Science, Art, Litt, Science based Art & Science Communication

Qs on science and my replies to them - Part 255

Q: Is this "Neocov" the new varient of COVID-19?

Krishna: I think some people are trying to scare the world more by spreading misinformation and disinformation.

Neither is NeoCoV a 'new' virus nor is it a variant of COVID-19. And there have been no confirmed cases of NeoCoV in humans so far.

Scientists keep studying various viruses all the time. And find interesting things too most of the time. They gather information on viruses to make the world prepare for any consequences. But what they say and publish is being given spins and spread to create sensational news by vested interests.

This is one such paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.24.477490v1.full.pdf

This is one paper that is loaded with jargon. Common people cannot understand most of it. Why most of it, ‘nothing of it’ would be more appropriate. So …. anybody can interpret it in any way. This is what is happening now. Moreover this paper is not peer-reviewed to establish its authenticity. It just is a pre-print version just to notify the scientists not common people.

But this is what one should know:

NeoCoV is not a new virus, it was first found in 2014. The virus is only found in bats and has not infected or killed a human being so far. The new study, which talks about the NeoCoV's potential to infect humans, is not peer-reviewed. Only pre-print is available. The most important thing to know is NeoCoV is not a new variant of COVID-19.

The study, conducted by Chinese scientists, 'unexpectedly' discovered that NeoCoV and its close relative, PDF-2180-CoV, could potentially use a human and bat Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for entry. This means it has the potential to infect humans. Only potential. Because the study states that the possibility depends on its re-combinations or mutations.

The data published by news organisations were based on a report published by Russian news agency Sputnik which neither called NeoCoV a variant of COVID-19 nor did it say that the virus has a fatality rate of 33 percent (1 in 3).

The Sputnik report had said that since the NeoCov was closely related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV), it can potentially have a mortality rate similar to that of MERS. The variant’s risk to humans required further research.

Unless a paper is published in peer-reviewed high quality journals, Just ignore it. News papers reports and social media shares should not be taken seriously

Q: Which country is totally free from COVID-19 because it has 100% vaccinated its population?

Krishna: Who told you 100% vaccination makes a country totally free from Covid? Let me explain why this is not possible.

We don’t know how well the vaccine will work for the elderly. We know that most vaccines don’t work nearly as well in a frail elderly person as they would in someone who is fit and vigorous, even if they happen to be the same age. This is because as we age our immune system becomes weak. The traditional vaccine may not work so well in older people because of an idea known as immune senescence, which posits that as people age, their immune systems weaken, resulting in poor vaccine response, especially to inactivated strains. There are 2 major factors responsible for vaccine failures, the first is vaccine-related such as failures in vaccine attenuation, vaccination regimes or administration. The other is host-related, of which host genetics, immune status, age, health or nutritional status can be associated with primary or secondary vaccine failures. The first describes the inability to respond to primary vaccination, the latter is characterized by a loss of protection after initial effectiveness. You should take good food to develop immunity. If your nutritional status is poor, you don't develop immunity. You should be healthy and stress-free too to develop good immunity. If the viral load is high and when people have low immunity, they develop breakthrough infection.

We have noticed that people above the age of 65 develop low immunity. This can be attributed to the gradual age-related decline in immune activity.

If you are suffering from any major health conditions, then too your immune system doesn't work properly.

People on immunosuppressive drugs too don't develop good immunity.

2. All vaccines have a time period after the injection where one is completely vulnerable to being infected from elsewhere. That is a scientific fact.

3. If you still get the infection after the vaccination that means, 1. You have been already exposed in the few days before being vaccinated, 2. Got exposed before enough time elapsed for the body to have “learned” how to recognize the spike protein & produce sufficient antibodies against it. 3. The strain is different from that of the one against you have been vaccinated ( different strains occur because of mutations) 4. Is it possible that you are among the 5% to 5.5% of people that will remain unprotected — according the clinical trials and all of the studies. And, keep in mind that some of the popular vaccines in use are only 52% effective after their first shot, and then can expect to be 94.5% effective if they follow up with their second shot, or the “booster” injection.

4. The virus has mutated and new variant has emerged which has the capacity to evade vaccine-induced immunity. In the battle between our immune systems and the virus, in order to win the virus adopts the mutations that works better for it. That is why you need several different shots of vaccine to keep up with the mutated ( or a different strain of) virus.

5. Keep in mind, that no vaccine in human history offers 100% protection. But you will definitely get a partial protection. Didn't you hear the adage that 'something is better than nothing'? It is wrong to say that vaccine doesn't protect you at all.

6. How well vaccines are preserved defines their efficacy. Some vaccines are not stored properly in some countries and therefore are not fully effective in mounting a good immunity response. In real life, vaccine recipients may not receive doses at the right time, or receive doses that have not been refrigerated properly. All these differences impact the vaccine’s performance once it is rolled out widely.

7. The immunology is quite complex. Some people don't develop immunity despite getting covid! Some people have mild disease and the body doesn't fully activate humoral immunity. Or more simply it doesn't learn and remember the virus. In that case you have little to no immunity to another infection (re-infection).

8. Covid is zoonotic, that is, it is a Disease Transmitted from Animals to Humans. A zoonosis (zoonotic disease or zoonoses -plural) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or from humans to animals). It is impossible to control covid in wild animals.

9. In a global scenario, even if you eradicate covid in one country, it keeps coming back from other places.

The vaccines prevent illness, but maybe not infection. Covid vaccines are being authorized based on how well they keep you from getting sick, needing hospitalization and dying.

When so many things influence the outcomes, it is not possible to eradicate a disease completely. You can only manage it efficiently. That’s all.

Q: What changes in Omicron's spike protein are found by scientists?

Krishna: These are the changes observed in Omicron:

Name: Omicron

Lineage: B.1.1.529

The spike protein of the Omicron variant is characterized by at least 30 amino acid substitutions, three small deletions, and one small insertion. Notably, 15 of the 30 amino acid substitutions are in the receptor binding domain (RBD). There are also a number of changes and deletions in other genomic regions.

Key Amino Acid Substitutions in Spike Protein (RBD substitutions in bold type): A67V, del69-70, T95I, del142-144, Y145D, del211, L212I, ins214EPE, G339D, S371L, S373P, S375F, K417N, N440K, G446S, S477N, T478K, E484A, Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, Y505H, T547K, D614G, H655Y, N679K, P681H, N764K, D796Y, N856K, Q954H, N969K, L981F

Analysis of the changes in the spike protein indicate that the Omicron variant is likely to have increased transmission compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus.

N501Y increases binding to the ACE2 receptor, which could increase transmission, and the combination of N501Y and Q498R may increase binding affinity even more.

H655Y is proximal to the furin cleavage site and may increase spike cleavage, which could aid transmission.

N679K is proximal to and adds to the polybasic nature of the furin cleavage site, which may also increase spike cleavage and could aid transmission.

P681H has been shown to enhance spike cleavage, which could aid transmission.

Studies of Omicron’s spike mutations — particularly in the region that recognizes receptors on human cells — suggest that the variant will blunt the potency of neutralizing antibodies. The research conducted showed that the Omicron spike protein exhibits increased antibody evasion. In contrast to previous variants, Omicron showed measurable evasion from all six monoclonal antibodies tested, with complete escape from five. The variant also displayed increased evasion of antibodies collected from vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.

The spike protein, which is located on the outside of a coronavirus, enables SARS-CoV-2 to enter human cells. The Omicron variant has an unprecedented 37 mutations on its spike protein—three to five times more than previous variants.

The structural analysis revealed that several mutations (R493, S496, and R498) create new salt bridges and hydrogen bonds between the spike protein and the human cell receptor known as ACE2. The researchers concluded that these new bonds appear to increase binding affinity—how strongly the virus attaches to human cells—while other mutations (K417N) decrease the strength of this bond.

Overall, the findings show that Omicron has greater binding affinity than the original virus. It is remarkable that the Omicron variant evolved to retain its ability to bind with human cells despite such extensive mutations.

Based on the observed increase in binding affinity and antibody evasion, the researchers say that the spike protein mutations are likely contributing factors to the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant.

Sources:

“SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: Antibody evasion and cryo-EM structure of spike protein–ACE2 complex” by Dhiraj Mannar, James W. Saville, Xing Zhu, Shanti S. Srivastava, Alison M. Berezuk, Katharine S. Tuttle, Ana Citlali Marquez, Inna Sekirov and Sriram Subramaniam, 20 January 2022, Science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.abn7760

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Q: What is the physics behind the working of pyramid yantra for removing Vaastu Dosh from home and offices?

Krishna: You are asking genuine scientists this question. You won't get the answer you are expecting because we provide only evidence based facts here. So get ready to digest these facts too.

Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits. Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods, sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades, improve health, function "as a thought-form incubator", trigger sexual urges, and cause other (beneficial) effects. Such unverified conjectures regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.

Why pyramid is used in Vastu? Vastu pyramids are considered to be energized instruments that hail with their own set of supreme powers. According to believers Vastu Pyramids play an effective role in nullifying the negativity in your home. They continually serve as an element that neutralizes your place and absorbs each and every negative element.

However, this is very important, There is no scientific evidence that pyramid power exists(1,2,3). And pyramid power is a pseudoscience and tests have failed to provide any evidence for its claims. The idea that the pyramidal shape itself was magical and filled with a mysterious energy and power was not correct.

Pyramid power claims have actually been tested. Alter and Simmons (1973) showed that pyramid-shaped containers were no more effective than any other shape at preserving organic matter (flowers or meat) placed in them. Nor did putting dull razor blades in a pyramid-shaped holder restore them to sharpness, contrary to a frequent claim of pyramid power promoters (4).

In 2005, an episode of MythBusters was aired on the Discovery Channel in which a basic test of pyramid power was performed, using pyramids built to the specifications found in pyramid power claims, reflecting the location of the King's Chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza. Several claims were tested, concerning food rotting, a flower rotting and a razor blade going dull. With control protocols in place, there was no significant difference between items in pyramids and items outside (5). The myth was busted (6).

These are the scientific facts.

Vaastu is science, say pundits who practice it. But does it follow scientific method and methodology? Scientific Method progressed gradually through the processes of observation, investigation, experiment, inference and conclusion. This method gave us the most reliable means of acquiring knowledge. Vastu sastra should also be examined like any other scientific fact, applying the criterion of cause-effect relationship. Accepting Vastu sastra as science without such examination is against scientific principles. It means enjoying all the benefits made possible by science and yet denying science and scientific outlook. Such ''sastra'' can be termed as pseudo-science!

There is no genuine science behind vastu sastra. If you want to believe it and follow it, it is upto you but science can't endorse false claims.

Why Vastu is considered as pseudo-science? Read here the detailed explanation: https://kkartlab.in/group/some-science/forum/topics/the-persons-you...

Footnotes:

Linse, Pat. (2002). Pyramids: The Mystery of Their Origins. In Michael Shermer. The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience. ABC-CLIO. pp. 397-412. ISBN 1-57607-654-7 "If pyramid power really existed it would be wonderful indeed... But no scientific tests to date have managed to detect it."
Neher, Andrew. (2011). Paranormal and Transcendental Experience: A Psychological Examination. Dover Publications. pp. 262-264. ISBN 0-486-26167-0 "There is no satisfactory evidence to support the theory of pyramid power. Although the pyramids are impressive structures, their particular construction—their shape and geographical orientation—does not seem to be capable of altering fundamental physical processes."
Nickell, Joe. (2004). The Mystery Chronicles: More Real-Life X-Files. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 200-206. ISBN 0-8131-2318-6
Hines, Terence. (2003). Pseudoscience and the Paranormal. Prometheus Books. p. 306. ISBN 1-57392-979-4

5. "Jet Pack". MythBusters. Season 3, Episode 32. June 9, 2005. Discovery Channel.

6. http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html

Q: Should scientists use scientific method all the time?

Krishna: Yes! Recently I had a discussion with a person who calls himself a scientist - yes, he has a Ph.D. and is working as a researcher in a premium institute.

He said, ''We, as scientists, can only use the scientific method in most cases, but not in all cases. For instance if you want to wear a dress, do you decide which one to wear using scientific method?"

"Yes", I said!

"What?!", he was shocked by this reply of mine. "Do you use scientific reasoning too to wear a dress? How?"

I smiled and gave him this reply: "I have a few friends and cousins. They think certain dresses or colours are lucky for them. So if they want to do some important work, they wear their lucky dresses or lucky coloured dresses. But I never do that. My scientific reasoning says there are no lucky dresses or colours. I can wear any dress or any coloured dress on any day or any particular day. Then doesn't my scientific temperament decide my decision to wear a dress unlike others who don't use this?"

This scientist was speechless.

Yes, if you are a genuine scientist, you use your scientific reasoning 24X365 in all cases, in all situations without any exceptions. Period!

Being a scientist is a state of mind, not a profession!

Q: If space is vacuum, how do astronauts communicate?

Krishna: Unlike light, sound requires a medium to travel through. This simply means that in order to hear sound there has to be something for sound to travel through. Sound travels by vibrating the particles in the medium so that they bump into each other. As the vibrations of the particles reach your ear, your ear drum receives the vibrations which the brain then interprets as sound.

In the vacuum of space, there are no (or very, very few) particles to vibrate, so sound cannot travel through this medium. You might think this presents a communications conundrum for astronauts: How can we talk to astronauts who are orbiting earth? The solution is radio waves. Radio waves travel perfectly fine through a vacuum because they are a type of electromagnetic wave (light), and electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to travel through.

How do astronauts communicate with each other? The astronauts have devices in their helmets which transfer the sound waves from their voices into radio waves and transmit it to the ground (or other astronauts in space). This is exactly the same as how your radio at home works.

Q: Why are we unable to produce quality scientific research in this part of the world?

Krishna: Recently an interesting thing happened. I got an invitation for an 'art event'. The organisers Insisted that I attend it. They said, "We need mighty minds like you". "Really?" I asked. "Yes", they said. "Then", I asked them, "Can you pay me 2.5 lakhs for a single lecture/speech like you are paying your anchor for a single evening or 1 crore like you are paying the actors you are inviting or atleast 1 lakh like you are paying the singers?"

There was complete silence! Because everybody expects a scientist to give free speeches/lectures!

People expect scientists to create magic in their labs without funds!

Okay, we get satisfaction with thrill, knowledge, inventions and discoveries. But how can these things fund scientific research?

In what way we are inferior to the anchors, singers and actors?

If the art world, the world of religion and people who are supporting them with infinite funds can support scientific research in the same way they are supporting the former, I can guarantee you quality research in science.

Q: According to research social isolation and loneliness increase heart disease risk in human beings. Is this true?

Krishna: That depends on the mental state of the person. Introverts prefer isolation. Extra stimulation makes them very uncomfortable. Geniuses prefer solitude. Read here why: https://kkartlab.in/group/some-science/forum/topics/my-creativity-n...

Not all human beings are alike. If you club everybody and do research you will get results like this. This is sampling error. A different research work says a different thing: [Darya L. Zabelina et al, Creativity and sensory gating indexed by the P50: Selective versus ...]

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002839321500041X

SO?!

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on January 28, 2022 at 9:46am

Can ultrasonic waves stop small and fast moving objects?

Sound waves can be used to levitate and move objects

Scientists used ultrasonic standing waves to trap pieces of wood, metal, and water – and even move them around. Researchers have used sound to levitate objects in previous experiments, dating back decades. But that work has largely relied on speakers that were set up in a line to bounce sound waves off a hard surface.

Scientists also used four speakers to surround an open square area that's about 21 inches wide. Four phased arrays use standing waves to create an ultrasonic focal point in that space, as the researchers explain in a video about their work.

That means that they generate a suspending force — which can then trap particles and objects in mid-air. The objects can be moved around by manipulating the waves.

The researchers' video, called Three-Dimensional Mid-Air Acoustic Manipulation [Acoustic Levitation], expands on a research article they submitted to arXiv, a science publishing site maintained by Cornell University