Omicron News and Research

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SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 shows increased lung targeting despite vaccine effectiveness

New research shows that the recently emerged BA.2.86 omicron subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19 can be neutralized by bivalent mRNA vaccine-induced antibodies in the blood, which explains why this variant did not cause a widespread surge as previously feared.

8 Jan 2024

There’s a new covid-19 variant and cases are ticking up. What do you need to know?

It's winter, that cozy season that brings crackling fireplaces, indoor gatherings — and a wave of respiratory illness.

8 Jan 2024

Inpatient costs of treating COVID-19 in the U.S.

Study analyzes the average inpatient care costs for COVID-19 patients, revealing significant variations in expenses across pandemic waves and patient demographics.

7 Jan 2024

Factors that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in children

Study analyzes a nationwide cohort of hospitalized children and adolescents in Germany, identifying key risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, including obesity, Trisomy 21, and neurological conditions.

3 Jan 2024

Are pan-coronavirus vaccines an achievable goal in providing broad protection against human coronaviruses?

The current achievements in the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine.

3 Jan 2024

Hybrid immunity's role in curbing COVID-19: Canadian study sheds light on vaccine-infection synergy

Study evaluates the impact of hybrid immunity on SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in Canadian adults, revealing that hybrid immunity, combining vaccination and recovery from infection, significantly reduces COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

2 Jan 2024

New Year's Eve celebrations linked to spike in COVID-19 cases: Small gatherings, not large events, the main culprit

Study investigates the impact of New Year's Eve celebrations on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Belgium, revealing that small-scale social gatherings, rather than large events, significantly contributed to a surge in COVID-19 cases among higher education students.

18 Dec 2023

COVID-19 hospitalization linked to greater long-term health risks than seasonal influenza

Study reveals that hospitalized COVID-19 patients face higher long-term risks of death and health adversities across multiple organ systems compared to those hospitalized with seasonal influenza.

18 Dec 2023

Antibody treatment shields transplant patients against COVID-19

New research from Cedars-Sinai's Comprehensive Transplant Center found that a monoclonal antibody treatment reduced the risk of COVID-19 in a large group of solid organ transplant patients who were administered the drug as a preventive measure against the disease.

18 Dec 2023

Study links omicron's cellular senescence to inflammation and long-COVID risk

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 23, entitled, "Uncovering a unique pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant: selective induction of cellular senescence."

15 Dec 2023

New dry powder aerosol COVID-19 vaccine shows promise against multiple virus strains

Study introduces a novel dry powder aerosol COVID-19 vaccine, showing its effectiveness in inducing strong immune responses and offering protection against various SARS-CoV-2 strains, including Omicron.

15 Dec 2023

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in reducing severe symptoms

Study evaluates the single-dose intranasal spray vaccine dNS1-RBD, finding it effective against symptomatic COVID-19, particularly in reducing severe symptoms and respiratory issues.

15 Dec 2023

Hospitalized influenza patients can also suffer long-term, negative health effects

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, extensive research has emerged detailing the virus's ability to attack multiple organ systems, potentially resulting in a set of enduring and often disabling health problems known as long COVID.

14 Dec 2023

RBD-focused vaccines may offer broader protection against emerging COVID-19 variants

Published in The Lancet's eBioMedicine, 76 healthy adults from Melbourne, aged 18 to 64 who were previously vaccinated with licensed SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, were randomized to receive a fourth dose of a novel protein vaccine, mRNA vaccine or placebo.

12 Dec 2023

New SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1 shows increased transmissibility and immune resistance

A Japanese study published in BioRxiv explores the virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variant, finding it has a higher effective reproductive number and stronger resistance to immunity from other variants, potentially due to the L455S spike protein mutation.

11 Dec 2023

T cells can recognize and fight the "Pirola" variant, new study suggests

In August, researchers detected a new SARS-CoV-2 "variant of concern" in patients in Israel and Denmark.

8 Dec 2023

Immune system shows remarkable adaptability to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Although SARS-CoV-2 is no longer a stranger to the immune system, new virus variants still pose a challenge.

7 Dec 2023

Novel mRNA vaccine GLB-COV2-043 shows high efficacy against COVID-19 variants in early trials

The safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a mRNA-based vaccine.

5 Dec 2023

Omicron infection linked to brain structure changes in men, study finds

Study reveals that men infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant experience changes in brain structure, including reduced gray matter thickness and subcortical nuclear volume. These findings, based on MRI data and clinical symptoms, highlight the neurological impact of Omicron infection, contributing to our understanding of COVID-19's effects on the brain.

4 Dec 2023

XBB.1.5 vaccine booster shows promise against new Omicron variants in latest study

A study posted to bioRxiv reveals that the monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine booster significantly boosts neutralizing antibodies against new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variants. The research shows that both XBB.1.5 vaccination and infection elevate neutralizing titers, with the vaccine being particularly effective in infection-naïve individuals and those previously infected with Omicron.

29 Nov 2023

Omicron News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 shows increased lung targeting despite vaccine effectiveness

There’s a new covid-19 variant and cases are ticking up. What do you need to know?

Inpatient costs of treating COVID-19 in the U.S.

Factors that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in children

Are pan-coronavirus vaccines an achievable goal in providing broad protection against human coronaviruses?

Hybrid immunity's role in curbing COVID-19: Canadian study sheds light on vaccine-infection synergy

New Year's Eve celebrations linked to spike in COVID-19 cases: Small gatherings, not large events, the main culprit

COVID-19 hospitalization linked to greater long-term health risks than seasonal influenza

Antibody treatment shields transplant patients against COVID-19

Study links omicron's cellular senescence to inflammation and long-COVID risk

New dry powder aerosol COVID-19 vaccine shows promise against multiple virus strains

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in reducing severe symptoms

Hospitalized influenza patients can also suffer long-term, negative health effects

RBD-focused vaccines may offer broader protection against emerging COVID-19 variants

New SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1 shows increased transmissibility and immune resistance

T cells can recognize and fight the "Pirola" variant, new study suggests

Immune system shows remarkable adaptability to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Novel mRNA vaccine GLB-COV2-043 shows high efficacy against COVID-19 variants in early trials

Omicron infection linked to brain structure changes in men, study finds

XBB.1.5 vaccine booster shows promise against new Omicron variants in latest study

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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