Parkinson’s skin-swab test ‘in sight’ – BBC News

A simple skin-swab test could be used to help diagnose the degenerative brain condition Parkinson’s disease, UK scientists say.

Studies with volunteers show it can quickly detect tell-tale compounds in sebum – the oily substance that protects the skin.

People with Parkinson’s can have higher than usual concentrations of these.

Researchers discovered this after a woman amazed doctors with her ability to detect Parkinson’s through smell.

Retired nurse Joy Milne, 68, from Perth, noticed the “musky” smell on her husband, Les, years before his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

She has been helping scientists at the University of Manchester explore the link.

And a blinded test of her odour-detecting skills found she was 100% accurate.

Source: Parkinson’s skin-swab test ‘in sight’ – BBC News

Coronavirus: Pfizer vaccine 97% effective against severe cases – The Jerusalem Post

The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is about 97% effective against severe cases and 94% against asymptomatic infections, new data jointly released Thursday by the pharmaceutical company and the Health Ministry shows.

The study considered information collected in Israel between January 17 and March 6. Unvaccinated individuals were found to be 44 times more likely to develop a symptomatic case of COVID-19 and 29 times more likely to succumb to the virus when compared to individuals who had received their second dose two weeks prior.

Source: Coronavirus: Pfizer vaccine 97% effective against severe cases – The Jerusalem Post

Morocco: Ministers Summoned Over Failed Vaccine Agreement With China

To date, the North African country has received 1.5 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

Despite the joint-clinical trials between the two countries, Morocco is in fact receiving the same treatment as other countries that did contribute to the joint clinical trials. On this note, the President of the House of Representatives has summoned the ministers who participated in the signing of the agreements: one securing the supply of vaccines, and the other on the construction of a vaccine manufacturing center to supply Africa.

Source: Morocco: Ministers Summoned Over Failed Vaccine Agreement With China

Japan must rethink its Myanmar policy | The Japan Times

As Myanmar’s military cracks down on innocent civilians, it is showing the world its true colors. The Tatmadaw (military) is a dictatorial force committed to oppression, exploitation and the silencing of dissent. Now is the time for countries around the world to defend Myanmar’s democracy — and Japan has an important opportunity to lead the region in securing an inclusive democratic future for Myanmar. Source: Japan must rethink its Myanmar policy | The Japan Times

LA County Expands Vaccine Eligibility To Janitors, Transportation Workers

  • custodians and janitors
  • public transit workers
  • airport ground crew workers
  • certain social workers who handle cases of violence and abuse
  • foster parents who provide emergency housing for young people

Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer says the county is working to make appointments available for people in those groups. There will already be appointments available specifically for custodial and janitorial workers both Saturday and Sunday at the county-run super site at the Forum.

Source: LA County Expands Vaccine Eligibility To Janitors, Transportation Workers

China offers vaccines to all Tokyo, Beijing Olympic athletes (#Vaccine-diplomacy)

“The Chinese Olympic Committee is ready to make additional doses of the vaccine available to participants in both the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022,” Bach said on the second day of the 137th IOC session. Bach said the IOC would pay for all the doses accepted by both Olympic and Paralympic teams this year and next as well. “Furthermore, for each of these additional doses, the IOC will pay for two additional doses that will be made available to the population in the respective country according to their needs,” Bach said.

Source: China offers vaccines to all Tokyo, Beijing Olympic athletes

Native American vaccination efforts exceed plans, now helping others – Axios

Photo of a masked medical worker getting the COVID vaccine shot Native American tribes are pulling off many of the most successful coronavirus vaccination campaigns in the U.S., bucking stereotypes about tribal governments.

The big picture: Despite severe technological barriers, some tribes are vaccinating their members so efficiently, and at such high rates, that they’ve been able to branch out and offer coronavirus vaccines to people outside of their tribes.

Why it matters: Native Americans are one of the most at-risk groups for contracting and dying from the coronavirus. But tribal nations have rallied to get members vaccinated and helped nearby communities while major cities have struggled with rollouts.

Details: Tribes, which are sovereign nations that can set their own eligibility criteria, immediately got doses and launched vigorous campaigns on vaccines.

  • The White Earth Nation in Minnesota was so successful in early vaccinations that it immediately began vaccinating non-tribal members, Minnesota Public Radio reports.
  • The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in Colorado last week said after it has vaccinated 1,900 of its tribal members and staff it will offer 2,000 doses to the general public.
  • Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, the tribe of Interior Secretary nominee Deb Haaland, also started offering doses to nearby residents after tribal members received theirs. Several tribes in Oklahoma have, too.
  • An AP analysis of federal data showed Native Americans were getting vaccinated at a rate higher than all but five states by February’s end.

Source: Native American vaccination efforts exceed plans, now helping others – Axios

Bringing The Vaccine To High-Risk Farmworkers In Ventura County: LAist

California’s more than 200,000 farmworkers are now eligible to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. But getting the vaccine to these essential workers can be difficult, given their long work weeks and distance from major vaccine clinics. To speed things up, the United Farm Workers Foundation teamed up this past Sunday with the Ventura County Health Department to give 500 field hands their first dose of the Moderna vaccine. The need to keep things outdoors and socially distanced meant this particular vaccine clinic would take place in the alley behind the UFW Foundation’s office in old downtown Oxnard. In line waiting for her shot was Regina Francisca Isidro, 52. She laughed nervously as she waited, choosing first her left arm for the vaccine, then changing to her right.

Source: Bringing The Vaccine To High-Risk Farmworkers In Ventura County: LAist

The Cloigtheach of Glendalough

Michael Stephen Wills Photography

Cloigtheach is the Irish language name for a round stone tower. The word’s literal meaning is “Bell House.” This fine example of mica slate and graniteis found in the Glendalough valley of County Wicklow, Ireland.

The sun was past noon when we arrived at this glacial valley of the Wicklow mountains.In the few hours available I shot the tower from numerous angles and chose this because the tower is placed in the larger natural environment, viewed as a singular object apart from the monastic city the tower is placed among.

The Cloigtheach of Glendalough– CLICK ME!!!!

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Saint Kevin founded a monastic settlement within Glendalough valley almost 1,500 years ago, in the late 6th century A.D. As a religious center the monastery flourished for 600+ years, becoming a monastic city. Destroyed by English forces in 1398, it was disestablished at that time. Still, Glendalough served as a pilgrimage destination through…

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