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Kata Farkas

Environmental Virologist, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University
I competed my PhD in microbiology at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand in 2014. My research focused on the fate and behaviour of enteric viruses in groundwater. After finishing my studies, I was involved in various project that uses viral metagenomics approaches to identify viruses (both known and novel) in various ecosystems. Since 2015, I have been working at the Bangor University, on the Viraqua Project (www.viraqua.uk; 2015-2018) and at the Shellfish Centre (2019-2022) and on th eimplementation of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for SARS-CoV-2 and other viral pathogens (2020, ongoing).

My research focuses on the ecology and survival of viruses in the aquatic environment with a special interest in the fate of enteric viruses. Enteric viruses are responsible for the majority of gastroenteral illnesses globally putting an enormous burden on healthcare systems and the wider economy. These pathogens are often found in water reservoirs (recreational and drinking water sources, shellfish harvesting areas) and hence responsible for water- and foodborne outbreaks. I am also leading the R&D activities for the Welsh WBE programme.

We tested the wastewater from planes to detect COVID among travellers – here's what we found

Jan 25, 2023 04:45 am UTC| Health

Small traces of many pathogens, such as viruses we may be infected with, are excreted when we go to the toilet. Ultimately, these agents find their way to municipal wastewater treatment plants where sewage samples can be...

Economy

Apple’s 2nm Chips Skip iPhone 17 as TSMC Prepares 2026 Launch for iPhone 18

Apple has decided to wait until 2026 to incorporate TSMCs 2nm chips into the iPhone 18. The move bypasses the iPhone 17, as TSMC works on scaling its production to meet industry demands and cut costs. Apple Expected to...

Alibaba Partners with E-Mart in $4 Billion Deal to Strengthen South Korean Online Retail Leadership

In a $4 billion agreement, Alibaba Group and E-Mart are merging their South Korean e-commerce platforms, forming a joint venture to take full ownership of Gmarket. The deal positions the companies to compete with top...

Xiaomi Expands EV Charging Access Across China With NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto Networks

Xiaomi has joined the EV charging networks of NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto, giving its customers access to over 29,000 stations across China. The move marks a strategic step in bolstering Xiaomis EV business amid growing...

BYD Contractor Rejects 'Slavery-like Conditions' Accusations in Brazil as Labor Controversy Deepens

Jinjiang Group, a contractor for BYD, has denied accusations of mistreatment at a Brazilian EV factory, calling them baseless and pointing to cultural misunderstandings as tensions grow over worker rights. Jinjiang Denies...

Japan Airlines Faces Cyberattack Disruption with Over 60 Delayed Flights and Canceled Domestic Routes

Japan Airlines experienced significant disruptions on Thursday as a cyberattack led to over 60 flight delays, including 11 international routes, and two domestic cancellations. The airline quickly resolved the network...

Politics

Absentee Ballot Scandal Rocks Madison Election Nearly 200 Votes Went Uncounted Sparking Outrage and Demands for Reform

The Madison Clerks Office has revealed that nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted in the recent November election, sending shockwaves through Wisconsins electoral process. The disclosure has ignited public outcry and...

Shocking Poll Reveals Majority of Democrats Abandon Political News After Trump’s Landslide Victory

A stunning new AP/NORC poll has revealed that seven out of ten Democrats are stepping away from political news following former President Donald Trumps sweeping victory. The unexpected exodus from the political...

Hakeem Jeffries Emerges as Key Gatekeeper for GOP House Majority’s Agenda

The balance of power in Congress is reaching a fever pitch as Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries rises as the key figure determining whether the Republican-controlled House can pass its legislative agenda. Former Rep. Max...

Trump’s Shocking Vow to Prosecute 2020 Election ‘Thieves’ Sparks Political Firestorm and Social Media Outrage

Former President Donald Trump has ignited a new political firestorm after pledging to prosecute those he accuses of being involved in the alleged theft of the 2020 presidential election. Among his controversial targets are...

Democrats Shut Down Rumors of Secret Plan to Object Trump’s Victory Amid 2024 Tension

Democrats are now battling against a swirling storm of rumors claiming theyre secretly planning to challenge Donald Trumps potential victory in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. POLITICO reported that no plans to...

Science

Public Health Experts Warn of ‘Quad-Demic’ as Flu, COVID, RSV, and Norovirus Threaten Winter Surge

Public health experts are raising alarms over a potential quad-demic this winter, with flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus all expected to surge simultaneously. This unprecedented convergence of...

Philippines' 'Missile Acquisition' Plan Provokes China's 'Arms Race' Warning

The Philippines has announced plans to acquire the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system to bolster its maritime defense capabilities. This decision has elicited strong reactions from China, which warns that such a move...

Christmas Eve Asteroid' to Skim Past Earth at 14,743 mph Tonight, NASA Warns

NASA has announced that an asteroid, comparable in size to a 10-story building, will make a close approach to Earth on Christmas Eve. The space rock, designated 2003 SD220, is expected to pass by our planet at a speed of...

Emergency Declared as Bird Flu 'Spreads' to California Dairy Cows

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declared a state of emergency in response to the rapidly escalating bird flu outbreak. The declaration comes after avian influenza was detected in dairy cows, a rare and...

Missing Radioactive Material in New Jersey Sparks Panic — Are Drones ‘Hunting for It’?

A small amount of radioactive material went missing in New Jersey earlier this month, raising concerns over public safety and potential security risks. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed on December 2,...

Technology

Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Rumors Explode as Countdown Ending January 8 Fuels New Leaks

Nintendo Switch 2 speculation reaches new heights with a countdown set for January 8 and leaked dock images circulating online. Fans are eager but cautious as the buzz around the anticipated reveal grows. Weibo Leaker...

Sam Altman Says Superintelligence Will Ignite a 10X Boom in AI Breakthroughs Transforming the Future of Innovation

Sam Altman envisions a world where superintelligence propels AI innovation 10x faster than expected, transforming global progress and redefining humanitys future. Early Arrival of AGI Sparks Debate The most noteworthy is...

South Korea Eyes $13.9 Billion KSMC Project to Outpace TSMC and Reinvent Semiconductor Innovation

South Korea is developing KSMC with a $13.9 billion investment to challenge TSMC and foster innovation across its semiconductor ecosystem. KSMC Proposal Aims to Strengthen South Koreas Semiconductor Sector Korea...

Microsoft Steps Back from OpenAI Dependency in 365 Copilot with New AI Models Integration Strategy

Microsoft is reshaping its AI strategy for 365 Copilot by integrating in-house and third-party models, easing its reliance on OpenAI due to cost and speed concerns for enterprise users, according to sources. Microsoft...

BYD Factory in Brazil Faces Investigation as Chinese Workers Found in 'Slavery-like Conditions'

Brazilian officials discovered 163 Chinese workers in slavery-like conditions at a BYD factory construction site in Bahia. Workers faced withheld passports, long hours, and unsafe environments, sparking an ongoing...