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This is a translation of the Italian version prepared without the help of any specialist. The editor of this document has tried to be as accurate and complete as possible, but cannot guarantee that the translation of its content is accurate. 

Note that if discrepancies arise between the two versions, the Italian version will prevail.

April 2, 2020

COVID 19.Combat its propagation in order to start the recovery of normalcy.

The Center for Infectious Disease Models of Imperial College London, using a mathematical model, estimated that European citizens infected with COVID-19 could be between 7 and 43 million. Moreover, it seems to be now widely confirmed that this virus can also be transmitted by those who have mild symptoms because it can easily multiply even in the upper respiratory tract. In fact, some recent Italian researches have verified that COVID-19 also uses the sialic acid receptor (present in the tissues of the upper respiratory tract) to enter human cells while its diffusion in the organism takes place by exploiting some proteins also involved in replication HIV.

In such a situation, it is advisable not to let your guard down. The emergency has not yet been overcome and an imprudent attitude could cause the triggering of new outbreaks of infection. It is believed, in fact, that it is necessary to acquire the real number of positivity and people who developed the antibodies to COVID-19 before deciding whether to implement a progressive and differentiated return plan for each Region by type of activity, trying to avoid the curve of the number of infections may rise again.

Finally, preclinical tests were started in Italy on 5 vaccines obtained from fragments of the genetic material of the virus. The results of the trial will be subsequently analyzed by Takis and the Spallanzani Institute to define the best drug to be admitted to clinical tests.

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New hypothesis on the origin of COVID-19

The origin of COVID-19 is extremely important for understanding how contrast its spread. In this regard, a study published in the journal Nature Medicine put forward the hypothesis that the virus circulated from man to man before developing the genetic characteristics that allowed its spread throughout the world.

In the current state of research, experts believe it is unlikely that the virus was intentionally manipulated. However, further laboratory tests are deemed necessary to define the mechanisms by which COVID-19 originated. Regardless, scientists continue to consider the surveillance of pneumonia in humans and other animals very important.

April 05, 2020

COVID-19. An Italian researcher hypothesizes a new way gateway used by the virus

An Italian researcher from the University of Miami has identified another possible gateway used by COVID-19 to enter the body's cells. It is the Dpp4 receptor that is known to be present on the surface of all cells, including those of the bronchi and the heart, as well as having connections with the immune and inflammatory systems, both involved in the course of the disease caused by the virus.

The author of the research published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice is Dr. Gianluca Iacobellis according to which, in addition to the Ace2 receptor, also the mechanism that belongs to the Dpp4 receptor could be used to identify new therapeutic protocols to treat those who have contracted COVID-19 in a non-serious form.

April 12, 2020

How do we memorize an experience?

Experience determines a psychic process that changes behavior. This ability has contributed to the survival of mankind over the course of evolution.

For example, experience allows to reduce reaction times and makes decision making easier and faster because our brain keeps a trace of the events experienced, although the neuronal coding processes are still not fully known. In a recent study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have identified cell populations that encode individual segments of an experience that is stored in the hippocampus. These cells reactivate every time such an event occurs, helping us to face the new circumstance regardless of the conditions that characterize it. The researchers came to these conclusions by observing the behavior of some mice, rewarded after completing some labyrinths. During the research it was found that, regardless of the shape of the labyrinth, different neurons involved in the coding of individual events were activated, contributing to enriching the animal's experiential background.

The same thing could happen in the human brain where specific neurons are activated for example when we ride a bicycle regardless of the route that is being followed and the bicycle that is being used.

COVID-19. Multiplication process discovered

Researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing published a study in the journal Science that describes the molecular process that allows COVID-19 to multiply in the body. This is the enzyme polymerase nsp12 which is the target of the antiviral antiviral drug remdesivir, known for its efficacy against Ebola. Experts believe that this discovery will allow to verify if remdesivir may actually be able to limit the spread of the SarsCoV2 virus. and to identify further drugs to eradicate Covid-19 and stem the pandemic caused by it.

April, 14 2020

A hormone defends the intestines from inflammation and tumors

Italian scientific research continues to produce important results even in the era of COVID 19. In particular, researchers from the University of Bari have completed a study which, published in the scientific journal EbioMedicine and supported by the Airc Foundation, has shown that the hormone Fgf19 (substance produced by the terminal part of the ileum, which has multiple actions on the glycidic, lipidic and protein metabolism) has a crucial role in the defense of the organism from intestinal inflammation and could reduce the risk of developing colon cancer .

According to experts, Fgf19, by reducing the hepatic production of bile acids, activates the processes that contribute to the prevention of intestinal inflammation (it seems that people affected by Crohn's disease have lower Fgf19 levels).This study opens up new frontiers for the identification of new treatments that allow to fight intestinal inflammations and prevent colorectal cancers.

April, 18 2020

Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and autism can be cured by providing armor to neurons

Stanford University scientists recently developed a technique with which it is possible to modify cell functionality through the use of biocompatible polymers. The study was published in the journal Science and illustrates how it is possible to reprogram neurons by enabling them to use the material provided by researchers to build a sort of armor with insulating or conductive properties depending on the type of substance used.

This is a very important scientific result which according to experts could provide new treatments for the treatment of complex diseases such as autism, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis which, generally, are caused by a reduction in the ability of neurons to transmit electrical impulses.

April, 19 2020

COVID-19. What are the widespread mutations in the world?

The magazine of the American Academy of Sciences (Pnas) has published a study coordinated by the University of Cambridge in which the mutations that COVID-19 has been described from December 2019 till today. The study found that the "A" variant of the virus, the initial one born in China, has also spread to America and Australia; the "B" variant, which developed following the first one, spread to East Asia and the "C" variant, originating from the "B" variant, spread to Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The investigations were conducted using  a mathematical algorithm able to rebuild the COVID orignes. The still provisional results suggest that the first human infection occurred between mid-September and early December 2019 and seems to confirm the idea that the virus that spread in Italy was imported from Singapore and Germany (back to the italian version).

April, 24 2020

Cancer: an enzyme capable of blocking its growth has been identified.

A team led by the University of Michigan conducted a study that identified the ability of the PP2A enzyme to suppress various forms of cancer. The enzyme is involved in some cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer too. The results of the work carried out by American researchers have been published in the journal Cell and, according to experts, open new fronts of pharmacological research to identify substances of possible clinical use that will allow in the future to increase the treatments for cancer patients and for subjects with heart and neurodegenerative diseases (back to the italian version).

April, 27 2020

COVID-19: what damages the body, where it was detected, 

but beware of fake news.

What damages and how does the SARS-Cov-2 virus spread in the body?

Researchers from the "Spallanzani" hospital in Rome conducted research which, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal, shows that the Sars-Cov-2 virus is also active in the eye secretions of positive patients. In addition, the journal Science has highlighted that the virus is also capable of attacking the heart and blood vessels (causing coagulation and arrhythmias), the intestine, the liver, the kidneys and the brain. According to the authoritative magazine, ischemias in the fingers and feet, pain and necrosis of the tissues have also been reported.

These data were partially confirmed by the work conducted by a research team led by the Boston Children's Hospital and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The researchers showed that the cells of the nose, lungs and intestines are united by the expression of the Ace-2 receptor and by the enzyme Tmprss2 which facilitate the spread of the virus even when the body tries to develop an immune response.

Where is the SARS-Cov-2 virus been detected?

Research conducted by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) with the universities of Trieste, Bari, Bologna and Naples has shown that the presence of viral RNA from SARS-Cov-2 is detectable in atmospheric particulate matter. Although it is uncertain whether it is a further route of infection, according to experts, this discovery can facilitate the detection and monitoring of the virus in order to allow rapid adoption of prevention measures.

Beware of fake news

Finally, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, in reviewing some fake news that circulated during the emergency caused by COVID-19, highlights that it is not true that alcohol protects against the virus. It is true, however, that the abuse of this substance, in addition to severely limiting the functionality of our body, is addictive and increases the risk of viral infections, including that from Sars-Cov-2, because it causes a reduction in immune cells. The circulation of false news on the use of alcohol worries the scientific community very much. This problem was also the subject of an article published in The Lancet Public Health which highlights that quarantine could facilitate the taking of unhealthy lifestyles and habits with repercussions on the general state of public health (back to the italian version).

April, 28 2020

COVID 2019: PHASE 2. What will change from May 4th 2020?

The  Prime Ministerial Decree of 26 April 2020 will lead to a "lightening" of the measures adopted in recent weeks to combat the spread of COVID - 19. In particular, although maximum prudence is needed to prevent infection (Germany was immediately detected increase in the positive after the resumption of activities), the new containment measures (in force from 4 May and for the following two weeks) will concern the following sectors:

DISPLACEMENT, it will be possible to move:

• in the region, as well as for work, health and necessity reasons, also to visit relatives.
• outside the region only for work, health or urgency reasons.
• to return to your home, home or residence. Before moving, however, it is advisable to contact the regional toll-free number dedicated to the emergency COVID-19 for the specific Region for the appropriate information;

HEALTH: in the event of a fever rise higher than 37.5 degrees and respiratory symptoms, the subject will have the obligation to stay at home and to contact the doctor;

PUBLIC PARKS: unless specifically ordered by the mayors, it is possibile access parks, gardens and public villas respecting the interpersonal distance of at least 1 meter. The children's play areas will remain closed;

SPORT:

• closed-door training sessions for individual sports athletes will be allowed (team sports will have to wait until 18 May 2020);
• it will be allowed to carry out individually, or with an accompanying person for minors or people who are not completely self-sufficient, sports or physical activity, in compliance with the interpersonal safety distance of at least two meters for sports and at least one meter for all other activities;

RELIGION: only funerals will be allowed, which will be attended by first and second degree relatives for a maximum of 15 people;

SCHOOL: lessons will resume from September. The government is working to define how to get state exams to be performed in the presence and with maximum security.

WORK, the following will be resumed:

• manufacturing, construction, real estate brokerage and wholesale. For these categories, starting from April 27, it will be possible to proceed with all those preparatory operations for reopening (sanitation and safety of workers).
• restaurant activities are allowed to reopen to customers for the collection of the takeaway meal, without consuming products inside or outside the restourant. The restaurants' reopening date could be June 1st, implementing a protocol that provides: one meter of distance between the tables, differentiated entrance and exit doors, preferably digital payments at the table, cleaning and sanitization.
• retail business since May 18. The reopening of hairdressers and beauticians is, however, expected from 1 June 2020.
• visits to museums from 18 May 2020.

TRANSPORT: there will be a remodeling of the public service and the strengthening of services during peak hours. For now, there are thermal scanners in all stations and airports, the obligation for all means of transport to space passengers, masks, increasingly electronic tickets, access quotas in stations and airports.

Some variants could be foreseen by the Regions. (back to the italian version)

April, 30 2020

Have you tried the "zoom effort"? Here's what it is.

One of the lessons learned during this period of isolation is that certain professions can be carried out using organizational models that do not involve daily presence in the workplace. Technological innovation has therefore revolutionized the way we conceive the organization of work and in this sector our country has made a very large step forward in about 50 days. For example, consider the possibility of allowing an employee to be able to assist a child, an elderly parent or a disabled relative by working from home.

Progress has some contraindications

Progress, however, is not free from contraindications. In a National Geographic article, it was recently reported that the use of applications for observing meetings and reunions would cause brain fatigue. Brain, which uses to give meaning to words also in relation to the non-verbal elements of communication, is forced to simultaneously decode so much information related to each person present in the online meeting, that it can happen that it is not possibile to give attention everyone, not even on the speaker. This phenomenon has been called "Zoom fatigue" (name borrowed from a more popular app during the block) and, in my opinion, it could be extended to business management, formed and use emotional contagion in motivating its services during a traditional meeting.

"Zoom fatigue" is a signal that spurs change

The question is whether technology or our natural difficulty in changing a habit or improving an attitude is problematic. The "Zoom fatigue" is the natural consequence of an effort put in place by a brain not used to dealing with these ways of working or communicating. Probably, a young man of Generation Z would have less difficulties having developed a greater propensity to use these technological tools during his adolescence and school education.

A new field of work for work psychologists and communication experts

The "Zoom fatigue" is in my opinion a problem that can be managed with training and with a better use of technology. It is about exploring new research and development scenarios through the professionalism of work psychologists, cyber psychologists as well as computer technology  and communication experts. The experience of "Zoom fatigue" must be welcomed and prepare for change, keeping pace with innovation (back to italian version)