care have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, amid a flood of demand for help from bereaved people, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. The first major study of pandemic-related changes in bereavement care has found that the switch to remote working has helped some services to reach out, but many practitioners feel they do not have capacity to meet people's needs.

Why COVID-19 vaccine distribution methods fall short and three ways to improve them

Several proposals have emerged on how to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, but they fall short in ensuring that the vaccine is distributed fairly. A team including Binghamton University professor Nicole Hassoun suggests three ways to more fairly and effectively distribute the vaccine so that people in poor countries get the vaccine as soon as possible.

Study: Treatable sleep disorder common in people with thinking and memory problems

Obstructive sleep apnea is when breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Research has shown people with this sleep disorder have an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Yet, it is treatable. A preliminary study released today, February 28, 2021, has found that obstructive sleep apnea is common in people with cognitive impairment. The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 73rd Annual Meeting being held virtually April 17 to 22, 2021.

Top diversity and equity leaders in psychiatry offer guidelines for academic medicine

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leaders in academic medicine are subject to increasing expectations with limited resources and there is an urgent need for psychiatry departments to commit to fully supporting their efforts, according to an article now available in the American Journal of Psychiatry written by top DEI leaders in academic psychiatry from across the country.