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The use of mammalian cell surface display for rapid characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants

A research group from the U.S. demonstrated the practicality of a spike display system in order to accelerate vaccine design, but also to swiftly appraise the effects of mutations in emerging strains of the SARS-CoV-2.

5 Apr 2021

Scientists use a novel two-step method to track receptor proteins

The neurons in our nervous system "talk" to each other by sending and receiving chemical messages called neurotransmitters.

3 Apr 2021

Comparative study of SARS, MERS, BAT‐SARS, and SARS-CoV-2

Even though a comparative study on the genomic sequences of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 is available, there is a gap in the research in regards to the comparison between four types of coronaviruses, namely, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, BAT-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. A new study, which deals with the genomic comparison between the sequence of the above-stated four types of coronaviruses, has been published in the Journal of Medical Virology.

2 Apr 2021

Researchers identify protein that interferes with the body's ability to get rid of 'bad' cholesterol

A team of researchers at the University of Alberta has uncovered a long-sought link in the battle to control cholesterol and heart disease.

1 Apr 2021

Glycans influence SARS-CoV-2 spike–ACE2 binding affinity, finds study

A study conducted at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA, and Concordia University, Canada, has explored the impact of different types of glycans on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human ACE2 receptor.

1 Apr 2021

New solar-powered water filter could solve the problem of providing off-grid clean water

A new invention that uses sunlight to drive water purification could help solve the problem of providing clean water off the grid.

1 Apr 2021

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in pregnancy

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server shows that while pregnant women are seriously worried about their risk of contracting the infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but are also hesitant to take the vaccine.

1 Apr 2021

Drinking flavanol-rich cocoa could protect from mental stress-induced cardiovascular events

Increased consumption of flavanols - a group of molecules occurring naturally in fruit and vegetables - could protect people from mental stress-induced cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart disease and thrombosis, according to new research.

31 Mar 2021

A new hydrogel for treatment and recovery of muscle injuries

A team from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the CIBER Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) has designed and tested, at a preclinical level, a new biomaterial for the treatment and recovery of muscle injuries.

31 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 inhibits the cellular response to interferon

Researchers have explored the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the function of RIG-I and MDA5, and ultimately on interferon production.

31 Mar 2021

New study may lead to GRK5-based therapies to prevent heart failure

The human heart works under high demand, constantly pumping oxygen-rich blood through the body. When faced with disease, however, fulfilling this demand can become increasingly difficult and harmful.

31 Mar 2021

Researchers report on novel SARS-CoV-2 Israeli strain with unique spike glycoprotein

Researchers from Israel describe a novel SARS-CoV-2 strain with a non-synonymous mutation in its spike glycoprotein, designated as P681H; nevertheless, its emergence has not been associated with increased infections rate, facilitated spread or vaccine evasion.

30 Mar 2021

New molecular pathway helps steer moving cells in specific directions

Working with fruit flies, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have identified a new molecular pathway that helps steer moving cells in specific directions.

30 Mar 2021

New system facilitates real-time imaging of biological, pathological processes

Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, have developed a novel far-red light-emitting luciferin-luciferase system that is more efficient than those available commercially. An article on the subject is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

30 Mar 2021

Arginine methylation important in SARS-CoV-2 viral replication

Researchers show that methylation of arginine in the virus nucleocapsid protein controls the protein's functions and plays a role in the life cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

29 Mar 2021

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine causes steep drop in COVID-19 among healthcare workers

A team of scientists from Spain has recently evaluated the efficacy of an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2). Their findings reveal that a 2-dose regimen of BNT162b2 vaccine is capable of providing almost 100% protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers.

29 Mar 2021

Researchers examine circRNAs encoded by MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2

New research published in Briefings in Bioinformaticsm has identified thousands of circRNAs in Betacoronaviruses, including MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2, from the RNA-sequencing data of viral infections. These coronaviruses have a similar genomic structure with a diverse circRNA coding ability. Researchers have also systematically characterized circRNAs in coronaviruses, with regard to their size, sequence feature, expressions, genome, location preference, and functions. This opens the door to further explore and understand the mode of action of individual circRNAs in coronaviruses.

29 Mar 2021

Study identifies key features in SARS-CoV-2 genome essential for replication in respiratory cells

Researchers at the Institute of Medical Virology, the University of Zurich in Switzerland, have identified features in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that are important for human respiratory cell growth.

29 Mar 2021

Linear epitope mapping of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been the primary target of many drug discovery efforts and is similarly utilized in each of the approved COVID-19 vaccines to elicit the generation of anti-spike protein antibodies, thereby granting immunity.

28 Mar 2021

Researchers identify new targets for minimizing tooth sensitivity to cold

Researchers report in Science Advances that they have uncovered a new function for odontoblasts, the cells that form dentin, the shell beneath the tooth's enamel that encases the soft dental pulp containing nerves and blood vessels.

27 Mar 2021