Virus

TikTok claims ‘tongue scrapers’ can cure bad breath – here’s what the evidence actually says

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Tongue scraping has long been part of daily hygiene routines in many parts of the world.

Key Points: 
  • Tongue scraping has long been part of daily hygiene routines in many parts of the world.
  • But while there’s some evidence to back these claims, the practise could also come with risks.
  • Poor oral health can lead to a build-up of biofilms containing certain bacterial species which cause dental decay (cavities), gum disease and bad breath.
  • But there’s less evidence showing whether these techniques are also effective for preventing tongue biofilms and bad breath.

Tongue scraping

  • However, these reviews did find that the benefits of tongue scraping were shortlived and needed to be done using a specific technique to be effective.
  • There are other caveats when it comes to tongue scraping.
  • In these instances, tongue scraping will do little to solve bad breath.
  • One study has suggested that tongue scraping may actually enrich the amount of nitrate-reducing bacteria on the tongue.
  • It will be important for further research to be done with more participants to better determine both the potential benefits and harms of tongue scraping.

Should I use a tongue scraper?

  • It’s also likely that the benefits and downsides of using a tongue scraper would differ for each person.
  • Good oral hygiene will probably be enough to fix bad breath – and aggressive tongue scraping may actually risk making your tongue bleed.
  • We also don’t yet fully know how tongue scraping will affect good bacteria on you tongue.
  • Scrape your tongue, or clean your tongue with a toothbrush, with care, if you must.


Zoe Brookes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Is my water safe to drink? Expert advice for residents of South African cities

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

In early March 2024 the residents of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and the economic capital of the country, were hit by extended cuts in water supplies. This was a new low after months of continuous deterioration. Professor in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand Craig Sheridan sets out the risks this poses to drinking water in the city. What can get into my water that will make me sick?You can have chemicals in the water that are toxic, or you can have pathogenic organisms which can make you ill.

Key Points: 


In early March 2024 the residents of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and the economic capital of the country, were hit by extended cuts in water supplies. This was a new low after months of continuous deterioration. Professor in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand Craig Sheridan sets out the risks this poses to drinking water in the city.

What can get into my water that will make me sick?

  • You can have chemicals in the water that are toxic, or you can have pathogenic organisms which can make you ill.
  • As a general rule, South Africa’s water works are able to remove almost all chemicals such that the water is safe to drink.
  • The water treatment works also disinfect the water, killing harmful bacteria and viruses.

Is my tap water safe to drink?

  • And if the water has residual chlorine in it, that means the supply to your home is good.
  • Unfortunately, this relies on drinking water treatment works functioning properly, which is not always the case.
  • The department of water and sanitation runs an auditing process of the water treatment works and the water they supply.

My water supply has been interrupted a lot. Is my tap water safe to drink?

  • If there is no water in the pipe, and there is an underground sewage leak near the water pipe, or contaminated storm water near the pipe, there’s a real possibility that contaminated water can enter the pipe.
  • As water supply returns, this “first flush” down the pipe has the potential to contain contaminants.
  • If your water remains brown or discoloured, report it and drink purified water.

I get my water from a mobile water tanker. Is this safe to drink?

  • But there are far too many instances of
    unscrupulous, roaming water tanker suppliers selling water, especially in areas with no access to safe tap water.
  • Since water supplies have become less dependable, the state has turned to businesses to supply water to communities.
  • If this is the case, it is sensible to purify the water.

What are the diseases that make drinking water unsafe? How are they spread?

  • When water is sent to a laboratory for testing, the first test is for an organism called Escherichia coli, or E. coli.
  • But if it is found in the water, there is absolute certainty that the water has been contaminated with faecal matter which has not been properly treated.
  • This is why it is used as a screening tool for more serious diseases which are also spread through faecal matter.
  • It is highly contagious and can spread by contact mainly from drinking contaminated water, food or from unwashed hands.

If I store water in bottles, how long before it’s unsafe to drink?

  • How warm is the water?
  • Water safety cannot be fully assured without analysing the actual water.
  • At the Centre of Water Research and Development we are doing research partly funded through the Water Research Commission to develop test strips to give a rapid analysis of drinking water quality that can easily be understood by the general public.

Is purifying water difficult?


At the University of the Witwatersrand we commissioned a short animation in all of South Africa’s 11 official languages as well as French and Portuguese on how to prevent cholera transmission and how to purify your water to ensure you stay safe. We have also shared guidance on how to purify your water to make it safe.
Craig Sheridan receives funding from The Claude Leon Foundation, the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), The Water JPI, The BMBF, FORMAS and the Water Research Commission. Craig Sheridan is a member of the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE), the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and the International Water Association (IWA).

MHI Thermal Systems to Launch 31 Models of Residential-use Air-Conditioners for the Japanese Market in 2024

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

- Two types of sensors, and functions using ions and ozone provide comfort and cleanliness (S Series / SK Series)

Key Points: 
  • - Two types of sensors, and functions using ions and ozone provide comfort and cleanliness (S Series / SK Series)
    TOKYO, Mar 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, will launch 31 new models of residential-use air-conditioners for the Japanese market for 2024.
  • The new models in five series will be released starting April 1.
  • Together these new models provide comfortable living spaces for diverse lifestyles.
  • In addition, the AI learns how the room cools and warms, and adjusts automatically for comfortable and energy-saving operation.

Singaporeans are Armouring Up Against Viral Infections and Diseases with LAC's Immunity Arsenal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

In Singapore, while most citizens have established "the new normal", the upward trend of COVID-19 is still a pressing issue.

Key Points: 
  • In Singapore, while most citizens have established "the new normal", the upward trend of COVID-19 is still a pressing issue.
  • Occurrences of Tuberculosis have also been regular, with active cases constantly being detected through the country's National TB Programme.
  • The pressing issue about contracting such respiratory diseases is the lasting effects that it creates, even after the patient has recovered.
  • The possibilities of patients having recurring illnesses when their immunity weakens also poses a potential threat to the nation's overall wellbeing.

Study on Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Results in Submission for Additional EPA Label

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

This significant advancement supports the Company’s submission for an additional EPA label.

Key Points: 
  • This significant advancement supports the Company’s submission for an additional EPA label.
  • Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) represents a critical global threat, being an extremely contagious disease affecting a wide range of cloven-hoofed animals including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer.
  • TOMI’s recent study has proven SteraMist iHP technology to eliminate infectious FMDV from both porous (concrete) and non-porous (stainless steel) surfaces in the presence of organic soil load.
  • Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

ALLOVIR, INC. (NASDAQ: ALVR) DEADLINE ALERT: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reminds Investors of the Deadline to File a Lead Plaintiff Motion in a Securities Class Action Lawsuit Against AlloVir, Inc.

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

If you purchased or acquired AlloVir securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit AlloVir, Inc.

Key Points: 
  • If you purchased or acquired AlloVir securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit AlloVir, Inc.
  • If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 19, 2024.
  • A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
  • The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414.

SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Reminds Shareholders with Losses on their Investment in AlloVir, Inc. of Class Action Lawsuit and Upcoming Deadlines – ALVR

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

NEW YORK, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against AlloVir, Inc. (“AlloVir” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ALVR).

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against AlloVir, Inc. (“AlloVir” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ALVR).
  • To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext.
  • Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
  • Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions.

ALVR INVESTORS: Lead Plaintiff Deadline is Approaching; Contact Robbins LLP for Information About Your Rights

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

For more information, submit a form , email Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.

Key Points: 
  • For more information, submit a form , email Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.
  • Specifically, AlloVir said it was discontinuing the posoleucel Phase 3 studies after pre-planned analyses concluded they wouldn’t meet their primary endpoints.
  • What Now: Similarly situated shareholders may be eligible to participate in the class action against AlloVir, Inc. Shareholders who want to act as lead plaintiff for the class should contact Robbins LLP.
  • A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

ACTG CROI Presentation Demonstrates Superiority of HepB-CpG Vaccine Over Conventional Hepatitis B Vaccine Among People Living With HIV Who Have Not Previously Responded to Vaccination

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

These data demonstrated that the HepB-CpG vaccine achieved up to 99 percent protection among people living with HIV who had previously not responded to conventional hepatitis B vaccines, a noteworthy increase compared to the protection achieved by conventional vaccines.

Key Points: 
  • These data demonstrated that the HepB-CpG vaccine achieved up to 99 percent protection among people living with HIV who had previously not responded to conventional hepatitis B vaccines, a noteworthy increase compared to the protection achieved by conventional vaccines.
  • People living with HIV, especially those with lower CD4 counts, often do not develop protective antibodies after receiving conventional hepatitis B vaccines.
  • The HepB-CpG (HEPLISAV-B®) vaccine includes a TLR-9 agonist adjuvant (CpG 1018® adjuvant) and is known to achieve high protection against hepatitis B among people living with HIV, but until now there have been limited data about its protection among people living with HIV who have not responded to conventional hepatitis B vaccines.
  • “Hepatitis B remains a significant issue for people living with HIV, as having both viruses increases the likelihood of liver complications,” said ACTG Chair Judith Currier, M.D., M.Sc., University of California Los Angeles.

Tiny Health, Pioneer of the First At-Home Baby Gut Microbiome Test, Aims to Address the Pediatric Chronic Conditions Crisis

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The partnership enables Tiny Health to continue trailblazing the gut health testing category and avert the pediatric chronic conditions crisis.

Key Points: 
  • The partnership enables Tiny Health to continue trailblazing the gut health testing category and avert the pediatric chronic conditions crisis.
  • Families are facing a pediatric chronic conditions crisis, with increasing rates of eczema, asthma, diabetes, obesity, food allergies, ADHD, autoimmune diseases, and more.
  • I founded Tiny Health to bridge the gap in the market, help address the pediatric chronic conditions crisis, and empower families to take a proactive approach to their lifelong health.
  • Since its inception, Tiny Health has pioneered the family gut testing category including:
    Established the first, at-home gut microbiome test for babies.