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Coronavirus epidemic hit East Asia 20,000 years ago, shows new study

10:13 PM | 27 Jun, 2021
Coronavirus epidemic hit East Asia 20,000 years ago, shows new study

A new research revealed that a coronavirus epidemic struck East Asia nearly 20,000 years ago.

The severity of the epidemic was strong enough that genetic imprints of coronavirus can be found in genome of modern day human beings as the virus can make major changes in human genome. 

The research, which was conducted by Australian and US experts, was published in the scientific journal Current Biology.

David Enard, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona and the leader researcher, and his colleagues studied genomes of 25,000 people from different 26 populations across the globe to understand the ancient epidemics. 

The analysis revealed that East Asian populations exposed to the coronavirus nearly 20,000 years ago, indicating that the region had adapted to the an ancient coronavirus. 

In addition, such changes have been limited to the region.

"When we compared them with populations around the world, we couldn't find the signal," said Yassine Souilmi, a co-author of the study.

"Viruses work by making copies of themselves. However, they don't have their own tools to do the duplication. So, they actually depend on a host, and that's why they invade a host and then they hijack their machinery to create copies of themselves," Souilmi was quoted as saying by CNN.

The researchers, during the study, also found the 42 genes owned about the same amount of mutations, which means they had all evolved at about the same time, CGTN reported. 

The study estimated the genes evolved antiviral mutations between 20,000 and 25,000 years ago.

Souilmi further said that 42 genes are worth studying for the scientists who are making efforts to find cure for the novel coronavirus. 

This is the first of its kind study that has traced the family of the virus back very far into history. 

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Pakistani rupee recovers against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee continues recovering losses against US dollar and other currencies amid positive economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Tuesday, the US dollar moved down and was being quoted at 283.6 for buying and 286.65 for selling.

Euro slides down to 309 for buying and 312 for selling. British Pound rate inches up to 360 for buying, and 363.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED dropped to 77.50 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 75.90.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 5 December 2023

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar USD 283.6 286.65
Euro EUR 309 312
UK Pound Sterling GBP 360 363.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.5 78.2
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.9 76.7
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 757.72 765.72
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.93 40.33
Danish Krone DKK 41.59 41.99
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.46 36.81
Indian Rupee INR 3.42 3.53
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 922.11 931.11
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.97 61.57
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.89 177.89
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.68 26.98
Omani Riyal OMR 740.01 748.01
Qatari Riyal QAR 78.27 78.97
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.45 27.75
Swiss Franc CHF 327.65 330.15
Thai Bhat THB 8.16 8.31

Gold Rates in Pakistan - Check today gold price - 5 December 2023

The gold remained under pressure in Pakistan amid a huge drop in price of the precious metal despite in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 5 December 2023

On Tuesday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs218,500 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs187,330. 

Single tola of 24 karat is Rs218,500, 22 Karat Gold costs Rs200,290, rate of 21 karat gold stands at Rs191,190 whereas 18k gold rate is Rs163,875.00 for each tola.

In the global market, gold saw huge drop in price, coming down to $2037 per ounce after drop of $81.79.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Karachi PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Islamabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Peshawar PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Quetta PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Sialkot PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Attock PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Gujranwala PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Jehlum PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Multan PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Bahawalpur PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Gujrat PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Nawabshah PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Chakwal PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Hyderabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Nowshehra PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Sargodha PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Faisalabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Mirpur PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720

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