Author: Starvision News Desk

Singapore, Oct 7 (IANS) Singapore is seeing a fresh Covid-19 infection wave, with estimated daily cases rising from about 1,000 three weeks ago to 2,000 in the past two weeks, according to a media report.The new rise in infection numbers are due to the EG.5 and its sub-lineage HK.3 variants — descendants of the XBB Omicron variant. Together, they account for more than 75 per cent of cases now.“This is the second Covid-19 infection wave we have encountered this year. Like for the last wave, which occurred from March to April, there are no plans to impose any social restrictions,”…

Singapore, Oct 7 (IANS) The air quality in Singapore deteriorated into the unhealthy range on Saturday as the change in wind direction brought haze to the city state.The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings ranged between 61 and 107 this morning, with the highest reading recorded in the eastern part of the island, according to Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA).A PSI reading of 101 to 200 is in the unhealthy range, Xinhua news agency quoted the NEA as saying. It suggests the public to reduce outdoor activities.Persistent hotspots producing dense smoke haze continued to be detected and observed in southern…

Seoul, Oct 7 (IANS) Low muscle mass is associated with a two-fold risk of death from cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes, finds a study.The study showed that the association is independent of frailty, glycaemic control and the microvascular complications retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels of the retina) and nephropathy (kidney disease).Sarcopenia — age-related loss of muscle mass and strength — was known to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in individuals with diabetes.However, it wasn’t clear to what extent the relationship was being influenced by their blood sugar control or by complications of their diabetes.The research…

New York, Oct 7 (IANS) Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have shown for the first time that mothers are much less likely to transmit a common virus known to cause miscarriages and birth defects if they are exposed to the virus prior to becoming pregnant.The study marks a significant step toward the development of a vaccine that could protect mothers and their babies.Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common herpesvirus that most women contract unknowingly before reaching child-bearing age.It’s usually harmless except during pregnancy when, if passed on to the developing foetus, it is a leading cause of miscarriage and birth defects,…

London, Oct 7 (IANS) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that he hoped to see a de-escalation in diplomatic tensions between India and Canada after New Delhi asked Ottawa to withdraw its 41 diplomats by October 10 amid worsening ties.In a call with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday evening, Sunak reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. “The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” a government statement read.Trudeau…

Bengaluru, Oct 7 (IANS) Three robotic surgeons from India are among top 10 whose video contributions on robot-assisted surgeries have made it to the KS International Innovation Awards 2023 for robotic surgery.Bengaluru, Oct 7 (IANS) Three robotic surgeons from India are among top 10 whose video contributions on robot-assisted surgeries have made it to the KS International Innovation Awards 2023 for robotic surgery.The top 10 list came from over 140 entries from surgeons in 14 countries that vied for the top spots in procedures in urology, gynaecology, gastro-intestinal, organ transplant and head and neck specialties.Entries by three surgeons from India…

New York, Oct 6 (IANS) On an already warming planet, plants like oaks and poplars will emit more of a compound that exacerbates poor air quality, contributing to problematic particulate matter and low-atmosphere ozone, claims a study. Interestingly, the same compound, called isoprene, can also improve the quality of clean air while making plants more resistant to stressors including insects and high temperatures. “Do we want plants to make more isoprene so they’re more resilient, or do we want them making less so it’s not making air pollution worse? What’s the right balance?” asked Tom Sharkey, a Professor in the…

Ottawa, Oct 6 (IANS) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced an onslaught from opposition MPs over his government allegedly suppressing the bulk of the costs of his Easter weekend trip to Montana earlier this year, reports said.Conservative member Michelle Rempel Garner raised a point of privilege in the House of Commons on Thursday, terming the failure to include the costs incurred by the RCMP in the government’s answer to an MP’s question on the issue misled the MPs and the House of Commons, the CBC reported.”The whole point of me raising this point of privilege is to show just how…

Islamabad, Oct 6 (IANS) Pakistan government has started the process of eviction of illegal Afghan nationals from the country, as it starts implementing its recent announcement when it gave a deadline of November 1, 2023 for all illegal immigrants to leave the country or face arrest and deportation. Police authorities have started raiding various Afghan refugee camps and other areas housing Afghan nationals, taking into custody hundreds of families who did not have any legal documentation to prove status of stay in Pakistan.Authorities have also started raising down makeshift Afghan refugee camps in Islamabad and other major cities, leaving no…

Toronto, Oct 6 (IANS) While popular weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic may help you lose weight and fight diabetes, these may come with a heightened risk of severe gastrointestinal problems in people without the blood sugar condition, finds a study, led by an Indian-origin researcher.The findings, published in JAMA, showed that the medications known as GLP-1 agonists, originally developed for managing Type-2 diabetes, which includes brands like Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus and Saxenda, are associated with an increased risk of serious medical conditions including stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction.“Given the wide use of these drugs, these adverse events, although…