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ACE2 and pattern recognition receptor genes increase with age

A recent study by researchers in California and published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in June 2020 shows that advancing age is associated with increased expression of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) genes and ACE2 receptors, possibly accounting in part for the increased severity of the disease in older adults.

17 Jun 2020

A new system for detecting antibodies within minutes

To defend the body, the immune system makes proteins known as antibodies that latch onto the perceived threat, be it HIV, the new coronavirus or, as is the case in autoimmune disease, part of the body itself.

17 Jun 2020

Benefits of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients still remain unclear

With vaccines and therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 still under development, doctors are wondering whether antibody-rich plasma infusions from the blood of recovered patients could be a more immediate way to keep hospitalized patients alive and off ventilators.

17 Jun 2020

New microscopy technique can be used to study the progression of wound healing

Researchers at the GSK Center for Optical Molecular Imaging have developed a new microscope that looks at the different parameters that change during wound healing. They hope to use this technique to understand how skin disorders, such as foot ulcers in diabetic patients and psoriasis, can be treated.

17 Jun 2020

Living environment correlated with reaching centenarian status

When it comes to living to the ripe old age of 100, good genes help but don't tell the full story. Where you live has a significant impact on the likelihood that you will reach centenarian age, suggests a new study conducted by scientists at Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

17 Jun 2020

$Elderly patients with hip fracture at higher risk of suicide, study suggests$

Elderly patients with hip fracture at higher risk of suicide, study suggests

Older adults who suffer a hip fracture requiring surgery are at a higher risk of suicide, suggests a study in the June 17, 2020 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio in partnership with Wolters Kluwer.

17 Jun 2020

Highly conserved RNA structures are essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis

A recent study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill revealed how selective pressure helps in preserving secondary RNA structures in coronavirus genomes, unveiling a pivotal role of these elements in viral replication and pathogenesis. The paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

17 Jun 2020

Trump’s take on COVID testing misses public health realities

President Donald Trump sought to downplay the numbers associated with COVID-19 in the United States — which have passed 2 million confirmed cases and are nearing 120,000 lives lost — by arguing that the soaring national count was simply the result of superior testing.

17 Jun 2020

Scientists examine SARS-CoV-2 cell entry in different species

Researchers in China have demonstrated the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to interact with the host cell receptors of multiple species of animals.

17 Jun 2020

Women with a history of miscarriage or subfertility more likely to have mild thyroid abnormalities

Mild thyroid abnormalities affect up to one in five women with a history of miscarriage or subfertility which is a prolonged time span of trying to become pregnant, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

17 Jun 2020

Study investigates effectiveness of liver perfusion to improve the function of donor livers

A major study investigating the effectiveness of liver perfusion as a technique to improve the function of donor livers that would have otherwise been rejected has shown that up to 7 in every 10 could be used after just 4-6 hours of the assessment.

17 Jun 2020

Iron fortification of bouillon or stock shows potential for tackling iron deficiency

Iron fortification of food is a cost-effective method of preventing iron deficiency. But finding iron compounds that are easily absorbed by the intestine without compromising food quality is a major challenge.

17 Jun 2020

Gut bacteria can take control over the host animal's sensory behavior

Gut bacteria are tiny but may play an outsized role not only in the host animal's digestive health, but in their overall well-being.

17 Jun 2020

Two clinical trials use low-dose X-rays to treat COVID-19 pneumonia

Previous studies have shown that low-dose, whole lung radiation in the form of X-rays can effectively treat severe pneumonia, with minimal side effects.

17 Jun 2020

UVA doctors and students launch 12-part COVID-19 podcast series

UVA School of Medicine physicians and students have launched a COVID-19 podcast series that includes advice to protect your health along with a behind-the-scenes look at UVA Health's patient care and research.

17 Jun 2020

Study: Nearly 10% of patients continue to use opioids more than 90 days after heart surgery

Nearly 10 percent of patients who are prescribed opioid medications following heart surgery will continue to use opioids more than 90 days after the procedure, according to a new study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

17 Jun 2020