Latest news with #RyanGregory
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Coronavirus Variant ‘Stratus' Noted for Mild Symptoms
In Germany, 'Nimbus' is currently the most prevalent coronavirus variant by far. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia and gradually in Europe, another cloud-named variant is gaining significance: 'Stratus' (XFG). Indian doctors have noted frequent reports of hoarseness as a distinctive feature of XFG. In the Southeast Asia region, a new coronavirus variant called XFG, or 'Stratus,' is gaining momentum.1 The World Health Organization currently assesses the health risk from 'Stratus' as low. Approved vaccines are expected to remain effective against severe illness. However, as the spread of 'Stratus' increases globally and several Southeast Asian countries report a rise in new cases and hospitalizations, the WHO has classified it as a 'variant under monitoring.'1 FITBOOK explains what doctors have reported about the symptoms so far and how the virus is currently spreading in Germany. XFG ('Stratus') is a SARS-CoV-2 variant that has emerged from the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 lineages. Despite the rapid spread of this variant, there is currently no evidence that 'Stratus' causes more severe illness than other circulating variants. In previous COVID-19 waves, loss of taste and smell were characteristic symptoms. For 'Nimbus,' first detected in Germany at the end of March and currently responsible for 60 percent of COVID-19 infections according to the Robert Koch Institute, it was the 'razor blade-like sore throat.'2 What are the specific symptoms of 'Stratus'? The WHO risk report contains no information on the symptoms of 'Stratus' (XFG). Nor are there any official statements from national health authorities on specific symptoms of this new variant. However, various media sources, particularly from India, report observations from doctors. A notable feature of the current wave is the frequent reporting of hoarseness in COVID patients, as reported by the 'Times of India' on May 30.3 Many patients this time are complaining of 'dry or irritated cough, accompanied by sore throat and hoarseness.' Doctors from various hospitals have confirmed that hoarseness is now a common symptom in clinics across India. Hoarseness manifests as a scratchy or rough voice. Also interesting: 9 new COVID symptoms added to the official list Because 'Stratus,' like the other currently globally dominant variant 'Nimbus,' has the potential to trigger a COVID wave, the choice fell on another meteorological term for cloud types – 'Stratus' – said virologist Dr. Ryan Gregory to the website The organization Gavi is one of the world's key players in vaccination programs. Virologist Gregory is part of a network of researchers that assigns unofficial nicknames to new virus variants. 'The Sun,' a British tabloid, refers to 'Stratus' as the 'Frankenstein Variant' because it resulted from the combination of two different COVID-19 strains.5 This occurs when a person is simultaneously infected with two different variants, which then merge into a new hybrid variant. Participate in our FITBOOK survey! According to virologist Gregory, 'Nimbus' and 'Stratus' are currently competing for dominance worldwide. Despite their rapid spread, there is currently no evidence that 'Stratus' (XFG) or 'Nimbus' (NB.1.8.1) cause more severe illness than other circulating variants. According to 'Gavi,' both variants have mutated spike proteins. This means they may be better able to evade immunity built up from previous infections or vaccinations. In other words, this likely makes it harder for the immune system to recognize and combat the virus. Also interesting: Largest study to date on COVID vaccinations identifies potential follow-up illnesses The spread of 'Stratus' is still in its early stages in Europe, with the WHO reporting it at around 16 percent in the region. In England, the share of XFG rose from 10 percent in May to 40 percent by mid-June 2025. In Germany, 'Stratus' last appeared in the Robert Koch Institute's statistics on coronavirus variants in early June, with a percentage share of 5.56 percent; the week before, this share was 8.33 percent. The highest percentage recorded for 'Stratus' (XFG) was in mid-May 2025. Currently, 'Nimbus' dominates in Germany (60 percent). The situation is developing dynamically, so continuous monitoring remains important. Even though XFG has the highest relative growth advantage among the current lineages, the WHO currently sees no evidence of more severe illness or atypical clinical patterns. Approved vaccines continue to protect against symptomatic and severe cases, according to the risk paper on 'Stratus.' The post New Coronavirus Variant 'Stratus' Noted for Mild Symptoms appeared first on FITBOOK.
New York Times
30-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Quote of the Day: The Toilet That Won the Heart of Japan
'Now it's very much the case that anywhere we go it's like, 'Ugh it's not even heated, what are we doing here?'' RYAN GREGORY, a biology professor at the University of Guelph in Canada, who after a recent visit to Japan changed his views on bidets.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Identical triplets who went bald at the same time undergo dramatic hair transformation thanks to 'the only treatment that really works'
A set of 40 year-old triplets were so desperate to retain their identical looks they underwent matching hair transplants at the same time. In what is believed to be a world first, brothers Julian, Eliot and Ryan Gregory, from Wales, embarked on the risky operation in a bid to achieve 'similar' hairlines. While all began balding in their 30s, the rate of hair loss differed, making them appear 'less identical'. The plan to restore the triplets' hair was orchestrated by brother Julian, a PR consultant from Pembrokeshire, after a trip to Thailand left him dissatisfied and insecure about his looks. 'When I looked back at my photos on my camera roll, I didn't like how I looked. I just started deleting them all,' he said, adding that he didn't pursue a transplant until he knew his brothers agreed to do it too. 'Eliot took a bit more convincing, but as soon as he got to the clinic, he was fully on board,' he said. They simultaneously underwent nine hours of surgery at HQ Hair Transplants in Cardiff, costing £5,000 each. Their investment comes after one man told of his painstaking ordeal to restore his hair, trying 'every snake oil solution out there with promises of a miracle'. I tried every 'snake oil' treatment on the market. I can tell you there is only one thing that works After a 20 year quest using supplements, shampoos and ointments, David Allen found the only effective solution was a hair transplant. 'The change was undeniable,' he wrote. 'I looked 10 years younger, my energy levels soared and I just couldn't believe how good it made me feel.' The Gregory brothers' procedures began with precise measurements to ensure their finished hairlines would be exactly the same. Julian recalled feeling scared just before undergoing the procedure. 'I remember just staring in the mirror and having my head shaved off,' he said. 'Not knowing what I was going to look like afterwards was terrifying.' 'But the team were really good and we are all ecstatic with the results.' However, the trio still have to wait six months to see what their final head of hair looks like. Hair transplants take hair follicles from elsewhere on the body—most commonly the back of the head or neck—and transfer them to the scalp. Once there the follicles will take a few months to settle into their new location before providing a fresh set of locks. The triplets said they 'can't wait' to see their new look when they plan to reunite in a year's time on a shared trip to Mexico. 'We should have nearly identical hairlines by then,' Julian said. 'We can't wait to feel more identical and to get our confidence back.' The former models who previously graced the pages of GQ and Esquire magazines also had a number of TV appearances where they played the roles of twins and triplets. This included a mind-controlling boy band in BBC's MI High, lead roles in CBBC's Kerching and alongside Kiera Knightley in the movie Innocent Lies. A hair transplant in the UK can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £30,000, depending on the extent of hair loss, the type of procedure, and the quality of the clinic and its team. But an increasing number of men are opting to go overseas for the procedure in places like Turkey lured by cheaper prices that are often sold as part of a packaged holiday. However, there are cases where British men have ended up with scars and bald spots after undergoing a budget hair transplant overseas.
