Coronavirus News and Research

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Red blood cell distribution width as a biomarker for COVID-19

A review highlights the prospects and challenges of RDW as a predictive biomarker for viral infections, with a special focus on COVID-19 and hepatitis.

22 Nov 2021

Helpline data reveals mental health concerns during COVID-19 pandemic

The authors used data from helplines to estimate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the containment policies, and the income support policies separately.

22 Nov 2021

Success of covid antiviral pills hinges on access to speedy and accurate tests

Within a few weeks, perhaps before many Americans finish decorating for the holidays, the U.S. could have access to a new antiviral pill from Merck expected to alter the deadly trajectory of the covid-19 pandemic — with a second option from Pfizer to follow shortly after.

22 Nov 2021

Lifting DC’s strict indoor mask mandate triggers mix of confusion, anxiety and relief

A mile northeast of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., along what's known as the H Street corridor, about half the people crowding the sidewalks are wearing masks.

22 Nov 2021

CoronaVac vaccine booster strengthens protection against SARS-CoV-2

In a recent study published on the preprint medRxiv* server, an international team of scientists tested CoronaVac as a booster shot and measured its effects on immunity. Their findings showed increases in neutralizing antibodies and T cell response.

21 Nov 2021

Scientists discover several factors influencing waning immunity with the Pfizer COVID Vaccine

New research from Japan found several risk factors associated with greater waning immunity after vaccination. Old age and smoking were amongst those with some of the lowest antibody titers. Women more than men were also more likely to experience a rapid decline in antibody levels 3 to 6 months after receiving their second Pfizer-BioNTech dose.

21 Nov 2021

A canine coronavirus zoonotic spillover and tropism shift

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21 Nov 2021

Importance of cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study published in the journal mBio investigates different antibodies from convalescent donors that bind three separate domains of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. The results of this study suggest that the individuals exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 from the first wave have neutralizing antibodies against current variants.

21 Nov 2021

Review launched into impact of potential bias in the design and use of medical devices

A far-reaching review is being launched into the impact of potential bias in the design and use of medical devices.

21 Nov 2021

Sheep at low-risk for infection with SARS-CoV-2

A team of scientists from the US has recently evaluated the susceptibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in sheep. The findings reveal that sheep are generally less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the susceptibility is relatively higher for the alpha variant of the virus. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv preprint server.

21 Nov 2021

Study underscores why COVID-19 vaccine boosters are important for all adults

As widely-anticipated decisions about COVID-19 vaccine boosters roll out from U.S. agencies today, insights from an independent study underscore why boosters are important for all adults.

21 Nov 2021

Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during Delta variant predominance

A new study investigated the continued effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during the delta variant predominance in a diverse and urban healthcare setting.

19 Nov 2021

Functions of glycosylation in SARS-CoV-2 proteins and human receptor ACE2

In a review published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, researchers from Sichuan University have reviewed the available literature.

19 Nov 2021

Comparing effectiveness of virus and patients-centered strategies to reduce COVID-19 mortality

Researchers from Sorbonne Université have been reviewing papers exploring different anti-COVID-19 drugs.

19 Nov 2021

COVID-19 induced excess mortality

A new study presented a generalized linear mixed model to determine the rate of mortality related to COVID-19 infection in Lombardy, Italy.

19 Nov 2021

Can you take the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines on the same day?

Scientists have conducted a substudy within a phase 3 UK trial and have reported the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.

19 Nov 2021

Predicting the capacity of mammal species to become zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 hosts

Researchers identified a subset of species in which the threat of spillback infection appears the most significant due to location and increased contact with humans in areas with a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.

19 Nov 2021

What happens after a campus suicide is a form of prevention, too

Ethan Phillips was 13 years old when he first heard the term "suicide contagion." It's the scientific concept that after one person dies by suicide, others in the community may be at higher risk.

19 Nov 2021