Respiratory News and Research

RSS

BA.2.86 Omicron variant: Is our immunity under siege?

A new preprint posted to the bioRxiv server discusses whether this variant shows neutralization escape.

7 Sep 2023

Meridian Bioscience Sets a New Sustainability Standard in Diagnostic Assay Development with the Launch of Two New Animal-Free Immunoassay Interference Blockers

The Life Science division of Meridian Bioscience, Inc., a leading global provider of diagnostic testing solutions and life science raw materials, announced today the launch of two new immunoassay interference blockers, K-Block™, and Mouse-Free IgG.

From Meridian Bioscience, Inc. 7 Sep 2023

Vaping e-cigarettes can be as harmful to gum and oral health as smoking traditional cigarettes

For years, it has been known that smoking can contribute to serious damage on gum and oral health, with smokers having more gum diseases, more tooth loss, and increased levels of oral cancer.

7 Sep 2023

A national-level intervention reduces nurse turnover by 4.5%, prevents 11,400 deaths

The Retention Direct Support Programme (RDSP), a national-level intervention aimed at increasing nurse retention in NHS hospital providers, has demonstrated remarkable success by reducing the nurse turnover rate by 4.5%, which ultimately contributed to the prevention of 11,400 deaths, according to a study led by the University of Surrey.

6 Sep 2023

Study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86: New variant under watch

Researchers identify a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, BA.2.86, with enhanced ability to evade immunity but lower infectivity compared to current variants. The study highlights the need for global monitoring due to its potential to become a predominant strain if it gains infectivity through mutations.

6 Sep 2023

Review identifies future research directions for the study of a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in PASC

Researchers reviewed the evidence for SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

6 Sep 2023

Researchers characterize new SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant neutralization by monoclonal antibodies

Researchers used a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-pseudotyped viral model to characterize BA.2.86 variant neutralization by monoclonal antibodies.

6 Sep 2023

Early viral exposure in mice weakens vaccine response, raising questions for human studies

Researchers at Washington University have demonstrated that early life exposure to multiple viruses in house mice dampens the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations later in life. The study raises concerns about the applicability of common mouse models in immunological research, suggesting that prior pathogen exposure could be a significant variable in predicting vaccine efficacy.

5 Sep 2023

Monovalent vaccine outperforms bivalent in fighting new Omicron variants

New U.S. study finds mRNA-1273.815, a monovalent vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant, generates higher neutralizing antibody titers compared to its bivalent counterpart. The study supports updating to an XBB.1.5-based monovalent vaccine for the 2023-24 campaign to combat emerging variants.

5 Sep 2023

Novavax's updated XBB.1.5 vaccine shows promising cross-neutralizing antibodies against new COVID-19 variants

The study reveals that Novavax's updated XBB.1.5 vaccine effectively induces cross-neutralizing antibodies against multiple Omicron XBB sub-variants in both mice and non-human primates.

5 Sep 2023

Can SARS-CoV-2 infect poultry?

New research in the Virology Journal suggests that chickens could become intermediate hosts for newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants, posing a potential threat to public health. The study identifies AXL and ACE2 receptors in chickens as likely binding sites for the virus, highlighting the need for further research and preventive measures.

5 Sep 2023

COVID-19 hits American Indian and Alaska Native populations hardest, new study reveals

A recent study at the University of New Mexico Hospital highlights that American Indian and Alaska Native populations face disproportionate severity and mortality rates from COVID-19. The research points to the urgent need for targeted interventions and resources to address these health disparities.

5 Sep 2023

New study highlights impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits in British Columbia

A new study showing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation strategies used to manage the virus on emergency department (ED) visits in British Columbia can help with future planning.

5 Sep 2023

New ARDS definition could expand diagnosis and treatment options

In a new report posted online in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a global consensus conference of 32 critical care experts with broad international representation and from diverse backgrounds has proposed a new definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

5 Sep 2023

IKIDS study receives new funding to explore how environmental exposures influence child health

Seven years after an initial $17.9 million award from the National Institutes of Health, the Illinois Kids Development Study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will receive approximately $13.7 million – awarded in two phases – to continue its work for another seven years.

5 Sep 2023

Can e-cigarette use cause asthma?

Using e-cigarettes can significantly increase the risk of asthma.

5 Sep 2023

Mutational changes in Avian flu virus could increase risk of transmission to humans

A new study from researchers in China and Nottingham has discovered that a subtype of avian flu virus, endemic in poultry farms in China, is undergoing mutational changes, which could increase the risk of the disease being passed on to humans.

5 Sep 2023

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could be speeding up Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, says new study

Swedish researchers find that SARS-CoV-2's spike protein amyloids can accelerate the formation of harmful protein aggregates related to neurodegenerative diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Alzheimer's. The study suggests a potential link between COVID-19 and increased cases of these brain disorders.

5 Sep 2023

How SARS-CoV-2 hijacks Fragile X proteins to fuel infection: New clues in COVID-19 and genetic disorders

Study explores the interaction between SARS-CoV-2's non-structural protein 3 (NSP3) and proteins related to Fragile X mental retardation (FMRPs), shedding light on COVID-19 pathophysiology. The research suggests that the virus exploits these host cell proteins for effective infection and possibly interferes with antiviral defense mechanisms, offering new insights into the genetic basis of Fragile X syndrome.

5 Sep 2023

SARS-CoV-2 Eris variant spreads faster and dodges immunity

Study investigates the characteristics of the EG.5.1 "Eris" variant of SARS-CoV-2, finding it more transmissible among hamsters and slightly better at evading immunity compared to the XBB.1.5 variant. The results suggest that these properties could be driving the variant's increasing prevalence in human populations.

5 Sep 2023

Respiratory News and Research

BA.2.86 Omicron variant: Is our immunity under siege?

Meridian Bioscience Sets a New Sustainability Standard in Diagnostic Assay Development with the Launch of Two New Animal-Free Immunoassay Interference Blockers

Vaping e-cigarettes can be as harmful to gum and oral health as smoking traditional cigarettes

A national-level intervention reduces nurse turnover by 4.5%, prevents 11,400 deaths

Study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86: New variant under watch

Review identifies future research directions for the study of a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in PASC

Researchers characterize new SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant neutralization by monoclonal antibodies

Early viral exposure in mice weakens vaccine response, raising questions for human studies

Monovalent vaccine outperforms bivalent in fighting new Omicron variants

Novavax's updated XBB.1.5 vaccine shows promising cross-neutralizing antibodies against new COVID-19 variants

Can SARS-CoV-2 infect poultry?

COVID-19 hits American Indian and Alaska Native populations hardest, new study reveals

New study highlights impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits in British Columbia

New ARDS definition could expand diagnosis and treatment options

IKIDS study receives new funding to explore how environmental exposures influence child health

Can e-cigarette use cause asthma?

Mutational changes in Avian flu virus could increase risk of transmission to humans

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could be speeding up Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, says new study

How SARS-CoV-2 hijacks Fragile X proteins to fuel infection: New clues in COVID-19 and genetic disorders

SARS-CoV-2 Eris variant spreads faster and dodges immunity

Industry Focus eBook - Analytical Chemistry (2nd Edition) eBook

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Latest News