Latest news with #viruses
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Experts reveal simple ways to help avoid the summer cold
Colds and other viruses circulate year-round, making it possible to fall ill even during summer. Staying hydrated is crucial in warmer weather to replenish fluids lost through increased sweating. Frequent handwashing, especially when travelling, helps prevent the spread of viruses and infections. Ensuring adequate sleep is vital for immune system health, as it aids in the production of protective proteins. Avoid touching your face and be mindful of air conditioning use, as excessive AC can create a dry environment conducive to viruses.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
Why My Mobile Hotspot May Be Better Than My Home Internet
Mobile hotspots are incredibly handy when you're in a pinch-whether your home Wi-Fi is down during a storm or you're traveling and need a quick way to connect. But could a mobile hotspot actually replace your home internet altogether? It's a fair question, especially with rising monthly bills from traditional providers and the growing reliability of cellular networks. While it seems like a simple enough solution to bypass internet throttling from your provider or save money, as someone who writes about broadband daily, I wasn't easily convinced. Instead of relying solely on other sources, I decided to test it for myself. Here's what I discovered after using my mobile hotspot at home for three days. First off, what is a hotspot? Let's clear this up: A hotspot is a physical location where people can connect wirelessly to the internet. There are three different types: public, private and mobile hotspots -- with mobile hotspots generally being the most secure. Let's take a closer look. Public hotspot Public hotspots are specific locations established by businesses or public spaces that provide free Wi-Fi. You can find these in libraries, cafes and even shopping malls. Public hotspots allow anyone within range to connect to the internet, but usually lack the security you'd find with a private hotspot. Most public hotspots are not encrypted with passwords, which makes it easier for hackers or outside threats like malware and viruses to intercept connected devices. If you're handling sensitive information while connected to a public hotspot, you should take extra security measures and use a VPN. Private hotspot On the other hand, a private hotspot is not free, but it is more secure than a public hotspot. For example, your home network can be characterized as a private hotspot. A private hotspot can wirelessly connect devices to the internet using a router supported by your internet service provider. Your network will likely be encrypted with a strong Wi-Fi password and only certain people will be able to access it. Locating local internet providers Mobile hotspot The cellular network that your mobile phone is connected to can also be used as a hotspot. If your phone is nearby, you can connect devices such as your computer, tablet, smart gadgets and more to the internet. Many mobile providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon offer users the built-in personal hotspot feature. Using a mobile hotspot at home: Yay or nay? I tested my mobile hotspot for three days by using it as my primary internet connection method. Before setting up my hotspot, I made sure my phone was near my computer. Then, I disconnected from my Wi-Fi on my phone, went into my iOS settings and turned on my personal hotspot. Next, I opened the Wi-Fi panel on my computer and waded through the different networks until I found and connected to my phone's hotspot. For context, my mobile provider is AT&T, and I have the 60GB Unlimited data plan. Right away, the first thing that leaped out at me while using my hotspot was the drastic drop in speed. On average, I was getting less than 10 megabits per second in download speeds and about 10Mbps in upload speeds. Yeah -- that's a no from me. When using my mobile hotspot, I received an average download speed of less than 10Mbps and only 10Mbps in uploads. Ookla/Screenshot by CNET Speed is usually not a deal-breaker for me, since I don't game excessively or stream that frequently. But working from home means joining video conferences, which require at least 10 to 20Mbps, according to CNET's speed guide. I used Ookla to perform an internet speed test over my mobile hotspot. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) I averaged less than 10Mbps in downloads and 10Mbps in uploads over the three days of using my hotspot. For context, the Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as speeds of at least 100Mbps in download and 20Mbps in upload. Comparatively, I saw much faster speeds when I used my traditional Wi-Fi router, which was receiving an average of over 530Mbps in downloads and 240Mbps in uploads. Besides the intermittent lagging during video conferences, sending large files and emails also took a hit. CNET's How-To expert Nelson Aguilar encourages people to avoid connecting their computers to a mobile hotspot. "The only time I ever use a mobile hotspot is when I'm sharing it with someone else's phone or tablet," says Aguilar. "A mobile device typically uses less data than a computer, and so the performance is much higher than with a computer, which often runs several high-bandwidth tasks in the background that can quickly consume data and slow down performance." Mobile hotspot use and battery life Since your mobile hotspot acts as a router, sending and receiving signals, using your mobile hotspot throughout the day can lower your battery. Unless your phone is continuously charged, using a mobile hotspot may not be an ideal way to connect to the internet long term. A mobile hotspot at home can be convenient (until it's not) Trisha Jandoc/CNET My mobile hotspot use abruptly stopped while I was on the train on my way to the office. I was attempting to connect my computer to my mobile hotspot in hopes of accessing the internet to send some emails. My laptop would say connected on the Wi-Fi panel, but there was no internet. Thankfully, I was on the way to the office and could access the internet there. But the next day, I was working from home, and the looming question came: What do I do now? I was on AT&T's 60GB Unlimited data plan, and as you can imagine, I was confused. Did I really burn through 60GB of data in the two days I used my mobile hotspot? At least the "unlimited" part of the plan meant I would not be charged data overage fees if I reached maximum data. Besides the slow speeds, you should always consider that your mobile hotspot is less reliable than traditional Wi-Fi. There could be different factors, such as network outages, poor signal, proximity to your provider's nearest cellular tower, or, in my case, technical issues (which I'll get into in a bit). These things are outside your control and ultimately disrupt how you stay connected. The following day, I had to call AT&T and troubleshoot my mobile hotspot in order to continue working from home. How to troubleshoot your mobile hotspot at home when it's not working There are different ways to diagnose issues with your mobile hotspot from home. Whether you're an iPhone or Android user, sometimes the easiest action to start with is to simply turn your phone on and off. If that doesn't solve it, try the following steps. Turning off battery-saving mode: If restarting your phone doesn't work, you can try turning off battery-saver mode in your phone settings. According to Asurion, low-power mode can interfere with your mobile hotspot. If restarting your phone doesn't work, you can try turning off battery-saver mode in your phone settings. According to Asurion, low-power mode can interfere with your mobile hotspot. Disconnect from your VPN: While using a VPN can protect your network from outside threats, it can also disrupt your mobile hotspot signal. A VPN may not be necessary if you are using a private hotspot (connecting to your mobile provider's network). While using a VPN can protect your network from outside threats, it can also disrupt your mobile hotspot signal. A VPN may not be necessary if you are using a private hotspot (connecting to your mobile provider's network). Updating your phone's software: Before you know it, it's been over six months since you updated your phone. It happens to the best of us. Conducting a software update on your phone could prevent issues that arise from your mobile hotspot. To do this, simply go into your iPhone or Android settings and check if any updates are needed. This software update could take some time to complete, so keep this in mind if you have any time-sensitive things you need to do quickly. Reset your phone's network settings Trisha Jandoc/CNET If you're like me and these tips did not improve your mobile hotspot, the next thing to do is contact your mobile provider. I called AT&T's tech support number and explained my issue. The AT&T representative confirmed over the phone that I still had plenty of usage left in my data, so my concern about burning through my data was unfounded -- that was not why I was having problems. The AT&T rep gave me the following instructions on how to restart your network settings. While I followed these steps on my iPhone, I also included instructions for Android users. iPhone To change or update the name of your mobile hotspot, go to Settings > General > About > Name > change the name to [user's iPhone]. To change your mobile hotspot password, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot > Update your password. To reset your phone's network settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. (Important note: If you get to this step, your phone will automatically disconnect, restart and forget all the Wi-Fi passwords your device is connected to.) Android To change or update the name of your mobile hotspot, go to Settings > Wi-Fi network > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot > click hotspot name > Change name. To change your mobile hotspot password, go to Settings > Wi-Fi network > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot > click Password > change password. To reset your phone's network settings,go to Settings > Click System > (Advanced) > Reset Options > Reset Network Settings > click Reset. If you're still stuck, I would consider contacting your mobile provider for further assistance. Using a mobile hotspot at home: Pros and cons While using a mobile hotspot has some unique benefits, you should also be aware of a few drawbacks if you're aiming to use it at home. Pros Convenient: As long as you can access your mobile device, a hotspot is easy to use. As long as you can access your mobile device, a hotspot is easy to use. A solid internet backup: It's always safe to have an internet backup option, especially in cases of emergency. Whether your power went out, severe weather affected your internet connection or your wired internet provider is experiencing a massive network outage, a mobile hotspot can be an easy way to stay connected to the internet. Cons Costly: At first, it may seem like using a mobile hotspot is a cheaper alternative than paying for your traditional home internet service, but this could prove to be more costly down the line. On average, customers pay a monthly bill ranging from $20 to $50 for their phones. On top of this, you may also incur additional data overage fees for every certain block of data used. If you're on an unlimited data plan, you won't have to worry about paying overage fees, but you may face annoyingly slow speeds once you've reached your data cap. At first, it may seem like using a mobile hotspot is a cheaper alternative than paying for your traditional home internet service, but this could prove to be more costly down the line. On average, customers pay a monthly bill ranging from $20 to $50 for their phones. On top of this, you may also incur additional data overage fees for every certain block of data used. If you're on an unlimited data plan, you won't have to worry about paying overage fees, but you may face annoyingly slow speeds once you've reached your data cap. Slow, unreliable speeds: Generally, you'll find faster speeds with traditional fixed home internet. Even if you can only access a fixed wireless or satellite internet connection, most home internet providers can deliver speeds that meet the Federal Communications Commission's broadband benchmark with 100Mbps in download and 20Mbps in upload . Generally, you'll find faster speeds with traditional fixed home internet. Even if you can only access a fixed wireless or satellite internet connection, most home internet providers can deliver speeds that meet the Federal Communications Commission's broadband benchmark with 100Mbps in download and 20Mbps in upload Not accessible everywhere: Your actual speeds will probably not match the advertised speeds of your plan. Your mobile hotspot relies heavily on your mobile provider's cellular tower. Depending on your proximity to the tower, your speeds can vary. More importantly, for those who live in less populated or rural areas, access to a 5G connection may not always be guaranteed. Your actual speeds will probably not match the advertised speeds of your plan. Your mobile hotspot relies heavily on your mobile provider's cellular tower. Depending on your proximity to the tower, your speeds can vary. More importantly, for those who live in less populated or rural areas, access to a 5G connection may not always be guaranteed. Can reduce phone battery: Overall, using your mobile phone as a hotspot throughout the day may not be ideal. Unless you can keep your phone charged at all times, a mobile hotspot may not be ideal when you're on the go. Bottom line: It's a no for me on using a mobile hotspot at home, but it can still be a lifesaver in other cases After completing this experiment, I confirmed that it doesn't really make sense to use your mobile hotspot as a primary source of home internet connection. The purpose of having a mobile hotspot at home is to act as a backup option in times of emergency. When your power goes out or your internet provider is experiencing a network outage, a mobile hotspot is a great way to stay connected. However, using a mobile hotspot as your primary mode of connecting your home to the internet isn't ideal. You'll find a faster, more reliable internet service with a fixed broadband connection. If you love traveling, then a mobile hotspot might be something you use pretty frequently. For typical household usage, you'll want to turn to your mobile hotspot only as a secondary option. Mobile hotspot at home FAQs What is the difference between a hotspot and Wi-Fi? The two are related. A hotspot is a specific location where you can connect wirelessly to the internet. It can be public (typically libraries, airports, malls or cafes) or private (your home network, for example, or using your phone to connect other devices wirelessly). Wi-Fi is a broad term used to describe connecting to the internet wirelessly. Is using a mobile hotspot better than using your Wi-Fi router at home? Not really. While a mobile hotspot is convenient and portable, making it easier to stay connected on the go, it shouldn't be your primary way of connecting to the internet at home unless it's your only option. Usually, a fixed internet connection will provide you and your household with better performance at home.
CBC
14-07-2025
- Science
- CBC
Potato-virus robot being honed for a 2nd summer, to do a job fewer humans are applying for on P.E.I.
A robot that's being designed to check potato plants for viruses is back for a second summer, and its creators at UPEI say the new version is faster and even works at night. The AgriScout can replace humans who walk through the fields looking for disease, who have been hard to hire in recent years. CBC's Nancy Russell takes us to a potato field to find out more.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Discovered a New Creature That Exists Between Life and Not-Life
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Viruses typically aren't considered 'alive,' as many core biological functions are outsourced to their hosts. But a newly discovered organism appears to straddle the line between virus and cell. Like a virus, this new organism 'Sukunaarchaeum mirabile' outsources some functions to its host, but can still create its own ribosomes and RNA. Its genome is also surprisingly small, and is roughly half the size (238,000 base pairs) of the next-smallest archaeal genome. At first glance, creating a definition for 'life' seems somewhat straightforward. Sentient animals all the way down to single-celled organisms capable of reproduction are welcome on the tree of life, but there are other organisms that challenge this understanding, like viruses. Because virus don't grow, reproduce on their own, or make their own energy, they're typically excluded from definitions of life. But once a virus infects a host, it's immensely active, and can be responsible for world-altering events (see: Spanish flu, ebola, COVID-19, and so on). However, life is complicated, and this controversial categorization of 'life' and 'not life' can have gray areas in which organisms appear to defy the expectations of both camps. Recently, scientists found a new member of this head-scratching cadre. In a new paper published on the bioRxiv server, researchers in Canada and Japan outlined how they identified a new cellular entity that appeared to straddle the typical definitions of a virality and cellular life. Currently named 'Sukunaarchaeum mirabile' (after a deity in Japanese mythology known for its small stature), this entity contains the necessary genes to create its own ribosomes and messenger RNA—something your typical virus lacks. But like a virus, it offloads certain biological functions onto its host and it appears singularly obsessed with replicating itself. 'Its genome is profoundly stripped-down, lacking virtually all recognizable metabolic pathways, and primarily encoding the machinery for its replicative core: DNA replication, transcription, and translation,' the authors wrote. 'This suggests an unprecedented level of metabolic dependence on a host, a condition that challenges the functional distinctions between minimal cellular life and viruses.' Led by Ryo Harada, a molecular biologist from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the team chanced upon this strange creature while studying the bacterial genome of the marine plankton Citharistes regius. Within the genomic data, Harada and his team found a loop of DNA that didn't match with any known species. They eventually determined that the organism belonged to the domain Archaea—a group associated with prokaryotic cells, but from which eukaryotic cells (i.e. you and me) ultimately descended a couple billion years ago. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of Sukunaarchaeum is its extreme genome reduction, with only 238,000 base pairs of DNA. Viruses, as Live Science points out, can contain many hundreds of thousands more base pairs, and can even reach up into the millions. As for fellow archaea, the smallest known complete genome within this group stretches to 490,000 base pairs, meaning that Sukunaarchaeum contains less than half the number of base pairs posessed by even the smallest archaeal genome. 'The discovery of Sukunaarchaeum pushes the conventional boundaries of cellular life and highlights the vast unexplored biological novelty within microbial interactions,' the authors wrote. 'Further exploration of symbiotic systems may reveal even more extraordinary life forms, reshaping our understanding of cellular evolution.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Strange Cellular Entity Challenges Very Definition of Life Itself
Within a tiny plankton, an even smaller cell has been found living an unexpectedly virus-like existence, challenging what it means to be alive. The line between living and inanimate has traditionally and controversially been drawn before viruses, and the newly discovered organism, provisionally named Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, skates awfully close to it. Dalhousie University genomicist Ryo Harada and colleagues stumbled across the odd parasite while they were trying to catalog the DNA of the plankton species Citharistes regius and its symbiotic bacteria. A strange, tiny loop of DNA suggested the presence of another entity – one that didn't neatly fit into known categories. "Sukunaarchaeum may represent the closest cellular entity discovered to date that approaches a viral strategy of existence," the researchers write in their paper. "This extreme specialization… challenges our fundamental understanding of the minimal requirements for cellular life." Related: Sukunaarchaeum only has 238,000 base pairs of DNA, yet some viruses reach 735,000 base pairs or even 2.5 million. Like viruses, Sukunaarchaeum delegates most of its biological functions, including metabolism, to its host. And also like viruses, most of the cell's genes are dedicated to one thing: replicating itself. "Its genome is profoundly stripped-down, lacking virtually all recognizable metabolic pathways, and primarily encoding the machinery for its replicative core," Harada and team explain. "This suggests an unprecedented level of metabolic dependence on a host, a condition that challenges the functional distinctions between minimal cellular life and viruses." Unlike viruses, however, Sukunaarchaeum still has the genes to create its own DNA replication proteins, including ribosomes, messenger RNA, and transfer RNA. Whereas, viruses hijack their hosts' replication machinery. What's more, Sukunaarchaeum produces proteins that are likely involved in forming a membrane to house its tiny circle of DNA, potentially helping with its interactions with its plankton host. Shared genes suggest Sukunaarchaeum belongs to archaea, the domain of life from which our group, eukaryotes, evolved. Its circular chromosome resembles the genetic material of bacteria and archaea. With no genes for metabolism, Sukunaarchaeum doesn't appear to offer anything in return for the biological functions it commandeers from the plankton. Viruses are generally not considered alive in part because they can't replicate or sustain themselves without machinery provided by their host. Sukunaarchaeum can replicate, but not sustain itself, making that line between life and non-life even more precarious. This research has been uploaded onto bioRxiv and has yet to be peer reviewed. Sharks Do Something Bizarre When Turned Upside Down, And We Don't Know Why Orcas' Strange Beauty Routine Revealed by Scientists For The First Time New Discovery of Deep Sea 'Spiders' Is Unlike Anything We've Seen Before
