Tag: Coronavirus

Researchers pin hopes on Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR technology to detect coronavirus

by Lucille Avery on October 26, 2020 in Technology Consultant

Coronavirus tests performed in labs are the gold standard for accuracy, and antigen tests are a fast and inexpensive alternative.

But backers of a third type of test, developed by a Nobel Prize winner using cutting-edge CRISPR technology, say it has the potential to be all three: rapid, accurate and inexpensive.

Although these gene-editing technology tests are still being developed and won’t be ready in the United States this year as the weather cools and demand surges, research groups recently published papers describing them as an appealing alternative as testing shortages persist amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Jennifer Doudna, a

Ultraviolet light sterilizing technology introduced at Phoenix airport to kill coronavirus

by Lucille Avery on September 7, 2020 in Technology Consultant

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport added seven UV-C light sterilizers to some pre-security escalators to maximize the safety of travelers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

UV-C, or ultraviolet light, is known to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and many other microorganisms, according to Sky Harbor officials.

The light was installed underneath the escalator handrail and is not visible to travelers, according to Gabriel Nevarez, deputy aviation director for Facilities and Services.

“They shine the UV light directly on the handrail as it passes through,” Nevarez said, “As the handrail is moving, it’s a continuous sanitation of the handrail.”

Three more U.S. states launching coronavirus exposure warning apps

by Lucille Avery on August 13, 2020 in Technology Development

By Paresh Dave

OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) – North Dakota, Wyoming and Alabama are the latest U.S. states launching apps to warn users about potential exposure to the novel coronavirus by tracking their encounters, representatives for the states told Reuters on Thursday.

Virginia last week became the first U.S. state to urge residents to download such an app using technology developed by smartphone software giants Apple Inc <AAPL.O> and Alphabet Inc’s <GOOGL.O> Google.

About 316,000 people have downloaded Virginia’s app, COVIDWISE, Jeff Stover, a state health department official, told Reuters during an online event hosted by the Responsible Data Foundation as

India’s tech giants navigate ‘literally spiking’ WFH demand, H1-B fears in coronavirus era

by Lucille Avery on August 9, 2020 in Techology Advancement

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in drastic and sudden changes in life for the global labor force, but the shift to remote work has come as a surprise to Indian technology firms that help power many large companies in the United States.

Embracing work-from-home caused a sudden spike in demand in some sectors, even as others — like travel and hospitality— were decimated at the onset of the outbreak, according to Dinanath Kholkar, a vice president and global head of analytics and insights at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

“We were at a decent pace, from a demand perspective. But I can

JetBlue will test UV cleaning on planes due to coronavirus

by Lucille Avery on July 29, 2020 in Technology Consultant

As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket, a leading airline plans to test an advanced cleaning technology on its planes.

JetBlue Airways says it will try out ultraviolet technology to disinfect its aircrafts as a potential response to the COVID-19 crisis.

The airline’s president and COO told ABC News that it’s important for passengers to know that the aircrafts they’re traveling on are safe.

“We’re going to be looking for how far the UV light can reach,” Joanna Geraghty told ABC. “That’s one of the benefits of light that can reach into places that spraying and other types of technology may