Are you tensed about your newborn and pets? Here’s how you can introduce them to each other

When we have pets, we have to be extra cautious about the newborn. If you are about to welcome a new baby at your home then prepare your furry baby for that. Your dogs or cats have been living with you and other family members and then for them to see a new person. This might be surprising for them. As you know pets, especially dogs, want your full attention for them. So, sometimes it is hard for them to see that they are not the centre of attention.

So, prepare properly to introduce your pets with your newborn baby. First, make some arrangements to welcome the baby. Otherwise, both the baby and your pets may get scared. They have their own way of meeting new friends. Be aware of that and do it accordingly. Here’s a guide to introduce your baby with your pets.

Pets and Babies: You can follow these tips to handle this situation.

1- First, make a plan for this. Utilise the entire pregnancy time for the plan. You can teach your pets about some basic things. For example, you can arrange the room for the baby and make them understand that it’s off-limit. But before that, they will take time to investigate the area.

2- Introduce the common baby sounds and smell to them prior to baby’s arrival. Babies know only one language and that is crying. This can be irritating to small pets. So, make them habituated with the noise and the baby’s smell. You can play some baby video to create the noise and use baby skincare products for the smell.

3- Once the baby arrives, there will be huge changes in your daily routine. There will be lots of responsibilities. So, share them with your spouse and divide them together. This will help you to take care of the baby and the pets with the perfect balance.

4- Restrict the baby area before the baby's arrival. Teach them that they are not allowed to go there for some time. This will take time for them to understand. So, make them practice this during pregnancy time.

5- When you have to finally introduce your pets to your baby then wait for some time. First, cuddle them like the way you do after coming back to home from the hospital. Once everything settles down, then slowly introduce them to your baby but be very careful about it.

Also Read : Essential tips to becoming an effective remote worker

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7 easy one-pot meals to help you get through Lockdown 2.0

This is an uncertain and scary time. However, during such an unprecedented period, it is important to engage yourself in tasks that feel wholesome. One such activity is cooking. The act of preparing and serving a meal, even if it is a basic one, can bring great comfort to you and the people around you.

During this quarantine, if you have a decent stock of supplies and are looking for simple recipes to cook, we have a solution for you - one-pot meals.

One-pot meals mean less jhanjhat and less bartan. If you are living alone, then honestly, this is a win-win. So here are 7 delicious recipes to cook during the lockdown 2.0 with little effort.

Vegetable Tehri

This flavourful Awadhi recipe can be prepared in minutes and will satisfy your taste buds like any luxuriously-cooked meal.

In a pressure cooker, heat some oil and add cumin seeds, bay leaf and one black cardamom. Then, add onions and chilli. Fry until they turn golden in colour. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute the mixture for a minute.

Lower the flame, and add coriander powder, garam masala, cumin, turmeric and salt. Add chopped vegetables like potatoes, tomato, cauliflower, green peas, and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add rice and mix. Pour water, mix it well and then close the lid of the cooker. Cook till the pressure cooker releases the first whistle.

Sambar Sadam

With the tanginess of tamarind and spiciness of tadka, this sambar rice recipe will be a real comfort meal during quarantine.

In a pressure cooker, heat oil in a small pan. Add asafoetida or hing, curry leaves, mustard seeds and dried red chilli broken into few pieces. Cook for a minute on slow heat and then add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, sambar powder and ghee. Add chopped onions, potato and bottle gourd.

Add toor dal, rice and water to the mixture. Cook for 3-4 whistles (about 15-17 minutes) and allow the pressure to release naturally. Open the pressure cooker and add tamarind pulp. Using a ladle, slightly mash the sambhar rice. Mix it gently and serve hot with yogurt on the side.

Kala Chana Pulao

This lip-smacking plate of chana rice is the solution to all your lazy weekdays and hungry taste buds.

Boil 1 cup of chickpeas, soaked overnight, in 2 cups of water and save broth for later. Now, heat ghee in a pressure cooker over medium-low heat, and then add cumin seeds, a cinnamon stick and chopped onions. Add turmeric powder and red chilli. Cook it for 2-3 minutes. Now, add 1 cup of rice and stir it properly in the mixture. Now, add the boiled black chickpeas, 1 cup of broth and 1 cup of water. Season it with some salt.

Cover the lid of the pressure cooker and cook for one whistle or 10 minutes. Slowly release the pressure after turning off the flame. Serve it in a bowl and top with finely chopped coriander leaves.

Curd Rice

This fuss-free recipe is simply perfect. It is not only an incredible recipe for summer months but is also healthy and delectable in taste.

Heat some oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Now, add chopped green chillies along with urad and chana dal. Once the dal starts to turn a little brown, add in whole red chillies and curry leaves. Finally, pour this tadka on top of your curd and rice mix, give it a nice stir and serve.

Matar Paneer Pulao

This flavourful dish is for the days when you want to eat something wholesome.

Start by chopping one whole onion, one tomato, coriander leaves, mint leaves and 100gm paneer. In a pot, pour some oil and add cumin seeds, black pepper pods, cloves, cardamom and mace. Let all the whole spices cook up in the oil.

Add onions and 1 tablespoon of ginger and garlic paste in the oil. Cook them well. Next, add tomatoes and cook the ingredients well on high flame. Add the coriander leaves and mint leaves to the mixture followed by seasoning. Add salt, turmeric, coriander and red chilli powder and mix it well. Add boiled peas, paneer and two tablespoons of curd to the mixture. Then, add rice and water. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. Serve hot.

Turmeric Pasta

For the days when you are feeling lazy and want to have something tasty and healthy but with less effort, this is the dish.

Start by boiling pasta in a bowl, reserve the cooking water for later. Now melt some butter in a pan, and then sauté chopped garlic and onions in it. Sprinkle some salt, pepper and turmeric. Now, add cream and cheese slices to the mixture to create a creamy sauce. Stir well. Add boiled pasta (any type) and reserved pasta cooking water to the pan and give it a good mix. For the final touch, add chopped parsley.

Note: Boil the pasta in a bowl, which you can use later to eat the dish in.

Tomato And Pasta Soup

Here's a quick and comforting pasta dish to make when you have little time on your hands.

Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions to it. Cook for 3-4 minutes and then add chopped tomatoes. Cover and cook the mixture for 7-8 minutes on low flame. After that, mash the tomatoes with the back of the soup ladle. Add tomato paste and cook for two more minutes.

Now, add finely chopped capsicum and mushrooms, and cook for 4-5 minutes on medium heat. Add pasta and seasonings like red chilli flakes, black pepper, chopped basil and salt to taste.

Cook for 10-12 minutes till pasta is cooked and the soup is thickened.

NOTE: If you are using one cup of rice in the above recipes, then add two cups of water. Increase the cups of water according to the cups of rice you use.

Are you ready to cook these fuss-free recipes and treat yourself with some incredible food?

Also Read : 17 Most Versatile Ingredients to Stockpile in Your Pantry (Part 1)

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3 Vitamins That Are Best for Boosting Your Immunity

The old saying, “An apple a day can keep the doctor away,” may have truth behind it after all. Eating nourishing foods rich in certain vitamins can help your immune system fight off illness.

We talked to registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, for a closer look at these vitamins, what foods you can find them in and how they can help keep you healthy. Here’s what she had to say:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the biggest immune system boosters of all. In fact, a lack of vitamin C can even make you more prone to getting sick. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, kale and broccoli. Daily intake of vitamin C is essential for good health because your body doesn’t produce or store it. The good news is that vitamin C is in so many foods that most people don’t need to take a vitamin C supplement unless a doctor advises it.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. Vitamin B6-rich foods include chicken and cold water fish such as salmon and tuna. Vitamin B6 also is found in green vegetables and in chickpeas, which is the main ingredient in hummus.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts, seeds and spinach.

How to grocery shop to boost your immunity

A simple rule can help you when choosing fruits and vegetables at the grocery store or farmers market: The more colorful the fruits and vegetables are, the better.

“Try to eat a wide variety foods, and aim to eat fruit and vegetables from every color of the rainbow,” Zumpano says. “Your plate be more enticing to look at, and you will ensure that you’re getting as many health-boosting vitamins and nutrients as possible.”

It’s also important to know that you build a strong immune system by maintaining healthy eating habits over time. You can’t eat four oranges at breakfast and expect to be protected that day against catching a cold.

Can supplements help your immunity?

While vitamins and supplements can help fill in the gaps in your diet, the best way to load up on essential nutrients is to get them straight from food.

Your body absorbs and uses vitamins and nutrients better when they come from a dietary source. When it’s a vitamin or supplement, it’s often questionable how much you’re actually getting. Because supplements are regulated as foods, not as drugs, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t evaluate the quality of supplements or assess their effects on the body.

Some supplements may have side effects, especially if taken before surgery or with other medicines. Supplements can also cause problems if you have certain health conditions. And the effects of many supplements haven’t been tested in children, pregnant women and other groups.

It’s especially important to avoid taking vitamin E supplements. Not only is there little clinical research showing that vitamin E supplements benefit your health, they may be harmful in some situations.

For these reasons, experts say it’s best to get vitamins through food rather than supplements.

“Talk with your healthcare provider if you’re thinking about taking dietary supplements,” Zumpano says.

Staying hydrated can boost your immune health too, Zumpano says. Water helps your body produce lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells. Try to avoid overdoing beverages that can made you dehydrated, like coffee. Or try eating more hydrating foods, such as cucumbers, celery or watermelon.

Also Read : Seasonal allergies could be mistaken as COVID-19 symptoms

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20 world landmarks to explore without leaving home

With the current COVID-19 outbreak, it is no longer possible to travel the world, or even visit most nearby attractions. If you need a change of scenery, you’ll be happy to know that some of the world’s most famous landmarks—from parks to museums to zoos—offer free virtual tours. Here are 20.

Sydney Harbour, Australia

Sydney Harbour is a sight to be seen, with both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in view. In fact, the city of Sydney receives over 4 million international visitors annually. While you can’t visit in person, it’s possible to keep an eye on the Harbour thanks to a live webcam that broadcasts 24/7.

The Louvre, France

The Louvre is one of the world’s largest art museums (with over 10 million annual visitors) and one of Paris’s most iconic monuments. It offers free virtual tours for a glimpse into the museum and its famous artwork, even while it remains closed.

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most recognizable buildings, and no less than 7 to 8 million people flock to see it in person each year. You can enjoy a visit of the building (inside and out) thanks to moving, 360-degree photos. Quite impressive!

Smithsonian, D.C., USA

The Smithsonian, Washington D.C.’s National Museum of Natural History, offers a fabulous virtual tour of its current exhibits and 360-degree photos of some of its past exhibits. Take a walk through the FossiLab, the Hall of Mammals or the Hall of Fossils, day or night.

Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Australia

Hosier Lane is definitely one of Melbourne’s most famous attractions. Since it’s impossible to travel right now and everyone is urged to stay inside, take a 15-minute virtual walk to admire the eclectic street art and the Lane’s famous Culture Kings shop.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, California, USA

There’s something oddly relaxing about watching jellyfish swimming around. Watch them, plus nine other habitats of California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium, thanks to their live webcams.

San Diego Zoo, California, USA

If you are one of the 4 million people who visit the San Diego Zoo yearly, you will love the live cams that allow you to peek into the habitats of different animals including penguins, giraffes, butterflies and koalas.

The Guggenheim, New York, USA

Thanks to Google’s Arts and Culture website, you can take a tour of the Guggenheim Museum. When you stop in front of a painting or installation you like, you’ll be able to click on its name to get a full, detailed description of the artwork.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or MET, is home to some of the world’s most famous artists. There are currently two ways to visit virtually. The first one is The Met 360 Project, which offers, as its name states, 360-degree views of different areas of the museum—inside and out. You can also pretend to be one of the museum’s over 7 million visitors (2018) by taking a virtual walking tour thanks to Google Arts and Culture.

Space Center Houston, Texas, USA

Houston’s Space Center has a fun app that provides virtual tours and augmented reality experiences. Even if you are stuck at home, you will be able to view video and hear audio to dream of outer space, and to learn, too.

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums annually receive over 6 million visitors, who marvel at the classical art and sculptures, including Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel ceiling. It is one of the museums’ seven rooms that can be visited virtually online.

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

It’s possible to visit some of the United States’ National Parks, including Yosemite, virtually thanks to live webcams. There are eight webcams in different areas of the park, so you get to see what the park’s 4 million annual visitors usually get to enjoy when it’s open for business.

Niagara Falls, Canada/USA

If you find falls and water relaxing, turn on EarthCam’s live view of Niagara Falls and enjoy a beautiful view of Horseshoe Falls from above.

Times Square, New York, USA

Each year, approximately 50 million people pass through Times Square, in New York. This has all changed in recent weeks. Take a peek at this world-famous landmark in real time thanks to EarthCam’s many live webcams.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Virtual Angkor is a collaboration between virtual history specialists, archeologists and historians, in order to bring the famous landmark of Angkor Wat to life. Divided by themes, the website gives access to 360-degree videos and photos to see the metropolis now and then.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

Grand Canyon National Park receives almost 6 million visitors annually, but since it is impossible to visit at the moment, you can take advantage of their webcams to take in the sights. There are seven different cameras broadcasting different areas of the park so you can truly feel like you are there.

Western Wall, Jerusalem

The Western Wall is an important religious landmark located in Jerusalem. If you find comfort in prayer, you can view a live feed of the area, thanks to EarthCam, to feel as if you are there.

Georgia Aquarium, USA

Because there can never be too many aquarium videos, the Georgia Aquarium allows you to admire 11 of its tanks on its webcams. Look for puffins underwater, admire piranhas or gawk at cute sea otters, amongst others.

Eiffel Tower, France

The Eiffel Tower is, of course, an icon of Paris, and even all of France. This landmark alone receives over 7 million visitors annually. The good news is that you can visit from your couch thanks to Google Maps and an EarthCam live feed.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Even before the current situation, Machu Picchu officials had started limiting the number of people who could visit the site, in order to protect it. Thanks to the YouVisit website, you’ll be able to take a virtual guided tour through the site, to feel like you are there.

Also Read : Going For Your First International Trip? Things You Should Keep In Mind

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Essential tips to becoming an effective remote worker

While you might imagine working from your bed in your pajamas with music playing and food cooking can only be easy, working remotely has a whole other roster of obstacles set apart from commuting to work, time-wasting activities in the office, and having a dress code. It actually requires you to strengthen specific skills and establish certain rules if you want to keep up productivity and properly separate work from personal life.

As more and more companies are allowing their employees to work remotely, click through this gallery to learn how to best make use of the opportunity, and you’ll find that these skills are highly transferable!

Have a morning routine

When you first start remote working, it's exciting not to have to get dressed up in business attire, do your beauty routine, and start your journey to the office, but these are things that helped you wake up.

Without a routine of some sort, it can be harder for you to get started, so get out of your pajamas, take a shower, or go for a walk around the block or to the nearest café.

Dedicate a separate space for work

It could be an entire room or just a corner, but make sure it's fitted with the tools and technology you need, as well as a comfortable seat. This space will be a cue to your family about when they shouldn't distract you.

Working in a specific space also sends a physical cue to your body to focus, and physically separating work from your regular life helps avoid burnout.

Prioritize clear communication

Because you can’t just swing by a coworker’s desk to ask or answer questions, include all relevant details when emailing and messaging coworkers.

Be intentional and specific with your communication, as teamwork may be more difficult when you're not all in the same room.

Develop a sense of structure

While the loosened structure of working remotely is a huge draw for people, it can also be a huge obstacle once you're sitting on your couch and losing focus.

Without a standard office environment, you have to create structure for yourself to stay motivated, which can be anything from scheduling check-ins to establishing what tasks you'll do and when.

Avoid overthinking social cues

While communicating with your team largely over email and messaging, it can be hard to properly interpret someone's tone or meaning, which makes it difficult to build necessary working relationships. Don't overthink it!

Go in with a positive mindset that assumes the best of people. Try video-calling on a regular basis to clear up any misunderstandings.

Set boundaries between you and distractions

Distractions are the greatest concern with remote working, but there are simple things you can do to help, like turning your phone on silent or designating 15 minutes for your preferred distraction.

Family is also a big distraction, as they might assume that since you're home you can do extra chores and take care of the kids, but it's important to remind them that you're still on the clock.

Use organizational and productivity tools

When you're working from home, the increased flexibility and decreased structure mean that getting organized is entirely in your hands.

Making a schedule for yourself, which designates time for breaks away from your screen and a longer break for lunch, will actually help keep you focused and boost productivity. Plus, letting your team know helps them to connect with you when you're most present.

Get out of the house if necessary

If your home office is not working for you, that doesn't mean you've failed remote working! Take it a step further and get out of the house to a place with Wi-Fi.

Good places include coffee shops, libraries, public lounges, and even coworking spaces. Having other people around gives a feeling of responsibility and can simulate the energy of an office.

Be open to new methods of working and communicating

When you're working remotely, it feels more like you're working on your own time, and soon you'll likely find better, quicker ways to get your work done. Offer up these suggestions to improve team productivity.

It could be using a different platform to communicate or developing a new way to track progress, but remote teams rely on members pointing out and strengthening weaknesses.

Don't let different schedules slow you down

With remote working often comes different schedules of team members, and perhaps even different time zones, which can cause miscommunication and mistakes.

Be proactive and coordinate with your team so that you're not blindsided.

Identify your most productive times

Nobody is 100% productive from morning to night, and especially at home your motivation will ebb and flow. Identify when that happens, and plan your schedule around it.

Save your harder tasks for your most productive periods, and allocate the easier wins for slower points of the day. It'll keep you motivated!

Make time to meet up with colleagues

In an office, it's easier to establish personal connections with coworkers over coffee breaks, lunches, meetings, or even chats in the elevator, and these actually contribute to your teamwork.

When you're working remotely, you should take the initiative to connect with your coworkers personally, either face-to-face outside of work time, or even just in the first five minutes of a conference call.

Continue to build your network

One benefit of working in office is that you have the opportunity to brush shoulders with higher ups and people who can offer learning opportunities, social connection, and even jobs.

Try to get outside of your home office once a week to meet a client, get a networking coffee, or visit an industry conference. Don't stop meeting new people!

Prepare your meals the night before

At home you have much more liberty in the kitchen than at work, and it can be tempting to spend time crafting delicious meals, but that's only eating up your work time.

Cook or chop your food the night before, just as you would if you were going into an office, then you can use your break times to actually eat, and you won't work overtime.

Stop working when your hours are over

When you're working from home, it can be difficult to put work aside when it's sitting in your living room. But this can ultimately slow you down if you don't give yourself time to recharge.

Just as you maintain a working routine, create some sort of routine to mark your entry into personal hours. It can be as simple as going for a walk!

Also Read : Coronavirus Work From Home Ensure Your Internet is Working Properly

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Seasonal allergies could be mistaken as COVID-19 symptoms: Know the difference

Nowadays, even having cough and runny nose can make anyone wonder if they are a sign of COVID-19 infection. But such symptoms can also result from seasonal allergies, which occur particularly during the spring, summer, or fall.

Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies and it is the peak time for plants and trees to release this allergen. So, before you think of popping a medicine to treat your cough, know the actual cause of it first. Here’s how to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and COVID-19 symptoms.

COVID-19 symptoms

The most common symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, are fever, tiredness, and a dry cough. Some patients may also experience aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Those who become seriously ill may develop difficulty breathing. When you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.

According to WHO, around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Elderly people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, it said.

But most people (about 80%) with mild COVID symptoms recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Sometimes, infected people don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.

Seasonal allergies

Exposure to airborne substances such as pollens may cause seasonal allergies. Allergy symptoms happen partly because of inflammation, which occur when your body overreact to things like pollen or mold.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

• Runny nose and nasal congestion
• Watery, itchy, red eyes
• Sneezing
• Dry and tickly cough
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth, or throat
• Swollen, blue-coloured skin under the eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Fatigue

Seasonal allergies are sometimes called as “hay fever” but they don’t give you a fever. If you feel anxious about sniffles and coughs at this time of unprecedented pandemic, it’s understandable.

But if you usually get seasonal allergies and you are experiencing the above symptoms, the probability is high that you’re experiencing seasonal allergies. Normally, doctors recommend starting allergy medication early in the season to prevent getting the symptoms.

If your condition worsens, despite taking the allergy medications, or you have unusual symptoms, it’s possible you have a virus. But these symptoms are not necessarily an indication that you have COVID-19—it might also be the flu.

Watch out for these unusual signs

• Allergies do not cause fevers, so if you have high temperature, it could be a sign of viral or bacterial infections.


• Fatigue is a symptom of allergies, but body aches and pains may be caused by a pathogen.


• Many COVID-19 patients also experience diarrhea and nausea, but these symptoms are not associated with seasonal allergies.


• COVID-19 may also lead to a total loss of smell and taste, which is not an allergy symptom.


• Shortness of breath can occur due to allergies if you also suffer from asthma. If you’re having serious trouble breathing, seek medical help.

Even if you do have COVID-19 and you are only experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, stay at home and practice social distancing. Getting out of the house to get tested could do more harm than good, given the current overload on the healthcare system. If your conditions worsen, consider calling your doctor for advice.

Also Read : Explained How coronavirus attacks, step by step

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Explained: How coronavirus attacks, step by step

In the search for a treatment for COVID-19 disease, researchers have been targeting specific behaviours of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) that causes the disease. While the virus itself is still being studied, the hunt for a treatment is based on what is known so far about the way it infects humans.

So, how does it infect someone?

It begins with the “spike” that gives coronaviruses their name. A coronavirus is surrounded by a fatty outer layer (“envelope”) and on the surface of this layer is the “corona” (crown) of spikes made of protein.

On the surface of human cells is an enzyme called ACE2, which acts as the receptor that enables SARS-CoV2 to launch its attack. The virus’s spike protein binds to the receptor, then fuses with the cell surface, and releases its genetic material (RNA in the case of SARS-CoV2) into the cell. The coronavirus that causes SARS, called SARS-CoV, uses the same ACE2 receptor to invade a cell.

Once inside, the virus replicates itself by using the cell’s molecular mechanism. All these stages involve various interactions between virus proteins and human proteins. Any treatment being developed or researched will look to inhibit these activities at one stage or the other.

Which treatment specifically tries to inhibit which activity?

The Solidarity trials, a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that includes India, are investigating four lines of treatment using existing drugs. Separately, various research institutions are studying the virus’s functioning in the hope that the knowledge will lead to repurposing of existing drugs or development of new ones.

The Solidarity experiments are trying to find out if virus activity can be inhibited:

At reception stage: This is the target of trials with a combination of anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Part of the hope comes from a 2005 study in the Virology Journal that studied chloroquine’s role against the SARS virus. It found chloroquine prevented that virus’s ability to attach itself to the ACE2 receptors. However, because chloroquine causes severe side effects, the current trials are being done with a combination with its less toxic derivative hydroxychloroquine.

The effect of these two drugs on SARS-CoV2 is still being studied around the world.

At cell entry stage: The chloroquine-hydroxychloroquine combination comes into play again. Many viruses enter a cell by acidifying compartments within the membrane at the cell surface, and then breaching the membrane itself. When chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine enter the compartment, it loses part of its acidity; the aim of the trials is to hinder the virus at this stage.

At replication stage: A number of trials are looking at obstructing replication at a key step during which the virus uses enzymes to break down proteins, leading to a chain of new viruses. The drug lopinavir, for example, has been known to inhibit the enzyme used by HIV to split proteins, but because lopinavir itself tends to break down in the human body, it is used in combination with ritonavir, which allows it to last longer. One set of Solidarity trials is looking at this combination of anti-HIV drugs, and another is investigating lopinavir-ritonavir combined with interferon-beta, a molecule that regulates inflammation in the body.

The Solidarity trials with the drug remdesivir, originally created to fight the Ebola virus, will seek to inhibit the novel coronavirus by targeting the action of a key enzyme that facilitates its replication. Previous studies had shown it effective in animals infected with SARS and MERS coronaviruses. This year, a study published in Cell Research reported that a combination of chloroquine and remdesivir can hinder replication of SARS-CoV2 in cultured cells.

What are other studies looking at?

Some studies are looking at the structure of the virus, while others are investigating its behaviour as a potential target for future drugs. For example:

Structure: At the Max Planck Institute in Germany, researchers identified the spike protein as not only the sharpest weapon of the virus but also its Achilles’ heel. Antibodies can recognise the spike protein, bind to it, and mark it as a target for immune cells. However, the virus also has a sugar coat that hides parts of its spike proteins from the immune cells.

Therefore, the researchers are analysing the sugar shield, and trying to calculate how the spike proteins move on the surface of the virus and how they change their shape. Using supercomputers, the researchers hope to identify binding sites for antibodies, and plan to compare these with the binding properties of existing drugs, and thus identify ingredients that can block the spike protein. “Of course, repurposing drugs that are already on the market is much faster than finding new active ingredients and testing them in lengthy clinical trials,” Gerhard Hummer, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, said in a statement.

Behaviour: In a study last week in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers from the Universities of Bologna and Catanzaro (Italy) mapped the interactions between virus proteins and human proteins. When the virus attacks, the body responds by activating certain proteins and deactivating others to hinder it. At the same time, the body has other mechanisms that the virus exploits. These were what the researchers mapped, identifying specific proteins.

“This valuable information about the effects of the new coronavirus on the proteins of human cells may prove to be fundamental in redirecting the development of drug therapies, since common antiviral treatments seem to be unsuccessful,” lead author Federico M Giorgi of the University of Bologna said in a statement.

Beyond the Solidarity trials, are there studies on specific drugs?

Reports are emerging from time to time. In Nature last week, an international collaboration led by researchers at ShanghaiTech University reported six possible drug candidates, which they identified after testing more than 10,000 compounds. The project targeted SARS-CoV2’s main enzyme for splitting proteins, Mpro, which plays a key role in mediating viral replication. Researchers added drugs directly to the enzyme or to cell cultures growing the virus, assessing how much of each compound is required to stop the enzyme. Six drugs appeared to be effective, they reported.

Also Read : 5 Brain Foods to Help You Stay Focused During Your Time at Home

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