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New biocompatible glue could quickly seal injured tissues and stop bleeding

Inspired by the sticky substance that barnacles use to cling to rocks, MIT engineers have designed a strong, biocompatible glue that can seal injured tissues and stop bleeding.

9 Aug 2021

New procedure increases the sensitivity to detect viruses in blood samples from healthy people

The Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), a joint centre of the University of Valencia and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), has developed a procedure that increases the sensitivity to detect viruses in blood samples from healthy people, in addition to reducing the effect of contaminations.

6 Aug 2021

Using two different CRISPR enzymes to develop a faster and easier COVID-19 diagnostic test

Frequent, rapid testing for COVID-19 is critical to controlling the spread of outbreaks, especially as new, more transmissible variants emerge.

5 Aug 2021

Researchers develop nanofibrous filters that can capture and kill airborne coronaviruses under visible light irradiation

A new study discusses the development of photosensitized electrospun nanofibrous membranes capable of capturing and inactivating SARS-CoV-2 aerosols.

4 Aug 2021

In-depth sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants crucial in controlling outbreaks

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Professor Dana Crawford about her research efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 Aug 2021

Study finds link between residential proximity to oil and gas drilling and lower birthweights in infants

A new study from Oregon State University found that infants born within 3 kilometers of oil and natural gas drilling facilities in Texas had slightly lower birthweights than those born before drilling began in their vicinity.

22 Jul 2021

Virginia Tech's in-house development of novel SARS-CoV-2 test shows the power of academic labs

In the early days of the pandemic, scientists at Virginia Tech created a COVID-19 testing laboratory and novel test for the virus from scratch.

21 Jul 2021

Human coronaviruses need organic materials to transfer efficiently between surfaces

This study, published in the journal Viruses, indicated that human coronaviruses do not transfer effectively from contaminated hands to contact surfaces without the presence of any organic material.

21 Jul 2021

Novel coronavirus found in UK horseshoe bats

A coronavirus related to the virus that causes Covid-19 in humans has been found in UK horseshoe bats - according to new collaborative research from the University of East Anglia, ZSL (Zoological Society of London), and Public Health England (PHE).

19 Jul 2021

Researchers conduct molecular dynamic study of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and human skin model interactions

Currently, there is a lack of understanding of the physico-chemical features of the interaction between coronaviruses and different surfaces. However, new research has been published on the bioRxiv* preprint server that documents the molecular details of the interaction between the human skin and SARS-CoV-2.

19 Jul 2021

Human waste contamination in urban surface waters is driving the spread of 'superbugs'

Contamination of urban lakes, rivers and surface water by human waste is creating pools of 'superbugs' in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) - but improving access to clean water, sanitation and sewerage infrastructure could help to protect people's health, a new study reveals.

15 Jul 2021

Latin American communities heavily affected by mercury and lead contamination

Intervention programmes are vitally needed to support Amazonian communities exposed to mercury contamination in Latin America, and children who are among those most affected by lead poisoning.

13 Jul 2021

Colonization by SARS-CoV-2 not synonymous with infection, screening study highlights

A new study released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server throws cold water on this notion, however, by demonstrating that in a set of asymptomatic cases, less than a tenth actually had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding has serious implications for the practices mentioned above, since they may be neither justifiable nor cost-effective as means to break the chain of viral transmission.

13 Jul 2021

Novel cold-tolerant bacterium produces a red bio-pigment with germ-killing properties

A team of researchers from Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India have discovered a psychrophilic bacterial strain, called Rhodonellum psychrophilum GL8, at the high altitude Pangong Tso Lake in the Himalayas.

12 Jul 2021

German-Austrian Cornet project focuses on detection and prevention of microplastics in food

High-tech methods for detecting microplastics in food and suitable prevention measures are the focus of the joint German-Austrian Cornet project "MicroplasticATfood", which kicked off on 1 July 2021.

9 Jul 2021

Mother-to-baby SARS-CoV-2 transmission in pregnancy possible but rare, says study

A new meta-analysis, released on the medRxiv* preprint server, suggests that, though possible, the virus is rarely transmitted to the newborn in real life. A scientific brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2021 describes three mechanisms by which the virus might be transmitted from the mother to the fetus or newborn.

7 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands, study finds

In Brazil, researchers at the University of São Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP) have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands.

6 Jul 2021

Forensic Discrimination of Contamination from Food Wrap Plastics

BioChromato report how their ionRocket sample preparation device, used in combination with Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART®-MS) provides a powerful new method capable of identifying and discriminating between different sources of plastic films used for food processing and packaging.

From BioChromato Inc. 6 Jul 2021

FDA's new Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan released

As part of our ongoing efforts to combat foodborne illness and aligned with our New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative, today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan.

1 Jul 2021

FDA releases results of ongoing testing efforts to assess the occurrence of PFAS in food supply

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its ongoing sampling and testing efforts designed to better understand the occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the food supply.

30 Jun 2021