Covid: France and Poland increase lockdown measures as infections surge

 France and Poland have reintroduced partial lockdowns as both countries battle a sharp rise in Covid infections in recent weeks.Some 21 million people in 16 areas of France, including the capital Paris, are affected as the country fears a third wave.In Poland, non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities are now closed for three weeks.The country has the highest new daily rates of Covid cases since November.Coronavirus cases...

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Australia warned of 'life-threatening' flash floods

 Emergency authorities in Australia are warning of "life threatening" flash floods as torrential rains batter parts of the country's east coast.Dozens of people have been rescued from floodwaters, and residents in many low-lying communities of New South Wales have been ordered to leave their homes.Police say hundreds of people have flocked to evacuation centres in areas north of the city of Sydney.Major roads have been shut. Footage has emerged...

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Friendly Fire: How Autoantibodies Could Drive Severe COVID-19

 Some people get very sick with COVID-19; some die. Some have symptoms that last for months.Yet others have only mild illness, or don’t even notice they’re infected. Last spring, as the pandemic got going, many immunologists began hunting, in patients’ blood samples, for the reason behind this broad variation. Perhaps, some surmised, the sickest patients wouldn’t have enough antibodies.In fact, they found the opposite: People who were hospitalized...

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