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Scientists provide a structural framework for Omicron immune evasion and ACE2 receptor recognition

An interesting preprint research paper describes structural changes resulting from the multiple mutations found in the recent Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent behind the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition, the research describes the consequent effects of these changes on Omicron’s infectivity and immune evasion capabilities.

5 Jan 2022

Novel peptide-antibody fusion molecule enhances SARS-CoV-2 variant neutralization

A recent study reports neutralizing efficacy for a fused peptide-antibody molecule against SARS-CoV-2, providing hope that therapeutic neutralizing antibodies may soon be available.

3 Dec 2021

Xanthohumol as a potent pan-inhibitor for various coronaviruses

Researchers from China reported the results of their study aimed at finding an effective Mpro inhibitor since Mpro is the best drug target to fight SARS-CoV-2 infection.

12 Nov 2021

Western boom cities see spike in harmful ozone

The reduction of harmful ground-level ozone across most of the U.S. over the past several decades has been an air pollution success story.

10 Nov 2021

New discovery helps explain the persistent weakness after ACL reconstruction surgery

After an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery, it’s common to experience quadriceps weakness, which was thought to be caused primarily by muscle atrophy, or shrinkage.

2 Nov 2021

Areas with higher 1968 influenza pandemic mortality have lower COVID-19 deaths

A new study demonstrates the influence of prior infectious outbreaks in a large population on succeeding pandemic outcomes.

31 Oct 2021

Inactivated polio vaccine induces antibodies that block SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis

A new study introduces the possibility that the inactivated polio vaccine can elicit antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid synthesis.

10 Oct 2021

Review of COVID-19 clinical and viral characteristics, pathogenesis, and genetics

A new review article investigates the clinical and viral characteristics, pathogenesis, as well as human genetic basis associated with COVID-19.

27 Sep 2021

Using air filtration to remove airborne SARS-CoV-2 and other microbial aerosols in COVID wards

University of Cambridge researchers conducted a study in two repurposed COVID-19 units in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK, between January and February 2021. During this time, the alpha variant (lineage B1.1.7) accounted for >80% of the circulating SARS-CoV-2. This study, posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, aimed to provide evidence of the removal of SARS-CoV-2 and microbial bioaerosols using portable air filters with UV sterilization.

24 Sep 2021

KU researcher wins $1.25 million award to investigate the vital role of sex hormones in tissue repair

Our ability to heal and regenerate new tissue after an injury has much to do with biological sex. For instance, following menopause, the loss of sex-hormone signaling in women can lead to degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, where bone and cartilage degrade and become more delicate and brittle because of tissue loss.

21 Sep 2021

Study reveals role of globalization and zoonosis in the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants

A recent study aimed to use their own classification of different SARS-CoV-2 lineages that would help monitor their genetic features and geographical origins.

14 Sep 2021

Extreme novel pandemics more likely to occur in the future, statistical study reveals

The COVID-19 pandemic may be the deadliest viral outbreak the world has seen in more than a century. But statistically, such extreme events aren't as rare as we may think, asserts a new analysis of novel disease outbreaks over the past 400 years.

24 Aug 2021

Scientists document person-to-person transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pneumonic plague

Although the world is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many other dangerous pathogens still out there, like Yersinia pestis, which causes plague – the deadly disease that killed tens of millions of people during the infamous Black Death in the 14th century.

13 Aug 2021

Antibiotic resistance found in the gut microbiome of lemurs living close to humans

Antibiotic resistance, which the CDC calls one of the world's most urgent public health crises, is now being found in the guts of lemurs, our distant primate cousins.

9 Aug 2021

Key protein linked to both physical fitness in youth and diseases of old age

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have added to evidence that a protein called CaMKII improves strength, endurance, muscle health and fitness in young animals.

4 Aug 2021

Parts of Lake Tahoe close after chipmunks test positive for plague

Officials are closing some areas on the south shore of Lake Tahoe after some chipmunks tested positive for plague, an infectious disease that affects both humans and other mammals.

4 Aug 2021

T cells can be engineered to fight tumors without succumbing to exhaustion

Fighting a tumor is a marathon, not a sprint. For cancer-fighting T cells, the race is sometimes just too long, and the T cells quit fighting. Researchers even have a name for this phenomenon: T cell exhaustion.

19 Jul 2021

Can Biden’s plan to remove urban highways improve the health of American cities?

Mandela Parkway, a four-lane boulevard enhanced by a median with trees and a curving footpath, stretches along a 24-block section of West Oakland. It's the fruit of a grassroots neighborhood campaign to block reconstruction of an elevated freeway leveled by the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and reimagine the thoroughfare to replace it.

15 Jul 2021

Analysis: Why we’ll likely never know whether a covid lab leak happened in China

Early in this century, post-SARS, and in a period when China started allowing more students and scientists to study abroad, collaboration and exchange between American and Chinese scientists blossomed.

29 Jun 2021

Medieval plague victims were buried with considerable care and attention, shows study

In the mid-14th century Europe was devastated by a major pandemic - the Black Death - which killed between 40 and 60 per cent of the population. Later waves of plague then continued to strike regularly over several centuries.

18 Jun 2021