Science

Limited use of Oxford vaccine should be available in India by Dec-end: Serum CEO

• The vaccine will have maximum retail price of ₹1,000 for private market, says Adar Poonawalla
• Serum CEO says the company is having discussions with Indian govt about purchase agreement for the vaccine

Astra-Oxford covid vaccine: Does it match with rivals? Here’s what we know

The report is significant because Astra and Oxford are taking a different approach from the one used by Pfizer and Moderna, and vaccine advocates say multiple shots will be needed to stop a contagion that’s killed almost 1.4 million people

Astra-Oxford covid vaccine: Doses could be in short supply

More will be on tap if AstraZeneca wins approval for a reduced dosing regime of a half shot followed by regular one, which was more effective than a full two-shot dosage in the results published Monday

Covid-19 and pollution: Intimately linked, compound threat

Recent analysis of air quality across more than 3,000 US counties showed that an increase in airborne particulate matter of 1 microgram/m3 corresponded with an 11% increased risk of dying of Covid-19.

ISRO's Venus mission attracts international payload proposals: 10 things to know

• The proposal includes 'collaborative contributions' from Russia, France, Sweden and Germany
• ISRO was earlier eyeing June, 2023 for the country's first mission to Venus

China prepares moon probe to bring back lunar rocks

The Chang'e-5 probe, named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess, aims to shovel up lunar rocks and soil to help scientists learn about the moon's origins, formation and volcanic activity on its surface

UK says decision on Pfizer covid vaccine in 'shortest time possible'

Britain health secretary Matt Hancock said the UK plans to start rolling out two coronavirus vaccines next month before the program gathers pace in the new year, with a return to 'normal' possible in the spring

What experts say on Oxford covid vaccine results

AstraZeneca said on Monday its vaccine for the novel coronavirus could be around 90% effective without any serious side effects. Here are some reactions to the news.

Glenmark says Phase 3 Favipiravir data for Covid-19 shows multiple benefits

• The pre-specified primary endpoint demonstrated a 2 day earlier virological cure in the Favipiravir treatment group, though not statistically significant, says Glenmark

Covishield is 'low-cost, logistically manageable': Serum CEO

• 'Further details on this will be provided this evening,' says Adar Poonawalla on Twitter
• The vaccine developed by Oxford University was 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 when it was administered as a half dose followed by a full dose at least one month apart

Oxford covid vaccine: UK plans to start vaccinations next month

• The covid-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc prevented a majority of people from getting the disease in a large trial, the drugmaker said today

Today marks an important milestone: AstraZeneca CEO on Oxford covid vaccine

• The global trials of the Oxford covid-19 vaccine are evaluating participants aged 18 years or over from diverse racial and geographic groups who are healthy or have stable underlying medical conditions, according to AstraZeneca

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine can be 90% effective, results show

• Positive high-level results from an interim analysis of clinical trials of AZD1222 in the UK and Brazil showed the covid vaccine was highly effective in preventing COVID-19

Data from NASA's Curiosity rover hints at ancient megaflood in Mars: Study

• According to the study, the most likely cause of the Mars flooding was the melting of ice from heat generated by a large impact, which released carbon dioxide and methane from the planet's frozen reservoirs

FDA approves casirivimab, imdevimab for treating mild-to-moderate covid symptoms

• The safety and effectiveness of this therapy for use in treatment of covid-19 continues to be evaluated, the US FDA said. It added the drug therapy is not authorised for those who are hospitalised or require oxygen therapy due to covid-19

FDA allows emergency use of drug Trump got for covid-19

• FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms) and who are at high risk of severe illness from the coronavirus

UK may give go-ahead to Pfizer covid-19 vaccine by end of week: Report

• Health officials said it was too early to commit to a timetable for the administration of the vaccine
• The provisional schedule still depends on the authorization and arrival of the vaccines

US hopes to start virus vaccines in December as Covid-19 pandemic surges

• Encouraging results from vaccine trials have bolstered hopes for an end to the covid-19 pandemic
• FDA vaccine advisors will meet December 10 to discuss approval

India to launch deep sea mission in 3-4 months, to cost ₹4,000 cr: MoES

India will soon launch an ambitious 'Deep Ocean Mission' that envisages exploration of minerals, energy and marine diversity of the underwater world, a vast part of which still remains unexplored, a top official of MoES said

China’s ‘bat woman’ has hew evidence her lab isn’t coronavirus source

Shi Zhengli, deputy director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said the genetic characteristics of the viruses she’s worked on didn’t match those of the coronavirus spreading in humans