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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.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediates acute lung pathology in mice

A study shows that the viral spike protein is adequate by itself to induce macrophage activation in pulmonary tissue and induce acute inflammation.

10 Dec 2020

Could anterior nasal swabs be an effective alternative for SARS-CoV-2 testing?

Researchers from various institutions in Germany and Switzerland recently performed a prospective diagnostic accuracy study, in which they compared professional-collected anterior nasal swabs to nasopharyngeal swabs, using WHO-listed SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT (STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag Test, SD Biosensor) test kits.

10 Dec 2020

New consortium aims to understand principles underlying the formation of coronaviruses

The University of California, Riverside, is the recipient of a 2021 UC Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives, or MRPI, award allowing the campus to put together a UC Coronavirus Assembly Research Consortium.

9 Dec 2020

The effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers have revealed some of the effects of cigarette smoke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on SARS-CoV-2 infection.

9 Dec 2020

Predicting SARS-CoV-2 protein sequences

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, consists of an assembly of proteins that determine its infectious and immunological behavior.

9 Dec 2020

Amilorides reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral replication in vitro

A new U.S. study published on the bioRxiv preprint server reports the use of an amiloride-based scaffold that targets a viral RNA structure known to be essential in viral replication in the 5’-untranslated region (UTR) of the virus. The researchers say this heralds the application of these molecules as chemical probes to explore viral biology and produce specific antivirals targeting RNA regions of the coronavirus genome.

8 Dec 2020

UC Davis Health joins with Novavax to test a new experimental coronavirus vaccine

Despite the encouraging news of potentially successful COVID-19 vaccine trials, there is not yet an FDA-approved vaccine available. Research into other effective coronavirus vaccines continues, including at UC Davis Health.

8 Dec 2020

New 'nanoPCR' technology can accurately diagnose COVID-19 in less than 20 minutes

A "nanoPCR" technology was developed for the point-of-care (POC) diagnosis of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).

8 Dec 2020

Study findings can guide personalized breast cancer therapies based on melatonin

A Brazilian study published in the Journal of Pineal Research describes a group of genes potentially regulated by the hormone melatonin in some types of cancer, especially breast cancer.

8 Dec 2020

COVID-19 may be linked to acute appendicitis in children

Researchers at the University of Virginia have recently presented a case series pointing to a potential association between infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the development of acute appendicitis in children.

8 Dec 2020

Bioactive tea compounds show potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity

Scientists have revealed that certain bioactive compounds found in green, black, and oolong tea possess remarkable antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2.

8 Dec 2020

Researchers identify new mechanism through which plants can regulate gene expression

Just like other organisms, plants must respond dynamically to a variety of cues over their lifetime. Going through different developmental stages, or altering their form in response to a drought or drastic temperature change requires altering which of their genes are expressed into proteins and when those processes occur.

8 Dec 2020

Dihydrogen phosphate anions bind together even in dilute solutions, study shows

Scientists at UNSW Sydney, together with collaborators from Western Sydney University and The Netherlands, were surprised to find that dihydrogen phosphate anions - vital inorganic ions for cellular activity - bind with other dihydrogen phosphate anions despite being negatively charged.

8 Dec 2020

Researchers address variability of disease severity in respiratory tract infections

Is it possible to predict the course of a viral respiratory tract infection - for instance one caused by a coronavirus - based on individual patient characteristics? This question will be addressed by Dr. Victor Corman and his junior research group at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

8 Dec 2020

Study highlights previously unknown mechanisms involved in myeloma resistance

A group of researchers led by Maximillian Merz, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology with the Myeloma team at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, conducted the first prospective clinical trial investigating spatial heterogeneity in patients with either relapsed/refractory or newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

7 Dec 2020