SARS-CoV-2 might be a hybrid of bat and pangolin diseases that swapped genetic info.

Scientists: Coronavirus likely a hybrid of two other viruses

Horrible Luck

New research suggests that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is actually a genetic hybrid of a bat and pangolin virus that happened to swap genes.

Scientists: Coronavirus Likely a Hybrid of Two Other Viruses

READ MORE: <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/06/sars-cov-2-looks-like-a-hybrid-of-viruses-from-two-different-species/">SARS-CoV-2 looks like a hybrid of viruses from two different species</a> [Ars Technica]

More on SARS-CoV-2: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/promising-new-idea-defeat-coronavirus">Scientists Have a Promising New Idea To Defeat the Coronavirus</a>

Studies

Here's an ominous possibility.

Killing the coronavirus with UV light shows promise

Zap!

Scientists are working hard to develop cost-efficient UVC light lamps that could be used to sanitize anything from hospital rooms to subway car interiors.

Killing the Coronavirus With UV Light Shows Promise

READ MORE: <a href="https://phys.org/news/2020-06-coronavirus-handheld-ultraviolet-device-feasible.html">Killing coronavirus with handheld ultraviolet light device may be feasible</a> [Pennsylvania State University]

More on the virus: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/worst-virus-tracking-app">IS THIS THE WORLD’S WORST VIRUS-TRACKING APP?</a>

"The results have been very encouraging."

"The app is intrusive, violates privacy and other rights, and should be dropped,"

Is this the world's worst virus-tracking app?

Not Fine

Moscow's virus-tracking app is extremely unreliable and is handing out thousands of arbitrary fines. Human rights groups called it an intrusion of privacy.

Is This the World’s Worst Virus-Tracking App?

READ MORE: <a href="https://apnews.com/ca08db0bc06f0a9d20e205104680c881">Virus-tracking app angers thousands in Moscow with fines</a> [AP]

More on tracking: <a href="https://futurism.com/contact-tracing-apps-china-coronavirus">In China, This Coronavirus App Pretty Much Controls Your Life</a>

Developments

It's randomly fining users hundreds of dollars — and worse.

"We spend 90 percent of our lives indoors, where the air is very dry in the winter. That's exactly when the virus best survives and transmits."

Two studies find that humidity prevents coronavirus spread

Air Quality

Multiple scientists have found that greater humidity seems to block the coronavirus from spreading, but experts warn against complacency if cases drop.

Two Studies Find That Humidity Prevents Coronavirus Spread

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/right-level-humidity-may-important-weapon-fighting-coronavirus-new-studies-show-1507947">The Right Level of Humidity May Be Important Weapon in Fighting Coronavirus, New Studies Show</a> [Newsweek]

More on the coronavirus: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/weather-coronavirus-warm-study">Finally, Some Good News: Warm Weather Shown To Slow Coronavirus Spread</a>

This finding could give us a killer weapon against the pandemic — or lull us into a false sense of security.

It's a crucial next step for developing anti-COVID drugs.

Scientists test first COVID-19 antibody treatment on humans

First Attempt

The first human trials for a COVID-19 antibody treatment are beginning. If it works, it could be available by the end of the year.

Scientists Test First COVID-19 Antibody Treatment on Humans

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/06/01/1002475/trial-new-antibody-medicine-developed-to-treat-covid-19/">A trial is under way of the first new antibody medicine developed to treat covid-19</a> [MIT Technology Review]

More on COVID-19 treatments: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/doctors-cloned-covid-patients-antibodies-treatments">Doctors Are Cloning COVID Patients&#8217; Antibodies for New Treatment</a>

Rx/Medicines

If this drug works, it could be available by the end of the year.

Facebook workers "walk out" over inaction on Trump posts

Bending Over Backwards

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg decided to do nothing about president Donald Trump's problematic posts about protesters. Employees are fuming.

Facebook Workers “Walk Out” Over Inaction on Trump Posts

"There isn't a neutral position on racism."

"Especially in the current situation, we believe that VR live streaming is very useful because you can share an immersive experience while avoiding human contact."

A Tokyo hospital is livestreaming surgeries in virtual reality

Parental Guidance Suggested

The Tokyo Women's Medical University started livestreaming surgery in virtual reality as a COVID-19 safety measure that may make education more accessible.

A Tokyo Hospital Is Livestreaming Surgeries in Virtual Reality

READ MORE: <a href="http://blog.insta360.com/worlds-most-futuristic-operating-room-now-live-streams-surgery-in-8k-vr/">World’s Most Futuristic Operating Room Now Live Streams Surgery in 8K VR</a> [Insta360 Blog]

More on medical livestreams: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/doctor-livestreaming-human-autopsy-videos">Meet the Doctor Who&#8217;s Livestreaming Human Autopsies</a>

A COVID-19 safety measure could make medical education more accessible.

"We feel this platform will be integral to protecting our healthcare workers, first responders, and communities as we adjust to life in the COVID-19 era."

A smart wearable can spot COVID three days before symptoms appear

Early Warnings

A smart ring can warn users that they've caught the coronavirus up to three days before they show symptoms, potentially keeping them from infecting others.

Wearable Claims to Spot COVID Three Days Before Symptoms Appear

More on Oura: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/smart-ring-ai-spot-covid19-before-symptoms-begin">This Smart Ring Uses AI To Spot COVID-19 — Before Symptoms Begin</a>

Devices

It could warn people to stay home before they infect anyone else.

Ford claims the system is capable of neutralizing 99 percent of viral contaminants.

Ford software update lets cop cars bake away coronavirus

Scorching Hot Steering Wheel

A new system allows the interior cabin of Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to literally bake the coronavirus away at 133 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ford Software Update Lets Cop Cars Bake Away Coronavirus

That's one way to kill a virus.

Disease historian: US COVID response "incomprehensibly incoherent"

Medical historian John Barry says that the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic, especially due to President Trump, has been utterly incoherent.

Disease Historian: US COVID Response “Incomprehensibly Incoherent”

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/americas-response-to-coronavirus-pandemic-is-incomprehensibly-incoherent-says-historian-who-studied-the-1918-flu/2020/05/22/1906391a-7b53-11ea-b6ff-597f170df8f8_story.html">America’s response to coronavirus pandemic is ‘incomprehensibly incoherent,’ says historian who studied the 1918 flu</a> [The Washington Post]

More on medical history: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/coronavirus-historians-echoes-spanish-flu-past-pandemics">In the Coronavirus, Historians See Echoes of Past Pandemics</a>

/ covid19