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RIT study uncovers new information about how coronavirus attaches itself to human cells

Rochester Institute of Technology scientists have uncovered new information about the way coronavirus and several of its variants attach to human cells.

13 Sep 2021

Discovery of diverse sarbecovirus broadly neutralizing antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 “infected-vaccinated” humans

Scientists were inspired by the robust serum nAb responses in people who recovered from natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and were later vaccinated using mRNA vaccine. They isolated and characterized bnAbs from two COVID-19 convalescent donors who were recently vaccinated. These isolated bnAbs were found to be highly potent against sarbecoviruses. This research is available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

13 Sep 2021

Research suggests current smokers not at excess risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Now, a new study published on the bioRxiv* preprint server investigates this relationship further and suggests that current smoking is not associated with a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

13 Sep 2021

Acid pH enhances SARS-CoV-2 infection by up-regulating ACE2 receptor

A new study published in the journal Frontiers of Medicine indicated that Barrett's esophagus (BE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may represent novel comorbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2 disease. A previous study had estimated that in the United States, 5.6% of adults have BE, a disease where esophageal squamous mucosa gets damaged by GERD.

12 Sep 2021

Scientists develop a novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 RBD-homodimer vaccine

A recent report published in the journal Cell Discovery has described the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subunit vaccine candidate. The vaccine induces robust immune responses in rodents and non-human primates and protects the animals against severe disease.

12 Sep 2021

The strengths and weaknesses of the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 variants

The S protein has the ability to appropriate various conformations that are dependent on the formation of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of its protomers.

12 Sep 2021

Demographic analysis of patients affected by COVID-19 in the USA

A collaborative effort aimed to determine a possible demographic explanation of COVID-19 mortality on the basis of age, sex, and ethnicity.

12 Sep 2021

Drugs that mimic effects of cigarette smoke could become a potential tool to fight COVID-19

Researchers have identified two drugs that mimic the effect of chemicals in cigarette smoke to bind to a receptor in mammalian cells that inhibits production of ACE2 proteins, a process that appears to reduce the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter the cell.

12 Sep 2021

Virus-like nanoparticle vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2 in animal model

A COVID-19 vaccine, created from a virus-like nanoparticle that displays SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBDs, effectively protects animal model from infection.

10 Sep 2021

Research probes interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza

Researchers from Germany and France tried to determine if epidemiological studies based on co-detection prevalence data can offer a reliable estimation of interactions among respiratory viruses. They designed a simulation study by building on a general epidemiological model of co-circulation of 2 respiratory viruses that cause seasonal epidemics.

8 Sep 2021

The role of nanobodies in capturing and containing SARS-CoV-2

Scientists have repurposed the Nb Ty1 for the detection and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2.

8 Sep 2021

Potential pancoronavirus fusion inhibitors that are effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study successfully identifies a series of inhibitors that possesses pancoronavirus activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV.

7 Sep 2021

Increased infectivity and immune evasion drive the spread of Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant

Findings suggest infection control measures against variants will need to continue in the post-vaccination era.

6 Sep 2021

Decreased COVID-19 vaccine efficacy amongst IBS patients receiving anti-TNFα drugs

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv* by Edelman-Klapper et al., the efficacy of the mRNA vaccine is examined amongst IBD patients and compared with healthy volunteers, finding reduced efficacy amongst those receiving anti-TNFα medication.

6 Sep 2021

Is the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant more vaccine-resistant than the Delta variant?

Researchers in the USA and China recently published a report in which they discussed the potential factors that confer high infectivity and immune resistance on the Delta and Lambda variants.

6 Sep 2021

Study finds SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain by binding with MAO enzymes

A new study by researchers in Croatia and Slovenia shows the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has an affinity towards monoamine oxidases (MAO) enzymes. Changes in MAO levels have been the culprit for several neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.

6 Sep 2021

Study finds a restricted number of possible escape mutations for SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

The emergence of escape mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is somewhat less likely for the Delta variant in comparison with the original or wild type virus, shows a recent study currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

5 Sep 2021