Researchers have developed a new membrane-based respiratory mask that captures and deactivates the COVID-19 particles it encounters. The mask filters particles the same way N95 masks do, but the new material also features antiviral enzymes that destroy SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (which are what allow the virus to enter the body). According to the developer’s tests, 99% of targeted particles were successfully filtered out by the …
A Guide to Legal Protection When Seeking Abortion Since Roe was overturned, abortion has become illegal in several states—a change that puts people terminating pregnancies at risk of being charged with various crimes. For this reason, The Cut has published and updated a guide to protecting oneself when seeking an abortion, and they have removed the paywall so that anybody who needs the information can …
There are several types of plastic in a single-use face mask, and they don’t easily decompose—instead winding up in the ocean. In fact, one face mask can release up to 173,000 microfibers per day into the sea which also contributes to the release of harmful chemicals. To tackle this waste problem, researchers studied the viability of making face masks out of pineapple leaves. Easily biodegradable, …
