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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

virusPHIX™ virus inactivation medium launched by RNAssist & Rapid Labs Ltd.

RNAssist (Cambridge UK) and Rapid Labs Ltd (Colchester, UK) have launched the virusPHIX™ range of virus inactivating and RNA stabilising transport media, following successful SARS-CoV-2 inactivation testing carried out by Public Health England (PHE).

From Rapid Labs Ltd 4 Feb 2021

Researchers develop thermostable RNA vaccine delivery platform

A new study describes the production of a new RNA vaccine delivery system that promises greater ease of storage and distribution. This could help boost vaccination rates in regions without adequate infrastructure for low-temperature storage.

4 Feb 2021

Researchers develop prototype COVID-19 vaccine using DNA vaccine platform

It is necessary to develop additional COVID-19 vaccines, as different vaccine approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and may work synergistically.

4 Feb 2021

Songbird system may provide new treatment options for children with autism

Inactivating a gene in young songbirds that are closely linked with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevents the birds from forming memories necessary to accurately reproduce their fathers' songs, a new study led by UT Southwestern shows.

4 Feb 2021

Novel quantum sensor offers a new route to early diagnosis, preventive treatment

Oxygen is essential for human life, but within the body, certain biological environmental conditions can transform oxygen into aggressively reactive molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage DNA, RNA, and proteins.

4 Feb 2021

Chronic hypoxia upregulates RNA polymerase I, alters methylation on ribosomal RNAs

Hypoxia -- where a tissue is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen -- is a feature inside solid cancer tumors that renders them highly invasive and resistant to treatment. Study of how cells adapt to this critical stressor, by altering their metabolism to survive in a low-oxygen environment, is important to better understand tumor growth and spread.

4 Feb 2021

Nasodine antiseptic nasal spray shows potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2

A team of international scientists has recently investigated the efficacy of PVP-1, a complex of polyvinylpyrrolidone and iodine, in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Using in vitro cell culture settings, the scientists observe that PVP-1 formulation used in a commercially available nasal spray (Nasodine) readily inactivates SARS-CoV-2 within a short period of time.

3 Feb 2021

Insight into role of aging in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine set out to determine the differences between young people and older adults regarding their host responses against SARS-CoV-2. The team revealed that independent of disease severity, COVID-19 was linked to a significant shift in plasma inflammatory factors. The research is posted to the pre-print server medRxiv*.

3 Feb 2021

Preclinical study uncovers how Zika virus passes from mother to fetus during pregnancy

A preclinical study by a University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine research team has discovered a new mechanism for how Zika virus can pass from mothers to their children during pregnancy - a process known as vertical transmission.

3 Feb 2021

Viral load the main driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission

A study conducted by researchers in the UK and Spain suggests that viral load is the main determinant of transmission risk in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

3 Feb 2021

Genomic study suggests SARS-CoV-2 clade 20C was imported into Japan from the US

A new study describes the outcome of such sequencing efforts in Japan as an important tool towards containing the spread of the infection.

3 Feb 2021

Long COVID-19 symptoms not associated with reduced cell-mediated immunity, finds study

A new preprint examines Long COVID-19, aiming to identify the underlying immunologic status in such patients.

3 Feb 2021

Oxysterol derivatives show powerful antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

A new study describes the antiviral activity of oxysterols, or oxidized cholesterol derivatives, against SARS-CoV-2. These occur in nature, and are not only involved in lipid signaling pathways that modulate a host of processes within the body, including the immune response and lipid homeostasis.

3 Feb 2021

One dose of VSV-vectored vaccine prevents SARS-CoV-2 replication in hamsters

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv server describes a viral vector vaccine candidate's efficacy to protect against SARS-CoV-2 replication in a hamster model.

3 Feb 2021

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test improved with silver amplification

A new preprint posted to the medRxiv server describes the use of silver amplification technology to develop a sensitive, rapid antigen test for COVID-19.

2 Feb 2021

Lysosomal-immune axis associated with COVID-19 severity

New research suggests the modulation of lysosomal-immune pathways may present a novel drug-targeting strategy to attenuate SARS-CoV-2 infections.

2 Feb 2021

Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection may negate need for two vaccine doses

Researchers in the United States have shown that two doses of vaccine may not be necessary to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among people who have already been infected with the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

2 Feb 2021

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shows promise against new SARS-CoV-2 variants

A team of researchers in the U.S. studied the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine candidate - currently being rolled out in many parts of the world to high-risk individuals - to see if it still holds up against mutant strains of the virus and yielded encouraging results.

2 Feb 2021

Differences in immune response to SARS-CoV-2 determine disease severity, study finds

Researchers investigate host responses to SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza virus (IV) in the nasal mucosa in children and adults.

2 Feb 2021

Albumin: The Natural Choice for Diagnostic Tests

The availability of established diagnostic kits has enabled researchers to plug-and-play in the design of COVID-19 diagnostics. Such technologies took decades to optimize, but they are now playing an important role in identifying and managing the spread of COVID-19. Recombumin® provides an enhanced solution as part of this toolbox for dealing with this disease

From Albumedix Ltd. 2 Feb 2021