Web Blogging

SEO Guides & Tips

tests

DRDO successfully tests ‘fire & forget’ anti-tank missile | India News

by Leave a Comment


NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully flight-tested an indigenously developed low-weight, fire-and-forget Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). The missile is being seen as one which will give a major push to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat‘, and strengthen the Indian Army.
“All mission objectives were met. The missile (MPATGM) has already been successfully flight-tested for the maximum range,” the DRDO said.
The research and development agency said that the missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art miniaturised infrared imaging seeker, along with advanced avionics.

The missile was launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with thermal site and the target was mimicking a tank, the DRDO also said, adding: “The missile hit the target in direct attack mode and destroyed it with precision. The test has validated the minimum range successfully.”
Watch DRDO successfully tests ‘fire and forget’ anti-tank missile





Source link

Study finds more reliable rapid tests for Covid-19

by Leave a Comment


WASHINGTON: During a recent study, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) developed two rapid diagnostic tests for Covid-19 that are nearly as accurate as the gold-standard test currently used in laboratories.
Unlike the gold standard test, which extracts RNA and uses it to amplify the DNA of the virus, these new tests can detect the presence of the virus in as little as five minutes using different methods. The findings were published in the journal Nature Protocols.
One test is a Covid-19 molecular diagnostic test, called Antisense, which uses electrochemical sensing to detect the presence of the virus. The other uses a simple assay of gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present. Both tests were developed by Dipanjan Pan, PhD, Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and Pediatrics at UMSOM, and his research team. Dr. Pan has a joint appointment at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
“These tests detect the presence of the virus within 5 to 10 minutes and rely on simple processes that can be performed with little lab training,” said Dr. Pan. They do not require the extraction of the virus’s RNA – which is both complicated and time-consuming.
They also are more reliable than the rapid antigen tests currently on the market, which detect the virus only in those with significantly high viral levels. “These two newer tests are extremely sensitive and can detect the presence of the virus, even in those with low levels of the virus,” Dr. Pan said.
Dr. Pan’s team included UMSOM research fellow Maha Alafeef, UMSOM research associate Parikshit Moitra, PhD, and research fellow Ketan Dighe, from UMBC.
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered the laboratory of Dr. Pan as an approved laboratory development site for the Antisense test. The move paves the way for Dr. Pan’s laboratory to begin conducting the test at the university, in research settings, as it undergoes further development.
In February, RNA Disease Diagnostics, Inc. (RNADD) received an exclusive global license from UMB and UMBC to commercialize the test. Dr. Pan serves as an unpaid scientific advisor to the company.
This test detects the virus in a swab sample using an innovative technology called electrochemical sensing. It uses a unique dual-pronged molecular detection approach that integrates electrochemical sensing to rapidly detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“The final prototype is like a glucometer, which patients with diabetes use at home to measure their blood glucose levels,” said Dr. Pan, “and is just as easy for people to do themselves.”
Dr. Pan and his colleagues, in collaboration with RNA Disease Diagnostics, are launching a study of NBA basketball players in New York City to compare the Antisense test to rapid Covid tests that the NBA is using to monitor Covid infections in its players.
“We would like to see whether our test can yield more reliable results compared to the existing platforms,” he said. “Current antigen-based rapid Covid tests miss infections about 20 percent of the time and also have high rates of false-positive results. Our Antisense test appears to be about 98 percent reliable, which is similar to the PCR test.”
Similar to the Antisense test, the second rapid test also does not require the use of any advanced laboratory techniques, such as those commonly used to extract RNA, for analysis. It uses a simple assay containing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present. In April, Dr. Pan and his colleagues published a stepwise protocol in the journal Nature Protocols, explaining how the nano-amplified colorimetric test works and how it can be used.
Once a nasal swab or saliva sample is obtained from a patient, the nucleic acid (bits of genetic material) in the sample is amplified via a simple process that takes about 10 minutes. The test uses a highly specific molecule attached to the gold nanoparticles to detect a particular protein. This protein is part of the genetic sequence that is unique to the novel coronavirus. When the biosensor binds to the virus’s gene sequence, the gold nanoparticles respond by turning the liquid reagent from purple to blue.
“Innovations in Covid-19 testing remain incredibly important even as the epidemic appears to be waning in this country,” said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, UM Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine. “As we continue to monitor infections in unvaccinated segments of our population and the potential spread of new variants, there will be a vital need for inexpensive rapid tests to ensure that we continue to maintain low infection rates.”





Source link

Non-invasive skin swab tests can quickly detect Covid-19: Lancet study

by Leave a Comment


LONDON: Non-invasive skin swab samples may be enough to detect the novel coronavirus quickly, according to a study published in the Lancet E Clinical Medicine journal.
Researchers at the University of Surrey in the UK noted that Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented demand for testing — for diagnosis and prognosis — as well as for investigation into the impact of the disease on the host metabolism.
Sampling sebum — an oily, waxy substance produced by the body’s sebaceous glands — has the potential to support both needs by looking at what the virus does to us, rather than looking for the virus itself, they said.
The most widely used approach to testing for Covid-19 requires a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which involves taking a swab of the back of the throat and far inside the nose.
The researchers collected sebum samples from 67 hospitalised patients — 30 who had tested positive for Covid-19 and 37 who had tested negative.
The samples were collected by gently swabbing a skin area rich in sebum such as the face, neck or back.
The team analysed the samples by using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and a statistical modelling technique to differentiate between the Covid-19 positive and negative samples.
The researchers, including those from the Universities of Manchester and Leicester, found that patients with a positive Covid-19 test had lower lipid levels — or dyslipidemia — than their counterparts with a negative test.
They noted that the accuracy of the findings increased further when medication and additional health conditions were controlled.
“Our study suggests that we may be able to use non-invasive means to test for diseases such as Covid-19 in the future — a development which I am sure will be welcomed by all,” said Melanie Bailey, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey.
Matt Spick, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey noted that Covid-19 damages many areas of metabolism.
“In this work, we show that the skin lipidome can be added to the list, which could have implications for the skin’s barrier function, as well as being a detectable symptom of the disease itself,” Spick said.
Investigating new methods of diagnosis and surveillance in a new disease such as Covid-19 that has had such a devastating effect on the world is vital, according to George Evetts, Consultant in Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine at Frimley Park Hospital.
“Sebum sampling is a simple, non-invasive method that shows promise for both diagnostics and monitoring of the disease in both a healthcare and a non-healthcare setting,” Evetts added.



Source link