Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Study explores best practices in long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Even the best-managed long-term care homes will need to step up to get through the second wave of the pandemic, suggests a new study by researchers at the UBC school of nursing.

17 Dec 2020

How does the UK’s COVID-19 response compare to others in Europe?

Researchers modeled the health benefits and economic loss caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the UK and compared them to four other western European countries. Their results suggest the British Government’s response may outweigh the economic loss incurred.

17 Dec 2020

High presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in PCR test can predict future symptomatic disease

A new study by researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden shows that testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid can help in containing the virus spread. Detecting the presence of high amounts of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid predicts future symptomatic disease, they found.

17 Dec 2020

No added risks to radiation therapy for cancer patients with COVID-19, says study

A team of radiation oncologists at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in the United States aimed to determine if COVID-19 infected cancer patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) have any different outcome than non-infected patients.

17 Dec 2020

Cholesterol in the plasma membrane is essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry and syncytia formation

A preprint indicates that SARS-CoV-2 requires cholesterol to accomplish entry into the host cells and membrane fusion.

17 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins alter the expression of key chemokines and cytokines in cell lines

Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine, United States of America, recently demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins alone triggered innate cell activity and the interferon signaling pathway.

17 Dec 2020

Gene surfing caused the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant to rise to dominance in the US

A recent preprint that appeared on the bioRxiv* server applies a new approach to conventional birth-death lineage modeling.

17 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion ΔH69/ΔV70 shows repeated emergence and spread

Since the COVID 19 pandemic, it has been established that the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2 gains entry to the target host cell via its spike glycoprotein.

17 Dec 2020

HDL nanoparticles prevent cholesterol movement at membrane receptor to inhibit entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in cell culture

As researchers strive to find safe therapeutics for COVID 19, a study suggests that preventing the movement of cholesterol may inhibit viral entry by up to 80%.

17 Dec 2020

Hepatitis C virus drugs synergize with remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 71.5 million people and claimed over 1.6 million lives globally since December 2019.

17 Dec 2020

Study shows an inflammatory response in the mice brain is responsible for severe COVID-19

Researchers demonstrated that neuroinvasion and encephalitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with significant mortality in a special mouse model.

17 Dec 2020

Slower drill rotation during dental procedures can reduce COVID-19 spread

Dental procedures can pose a high risk of viral transmission because the tools that are used often produce aerosols, which can contain high numbers SARS-CoV-2 virions, copies of the virus causing COVID-19.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers evaluate changes in measles vaccination rates before COVID-19 pandemic

One consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is that more families are putting off their children's preventive care visits, causing pediatric providers to worry about missed vaccines.

17 Dec 2020

Natural changes in UV influence the spread of COVID-19, shows study

Natural variations in ultraviolet radiation influence the spread of COVID-19, but the influence is modest compared to preventive measures such as physical distancing, mask wearing, and quarantine, according to new research from Harvard University.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers find evidence that COVID-19 spread is sensitive to UV exposure

Scientists, policymakers and healthcare workers are eager to discern to what extent COVID-19 may be seasonal. Understanding this aspect of the disease could guide our response to the pandemic.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers identify key gene necessary for cells to consume and destroy viruses

A team led by UT Southwestern researchers has identified a key gene necessary for cells to consume and destroy viruses. The findings, reported online today in Nature, could lead to ways to manipulate this process to improve the immune system's ability to combat viral infections, such as those fueling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

17 Dec 2020

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

Study explores best practices in long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic

How does the UK’s COVID-19 response compare to others in Europe?

High presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in PCR test can predict future symptomatic disease

No added risks to radiation therapy for cancer patients with COVID-19, says study

Cholesterol in the plasma membrane is essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry and syncytia formation

SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins alter the expression of key chemokines and cytokines in cell lines

Gene surfing caused the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant to rise to dominance in the US

SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion ΔH69/ΔV70 shows repeated emergence and spread

HDL nanoparticles prevent cholesterol movement at membrane receptor to inhibit entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in cell culture

Hepatitis C virus drugs synergize with remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Study shows an inflammatory response in the mice brain is responsible for severe COVID-19

Slower drill rotation during dental procedures can reduce COVID-19 spread

Researchers evaluate changes in measles vaccination rates before COVID-19 pandemic

Natural changes in UV influence the spread of COVID-19, shows study

Researchers find evidence that COVID-19 spread is sensitive to UV exposure

Researchers identify key gene necessary for cells to consume and destroy viruses

Specific genetic target could help explain the variation in COVID-19 effects

COVID-19 pandemic affects sleep habits, leads to further stress and anxiety

COVID-19 spread is linked to atmospheric pollutants exposure

Study shows patients are more receptive to using mental health and wellness apps

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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