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Scientists across the world are keenly trying to understand the behaviour and mechanics of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This is the first step towards finding ways to stop the disease spreading, and to finding a vaccine. One avenue being pursued is how blood types, and their antibodies, could affect how the body’s immune system might respond to the virus. Glenda Mary Davison explains.
In other coverage of the pandemic, Orkan Okan, Kristine Sørensen and Melanie Messer lay out some guidelines on good practice when it comes to keeping people well informed. While Willie Chinyamurindi sets out what steps academics can take in the absence of traditional brick-and-mortar lecturing and tutoring. And Cheikh Sokhna explains how Senegal has been dealing with cases, and what’s missing in its capabilities.
Also in the news, two new sharks have been discovered off the coast of East Africa. Until now, scientists thought there was only one species of sixgill sawshark lurking near the seafloor in the coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean. But Per Berggren and Andrew Temple have discovered two more. They were found in the nets of boats fishing off Zanzibar, and though they’re entirely new to science, researchers worry they may already be
threatened by poorly regulated fisheries.
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Glenda Mary Davison, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Scientists need to close the knowledge gap around COVID-19 and the virus that causes it.
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One of the newly discovered sixgilled sawshark species (Pliotrema kajae).
Simon Weigmann
Per Berggren, Newcastle University; Andrew Temple, Newcastle University
Scientists thought there was only one sixgill sawshark species – until now.
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COVID-19
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Orkan Okan, Bielefeld University; Kristine Sørensen, Freiburg University ; Melanie Messer, APOLLON University of Applied Sciences
Health literacy is the degree to which people can get, understand and use basic health information to make decisions about health issues.
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Willie Chinyamurindi, University of Fort Hare
Steps higher education institutions can take to ensure that teaching and learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Richard Buggs, Queen Mary University of London; Richard Alan Nichols, Queen Mary University of London
It might protect thousands of people.
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Cheikh Sokhna, Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD)
There are concerns about gaps in Senegal's ability to detect cases early.
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Science + Technology
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Nuurrianti Jalli
In Southeast Asia like in many other developing regions, a large segment of the population don't have access to the Internet and electronic devices.
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Alexandre Hassanin, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN)
The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is undergoing extensive genetic analysis around the world to understand its origin and evolution.
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Arts, Culture and Society
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Silvia Panizza, University College Dublin
The coronavirus outbreak shows it is time to start thinking of ourselves as part of something bigger - while also respecting the individual.
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Samuel Andrews, University of Gondar
For Nollywood to fully compete at the global level, it should adopt a smart, proactive approach.
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