Certain scientific and technological updates.

X-Ray to know effect on the lungs

Using a novel technique which enables high resolution imaging of damaged lung tissues, scientists have found the changes caused by severe Covid-19 in the structure of the organ's blood vessels and air sacs; findings that may support the development of new treatment methods against the disease. A new X-Ray technique which enables high resolution and three-dimensional imaging of lung tissues infected with the novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2.

Using the new method, the researchers observed significant changes in the blood vessels, inflammation and a deposition of proteins and dead cells on the walls of the lungs' tiny air sacs called alveoli. The changes make gas exchange by the organ difficult or impossible. The new imaging approach allows these changes to be visualised, for the first time, in larger tissue volumes, without damaging the tissue. 

No respite for animals either?

Humans are not the only species facing a potential threat from the novel corona virus that causes Covid-19, according to a new study which says several critically endangered primates such as the Western lowland gorilla, Sumatran orangutan and Northern white-cheeked gibbon may be susceptible to infection with the virus.

Animals with all 25 amino acid residues matching the human protein are predicted to be at the highest risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2 via ACE2. Scientists used genomic analysis to compare the structure of the ACE2 receptor protein which the novel corona virus uses to enter cells across 410 different species of vertebrates including birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Expiry of Explorer

Microsoft has announced that they would stop supporting Internet Explorer altogether, including IE 11, the latest iteration, this time next year.

In 1994, a top of the line commercial browser was dominating the marketplace, named Netscape Navigator and it had 80% of the market share in the latter part of 1995. That's when Microsoft's Internet Explorer 1 was born. 

From the late '90s, IE was the preferred medium to any address in the internet in the world and by 2003, its market share was 95%. But the game changed for good when the likes of Firefox and Chrome entered the market. It started losing ground after new Operating Systems like Android and iOS emerged and IE was rendered incompatible.

Tailpiece.   

Got up about a half an hour late, went through the chores and was ready by 1000 hrs. Washing machinex of the clothes and it was Lekha's show, all the way, as Suma would be absent for the next few days.