Coronavirus News and Research

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Revolutionizing critical care: the potential of gut microbiota therapeutics

The curative potential and limitations of gut microbiome-based therapeutics in critical illnesses.

13 Nov 2023

Willow bark may be the source of a new antiviral drug

Scientists have found that specially processed samples of willow bark extract have an antiviral effect which isn’t seen in already known medical compounds from willow bark, such as salicylic acid, the precursor to modern aspirin.

13 Nov 2023

Open-science triumph: Crowdsourced initiative yields potent SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

In this study, researchers harnessed crowdsourcing and open science to develop new antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, focusing on its main protease, Mpro. Their approach led to the discovery of potent compounds, including one with high efficacy in cell lines and cross-reactivity against various COVID-19 variants, demonstrating the potential of collaborative and transparent drug discovery in tackling global health crises.

12 Nov 2023

Mucosal vaccine shows lasting defense against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in primate study

In this groundbreaking study, researchers developed a mucosal adenoviral-vector vaccine, ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S, which demonstrated sustained and robust immunity against a challenging Omicron variant in nonhuman primates, indicating a promising direction for durable COVID-19 protection strategies. Unlike traditional intramuscular vaccines, this mucosal vaccine elicited a comprehensive immune response, potentially paving the way for more effective and long-lasting COVID-19 vaccines.

9 Nov 2023

Pediatric viral threats surge in the 21st century: A call for One Health approach

Scoping review in "Pediatric Research" examines the rise of pediatric viral diseases in the 21st century and underscores the importance of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and ecosystem health, to combat these emerging and re-emerging infectious threats effectively.

9 Nov 2023

Allergies linked to heightened risk of long COVID, new review suggests

Systematic review indicates that pre-existing allergic conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis may be linked to an increased risk of developing long COVID. Despite some evidence, the certainty remains low due to potential biases and confounding factors, highlighting the need for more rigorous research to determine the impact of these allergies on prolonged COVID-19 symptoms.

9 Nov 2023

COVID Moonshot Consortium makes major breakthrough in antiviral drug discovery

The work of the COVID Moonshot Consortium is being published in the prestigious journal Science on 10 November, revealing their discovery of a potent SARS-CoV-2 antiviral lead compound.

9 Nov 2023

Cannabis use alters DNA methylation, with implications beyond smoking effects

A large-scale meta-analysis in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that lifetime cannabis use is associated with DNA methylation changes in peripheral blood, which could have implications for understanding the long-term health effects of cannabis consumption.

8 Nov 2023

Study compares the immunogenicity and safety of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019. Since then, extensive efforts have been made to develop and evaluate vaccines to combat the virus.

8 Nov 2023

Which pharmacotherapies are associated with improved outcomes for people with alcohol use disorder?

Researchers assessed the efficacy and compared the relative effectiveness of various pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorder.

8 Nov 2023

Personal biases warp COVID-19 memories, posing a challenge for future pandemic policies

In a series of studies, researchers found that personal biases significantly influence how individuals remember the COVID-19 pandemic, which could potentially shape historical narratives and impact future pandemic policies. They suggest that recognizing these biases is crucial for developing long-term strategies that maintain societal trust and cohesion.

7 Nov 2023

Immune imprinting: The crux of waning COVID-19 booster effectiveness against new variants

The study in Nature Microbiology reviews the concept of immune imprinting and its influence on antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2, highlighting challenges for COVID-19 booster vaccination efficacy against emerging variants. Researchers suggest that understanding immune imprinting is crucial for developing vaccines that elicit broad and lasting immune protection.

7 Nov 2023

Omicron variant BA.2.86 spreads faster, but current antivirals hold the line

Researchers discover the BA.2.86 Omicron lineage with higher transmission potential than current dominant strains, yet show that existing antivirals remain effective. Despite its higher infectivity, BA.2.86 exhibits lower pathogenicity in hamsters, indicating decreased replication capacity may lead to less severe infections.

7 Nov 2023

Proteomic study pinpoints potential biomarkers for long-COVID diagnosis and persistent health impacts

A two-year longitudinal study highlights proteomic changes in long-COVID patients, revealing potential biomarkers for diagnosis and shedding light on the persistent physiological challenges faced by survivors.

7 Nov 2023

Researchers identify a 'Threshold of Immunity' to SARS-CoV-2

How much immunity do we need against COVID-19? New international research led by scientists in Ireland and published in Nature Communications, has identified a 'Threshold of Immunity' to SARS-CoV-2.

6 Nov 2023

CEPI and University of Oxford launch new project to initiate vaccine development against Junín virus

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the University of Oxford today announced the launch of a new project to initiate early development of prototype vaccines against the Junín virus, selected as an exemplar of the Arenavirus family which is responsible for multiple deadly hemorrhagic fevers with epidemic and pandemic potential.

6 Nov 2023

Coronavirus News and Research

Revolutionizing critical care: the potential of gut microbiota therapeutics

Willow bark may be the source of a new antiviral drug

Open-science triumph: Crowdsourced initiative yields potent SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

Mucosal vaccine shows lasting defense against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in primate study

Pediatric viral threats surge in the 21st century: A call for One Health approach

Allergies linked to heightened risk of long COVID, new review suggests

COVID Moonshot Consortium makes major breakthrough in antiviral drug discovery

Cannabis use alters DNA methylation, with implications beyond smoking effects

Study compares the immunogenicity and safety of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Which pharmacotherapies are associated with improved outcomes for people with alcohol use disorder?

Personal biases warp COVID-19 memories, posing a challenge for future pandemic policies

Immune imprinting: The crux of waning COVID-19 booster effectiveness against new variants

Omicron variant BA.2.86 spreads faster, but current antivirals hold the line

Proteomic study pinpoints potential biomarkers for long-COVID diagnosis and persistent health impacts

Researchers identify a 'Threshold of Immunity' to SARS-CoV-2

CEPI and University of Oxford launch new project to initiate vaccine development against Junín virus

Work from home: a mixed blessing for parents' health during COVID-19?

SSRIs show promise in easing post-COVID struggles, Dutch study reveals

State-by-state snapshot: Long-COVID's grip varies, with mental health in the crosshairs

Cruise ship cabin study reveals optimal airflow to curb virus spread

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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