virus

Microbes’ Mystery DNA Helps Defeat Viruses

The new understanding of retrons’ natural function could boost efforts to put them to work, according to an article published in ScienceMag.

Retrons and their efficiency

Defends bacteria

Last week in Cell, one team described how a specific retron defends bacteria, triggering newly infected cells to self-destruct so the virus can’t replicate and spread to others. The Cell paper “is the first to concretely determine a natural function for retrons,” says Anna Simon, a synthetic biologist at Strand...

https://mfame.guru/microbes-mystery-dna-helps-defeat-viruses/

Coronavirus may slow down scrubbers installations in China

In light of the coronavirus outbreak, scrubbers installations in China may be delayed. At the same time, Ocean Network Express officially announced that container operations in Greater China continue to operate as normal, over the Lunar New Year holiday.

Despite that port and maritime authorities are on high alert across the global, Ocean Network Express highlighted that in all ports except the one in Wuhan, vessels are still maintaining their normal port calls and operations.

All ONE China...

https://safety4sea.com/coronavirus-may-slow-down-scrubbers-installations-in-china/

ITF, USCG, Transport Malta: Advice on coronavirus protection

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), USCG and Transport Malta follow the rest of the shipping industry, providing advise on crewmembers and the rest of the maritime sector as seafarers and dock workers, on how to be protected by the coronavirus.

ITF Advice for crewmembers

  1. Encourage all onboard to practice hand and respiratory hygiene especially when coughing or sneezing.
  2. Crew should use hand sanitiser/wash hands following contact with any passenger or other crew.
  3. If on a...

https://safety4sea.com/itf-uscg-transport-malta-advise-on-coronavirus-protection/

China offers force majeure certificates amid coronavirus epidemic

Reuters reports that the Chinese international trade promotion agency (CCPIT) aimed to offer force majeure certificates to companies struggling to cope with the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on their business with overseas partners.

The CCPIT statement read that “some Chinese companies have suffered severe impacts on goods and logistics and may not be able to fulfil their contracts amid the coronavirus.”

Namely, companies that can provide legitimate documents, such as proof of delays or...

https://safety4sea.com/china-offers-force-majeure-certificates-amid-coronavirus-epidemic/

Coronavirus Outbreak: How shipping deals with it

Following WHO’s declare on global emergency after the outbreak of the coronavirus, many maritime authorities in the shipping industry have issued information on the case, providing details on the current situation.

#1 Singapore Shipping Association, Singapore – 28 January

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has implemented temperature screening at all sea checkpoints, including ferry and cruise terminals, PSA Terminals and Jurong Port, for inbound travellers since 24 January 2020,...

https://safety4sea.com/coronavirus-outbreak-how-shipping-deals-with-it/

The Philippines adopt strict measures against coronavirus

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that it is adopting stringent prevention measures against the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV), encompassing all PPA-controlled ports nationwide after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first nCoV case on January 30.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago has instructed all port managers to double the measures from general thermal scanning to individual checks if a passenger reaches a certain body temperature level.

As early as the first report...

https://safety4sea.com/the-philippines-adopt-strict-measures-against-coronavirus/

Live map depicts spread of coronavirus

The new coronavirus has cost the lives of 132 people, while confirmed cases reach 6,000 across China. What is more, except from China, coronavirus cases have been reported in other countries in Asia, such as Malaysia and Japan, in Australia, Germany, France, the US and Canada.

In order to provide a clear picture of where the new virus has been detected, as well as the number of fatalities, the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at John Hopkins, has created a live, interactive map,...

https://safety4sea.com/live-map-depicts-spread-of-coronavirus/

Australia Maritime Union urges for an immediate response against coronavirus

The Maritime Union of Australia recently reported a failure in implementing adequate checks for the coronavirus infections on vessels entering Australian ports. At the moment, six people reported to have been infected by the virus in Australia.

Our ports are a gateway to the country and not only provide access for freight but can provide an entry point for deadly disease and other biological security threats.

…said the Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary, Paddy Crumlin.

With Australian...

https://safety4sea.com/australia-maritime-union-urges-for-an-immediate-response-against-coronavirus/

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