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Researchers identify key peptides that could lead to a universal vaccine for influenzaResearchers have discovered a series of peptides, found on the internal structures of influenza viruses that could lead to the development of a universal vaccine for influenza, one that gives people immunity against all strains of the disease, including seasonal, avian, and swine flu.
“We have found that there is an important role for T-cells that recognise the flu virus, which if harnessed could protect against most or even all strains of seasonal and pandemic flu. Through this discovery we hope to improve vaccines for future strains of influenza; and potentially protect against the next pandemic. However there is more to do to translate these findings into new approaches to treatment.”
- Dr Tom Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton |
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European Carbon Regulation for Airlines Takes Off2012 started with some good news. On Sunday, the European Union began charging all airlines flying into and out of Europe for their carbon emissions. Covering a third of all global flights, this new scheme is one of the widest-reaching measures adopted lately by any country or regional bloc to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. |
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Saving the Amazon: Winning the war on deforestationFor years, the story told about the Amazon has been one of destruction - the world's largest rainforest, a region of amazing biodiversity, key to the fight against climate change, being remorselessly felled. But that is no longer the whole truth. |
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12 Things Happy People Do DifferentlyStudies conducted by positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky point to 12 things happy people do differently to increase their levels of happiness. These are things that we can start doing today to feel the effects of more happiness in our lives. |
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MIT to offer free education, online courses to allThe disruption of higher education just got very interesting. It appears that the disruptors — private, online universities — are being disrupted at their own game. One of the pantheons of traditional on-site learning, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has announced it will be launching online courses that will be free and open to the world. |
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2012 Doomsday Predictions Debunked by NASAOn Dec. 21, 2012, many doomsday believers fear the apocalypse — anything from a rogue planet smashing into us to our world spinning end over end. However, the world should expect nothing more next year than the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, NASA says. |
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Mayan timekeeper says world WON’T end in 2012… as it’s only a calendar changeMany consider it a joke although others are scared we might never live to see next year thanks to the Mayan calendar’s ‘apocalyptic’ prediction. But Mayan expert Leonzo Barreno, of Saskatchewan, Canada, says the ‘apocalypse’ concept is a false interpretation of the Long Count calendar. |
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Time’s Top Medical Breakthroughs of 2011Here is Time Magazine's list of the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2011. |
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The biggest new species discoveries in 2011Every year scientists describe thousands of species for the first time. 2011 was no different, so here's a look at some of the significant new species discoveries for the year. |
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News measure to stop violence against childrenA United Nations envoy dealing with children’s rights hailed the decision of Member States to adopt a new protocol aimed at protecting children from abuse and violence. |
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Insecticide-treated bed-nets ‘working’ in fight against malariaIt is one of the world's biggest killers. In parts of Africa a child dies from malaria every minute. Now the World Health Organisation says significant progress is being made against the disease thanks, partly, to a campaign of using insecticide-treated bed-nets. |
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Southern California whale census yields record numberMigrating gray whales are swimming through Southern California waters in record numbers this winter, longtime whale watchers say. |
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New discovery could lead to better artificial hipsFor many people who have suffered from an arthritic hip, the replacement of their natural hip bone with a prosthetic implant has meant an end to constant pain, and the restoration of a normal range of movement. Unfortunately, the ball-and-socket joints of the prostheses do wear down over time, so younger patients in need of the implants are typically told to either wait until they are older, or must face the prospect of someday requiring repeat surgery to service their device. |
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Electricity Sparks New Life Into Indonesia’s Coral ReefsA weak, harmless voltage run through metallic structures underwater is reviving near-dead reefs. |
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Egypt court stops virginity tests in military prisonsA Cairo court has ordered forced virginity tests on female detainees in military prisons to be stopped. |
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New plasma “brush” may mean painless cavity fillingWe've been keeping an eye on efforts to make the dreaded dentist's drill a thing of the past for some time, and now there's more good news on the horizon for the cavity-prone (and pain-phobic). Engineers have successfully lab-tested a plasma "brush" that can painlessly clean and prep cavities so well, there's no need for mechanical abrasion prior to filling. |
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Alberto Cairo: There are no scraps of menAlberto Cairo's clinics in Afghanistan used to close down during active fighting. Now, they stay open. At TEDxRC2 (the RC stands for Red Cross/Red Crescent), Cairo tells the powerful story of why -- and how he found humanity and dignity in the midst of war. |
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