Omicron News and Research

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Exploring factors favoring transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta sublineage AY.4.2 over the Delta variant

In the present study, researchers isolated an infectious AY.4.2 strain of COVID-19 from the nasopharyngeal swab of a symptomatic individual from the Paris region. Then, they introduced the AY.4.2 signature mutations - T95I, Y145H, and A222V - in an expression plasmid coding the Delta protein to study the function of the AY.4.2 S protein.

13 Jan 2022

Forecasting seasonal SARS-CoV-2 mutations

In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers have been trying to create a technique to predict which of these mutations will spread.

13 Jan 2022

Using lab-grown stomachs to shed light on the symptoms of COVID-19

Could lab-grown 'mini-stomachs' be used to look at COVID-19 symptoms in children? In this interview, we speak to Paolo De Coppi to find out more.

13 Jan 2022

Cannabinoids may prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, including variants

A new study published in the Journal of Natural Products of the American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy has shown that isolated cannabinoids or those in hemp extracts have the potential to prevent and treat the infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) – primarily by blocking viral cell entry.

13 Jan 2022

How did the COVID pandemic affect the spread of other zoonotic diseases?

In new research, scientists from the Beijing University of Technology have been investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality of zoonotic diseases in China. Their work is published in the journal BMJ Global Health.

12 Jan 2022

Vaccine mandate may have little impact on health care staffing levels

The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing challenges to a Biden administration vaccine mandate that requires eligible employees in Medicare or Medicaid-funded facilities to get vaccinated or receive an exemption.

12 Jan 2022

Estimating transmission advantage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron over Delta in the UK

Researchers estimate daily growth rates for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants in each UKHSA region of England.

12 Jan 2022

Ask KHN-Politifact: Is my cloth mask good enough? The 2022 edition

The highly transmissible omicron variant is sweeping the U.S., causing a huge spike in covid-19 cases and overwhelming many hospital systems.

12 Jan 2022

New method for monitoring circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and detecting new ones

To understand and act early and appropriately to emerging variants of concern, researchers have explored the possibility of having a variant-agnostic detection assay.

12 Jan 2022

An egg-derived SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and treatment for COVID-19 disease

A new study, posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, has focussed on the development of intranasal prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

11 Jan 2022

Danish household study shows COVID vaccinates reduce susceptibility and transmissibility

A new study discusses the effect of vaccines against COVID-19 on the transmissibility and susceptibility of vaccine recipients to SARS-CoV-2.

11 Jan 2022

Engineering higher affinity SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

A new study describes the potential of engineered neutralizing antibodies that have a high affinity for the binding epitopes.

11 Jan 2022

Third dose of mRNA COVID vaccine induces strong immunity in older adults

A new study describes the beneficial effects of a third dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in strengthening immunity among older adults.

11 Jan 2022

VarLOCK approach for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and wastewater monitoring

A recent study discussed the expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 CRISPR-Cas detection technology (SHERLOCK) into Variant-specific SHERLOCK (VarLOCK) assays to accurately differentiate between the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

11 Jan 2022

Study finds T cell response mostly conserved against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant following infection or vaccination

A new preprint examines the extent of protection offered by T cell responses to primary vaccination and/or natural infection with the virus.

11 Jan 2022

Single-step RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant detection in respiratory samples

A new preprint describes a single-step molecular diagnostic test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant that is behind the unprecedented rise in cases over the last few weeks.

11 Jan 2022

Evaluating effectiveness of the COVID-19 mRNA-1273 vaccine against Omicron and Delta variants

Researchers recently assessed vaccine effectiveness against Omicron and Delta variant-induced infection as well as hospitalization, including among immunocompromised individuals.

11 Jan 2022

Study finds heterologous vaccine booster evokes robust immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

The current study examines the role of heterologous vaccination, an area that lacks much clarity.

11 Jan 2022

Fire closes hospital and displaces staff as Colorado battles omicron

The Colorado wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes last month has forced the temporary closure of a hospital and upended the lives of health care workers as the state's already strained health care system braces for another surge in covid-19 hospitalizations.

11 Jan 2022

Development and validation of 2-gene host-based COVID-19 diagnostic classifiers

A group of researchers from Biohub has been attempting to create a more accurate method for PCR testing.

11 Jan 2022

Omicron News and Research

Exploring factors favoring transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta sublineage AY.4.2 over the Delta variant

Forecasting seasonal SARS-CoV-2 mutations

Using lab-grown stomachs to shed light on the symptoms of COVID-19

Cannabinoids may prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, including variants

How did the COVID pandemic affect the spread of other zoonotic diseases?

Vaccine mandate may have little impact on health care staffing levels

Estimating transmission advantage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron over Delta in the UK

Ask KHN-Politifact: Is my cloth mask good enough? The 2022 edition

New method for monitoring circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and detecting new ones

An egg-derived SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and treatment for COVID-19 disease

Danish household study shows COVID vaccinates reduce susceptibility and transmissibility

Engineering higher affinity SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Third dose of mRNA COVID vaccine induces strong immunity in older adults

VarLOCK approach for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and wastewater monitoring

Study finds T cell response mostly conserved against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant following infection or vaccination

Single-step RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant detection in respiratory samples

Evaluating effectiveness of the COVID-19 mRNA-1273 vaccine against Omicron and Delta variants

Study finds heterologous vaccine booster evokes robust immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Fire closes hospital and displaces staff as Colorado battles omicron

Development and validation of 2-gene host-based COVID-19 diagnostic classifiers

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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