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Primate study shows benefit of mRNA vaccine booster shot against SARS-CoV-2 variants

In a recent bioRxiv* preprint research paper, a large group of US scientists demonstrate how a booster dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine can substantially improve both the potency and range of neutralizing antibody responses and mediate protection against upper and lower airway infection by a range of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern – even those relatively resistant to in vitro neutralization.

16 Aug 2021

Excluding race factor from kidney function estimates may affect clinical outcomes for Black cancer patients

Removing race as a factor in a kidney function-estimating equation used to guide cancer treatment dosing and eligibility may decrease the proportion of Black patients recommended to receive full doses of anticancer drugs.

16 Aug 2021

Study explores how racial minorities have been unequally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Racial minorities comprise around a quarter of Utah's population but represent a third of COVID-19 cases in the state. A similar story has played out across the country. Why have racial minorities been unequally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

16 Aug 2021

New system combines computer software and cryo-EM to determine 3D structures of RNA-only molecules

The single-stranded genetic material RNA is best known for guiding the assembly of proteins in our cells and carrying the genetic code for viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.

16 Aug 2021

Transcranial focused ultrasound shows promise to treat forms of chronic pain

Neuromodulation comprises a range of therapeutic approaches to relieving symptoms, such as pain or tremors, or to restore movement or function.

16 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Spike may trigger production of antibodies that cross-react with human thrombopoietin to induce thrombocytopenia

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals often suffer from thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with low platelet counts. The cytokine thrombopoietin regulates platelet count. Previous studies have reported that thrombocytopenia can increase the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rate by about five times.

16 Aug 2021

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

A group of researchers re-evaluated their previously proposed hypothesis, which stated that the TLR4 activated by the spike glycoprotein S1 domain increases ACE2 expression and, thereby, aids in COVID-19 infection.

16 Aug 2021

Modeling the spread and development of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in the US

In a research paper recently uploaded to the medRxiv* preprint server, high-resolution contact data is utilized to characterize severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in the USA, considering infections' mobility and seasonality and vaccination status seroprevalence within the population.

15 Aug 2021

Direct evidence in hamsters shows SARS-CoV-2 is airborne

Evidence suggests that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be transmitted without contact by respiratory droplets and aerosols bearing the virus when coughing, sneezing, speaking, and breathing. The virus has been cultured from aerosols collected nearby COVID-19 patients, and such aerosols can linger in still air for hours.

15 Aug 2021

Certain intestinal bacteria induce cross-reactive IgA responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD

A new study finds that human gut bacteria can induce antibodies of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) subtype that cross-react with the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD.

15 Aug 2021

Quick, inexpensive leptospirosis test strip kit to help lower death and disability risk

The Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University has brought out a quick, inexpensive, and easy-to-use leptospirosis test strip kit to help lower the risk of disability from internal organ failure and death, with the hopes of distributing them to community hospitals across the country.

14 Aug 2021

World-first trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine shows improved protection in transplant patients

Scientists with the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN have conducted a first-in-the-world randomized placebo-controlled trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine for transplant patients that shows substantially improved protection.

14 Aug 2021

Study helps to clarify the post-clinical trial needs of cancer patients

Cancer clinical trials (CCTs) provide patients an opportunity to receive experimental drugs, tests, and/or procedures that can lead to remissions. For some, a CCT may seem like their only option. Yet little is known about the experiences of patient participants who withdraw from CCTs.

14 Aug 2021

Researchers take a key step toward a new concept for brain-computer interface system

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are emerging assistive devices that may one day help people with brain or spinal injuries to move or communicate.

14 Aug 2021

Long-running wars, not the weather, are to blame for resurgent hunger in Africa, study says

For years, it seemed the world was making progress eliminating hunger. Then, starting in 2014, the trend slid back slowly and reversed in many nations; now, some 700 million people - nearly 9 percent of the world's population - go to bed hungry, according to the UN.

14 Aug 2021

Study tracks microbial population dynamics under prolonged starvation

A study of microbial populations under a prolonged period of starvation by Indiana University professor Jay T. Lennon and his laboratory could help researchers answer questions pertaining to chronic infections, the functioning of bacteria in the environment and the persistence of life itself.

14 Aug 2021

Removal of race from kidney function estimates may negatively impact care for Black cancer patients

An accurate assessment of a patient's kidney function is critical for determining eligibility for anticancer treatments.

14 Aug 2021

Simple roundworm may hold the key to understanding cell death processes

A biologist at The University of Texas at Arlington hopes that a simple roundworm might hold the key to understanding novel cell death processes. Such knowledge could lead to improved therapies to treat a variety of conditions in humans, including cancer and neurological injuries.

14 Aug 2021

Enzyme acts as a sensor to find the hiding spots of viruses

While some types of RNA viruses cloak themselves to hide inside a cell and create copies of themselves, a "detective enzyme" might be attuned to their whereabouts. A slight variation in their genomic code gives some people's cells the capacity to produce this sensor.

14 Aug 2021

Study illuminates the link between cholesterol and Alzheimer's-associated toxic protein clumps

A team co-led by scientists at Scripps Research has used advanced imaging methods to reveal how the production of the Alzheimer's-associated protein amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain is tightly regulated by cholesterol.

13 Aug 2021

Research News and Research

Primate study shows benefit of mRNA vaccine booster shot against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Excluding race factor from kidney function estimates may affect clinical outcomes for Black cancer patients

Study explores how racial minorities have been unequally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

New system combines computer software and cryo-EM to determine 3D structures of RNA-only molecules

Transcranial focused ultrasound shows promise to treat forms of chronic pain

SARS-CoV-2 Spike may trigger production of antibodies that cross-react with human thrombopoietin to induce thrombocytopenia

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

Modeling the spread and development of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in the US

Direct evidence in hamsters shows SARS-CoV-2 is airborne

Certain intestinal bacteria induce cross-reactive IgA responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD

Quick, inexpensive leptospirosis test strip kit to help lower death and disability risk

World-first trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine shows improved protection in transplant patients

Study helps to clarify the post-clinical trial needs of cancer patients

Researchers take a key step toward a new concept for brain-computer interface system

Long-running wars, not the weather, are to blame for resurgent hunger in Africa, study says

Study tracks microbial population dynamics under prolonged starvation

Removal of race from kidney function estimates may negatively impact care for Black cancer patients

Simple roundworm may hold the key to understanding cell death processes

Enzyme acts as a sensor to find the hiding spots of viruses

Study illuminates the link between cholesterol and Alzheimer's-associated toxic protein clumps

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