Latest news with #contagious
National Post
a day ago
- Science
- National Post
What we know about yawning, from why we do it to why it's contagious
Yawning is strange. Article content It's not obviously just mechanical, like a burp to release gas pressure, or just psychological, like a yelp to express fear or excitement. A yawn is more like a sneeze or a hiccup, an involuntary breath event that is sometimes more or less resistible. Article content Article content But what is really strange, almost unique among human behaviours, is that yawning is contagious. Article content New research on chimpanzees by a British team of cognitive scientists shows contagious yawning is not only common in other species, and can happen between species, but that it can also be induced in chimps by an obviously artificial humanoid robot, an android 'agent' that is just a creepy looking disembodied head and shoulders, and which doesn't even breathe, but which can still give a believable facsimile of a yawn. Article content Article content The paper, published this month in Nature Scientific Reports, details an experiment in which the chimps were shown three behaviours by the android: a full wide-mouth yawn, a more moderate gaping mouth, and a closed mouth. Article content 'The results showed that adult chimpanzees exhibited across-agent yawn contagion, with a graded response: the highest contagion occurred when the android displayed a fully wide-open mouth (Yawn condition), a reduced response when the mouth was partially opened (Gape condition), and no contagion when the android's mouth was closed,' the paper says. Article content Article content And the chimps did not only yawn in response to the yawning robot. They also 'engaged in behaviours associated with drowsiness,' basically by preparing a comfortable place to lie down. Article content Article content 'This suggests that yawning by an unfamiliar model may act as a contextual cue for rest, rather than merely triggering a motor resonance response,' the paper says. Article content Diverse species exhibit contagious yawning, certainly mammals like dogs and cats, but even fish, whose respiratory system shares evolutionary origins with our own. Article content Most vertebrates yawn, but those that are known to yawn contagiously are usually pack animals, somehow social. This suggests the evolutionary purpose of the yawn is at least partly at the level of the group, not just the individual. A sneeze just tries to blast stuff out of your nose, a burp just lets gas out of your belly, but a yawn means something to other people. Article content Not always, of course, Yawning might, for example, help cool the brain for optimal performance, as one theory holds. But yawning also involves empathy, as its contagious aspect shows. It is a social phenomenon, and catching, like laughter. Article content 'What I find strange is that if we see someone walking, we don't an feel urge to walk. But with yawning, we do,' said Ramiro Joly-Mascheroni, a research fellow in social and cognitive neuroscience at City St. George's University of London in the U.K., in an interview.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Christian school in West Montrose listed as potential measles exposure location
A empty teacher's desk is pictured in an empty classroom at Mcgee Secondary school in Vancouver on Sept. 5, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Students who attend a Christian school in West Montrose may have been exposed to the measles virus. The Region of Waterloo said someone with the illness was at Foundation Christian School at 28 Katherine Street South on May 29 and May 30 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Anyone who may have been exposed is encouraged to complete a measles self-assessment on the region's website and monitor for symptoms until June 20. What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Times
Chimps ‘catch' yawns from a robot — and think it's time for a rest
When robots attain sentience and rise up to take over the world, the chances are that chimpanzees will find the whole thing rather boring. Or at least, this is how it could appear, after scientists found new proof that yawning can be contagious — and believe they may have finally figured out why. They did this via the unusual method of showing that chimps can 'catch' yawns from robots that have been programmed to mimic human facial expressions. Scientists remain puzzled by the contagious nature of yawning and are unsure how or why it evolved in a number of animal species that live in social groups, including mammals and even some fish. The chimpanzee study provided new proof that yawning could be contagious ALAMY Studies have found that more than two thirds of humans end up yawning after seeing someone else do the same, and that yawns can even be contagious between species, for example when a dog yawns after seeing its owner do the same. Some theories suggest that seeing a yawn triggers wiring in the brain known as mirror neurons, which not only fire when the body carries out a particular action but also when you witness someone else performing that action. Catching yawns from others may therefore play a role in a phenomenon known as 'social mirroring', used as a tool to display empathy with your companions. Scientists now think, however, that the brain may see someone else yawning and interpret it as a sign to take a rest, after their study found that chimps not only yawn when seeing a robot do the same, but also then lie down. • King of the swingers: chimps drum like jazz musicians Researchers from City St George's university in London programmed a humanoid robotic head with lifelike skin and facial features to yawn as humans do. They exposed 14 adult chimps aged between 10 and 33 at a sanctuary in Spain to the 'yawnbot', showing them a range of expressions including yawning, 'gaping' and a neutral face, with each lasting ten seconds. The 'yawnbot' used in the study CITY ST GEORGE'S, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that 'chimpanzees will both yawn and lie down in response to yawns made by an android, suggesting that it may act as a cue to rest rather than simply triggering an automatic response'. After a large yawn, the chimps tended to yawn too and would then 'gather bedding materials before lying down'. It is the first time that yawning has been shown to be contagious from an inanimate object and shows just how susceptible non-human primates are to such triggers. They found that yawning not only prompts someone to mimic the action, but sends the message that it is time for bed, suggesting that yawning had 'rest-related inferences for the chimpanzees'. It is possible that yawning can help a social group to co-ordinate their sleep cycles.
Health Line
04-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
Can You Catch Pneumonia?
While pneumonia, an infection in the lungs, itself isn't contagious, the viruses and bacteria that cause it often are. People with weakened immune systems may be at a greater risk from contagious causes of pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in your lungs. While you can't catch pneumonia, you may be able to catch what caused someone's pneumonia. Sometimes, pneumonia is caused by viruses or bacteria that can be transmitted from person to person. However, pneumonia may also be caused by conditions that are not contagious, such as inhaled food that becomes trapped in the lungs or environmental factors like fungus. Read on to learn more about the causes of pneumonia, when they may be contagious, and what you can do to prevent catching a virus or bacterial infection. Is pneumonia contagious? Yes, certain types of pneumonia are contagious. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or foreign bodies. Some of these causes may be transmitted from person to person, but not everyone who is exposed will develop pneumonia. Some types of pneumonia are caused by things that can't be transmitted to other people. Bacterial pneumonia can be transmitted from person to person. Forms of bacterial pneumonia include: walking pneumonia streptococcal pneumonia pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) There are many viruses that can cause pneumonia, including the same viruses that cause the cold and flu. Viruses can pass from person to person easily. For example, the influenza virus can survive on surfaces, making it even more contagious. Other viruses that attack the respiratory system can be contagious as well. Noncontagious pneumonia Fungal pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia are examples of pneumonia that aren't usually contagious. Fungal pneumonia is caused by inhaled fungi from the environment. It does not spread from person to person. The fungi that cause this type of pneumonia are usually found in soil. Aspiration pneumonia isn't contagious because it's caused by inhaling food or liquid into your lungs. This can happen in people who've had a stroke or have other neurologic conditions. How is pneumonia spread? Most cases of pneumonia are caused by either bacterial or viral organisms. These can spread in a number of ways, including: coughs or sneezes that aren't covered not wearing a mask when sick sharing cups or eating utensils touching a tissue or other item after someone with bacterial or viral pneumonia has used it, then touching your face. not washing your hands regularly, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing How can you prevent the spread of pneumonia? Here are some steps that can help reduce your exposure to the bacteria or viruses that can cause pneumonia. Tips for preventing pneumonia Wash your hands regularly, especially if you're caring for someone who has pneumonia. Get vaccinated. Avoid smoking, or get help to quit. Keep your body in good health with exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet. If you have any ongoing health conditions, take all medications as prescribed. When possible, try to limit contact with people who are sick. If you have pneumonia yourself, stay home until you're well and a doctor says your pneumonia is no longer contagious. What are the symptoms of pneumonia? Symptoms of pneumonia include: fever sweating chills a wet cough that produces colored or clear phlegm loss of appetite fatigue nausea and vomiting difficulty breathing Call a doctor if you think an illness may be pneumonia and you're in a high risk category. And contact a medical professional if you have: chest pain cough lasting more than 1 week difficulty breathing or shortness of breath a fever over 100.4˚F (38˚C) for more than 3 days, since most fevers go away in this time worsening symptoms What vaccines are available for pneumonia? Vaccines are an important and effective way to prevent both bacterial and viral infections in children and adults. Pneumonia is a common complication of many of these infections. Other helpful vaccines for children include: DTaP and Tdap, which both protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) flu Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) meningitis pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for Streptococcal pneumonia Other helpful vaccines for adults include: flu meningitis pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for Streptococcal pneumonia shingles Tdap varicella (chickenpox) Speak with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you and your family. Who is most at risk of getting pneumonia? Not everyone who's exposed to these bacteria or viruses will develop pneumonia. People who are at high risk of developing pneumonia include: children under 2 years old adults over 65 years old pregnant people anyone with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), such as people who have HIV or AIDS or an autoimmune disease, or who are undergoing chemotherapy people with a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease people with lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma people who smoke people who've been hospitalized Q&A: Can pneumonia be contagious to babies? Q: Can my baby catch our relative's pneumonia? Anonymous reader A: Pneumonia can be transmitted from an adult with pneumonia to a baby by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Babies are not immunized against pneumonia until age 2. Therefore, they are at greater risk. A few things adults can do to reduce this risk include: covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing washing hands frequently with soap and water limiting close contact not kissing baby's bare skin Chris Young, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Takeaway While you can't catch pneumonia, depending on the type of pneumonia, you can catch what caused it. Bacterial and viral pneumonia are the most common types of pneumonia. They're both contagious. However, you can reduce your risk of developing these pneumonias by getting vaccinated and practicing proper hand hygiene, among other steps. If you do develop pneumonia, effective treatments are available. A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. In most cases, your pneumonia should no longer be contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics, and once your fever resolves, if you had one.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Alberta Health Services issues measles warning in Hanna, Alta.
Health officials are issuing a public warning after someone sick with measles was exposed to the public in the town of Hanna. Alberta Health Services (AHS) said Tuesday that the individual entered the Hanna Health Care Centre at 4:34 p.m. on May 24 and was in contact with the public for more than eight hours, leaving the location at 12:52 a.m. on May 25. AHS says that anyone who was at the centre during that time may have been exposed to the contagious patient. 'Anyone who attended this location at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles. They should monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records,' AHS said in a statement. Officials said exposed individuals should monitor their health until at least June 15. Symptoms of measles include: a fever of 38.3 C or higher; cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and a rash, beginning behind the ears and on the face before spreading down the body, including to the arms and legs. Complications from the illness can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and, in rare cases, death. Pregnant women and children under five years old, as well as individuals with weakened immune systems, are at the greatest risk. Confirmed measles case found in Hanna, Alta. AHS says an individual sick with measles exposed the public to the highly contagious virus for more than eight hours at the Hanna Health Care Centre between May 24 and 25, 2025. (Supplied/Google Maps) According to the Alberta government, there are 19 active cases of measles in Alberta as of Tuesday. There have been 618 total measles cases confirmed in the province this year.
