Omicron News and Research

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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

Collaborative study focuses on understanding the strength of adhesion of COVID-19 variants

A recent groundbreaking study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, sheds new light on the coronavirus's behavior, particularly its ability to remain attached under various mechanical stresses and the implications for person-to-person transmission.

29 Nov 2023

COVID-19 in pregnancy tied to higher preterm birth risk; early vaccine adoption shows protective effect

The impact of maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on infant health.

29 Nov 2023

Half-dose Pfizer COVID booster nearly as effective as full dose with fewer side effects

Study compares the half-dose and full-dose Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 booster in adults previously vaccinated with ChAdOx1, BBIBP-CorV, or Gam-COVID-Vac. It finds that the half-dose booster has fewer side effects and maintains similar immunogenicity, offering a viable option for booster vaccination strategies.

27 Nov 2023

Bivalent COVID-19 boosters offer stronger protection for seniors, Australian study reveals

Study compares the effectiveness of bivalent and monovalent booster vaccines against COVID-19 mortality in individuals aged 65 and older. It finds that bivalent boosters show higher vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 mortality, particularly for the Omicron variant, compared to monovalent vaccines.

27 Nov 2023

Study reveals Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster safer for seniors against stroke risk compared to other vaccines

The comparative hazard of ischemic stroke (IS) in recipients of booster shots.

27 Nov 2023

COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against long-term effects, study suggests

A new study in The BMJ explores how far vaccination averted PCC.

24 Nov 2023

Isolation measures during pandemic drove faster, more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants, study reveals

A Nature Communications study finds that isolation practices during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, leading to variants with earlier, higher peak viral loads but shorter infection durations, suggesting a shift towards increased transmissibility.

23 Nov 2023

New study shows bivalent COVID-19 booster increases antibody response in lung cancer patients

Bivalent booster dose enhanced neutralization of Omicron XBB (sub)variants in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

23 Nov 2023

Research reveals how isolation measures influence SARS-CoV-2's evolutionary trajectory

Researchers used previously reported empirical clinical data analysis and multi-level mathematical modeling to forecast changes in SARS-CoV-2 dynamics during infection and evolution.

23 Nov 2023

Coffee and COVID: Study finds coffee inhibits SARS-CoV-2, offers new dietary defense strategy

Study discovers that coffee, especially its bioactive compounds like chlorogenic acids, can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry and reduce ACE2 and TMPRSS2 levels, indicating that coffee intake might be a potential dietary strategy for COVID-19 prevention.

16 Nov 2023

Researchers develop easy-to-calculate scales to predict COVID-19 severity

Factors associated with hospital admissions, ICU stays and mortality in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 are identified, and clinical prediction rules are developed.

16 Nov 2023

Study reveals coadministered COVID-19 and flu vaccines effective, especially in seniors

The study in JAMA Network Open evaluates the effectiveness of simultaneously administering the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 BA.4/5 COVID-19 vaccine and seasonal influenza vaccines versus separate administration. Results suggest similar or slightly increased COVID-19 outcomes and lower influenza-related outcomes with coadministration, particularly in those aged 65 and above.

13 Nov 2023

Hospital-acquired COVID-19 mortality drops in Omicron era post-vaccination, reveals Swedish study

In a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections in Stockholm led to increased 30-day mortality in the pre-vaccination period but showed significantly lower mortality during the Omicron wave post-vaccination. The study underscores the importance of vaccination in reducing mortality risks from nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infections.

13 Nov 2023

Omicron News and Research

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

Collaborative study focuses on understanding the strength of adhesion of COVID-19 variants

COVID-19 in pregnancy tied to higher preterm birth risk; early vaccine adoption shows protective effect

Half-dose Pfizer COVID booster nearly as effective as full dose with fewer side effects

Bivalent COVID-19 boosters offer stronger protection for seniors, Australian study reveals

Study reveals Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster safer for seniors against stroke risk compared to other vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against long-term effects, study suggests

Isolation measures during pandemic drove faster, more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants, study reveals

New study shows bivalent COVID-19 booster increases antibody response in lung cancer patients

Research reveals how isolation measures influence SARS-CoV-2's evolutionary trajectory

Coffee and COVID: Study finds coffee inhibits SARS-CoV-2, offers new dietary defense strategy

Researchers develop easy-to-calculate scales to predict COVID-19 severity

Study reveals coadministered COVID-19 and flu vaccines effective, especially in seniors

Hospital-acquired COVID-19 mortality drops in Omicron era post-vaccination, reveals Swedish study

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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