Omicron News and Research

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Researchers detect Delta variant in the blood and placentas of women who had pregnancy complications

A growing body of evidence has linked the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, with an increased risk for pregnancy complications, including stillbirths.

13 Jan 2022

Effect of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination status on COVID-19 transmission rates

In a new study, a team of researchers determined the impact of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and vaccination status on the SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics.

13 Jan 2022

Exploring the structural basis of antibody evasion and enhanced transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

In a new study, researchers used cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis to capture the open and closed states of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant’s spike protein.

13 Jan 2022

Vaccination offers long-term protection from worst outcomes of COVID-19

Vaccination offers long-lasting protection from the worst outcomes of COVID-19, according to a new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

13 Jan 2022

Exploring healthcare workers' opinions on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in the UK

In a new study, researchers determined healthcare workers' views on mandatory severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination in the United Kingdom.

13 Jan 2022

Exploring factors favoring transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta sublineage AY.4.2 over the Delta variant

In the present study, researchers isolated an infectious AY.4.2 strain of COVID-19 from the nasopharyngeal swab of a symptomatic individual from the Paris region. Then, they introduced the AY.4.2 signature mutations - T95I, Y145H, and A222V - in an expression plasmid coding the Delta protein to study the function of the AY.4.2 S protein.

13 Jan 2022

Forecasting seasonal SARS-CoV-2 mutations

In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers have been trying to create a technique to predict which of these mutations will spread.

13 Jan 2022

Using lab-grown stomachs to shed light on the symptoms of COVID-19

Could lab-grown 'mini-stomachs' be used to look at COVID-19 symptoms in children? In this interview, we speak to Paolo De Coppi to find out more.

13 Jan 2022

Cannabinoids may prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, including variants

A new study published in the Journal of Natural Products of the American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy has shown that isolated cannabinoids or those in hemp extracts have the potential to prevent and treat the infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) – primarily by blocking viral cell entry.

13 Jan 2022

How did the COVID pandemic affect the spread of other zoonotic diseases?

In new research, scientists from the Beijing University of Technology have been investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality of zoonotic diseases in China. Their work is published in the journal BMJ Global Health.

12 Jan 2022

Vaccine mandate may have little impact on health care staffing levels

The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing challenges to a Biden administration vaccine mandate that requires eligible employees in Medicare or Medicaid-funded facilities to get vaccinated or receive an exemption.

12 Jan 2022

Estimating transmission advantage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron over Delta in the UK

Researchers estimate daily growth rates for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants in each UKHSA region of England.

12 Jan 2022

Ask KHN-Politifact: Is my cloth mask good enough? The 2022 edition

The highly transmissible omicron variant is sweeping the U.S., causing a huge spike in covid-19 cases and overwhelming many hospital systems.

12 Jan 2022

New method for monitoring circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and detecting new ones

To understand and act early and appropriately to emerging variants of concern, researchers have explored the possibility of having a variant-agnostic detection assay.

12 Jan 2022

An egg-derived SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and treatment for COVID-19 disease

A new study, posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, has focussed on the development of intranasal prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

11 Jan 2022

Danish household study shows COVID vaccinates reduce susceptibility and transmissibility

A new study discusses the effect of vaccines against COVID-19 on the transmissibility and susceptibility of vaccine recipients to SARS-CoV-2.

11 Jan 2022

Engineering higher affinity SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

A new study describes the potential of engineered neutralizing antibodies that have a high affinity for the binding epitopes.

11 Jan 2022

Third dose of mRNA COVID vaccine induces strong immunity in older adults

A new study describes the beneficial effects of a third dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in strengthening immunity among older adults.

11 Jan 2022

VarLOCK approach for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and wastewater monitoring

A recent study discussed the expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 CRISPR-Cas detection technology (SHERLOCK) into Variant-specific SHERLOCK (VarLOCK) assays to accurately differentiate between the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

11 Jan 2022

Study finds T cell response mostly conserved against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant following infection or vaccination

A new preprint examines the extent of protection offered by T cell responses to primary vaccination and/or natural infection with the virus.

11 Jan 2022

Omicron News and Research

Researchers detect Delta variant in the blood and placentas of women who had pregnancy complications

Effect of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination status on COVID-19 transmission rates

Exploring the structural basis of antibody evasion and enhanced transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Vaccination offers long-term protection from worst outcomes of COVID-19

Exploring healthcare workers' opinions on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in the UK

Exploring factors favoring transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta sublineage AY.4.2 over the Delta variant

Forecasting seasonal SARS-CoV-2 mutations

Using lab-grown stomachs to shed light on the symptoms of COVID-19

Cannabinoids may prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, including variants

How did the COVID pandemic affect the spread of other zoonotic diseases?

Vaccine mandate may have little impact on health care staffing levels

Estimating transmission advantage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron over Delta in the UK

Ask KHN-Politifact: Is my cloth mask good enough? The 2022 edition

New method for monitoring circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and detecting new ones

An egg-derived SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and treatment for COVID-19 disease

Danish household study shows COVID vaccinates reduce susceptibility and transmissibility

Engineering higher affinity SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Third dose of mRNA COVID vaccine induces strong immunity in older adults

VarLOCK approach for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and wastewater monitoring

Study finds T cell response mostly conserved against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant following infection or vaccination

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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