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At the time of writing, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that, outside of health professionals, people should only wear masks if they display symptoms of COVID-19 or are taking care of someone who does. However, more and more countries now recommend that people wear face masks in public places, and WHO is reconsidering its advice based on new evidence.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer and a specialist in epidemiology and pandemic preparedness, said in a briefing on 3 April: “…there is no evidence that general wearing of face masks by the public who are well affects the spread of the disease in our society. What matters right now, of course, is social distancing.”
CAN FACE MASKS STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?
“The problem with the new coronavirus is that there’s too little information about exactly how it’s spread, because it’s so new,” says Dr Alexander Edwards, associate professor at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Reading. We don’t know if it’s spread more effectively through contact or coughs and sneezes, he adds.
It is not ethical to expose someone to COVID-19 to study the transmission. Instead, biologists have to make do with other methods. One study from MIT used high-speed cameras to track the droplets expelled in coughs and sneezes. They found that puffs of air carry droplets for up to six or eight metres, for coughs and sneezes respectively. Another study, conducted by aerosol specialist Dr Boris Gorbunov, found that taking wind conditions into account could bring the distance a cough travels up to 25 metres.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2020 de BBC Focus - Science & Technology.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2020 de BBC Focus - Science & Technology.
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COULD MARINE CLOUD BRIGHTENING HELP US FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
The theory behind marine cloud brightening is that brighter or whiter clouds reflect more sunlight back into space.
IS IT SAFE TO RUN EVERY DAY, OR SHOULD I DITCH MY RUN STREAK TO SAVE MY KNEES?
A running streak, where you run every day without taking rest days, can be highly motivating and beneficial for overall fitness. Running is great cardiovascular exercise and isn't to be discouraged (and finding a routine with some consistency is great). Getting a bit of exercise as often as possible is also hugely beneficial for your mental health.
WHAT MAKES THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET SO GOOD FOR US?
The Mediterranean diet may help you live longer, especially if you also adopt the lifestyle of people living near the Med during the 1950s.
WHAT IS MEXICO'S BLUE HOLE?
The world's deepest blue hole (marine sinkhole) lies off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It's at least 420m (1,378ft) deep, but explorers still haven't found its bottom.
HOW CAN I TELL IF I'VE GOT HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by glands in our bodies called the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. It plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation and helping the body respond to stress. While essential for our health, chronic elevation of cortisol levels can lead to several issues.
THE LUNGFISH
In 1836, European scientists discovered a peculiar animal from the River Amazon that they struggled to identify. Its eel-like body was a few feet long and its air-filled lungs persuaded anatomists it must be a reptile.
ARE WE THE ONLY SPECIES TO HAVE BEEN THROUGH A STONE AGE?
The Stone Age might conjure up images of early humans, sitting around a campfire or hunting prehistoric beasts, but evidence shows that we're not the only species that has learned how to work with stone tools. Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) use stone tools to crack open nuts.
Should we scrap daylight saving time?
Most of us look forward to the extra hour we get in bed every October, but researchers argue that changing the clocks twice a year harms our health
THE INTERNET OF ANIMALS
SCIENTISTS ARE USING ELECTRONIC TAGS AND SATELLITES TO TRACK WILD ANIMALS AND CREATE A DATA NETWORK THAT COULD HELP US ADDRESS THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS
MUSIC FOR A DISTRACTED GENERATION
The number of things competing for our attention is often overwhelming. Can dreamy soundscapes created with neuroscience help our bewildered brains to concentrate?
