Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Syphilis cases in California drive a record-setting year for STDs nationwide

In certain circles of San Francisco, a case of syphilis can be as common and casual as the flu, to the point where Billy Lemon can't even remember how many times he's had it.

13 Apr 2021

COVID-somnia: Americans report increase in sleep problems during the pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a negative impact on our sleep, according to new findings from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

13 Apr 2021

Study finds higher death rates among UK cancer patients following COVID-19 diagnosis

Cancer patients from the UK were 1.5 times more likely to die following a diagnosis with COVID-19 than cancer patients from European countries.

13 Apr 2021

Could cow's milk provide some passive immunity against COVID-19?

Researchers at the Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, Córdoba, Spain, speculate that bovine milk consumption – specifically from cows with resistance to bovine coronaviruses – may potentially provide at least some degree of protection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The article is available to read in full on the Frontiers in Immunology website.

13 Apr 2021

Malvern Panalytical and concept life sciences announce integration

Malvern Panalytical, manufacturer of analytical systems, and Concept Life Sciences (Cheshire, UK), a contract research organization, have today announced a full business integration.

From Malvern Panalytical 13 Apr 2021

Researchers develop broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based vaccine

In a recent bioRxiv* preprint, the large team of researchers evaluated a SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding domain ferritin nanoparticle protein vaccine (RFN) in a nonhuman primate challenge model. This study addresses the need for a next-generation, efficacious vaccine with an increased pan-SARS breadth of coverage.

13 Apr 2021

Researchers identify SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds using protein assay

During the process of SARS-CoV-2 infection, once the virus penetrates the host cell, two open reading frames, ORF1a and ORF1ab, are translated. ORF1ab is responsible for the production of 16 nonstructural proteins (nsp). Several viral proteases such as 3CLpro and PLpro (papain-like protease) produce 1-16 nsps. A new study has been published in bioRxiv* preprint server, which deals with identifying drugs that are effective as PLpro inhibitors.

13 Apr 2021

Measurable antibody response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in elderly care home residents

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server explores the antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines in elderly residents of nursing homes in the USA. As of March 2021, there have been over 1.4 million infections from SARS-CoV-2 and over 175,000 deaths related to the pandemic among nursing home residents in the country.

13 Apr 2021

ACE2 homology in laboratory and wild animals

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv server describes the conservation of an important receptor gene for the virus among several animal species that live in close contact or proximity to humans.

13 Apr 2021

Zipper motif mediates SARS-CoV-2 spike trimerization within host cell membrane

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server describes the results of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study to determine the structure of the S protein transmembrane domain (TMD) and its membrane-proximal regions.

13 Apr 2021

PCR-based reverse genetic system helps analyze SARS-CoV-2 mutations

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 have occurred and spread, but what effect do those mutations have?

13 Apr 2021

Scientists identify new insect species in Kosovo's rivers after coronavirus

While the new Coronavirus will, hopefully, be effectively controlled sooner rather than later, its latest namesake is here to stay - a small caddisfly endemic to a national park in Kosovo that is new to science.

13 Apr 2021

Pandemic has triggered changes in mental health and physical activity

New research from McMaster University suggests the pandemic has created a paradox where mental health has become both a motivator for and a barrier to physical activity.

13 Apr 2021

CityMD experience during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City

Limiting SARS-CoV-2 transmission requires an infected person to quarantine themselves for at least two weeks. New research published on the medRxiv* server highlights the vital role urgent care centers play during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.

13 Apr 2021

Could Zebrafish larvae be a novel animal model for SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers based in Paris, France, have explored the potential use of zebrafish larvae as animal models for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These larvae are small and cheap, so could prove a suitable medium for rapid mass testing of the disease.

13 Apr 2021

Americans are consuming poor nutritional quality food everywhere, except at school

Whether eating out or buying food from the grocery store, Americans of all ages are, for the most part, eating poorly everywhere - except at school.

13 Apr 2021

Real-world evidence from Israel on VOCs and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protection

A new study by Israeli researchers tested the hypothesis that certain SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern can overcome protection conferred by Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine and found evidence of increased breakthrough rates in vaccinated individuals. The research paper is currently available on the medRxiv preprint server.

12 Apr 2021

Nanobody cocktails neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and variants

Researchers report a collection of nanobodies derived from llamas, some of which can work synergistically and work against newer virus variants.

12 Apr 2021

Study finds correlation between COVID-19 pandemic and six unhealthy eating behaviors

A new probe into the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed correlations to six unhealthy eating behaviors, according to a study by the University of Minnesota Medical School and School of Public Health.

12 Apr 2021

Research reveals the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on families' well-being and functioning

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, many families found themselves suddenly isolated together at home. A year later, new research has linked this period with a variety of large, detrimental effects on individuals' and families' well-being and functioning.

12 Apr 2021