New Delhi, June 6: US researchers have identified a mechanism that SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes Covid-19 — uses to protect itself inside the body as it works to replicate and infect more cells.

Without this protective mechanism, viral infection is dramatically reduced, said the team from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Chicago.

The finding, published in the journal Nature Communications, not only provides a potential target for new Covid therapies but also offers insights that could inform future vaccine and antiviral development.

The study builds on earlier work from Texas Biomed that identified ORF3a, a type of viral protein most important for the virus’s pathogenicity, or ability to cause disease.

Specifically, the team found that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a appears to play a vital role in protecting structural proteins, most notably the spike protein that facilitates spread into other cells, as they are assembled on the surface of viral particles.

It does this by driving the formation of a dense group of proteins that surround the spike protein and provide protection while in transit, much like security detail protecting a person or an armoured vehicle carrying cash to the bank, the researcher said.

Jueqi Chen, Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago, termed these protective complexes “3a dense bodies” or 3DBs for short.

It appears that 3DBs help prevent the spike protein from being cut into smaller components.

When ORF3a is missing, these 3DBs fail to form, and the spike protein often arrives damaged, severely impairing the nascent virus’s ability to infect new cells, the expert said.

“ORF3a could therefore be a good target for drugs to block the virus,” said Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Professor at Texas Biomed.

“This discovery could also be instrumental for vaccine development, as we illustrated previously,” Martinez-Sobrido added.

New Delhi, June 5: Union Ministers on World Environment Day on Thursday urged citizens to put an end to plastic pollution and embrace sustainability while also planting more trees for a greener and cleaner future.

World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5. The theme this year, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ aims to end plastic pollution.

“As we mark #EnvironmentDay today, let’s reaffirm our commitment to protecting our planet and ensuring sustainability for all living beings. Always remember nature protects when protected,” said Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in a post on social media platform X.

“On World Environment Day, let us renew our commitment to protect the planet by planting more trees, reducing pollution, conserving resources, and embracing sustainability. Together, our small steps can create a greener, healthier, and more hopeful future for all,” added Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs.

Globally, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, while microplastics accumulate in the soil from sewage and landfills, due to the use of plastics in agricultural products.

Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology stated that India “reiterates its strong commitment to beat plastic pollution through proactive policies, sustainable practices and mass awareness. Together, let’s restore ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and build a greener, cleaner future”.

“Let us take a pledge on this Environment Day – stop plastic pollution, live in harmony with nature, and create a greener, cleaner, and safer earth for future generations,” added Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for MoEFCC.

Besides choking the planet, plastic pollution permeates even our bodies in the form of microplastics and poses several health risks.

“Plastic pollution is choking our planet – harming ecosystems, well-being, and the climate. Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

“And as it breaks down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk,” he added, calling for a movement for urgent change.

India is witnessing a renewed rise in COVID-19 infections, with active cases nearing the 4,000 mark. According to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Monday, June 2, the number of active cases rose to 3,961, up from 3,758 the previous day.

Experts have attributed this uptick to the fast-spreading NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 variants currently circulating across several states.

As per the data, West Bengal saw the sharpest rise, adding 82 new infections within 24 hours. Delhi recorded 47 fresh cases, pushing its active tally to 436, while Gujarat crossed the 300 mark. Kerala remains the worst-hit, with over 1,400 active cases. Maharashtra follows with 485 infections and seven reported deaths to date.

Kerala and Karnataka also confirmed two additional fatalities over the weekend, raising India’s death toll since January 2025 to 28.

Health officials are advising high-risk groups, particularly the elderly and unvaccinated with pre-existing conditions, to exercise extra caution. “We are closely monitoring the variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. There is no need for panic, but we do urge people to avoid crowded spaces if they’re symptomatic,” a senior official told Media.

While hospitalisations remain low, the government has flagged typical symptoms of these new variants, which include fever, throat pain, nausea, and digestive discomfort. Officials have also recommend undergoing an RT-PCR test if symptoms persist beyond four days.

A health ministry spokesperson told Media, “Medical infrastructure is well-equipped to manage a rise in cases. We are prepared.”

In contrast to national trends, some states like Sikkim have reported only a handful of cases, underscoring the uneven spread of the virus.