A new study has identified a protein that‚ when it persists‚ appears to be linked to the symptoms of long COVID. As a result‚ it could represent an easier way to diagnose the condition and potentially even a new avenue for treatment.Researchers first recruited 55 patients with long COVID‚ all of whom were experiencing severe symptoms at least 5 months after having had COVID-19. The patients provided blood samples‚ which were then analyzed for their levels of cytokines‚ a group of small proteins involved in the proper functioning of immune and blood cells.The analysis revealed that the initial infection with SARS-CoV-2‚ the virus that causes COVID-19‚ triggered the production of a cytokine called interferon gamma (IFN-γ). This is a normal response from the immune system; IFN-γ triggers inflammation‚ which can be a sign that the immune system is fighting an infection. Under normal circumstances‚ IFN-γ production should stop once the infection has cleared.In patients with long COVID‚ however‚ high levels of IFN-γ continued to be produced – for some‚ even up to 31 months after their initial infection. Since IFN-γ is pro-inflammatory‚ its persistence may be behind some of the most common symptoms of long COVID‚ as study co-author Dr Benjamin Krishna explained in a statement.“Interferon gamma can be used to treat viral infections such as hepatitis C but it causes symptoms including fatigue‚ fever‚ headache‚ aching muscles and depression. These symptoms are all too familiar to Long COVID patients. For us‚ that was another smoking gun.”Another key finding that reinforced their conclusion was that‚ for the over 60 percent of patients who experienced either partial‚ or complete resolution of their symptoms‚ their IFN-γ levels also dropped. Whilst this is an interesting sign‚ the authors caution that it’s still not clear what caused the symptoms to disappear. They also state that it’s not clear whether IFN-γ is a mediator of the symptoms seen in long COVID‚ or if it is a biomarker of them – a biological indicator of a condition. Either way‚ the results suggest it warrants further investigation.Long COVID is estimated to affect at least 65 million people across the globe and continuing research could identify the best way to help this group. The authors argue that there are potentially many different causes of long COVID; identifying these through research and finding a way to use them to spot the condition could help to personalize diagnosis and treatment.“It’s unlikely that all the different Long COVID symptoms are caused by the same thing. We need to differentiate between people and tailor treatments. Some patients are slowly recovering and there are those who are stuck in a cycle of fatigue for years on end. We need to know why‚” said Krishna.“We have found a potential mechanism underlying Long COVID which could represent a biomarker – that is‚ a tell-tale signature of the condition. We hope that this could help to pave the way to develop therapies and give some patients a firm diagnosis.”The study is published in Science Advances.

Today is the day! In just a few hours‚ Intuitive Machines might be making history. They could become the first private company to soft-land on the Moon. The company's lander‚ named Odysseus (also known as IM-1)‚ launched last week‚ and it is scheduled to land on February 22 at 17:49 EST (22:49 UTC) inside Malapert A crater. This will be the closest-ever landing to the Moon's South Pole.Malapert A crater is 69 kilometers (43 miles) across and is 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the South Pole. The previous record-holder for the southernmost landing was Chandrayaan-3‚ which last September got around 600 kilometers (372.8 miles) from the South Pole. This is an area of extreme interest for future human settlement of our natural satellite‚ due to the presence of water ice. IM-1 is one of the many attempts at getting to the Moon this year. The lander carries several NASA payloads‚ as well as others from private companies and research institutions. It is expected to perform several important investigations that might influence the future of human exploration of the Moon. In fact‚ the region targeted is one of the potential targets for the next crewed Moon landing. That is expected to happen with Artemis III in September 2026.      “IM-1 is a trailblazing mission aimed at creating a commercial lunar economy‚ delivering commercial payloads and NASA science and technology payloads that will pave the way for a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon‚” Intuitive Machines said about Odysseus in a mission statement.If the mission is successful it will be the first US vehicle to land on the Moon since 1972‚ when Apollo 17 got there carrying Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt. But success is always uncertain when it comes to Moon landings.Just last month‚ another commercial mission from the US failed before even attempting to land. Astrobotic's Peregrine Mission One had a propellant leak that caused tumbling‚ leaving it unable to orient its solar panels properly. Not having enough juice to leave its orbit around the Earth‚ it was eventually brought back down to Earth‚ burning in the atmosphere.But even getting near the Moon is no guarantee of a safe landing. Russia’s Luna 25 crash-landed last summer after many years of development. On the private enterprise side‚ there have been two previous attempts and two crash-landings: one from Israel and one from a United Arab Emirates-Japan partnership.The whole landing attempt can be watched in the stream above or on NASA+.

There have been a number of ancient fossil dolphins discovered over the years that are famous mostly for their big teeth‚ though one species lost theirs to slurp up squid. Most believe the teeth of these ancient dolphin species were used for thrusting forwards towards large prey; however‚ a newly described dolphin called Aureia rerehua has teeth that it is thought to have used like a cage instead.The specimen‚ named OU22553‚ includes a skull‚ teeth‚ vertebrae and ribs‚ as well as ear and jaw bones. A. rerehua was collected from a limestone quarry in Hakataramea Valley‚ South Canterbury‚ New Zealand‚ with researchers estimating the specimen to be around 22-23 million years old. The skull in particular is extremely well-preserved and shows off interesting features‚ including a weak‚ flexible neck and unique sideways-facing teeth. The team think that this means A. rerehua would have scanned shallow waters hoping to capture small fish in a basket of teeth. The name Aureia comes from the M&;amacr;ori word aurei‚ "cloak pin"‚ in reference to the shape of the dolphin's teeth‚ while rerehua means "beautiful"‚ owing to the excellent preservation of the skull and face. A. rerehua is quite similar to other known fossils of dolphins from a similar period called Otekaikea and Waipatia‚ and shares features including protruding teeth‚ and shallow depressions known as fossae for the attachment of muscles. From the size of the skull‚ the team think this ancient dolphin species would have measured just under 2 meters long (6.5 feet). Inside the skull‚ the team found 24 teeth still within the mandible and 45 other teeth that were loose in the surrounding substrate.The team also performed a phylogenetic analysis to find out where A. rerehua would have fit within the other known ancient dolphin species. They identified three groups. The first are the "Waipatia-type" dolphins‚ with cheek teeth and teeth with multiple denticles. The second group‚ the "Nihohae-type" dolphins‚ have flat skulls and shark-like dental crowns. The final group‚ the "Otekaikea-types"‚ include the new species and have triangular temporal fossae and dental crowns of many different types.The researchers think these different tooth morphologies between the groups meant that they tackled different prey or even had different strategies across the groups for prey capture. The new dolphin might have hunted by quickly snapping its jaws together‚ the researchers suggest. Its teeth were thin and delicate‚ rather than serrated like other known species.The team concluded that the dolphin most likely would have foraged for prey in shallow waters‚ where it trapped fish species within its caged jaws after using echolocation. Its relatively small size and skull shape would have allowed it speed and maneuverability through this ancient habitat. The study is published in the Journal Of The Royal Society of New Zealand. 

A resident of Fresno‚ California captured peculiar footage of what appears to be an otherworldly object hovering in the sky. The strange sighting has stirred quite a buzz on local social media platforms‚ sparking debates about whether it’s a mere kite or something more extraordinary. The video‚ initially shared on the localized social media site NextDoor‚ showcases an eerie object moving through the sky in an almost undulating fashion. Observers have been quick to draw comparisons to the tentacle-like appendages seen in science fiction films like Arrival and War of the Worlds‚ adding an extra layer of intrigue to the mysterious sighting. According to local media reports‚ the bewildered resident who recorded the footage remains puzzled by the unidentified flying object’s peculiar behavior. The object’s seemingly fluid motions and unusual shape have fueled speculation about its possible extraterrestrial origin among intrigued viewers. While the more skeptical audience leans towards a prosaic explanation‚ suggesting that the object is simply a kite‚ not everyone is convinced. One online observer argued‚ “It’s pretty high up in the air changing forms. If it were a kite‚ it’s large enough that it would need a plane to fly it up that high. I don’t see what is making it change directions without some kind of help.” As the debate continues to unfold on social media‚ the mysterious object has become the talk of the town‚ with residents and UFO enthusiasts alike sharing their theories and opinions on the nature of this enigmatic sighting. Whether it’s an unconventional kite or something more mysterious‚ the footage has certainly sparked a renewed interest in the potential presence of unidentified objects in our skies. Local authorities have yet to comment on the incident‚ leaving the residents of Fresno eagerly awaiting an official explanation for the strange phenomenon captured on camera. The post Mysterious alien-looking object seen flying in Central California appeared first on Anomalien.com.

In the heartwarming tale of Walt‚ a once terrified and withdrawn dog‚ we are reminded of the transformative power of patience and love. Walt’s journey from a scared‚ isolated creature to a playful and loving member of his new family encapsulates the essence of hope and redemption. When Kelly and her family adopted Walt‚ he... The post Dog who’s never known love stares at wall for hours until mom ‘shows’ him he’s finally safe appeared first on Animal Channel.

If you’ve ever taken interest in the brain power of other animals‚ then no doubt you’ve read about how smart chimps are. If there’s one thing they’re widely known for‚ it’s their intelligence. Chimps are no simple‚ dumb animals relying on instinct. They can use tools‚ they develop simple cultures‚ and they can recognize their... The post Mother chimpanzee sees her baby after being separated for 2 long days appeared first on Animal Channel.

Imagine a police officer – tough‚ authoritative‚ someone who commands respect. Now‚ picture Gavel‚ a German Shepherd from Queensland‚ Australia‚ who was just too friendly and cheerful to fit that mold. His overly sociable nature meant that he just wasn’t cut out for the police dog life. Gavel’s story is a heartwarming one. Despite his... The post German Shepherd is ‘too sociable’ to be a police K-9‚ so he gets job that’s a perfect fit appeared first on Animal Channel.

The beach is everyone’s slice of paradise‚ offering a perfect blend of sunshine‚ sand‚ and serenity‚ a much-needed escape from the daily grind. And guess what? Our furry friends are just as enamored with the seaside as we are. Pets‚ especially dogs‚ revel in the joy of frolicking along the shoreline‚ making the most of... The post Puppy’s ‘upset’ after ocean destroys sandcastle and his adorable revenge melts hearts appeared first on Animal Channel.

MRC’s Contributing Writer Stephanie Hamill was a guest on Wednesday’s Fox News at Night with host Trace Gallagher and Townhall managing editor Spencer Brown to discuss the latest polling trends and media bias in the 2024 presidential election.  During the segment Hamill reacts to podcast host Joe Rogan’s theory that the Democratic Party is setting up California Governor Gavin Newsom for a 2024 presidential run. Hamill: It's quite fascinating what Joe Rogan just said there. There are a lot of people who believe that Gavin Newsom is setting himself up for a presidential run in case Biden doesn't continue on. He's the plan B‚ if you will. As for the media and how they’re handling this‚ they are still supporting Biden in many ways‚ but some of the regular allies are starting to question whether or not Biden has it and if he's capable to be president again. We will have to continue to watch how they are treating this‚ but for now they're still with Biden. 89% of the coverage against former President Donald Trump is negative‚ and they are talking policy like immigration and doing the Russia stuff again — trying to compare Trump to a Russian stooge once again. MRC analysts found that the coverage continues to be lopsided‚ — and definitely not in Trump’s favor. Trump continues to be the center of attention on the major networks like ABC‚ CBS and NBC during their evening news coverage — receiving 89% negative coverage according to MRC's latest findings. This is a broadening of the networks’ hostile agenda as the media adjust their focus to the all-but-certain general election contest between Trump and President Biden. While most of Trump’s bad press is still associated with the various legal cases against him‚ the former President is now also being blasted with hostile coverage on immigration (86% negative) and Russia (95% negative). That’s a big change from last year‚ when the networks rarely discussed Trump’s stances on various policies.

Seriously? Why can’t the loonie progressives allow Conservatives to have a single day without their rainbow washed tantrums!? On Wednesday‚ March for Life held an event in Richmond‚ Virginia‚ to honor life. This is one of the smaller-scale‚ state marches that accompany the national March for Life that takes place in Washington D.C. every year. During the Virginia event‚ a transgender activist violently blasted through the crowd with a trans flag. A few moments later‚ the trannie was arrested.  Students carried signs that read “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself” and were chanting “we are the pro-life generation” in unison as the trannie burst through. Student for Life’s Savanna Deretich captured the video where the mentally ill individual purposely slammed into marchers in a tank top and a hot pink bandana. Transgender activists ASSAULTS Pro-Life students at Virginia March for Life‚ GETS ARRESTED! pic.twitter.com/PTJnDcUoYa — Jesse Hughes ✝️🇺🇸 (@jhughes1776) February 21‚ 2024 Marchers were in shock at the assault. One had his glasses knocked straight off of his face and another was very obviously knocked off balance. Funny enough‚ it seems that the trannie was attempting to be a woman yet you could see his strong arms and manly wingspan. Not to mention his very obviously man-like strength if he had the ability to knock people off balance with a nudge … something a real lady may have trouble doing.  Jesse Hughes‚ host of the Jesse Hughes Show and Chairman of the Liberty University College Republicans was at the event and was disgusted by how rude and violent the protestor acted.  “It’s one thing to disagree with us and even to protest us. We can have a normal conversation in that light‚ but you can’t expect a reasonable conversation with unreasonable people. It shows just how unhinged many of these people are that they would scream in our face‚ bark like dogs‚ and physically attack us while we are trying to stand for those who can’t stand for themselves‚” Hughes told MRCTV. He’s right and it seems like Richmond cops agreed! Another video from the event showed the transgender individual being led away in handcuffs by two cops. Jeanne Mancini‚ March for Life president praised pro-life marchers for their  bravery and for peacefully sharing their views. “We are so grateful to our Virginia marchers who bravely and peacefully witnessed to the beauty of life today as well as the Richmond police for their professional work in keeping everyone safe. Violence is never the answer‚” she wrote in a tweet. The account Clown World phrased the situation best when it wrote “psychotic trans activist attacks peaceful students” and other groups and users consistently called the move an assault.  The March featured attendees like Governor Glenn Youngkin and speakers including veteran and pro-life advocate Nick Freitas and Lieutenant Governor of Virginia‚ Winsome Sears. As the March for Life continues its nationwide tour sharing the importance of being pro-life‚ let's hope and pray that these transgender tantrums don’t disrupt and attack people merely seeking to save innocent babies.