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One needs only to peruse the daily news to be aware that humanity is on a dangerous and challenging trajectory. This essay explores the prospect of adopting a science-based framework for confronting these potentially adverse prospects. It explores a perspective based on relevant ecological and behavioral science. The objective is to involve concerned citizens of the world in this enterprise. The overall objective is to maintain Planet Earth as a favorable home for the future of humanity. Nine ecological principles explain one major aspect of what is happening and provide critical guidelines for appropriate action. Nine social behaviors explore how we might integrate social science insights with those from ecology. Twenty predictions are proposed based on these ecological and social science principles plus existing trends. If these trends are not vigorously and courageously confronted, we will likely be on track for the demise of our civilization. As we examine these challenges, our job will be especially complicated because a major segment of humanity is not prepared to accept evidence based on science, and this generates much resistance to any efforts directed toward effective control of current and future challenges. In these complex circumstances, we must remain as cooperative and optimistic as possible so that we can promote the needed willpower and ingenuity. This essay has broad support as it is a contribution to the Scientists' Warning to Humanity Program of the Alliance of World Scientists (Ripple et al., 2017).The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, a new member of the Coronavirus family. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, where the epidemic originated. The viral genome was sequenced and a real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay was developed and used for the detection of virus. Different countries took different approaches for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Some countries prioritized extensive testing for COVID-19 at a very early phase of the pandemic whereas other countries took a long time to build the testing capacity and to implement the testing extensively. The assay design formats were available in the public domain and thereby allowing researchers to replicate them to make diagnostic kits. Consequently, several antigen or antibody-based diagnostic tests were also developed for the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, there were some validation and regulatory challenges while bringing these assays into the market. During the course of the pandemic, it became clear that the countries which implemented testing at an early stage of the pandemic were capable of controlling the spread more effectively than those that implemented them at later stages. As several countries implemented a lockdown for controlling the spread of the virus, it is critical to build the testing capability to meet the extensive need of testing while exiting the lockdown. Testing and isolation of positive cases are the most effective ways of preventing the spread of virus and gradually returning life back to normality.Rotavirus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children 5 years and below. An epidemiological study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rotavirus in Enugu state and factors that contribute to the incidence in the state. Stool samples were collected from 179 children from different parts of the state. Rotavirus antigen was detected using enzyme immunoassay kit. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to obtain additional information from the parents/guardian of the children. Chi square was used to analyze the results and significance was determined at 0.05. The results showed 31.5% prevalence of rotavirus among children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and 25.7% prevalence in the general population. The prevalence was highest (60.9%) among children 0-12 months and decreased as the age increased. Rotavirus infection was significantly higher in bottle-fed children than in those feed exclusively breast milk. selleck compound More viruses were detected in O (48.8%) and A (47.6%) blood group children than in children of other blood groups. More rotavirus caused AGE occurred in dry season compared to wet season, with highest incidence of both AGE and rotavirus infection occurring in January. Rotavirus diarrhoea was significantly associated with fever, vomiting and dehydration. The results of this study show that rotavirus continues to be an important cause of diarrhoea in children in this part of Nigeria and emphasize the need to factor in rotavirus and other viral agents in the diagnosis and treatment of diarrhoea in children 5 years and below.In response to Coronavirus 19 pandemic, countries are struggling to contain its spread and save precious human lives. Like others, India is also trying to enhance testing capacity to identify every case and break the chain of transmission. Due to several constrains like geographic distribution of the laboratories, social stigma, prevailing lockdown, people are not being able to seek medical help every time they need. In addition, the states are not doing laboratory tests in similar frequency. In future, doing extensive tests would emerge as a major strategy for stopping the progression of the pandemic.Seasonal influenza viruses constitute a major global concern. Currently, H3N2 and H1N1pdm09 are the commonly circulating influenza A viruses. The haemagglutin and neuraminidase genes of influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses from Egyptian paediatric patients with respiratory distress were sequenced. Mutational analysis of all published sequences from Egypt was evolutionary tracked for both HA and NA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of H3N2 HA showed that the Egyptian strains belong to 3C2 subclade while Egyptian A(H1N1)pdm09 strains belong to 6B1 subclade. Some Egyptian A(H1N1)pdm09, 2013-2014, strains form a new subclade; 6B3. High score of mutations were recorded in HA of H1N1pdm09 but higher was recorded in H3N2 strains. These findings confirmed a high mutation rate of influenza A subtypes specially H3N2 strains.