Reproduction News and Research

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Prolonged bed rest immediately after embryo transfer linked with reduction in chances of pregnancy

Many clinical interventions used during in-vitro fertilization (IVF), including ultrasound guidance at the time of embryo transfers appear to increase pregnancy rates, however prolonged bed rest should not be recommended, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

25 Mar 2022

Time-varying transmission heterogeneity of two significant beta-coronavirus epidemics in Hong Kong

Researchers demonstrated the daily variations in time-varying transmission heterogeneity through three COVID-19 epidemic waves of sustained local transmission in Hong Kong.

23 Mar 2022

Is COVID-19 on the verge of ending?

Researchers explore the changes arising in SARS-CoV-2 over time.

21 Mar 2022

Study explores novel antiviral activity of PAD inhibitors against human beta-coronaviruses HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2

In a new study, researchers aimed to determine if peptidyl-arginine deiminases inhibitors may be used as a novel class of host-targeting antivirals against human coronaviruses.

21 Mar 2022

RNA-chopping enzyme Dicer stabilizes mammalian chromosomes with the help of BRD4 activator

Cells use RNA as a versatile tool to regulate the activity of their genes. Small snippets of RNA can fine-tune how much protein is produced from various genes; some small RNAs can shut genes off altogether.

17 Mar 2022

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from mother to baby is extremely low, say researchers

Less than 2% of babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for covid-19 infection) also test positive around the time of birth, finds an analysis of the latest evidence published by The BMJ today.

17 Mar 2022

Weight loss does not provide fertility benefits, study finds

Women who are obese and struggling to become pregnant are often advised to lose weight, but a new study finds no fertility benefits from weight loss.

14 Mar 2022

Origins and evolutions of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in the UK

In a new study, researchers presented the origins and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in the United Kingdom.

10 Mar 2022

Research sheds light on important events that may play a role in infertility

Everyone considers sperm to be made exclusively by males. But did you know that females also make sperm? Well, it turns out that females also contribute to what makes a sperm a sperm.

8 Mar 2022

Study reveals the potential of novel antiviral drug combinations to stop COVID-19 spread

Researchers from Columbia Engineering, Fiocruz's Center for Technological Development in Health and the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Brazil, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Rockefeller University recently reported that, by combining inhibitors of polymerases and exonucleases--enzymes that allow SARS-CoV-2 to reproduce--they were able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication 10 times more than when using just the polymerase inhibitors.

7 Mar 2022

Theoretical biologists capture the mechanisms underlying evolvability

All life evolves: microorganisms can become resistant to drugs, viruses evade our vaccines, and species may adapt to climate change.

3 Mar 2022

Researchers create model to explore SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta supremacy

In a new study, researchers have created a model to help identify the dynamics of Delta and Omicron infection in the US, as well as explore the effects of various factors on the overall COVID-19 pandemic.

28 Feb 2022

Periconceptional maternal smoking associated with delay in embryonic development

Smoking by mothers during the period immediately before and after conception is linked to a delay in embryonic development, smaller foetuses at the time of the 20-week ultrasound scan, and lower birth weight.

23 Feb 2022

Assessing the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A new study investigated and compared the transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variants of concern.

22 Feb 2022

The relative contagiousness of the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study, available on the arXiv* server, proposes a simple dynamic model for estimating the relative contagiousness of two variants of SARS-CoV-2, namely Alpha and Delta. Furthermore, it demonstrates how to compute the effective reproduction number for a new variant without contemporaneous sequencing results. This is important to assess the state of the pandemic in real-time.

20 Feb 2022

New set of clinical guidelines published to aid better diagnosis and management of endometriosis

Scientists from UCL and UCLH have informed a new set of clinical guidelines to aid better diagnosis and management of endometriosis - a chronic condition that causes severe pelvic pain and reduced fertility for millions of women worldwide.

18 Feb 2022

Faster transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in households compared to Alpha

Researchers assess how fast the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants transmit from transmission data in a household study.

17 Feb 2022

Study suggests tea polyphenols may modulate COVID-19 via intestinal microbiota

A new study discusses the state of current knowledge about the potential use of tea polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

16 Feb 2022

Research links structural sexism and LGB discrimination with poor birth outcomes in the U.S.

New research links structural sexism, restrictive family planning policies, and structural discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations with increased risk of preterm birth and decreased birth weight-;regardless of the sexual orientation of the person giving birth.

14 Feb 2022

Ultrasound treatment to boost sperm motility could increase a couple’s chances of conceiving

Researchers from Monash University have discovered that using high-frequency ultrasound can boost the motility of sperm, potentially increasing a couple’s chances of conceiving.