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Top 10 Largest Spiders in the World- The Biggest is in Laos!

Close-up female of Spider Tarantula in threatening position. ( Photo: iStock).
Close-up female of Spider Tarantula in threatening position. ( Photo: iStock).

Decorations of realistic spiders or webs hanging from the ceiling make the house feel spookier on Halloween, but the spiders on this list will surprise you with their giant body sizes and unique characteristics. Hopefully, they don’t creep up behind you!

Hong Kong Baptist University-led research unveils cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic target for COVID-19

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 20 March 2023 – A study led by scientists from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has identified a protease called MT1-MMP that is a major host factor behind the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the human body, which leads to the infection of COVID-19 and multi-organ failure. By applying a humanised antibody called 3A2 that can inhibit the activity of MT1-MMP, the viral load of infected mice was reduced by almost 90%. The research team also demonstrated that the protease is a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19.

Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor, and Dr Guo Xuanming, researcher of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine, introduce the research findings on the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic target for COVID-19.
Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor, and Dr Guo Xuanming, researcher of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine, introduce the research findings on the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic target for COVID-19.

The research findings have been published in the internationally renowned scientific journal Nature Communications.

ACE2 as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry

Vaccination can protect people against COVID-19 and its potential complications, but it is not always effective in individuals with weak immune systems, or against some COVID-19 variants of concern. Thus, the development of a more effective treatment for COVID-19 remains a huge challenge in the post-vaccine era. Understanding the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 is vital to curb the spread of the virus, and it will also aid the search for new COVID-19 treatments.

SARS-CoV-2 requires angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein found on the membrane of human cells, as its receptor for cellular entry. Despite the lungs being the major organ affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, only a small proportion of lung cells express ACE2.

Previous studies found that the infection of organs with low levels of ACE2 expression by SARS-CoV-2 is made possible by a soluble form of ACE2. The soluble ACE2 binds with SARS-CoV-2, carries the virus to cells with low levels of ACE2 expression, and facilitates its entry into the cells.

MT1-MMP mediates cell entry of SARS-CoV-2

A research team led by Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, in collaboration with Dr Yuan Shuofeng, Assistant Professor of the Department of Microbiology at The University of Hong Kong, further studied how the physiological regulation of soluble ACE2 shedding contributes to the aetiology of COVID-19.

The team found that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to the increased activation of MT1-MMP, a protease crucial for many physiological processes. MT1-MMP mediates the release of soluble ACE2 from ACE2-expressing cells. This soluble ACE2 in turn binds to the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and carries it to the uninfected cells with low levels of ACE2 expression.

Notably, the team demonstrated that the introduction of human-soluble ACE2 enables SARS-CoV-2 to infect the lungs of a laboratory mouse strain (C57BL/6 mice) that is naturally insusceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the incompatibility of its mouse ACE2 and the viral spike proteins. The findings unveil the mechanism by which the virus hijacks host enzymes to enhance its infectivity, triggering multi-organ infections.

Antibody 3A2 blocks MT1-MMP activity

To study MT1-MMP’s functions and how it affects viral infection, the researchers used human cells to create organoids, a 3D tissue structure grown in vitro to resemble and model different organs in the laboratory.

They discovered that blocking MT1-MMP activity with the monoclonal antibody 3A2 effectively depleted soluble ACE2 levels and reduced the degree of infection of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung, heart and liver organoids by 60-80%. Consistent results were obtained using the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, as well as variants of concern, such as Delta and Omicron. The results demonstrate that MT1-MMP is a major host factor that mediates the cell entry of SARS-CoV-2, and that it is also a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19 drugs.

The researchers further tested the effects of applying 3A2 in a mouse COVID-19 model. A group of 11 mice were treated with either 3A2 or vehicle controls. Older mice were used in the experiment as old age is a major risk factor for severe symptoms and mortality for COVID-19. The results show that 3A2 reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 by almost 90% and dramatically alleviated lung tissue damage resulting from infection.

MT1-MMP as a therapeutic target

Dr Wong said: “Two major challenges when it comes to developing COVID-19 drugs are how to enhance treatment results for patients with weakened immune systems, and how to maintain the drugs’ effectiveness across different viral strains. 3A2 has good potential to become an effective drug for curing COVID-19 because it antagonises the activity of MT1-MMP, instead of boosting the immunity of patients or acting directly on the virus.

“Our previous studies have demonstrated that 3A2 also offers protection against obesity and diabetes, two major risk factors for severe symptoms and mortality for COVID-19. Therefore, 3A2 could be particularly suitable for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with metabolic disorders. It could also be effective against emerging coronaviruses in the future, because ACE2 is a doorway for many such viruses with similar cell entry mechanisms. Further research and experiments on 3A2 are required before it can be applied in humans.”

Hashtag: #HKBU

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Burning, Logging Rife in Phou Khao Khouay National Park

Logging, burning rife in Phou Khao Khouay National Park
Logging, burning rife in Phou Khao Khouay National Park.

Tourists visiting the Phou Khao Khouay National Park in Laos have reported witnessing widespread logging and agricultural burning, practices that are damaging the park’s delicate ecosystem.

China’s High-end Manufacturing Products from Electromechanical Field Show up in Singapore

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach – 20 March 2023 – From March 22 to 24, China’s Machinery & Electronics Show in Singapore (CMESS 2023), together with the First International Industrial Cooperation Conference jointly hosted by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) will be launched in Hall D &E, B2, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

A number of central state-owned enterprises and leading private sectors from China are coming to Singapore with their high-end manufacturing products from electromechanical industry this time, so as to open new opportunities for win-win cooperation with international enterprises from the globe.

  1. About CMESS 2023
    1. Exhibition area: 8000m²
    2. Exhibitors: 133 Branding Companies
    3. Audience: 5000 to 6000 persons
    4. Media: 50
  2. Exhibits
    1. Infrastructure: comprehensive solutions of infrastructure.
    2. Home appliances and Innovative products: home appliances and consumer electronics industry, Internet of things, video and audio entertainment, cooking and delicacy, intelligent security, health and other smart home scenes, from “smart home” to “smart community” to “smart city” in the full scene smart life application scheme in the future.
    3. Electric power & New energy: PV and other new energy power generation technology and equipment, power transmission and distribution and control equipment, intelligent technology and application of electric power, etc.
    4. Industrial machinery: machine tools, agricultural and food machinery, etc.
  3. Spotlights
    1. High-profile exhibition combined with series of forums topic on international industrial cooperation, accompanied with showcases of fruitful technical achievement.
    2. Industrial leaders combined with SMEs, jointly shape the international brand image featuring with “Intelligent Manufacturing in China”.
    3. Supported by China’s provincial government from Beijing, Shandong, Guizhou, Fujian, Henan and other official sectors, industrial cluster effect can be enlarged.
  1. The list of exhibitors from China(Partially Only)
    1. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)
    2. China Communications Construction Company Limited
    3. China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation Limited
    4. Power Construction Corporation Of China(POWER CHINA)
    5. Haier
    6. Ecovacs Robotics Co., Ltd.
    7. JA SOLAR Technology Co., Ltd.
    8. LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (LONGi)
    9. Zhejiang CHINT Electrics Co., Ltd.
    10. Gacia Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd.
    11. Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holdings Group
    12. Lingdu (Guangdong) Intelligent Technology Development Co., Ltd.
  1. Registration for professional visitors and buyers

https://www.gevme.com/cmes2023-register

  1. Contacts of CCCME:

Ms. Zhu Xiaomin, Ms. Liu Zhuohan
Email:cmess@cccme.org.cn

Hashtag: #CMESS2023

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Thailand’s SEAC Eyes Bold Expansion in the ASEAN SMART Learning Market

SEAC is expanding its SMART learning solutions across the ASEAN region.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 20 March 2023 – SEAC, a leading corporate and lifelong education innovator, is shaking up the Thai and ASEAN education market with significant investment to expand its SMART learning solutions across the ASEAN region. The world is rapidly moving forward, and current learning methods fail to keep pace; SEAC is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for more effective technology-supported education design and delivery.

SEAC has been developing and testing a range of seamless and cost-effective SMART learning experiences that will bridge learning gaps in the region. James Engel, SEAC Chief Learning Architect, said: “These ‘smarter’ ways of learning to move the experience from an instructor, topic, and event focus to a leaner, technology-supported design and delivery that emphasizes the learner, their needs & context. Our finish line is applied learning that positively impacts their lives and the world around them.”

“Our investment in the Thai and ASEAN SMART learning market is a game-changer for the corporate and lifelong education sectors,” said Ms. Arinya Talerngsri, SEAC’s CEO. “We are committed to offering a comprehensive and engaging SMART learning experiences to a broad range of learners and professionals.”

SEAC has previously launched a new range of innovative products and solutions for the Thai market, including two comprehensive Learning Experience Platforms(LXP) that offer flexibility for learners and their individual needs. They feature personalized learning paths, interactive content, and collaborative learning experiences. The company has also leveraged decades of deep learning design experience and insights to make learning more flexible, social, and convenient.

SEAC is also investing in its workforce. The company has been recruiting top talents in the industry and investing to enhance employees’ capabilities for the future of their industry and to exceed learner’s requirements. This has enabled the company to stay ahead of the curve and deliver cutting-edge solutions to clients.

The Thai and ASEAN SMART learning will grow significantly in the coming years, and SEAC is poised to be a major player in this market. A recent report estimates that the ASEAN Smart Education and Learning market will grow annually by 19.2% and its value will reach US$24.19 billion by 2025. SEAC’s long history of success in the corporate training segment provides a great platform to introduce a new range of solutions into this expansive market. SEAC will continue expanding its regional service with a particular focus on Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia in Q2/Q3 this year. SEAC has also been making inroads into the rapidly evolving K-12 education and University segments, which account for over 50% of the total market value. Government initiatives, such as the Thailand 4.0 national strategy, are expected to drive the growth of the ASEAN e-learning market.

SEAC is a company that potential investors will want to keep a close eye on. The ASEAN region’s large, young, and tech-savvy population has shown their willingness to opt for cost-effective SMART learning solutions that help them grow their skills and empower their lives.

For more information about SEAC and its innovative SMART learning solutions, please visit www.seasiacenter.com.

Hashtag: #SEAC #SMARTLearningSolutions #LearningExperience


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SEAC

Established in Thailand with more than 30 years of experience in people development, SEAC has provided innovative and practical approaches to over 2 million learners from more than 1,000 companies in Thailand and across SE Asia. Their goal is to empower lives and organizations through tailored transformative learning experiences. The Company’s 456 Smart Learning Experience design and delivery has redefined how well and effectively people upskill and reskill themselves. They serve various learners & leaders across generations, levels, and cultures.

Meta Launches Paid Verification on Facebook, Instagram in US

META Launches Paid Verification on Facebook, Instagram in the US
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo: politics-dz.)

Metas’ paid verification is now available across the US following the announcement from Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, last Friday.

China’s Flying Vehicle Manufacturer Targets ASEAN as Main Market

China's Flying Vehicle Manufacturer Targets ASEAN as Main Market
China's Flying Vehicle Manufacturer Targets ASEAN as Main Market

China’s EHang Holdings, a global leader in the development of flying cars, eyes Southeast Asia’s tourism sector as a significant opportunity for air mobility systems, says the company’s senior executive.

Cambodia’s Chief of Armed Forces Hun Manet Promoted to Four-Star General

Cambodia’s King Promotes Prime Minister’s First Son
General Hun Manet. ( Photo : Khmer Times )

Cambodia’s future prime ministerial candidate, Hun Manet, was promoted four-star general by King Norodom Sihamoni on Friday.