HOUSTON, Nov 2:
The novel coronavirus is accumulating genetic mutations, one of which may have made it more contagious, according to a study involving more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients in the US.
The research, published in the journal mBIO, however, did not find that these mutations have made the virus deadlier or changed clinical outcomes.
The researchers noted that the mutation, called D614G, is located in the spike protein that pries open our cells for viral entry.
“The virus is mutating due to a combination of neutral drift — which just means random genetic changes that don’t help or hurt the virus — and pressure from our immune systems,” said Ilya Finkelstein, associate professor at The University of Texas at Austin, US.
The researchers noted that during the initial wave of the pandemic, 71 per cent of the novel coronaviruses identified in patients in Houston had this mutation.
When the second wave of the outbreak hit Houston during the summer, this variant had leaped to 99.9 per cent prevalence, they said. This mirrors a trend observed around the world, according to the researchers.
The reason why strains containing this mutation outcompete those that didn’t have it may be that natural selection would favour strains of the virus that transmit more easily, the researchers said.
However, some scientists have suggested another explanation, called “founder’s effects.”
In that scenario, the D614G mutation might have been more common in the first viruses to arrive in Europe and North America, essentially giving them a head start on other strains, according to the researchers.
The spike protein is also continuing to accumulate additional mutations of unknown significance, they said.
The team also showed in lab experiments that at least one such mutation allows spike to evade a neutralising antibody that humans naturally produce to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections.
The researchers said this may allow that variant of the virus to more easily slip past our immune systems.
Although it is not clear yet whether that translates into it also being more easily transmitted between individuals, they said.
The scientists noted a total of 285 mutations across thousands of infections, although most don’t appear to have a significant effect on how severe the disease is. (PTI)
Mutation in novel coronavirus may have made it more contagious: Study
High reach of HP records moderate spell of Snowfall
SHIMLA, Nov 2:
High reaches of Himachal Pradesh recorded moderate spell of Snowfall and downstream lashed by light rainfall increasing the cold wave in the state.
Met Office said that Gondola in Lahaul Spiti had 15 cm(half feet) snowfall and Keylong headquarters of LS ten cm.
The Gateway to LS, 13050 ft high Rohtang pass, Kunzum pass, Lady of Keylong, Seven sisters hill, Goshal hill, Baralacha, Sachpass of Chamba, Kinner Kailash of Kinnaur also had heavy snowfall.
Tourist resort Manali had three mm and Kalpa one mm rainfall.
Minimum temperature of Keylong plunged to minus 0.9 degrees Celcius, Kalpa 3.2 degrees, Manali 6.2 degrees, Mandi seven degrees, Solan and Seobagh in Kullu 8.8 degrees, Tourist resort Kufri and Palampur nine degrees each and Dalhousie 9.6 degrees.
Minimum temperature of Sundernagar and Una 9.8 degrees, Shimla 10.2 degrees, Hamirpur 10.7 degrees, Chamba & Bilaspur 11 degrees each, Dharmshala 11.2 degrees, Kangra 11.4 degrees, Bhuntar 11.8 degrees, Jubberhati in Shimla 12 degrees, Nahan in Sirmaur 14.2 degrees and Poantasahib 16 degrees respectively.
The Met Office forecast mainly dry weather in the state during next 24 hrs. (UNI)
SC refuses to extend security of former judge who pronounced Babri verdict
NEW DELHI, Nov 2:
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to extend the security of former special judge S K Yadav who had pronounced the verdict in the Babri Masjid demolition case and acquitted all 32 accused, including BJP veterans L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti.
A bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman and also comprising Justices Navin Sinha and Krishna Murari, was considering the former judge’s request to continue his personal security in view of the sensitivity of the case decided by him on his last day in office.
“Having perused the letter, we don’t consider it appropriate to provide security,” the bench said.
On September 30, the special court had acquitted all 32 accused in the case saying there was no conclusive evidence that they were part of any conspiracy to bring down the disputed structure in Ayodhya.
The 16th century mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992 by ‘kar sevaks’ who believed that it occupied the site where Lord Ram was born, the destruction triggering riots that left hundreds dead in the country and widening rifts between the communities.
Last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court had ruled that the 2.77-acre land claimed by both Hindus and Muslims would be handed over to a trust for the building of a temple.
The top court had also ordered allocation of five-acre land at another site in Ayodhya for building a mosque. (PTI)
BJYM organises Cricket match
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 2: To protect the younger generation from the menace of drugs and making them aware about drawbacks of drugs, Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Jammu West organized a Cricket match at GGM Science College Ground, here today.
BJP District president, Munish Khajuria was the chief guest. He stressed upon the theme ‘Khelo India’ raised by Prime Minister of India while BJYM Jammu West president, Reetiz Khajuria said that he would tender all support to the players for their upcoming sports activities.
Jeet Angral, chairman JMC; Advocate Rajesh Gupta, general secretary Jammu West; Ravish Mengi, president Janipur Mandal and BJYM JK vice president, Abhishek Slathia also witnessed the match.
The match was organised by Reetiz Khajuria along with team members of the BJYM.
It will be impossible to perform if Dhoni decides on playing IPL to IPL: Kapil
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: The legendary Kapil Dev feels that it will be “impossible” for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to perform well if he decides on playing in the IPL without getting any match practice, which was the case this year.
Chennai Super Kings were out of IPL play-offs for the first time in 11 appearances and Dhoni, who played competitive cricket for the first time since last year’s World Cup semi-final, scored only 200 runs in 14 games with no half-centuries and a poor strike rate of 116.
Kapil, who recently underwent an angioplasty after suffering a heart attack, wants the former India captain to play a lot more in the domestic circuit to get his form back.
“If Dhoni decides on playing only IPL every year, then it’s impossible for him to perform. It’s not a good thing to talk about age but at his age (39 years), the more he plays, the more his body will be tuned,” Kapil told ‘ABP News’.
“If you don’t play any cricket for 10 months a year and suddenly play IPL, you can see what happened. You can always have a season up or down if you have played so much cricket. It has happened to someone like Chris Gayle also,” the World Cup winning former skipper said.
Kapil feels that it’s high time that Dhoni plays some domestic cricket this season.
“He should go back to first-class cricket (domestic List A and T20) and play there.”
The straight-talking former all-rounder made it clear that it will be a challenge for Dhoni given that he has already indicated that he is “definitely not” retiring from the IPL.
“If someone has achieved so much, the dip in form does affect and it becomes a challenge. Let’s see how he comes out of it,” Kapil said. (PTI)
COVID cases cross 82 lakh
NEW DELHI, Nov 2:
India’s COVID-19 caseload crossed the 82 lakh-mark, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 75.44 lakh pushing the national recovery rate to 91.68 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The total Coronavirus cases mounted to 82,29,313 with 45,231 people testing positive for the infection in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,22,607 with 496 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
A total of 75,44,798 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far, taking the national recovery rate to 91.68 per cent, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.49 per cent.
The number of active cases of COVID-19 remained below six lakh for the fourth consecutive day.
There are 5,61,908 active Coronavirus cases in the country as on date which comprise 6.83 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5 .
It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11 and crossed 80 lakh on October 29.
According to ICMR, a cumulative total of 11,07,43,103 samples have been tested up to November 1 with 8,55,800 samples being tested on Sunday. (PTI)
I retire, not from game, but COVID-19 negativity and fear: posts Sindhu
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: World champion P V Sindhu created a stir on Monday by posting “I Retire” on social media only to follow it up with a lengthy statement declaring that she would actually be saying goodbye to “the negativity, fear, and uncertainty” triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Olympic silver-medallist, who is currently in London to work on her nutrition and recovery needs at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, started her rather stunning post by saying that the “Denmark Open was the final straw. I Retire”.
She was referring to her pullout from the event due to the pandemic.
“…I’m writing today to tell you that I’m done…Not being able to represent India in the Denmark Open was the last straw,” Sindhu’s note stated.
“Today, I choose to retire from this current sense of unrest. I retire from this negativity, the constant fear, uncertainty. I choose to retire from a complete lack of control over the unknown,” she said.
“Most importantly, I choose to retire from substandard hygiene standards and our lackadaisical attitude towards the virus.”
The star shuttler, who last competed at the All England Championships in March, is targetting a return to action when the world tour comes to Asia in January.
“This pandemic has been an eye-opener for me. I could train hard to fight the toughest opponents, tooth and nail, right till the final shot of the game. I have done it before, I can do it again.
“But how do I defeat this invisible virus that has the entire world in a fix? It has been months at home and we still question ourselves every time we step out,” she wrote.
Sindhu said the reason why she started the post with a shocker like ‘I Retire’ was to ensure that maximum people take note of the message she was trying to convey on dealing with the virus.
“I might have given you guys a mini heart attack; unprecedented times requires unprecedented measures. I guess I needed to get you guys to sit up and take notice.”
Sindhu said she will continue to fight the circumstances created by the virus and her opponents on the courts.
“That being said, we must be hopeful about the light shinning at the end of the tunnel. Yes, Denmark Open didn’t happen but that won’t stop me from training. When life comes at you, one must comeback twice as hard.
“So will I for the Asia Open. I refuse to give up without putting a solid fight. I refuse to give up without conquering this fear.
“And will carry on doing so till we have a safer world,” she concluded. (PTI)
Wrestling Ring inaugurated
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 2: Chairman Municipal Committee Ghou Manasa, Rajendra Singh Chib and Chairman of Bhartiya Sports Academy, Kuljit Singh today inaugurated Wrestling Ring (Dangal Akhara) at Marh, here today.
After inauguration of the Ring, a dangal was also organised wherein winner were awarded with cash prizes by the chief guest of the event.
The land for establishing the Akhara was donated by Tilak Raj. The event was organised by Jammu District Rural Body of the Bhartiya Sports Academy.
BJP District Rural Secretary, Gopal Sharma, Mandal secretary, Bharat Bhushan, Amit Singh, Vikas Dhar, Ayush Maan Dass and Baba Ram were also present during the event.
We couldn’t have done anything more, up to Gods now: Morgan
DUBAI, Nov 2: It’s up to the gods now, said Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan, expressing satisfaction with the effort put in his by his team to clinch a whopping 60-run win over Rajasthan Royals and keep its IPL play-off hopes alive in an immensely tight race.
KKR finished their league campaign with the big win on Sunday to get into the top four with 14 points. However, the team’s qualification to the playoffs hinges on Sunrisers Hyderabad losing their final league game to defending champions Mumbai Indians on Tuesday.
“…Whatever happens from here is up to the Gods,” Morgan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
KKR’s Net Run-Rate (-0.214) is poorer compared to SRH (+0.555). SRH are currently on 12 points from 13 games. KKR outgunned the Royals after posting a challenging 191 for seven on Sunday.
“Yes, I was aware of the numbers (about net run rate) but you need to first get yourself into a winning position. I don’t think we could have done anything more today,” Morgan said.
In case SRH wins on Tuesday, KKR’s chances of qualification will hinge on a heavy defeat for either Delhi Capitals or Royal Challengers Bangalore in their game on Monday.
Morgan smashed a 35-ball unbeaten 68 in his team’s huge total, which the skipper said was a par-score.
“I thought it was around a par score. Every batsman who came back in and said that it was a beautiful wicket with the dew in. We lost wickets between 10th and 15th overs, and to finish like we did was really good,” said Morgan.
The World Cup winner lauded the bowlers of his team.
“The impressive thing was our collective bowling. We were absolutely outstanding. Regardless of qualification, we feel we have given everything that we have,” said Morgan at the post-match press conference.
Royals skipper Steve Smith said losing wickets in a heap upfront harmed their cause.
“It was around a 180 wicket. There was a bit of dew. Losing four (wickets) in the Powerplay, it was always going to be tough from there,” said the Australian.
“(Pat) Cummins bowled nice lengths, made us play some good shots. We got off to a flier, but then we lost wickets in a clump,” Smith added.
“Unfortunate way to end. We started off really well, won the last two before this one. In the middle we lost our way.”
Smith was not happy with the his top-order batsmen.
“Our batters, the top four or five didn’t take responsibility perhaps. Couple of real positives. Jofra (Archer) has been exceptional pretty much every game.
“(Rahul) Tewatia obviously has pulled a few out of the hat throughout the tournament. He has bowled exceptionally well throughout the tournament.” (PTI)
MPL Sports Apparel new kit sponsor of Indian cricket team
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Fantasy gaming platform Mobile Premier League’s subsidiary arm ‘MPL Sports Apparel and Accessories’ is the new kit sponsor of the Indian cricket team for a period of three years.
A member of the Apex Council confirmed the development on Monday that BCCI has inked the apparel and merchandise deal with MPL, replacing Nike.
“Yes, Apex Council has passed the sponsorship deal for apparel of Indian team (men, women, A and U19).
“However the rate per match will be Rs 65 lakh per game instead of Rs 88 lakh that Nike was giving,” the senior official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
It is learnt that BCCI will also get 10 percent of the royalty from the sale of merchandise.
“MPL has formed an apparel manufacturing company. They will also pay an amount for merchandise contract. The deal will end in November, 2023,” the source added.
While Puma and Adidas had earlier picked up the bid papers for apparel sponsorship, they didn’t fill the bid as they felt that the deal needed to be reduced to one third from the original bid.
Nike had a five year deal during which they paid Rs 370 crore from 2016 to 2020 with a 30 crore royalty.
“No sporting apparel major was ready to pay that kind of money that Nike paid in current economic climate (due to COVID-19).
“One of the major reasons being merchandise items being very costly for common public,” the source said.
MPL is currently associated with two IPL franchises (KKR and RCB), one CPL franchise (TKR) and the cricket boards of Ireland and the UAE. (PTI)