Severe Acute Respiratory News and Research

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Is mask-wearing effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission?

UK-based researchers released the findings of their review of the efficacy of the face coverings and masks in preventing transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

4 Dec 2020

People with vitamin D deficiency at higher risk of severe COVID-19, says study

A new study has revealed that vitamin D deficient patients are more likely to experience severe COVID-19.

4 Dec 2020

The effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on children's health: A UK case study

UK-based researchers have explored how national lockdown has changed young children's everyday activities, eating and sleep habits. They found that children's activity, screen time, eating, and sleep routines have been disrupted during the "stay-at-home" order in the United Kingdom.

4 Dec 2020

Researchers tie smoking to higher COVID-19 mortality in lower-middle-income countries

A team of researchers from the Epidemiology Department, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia, has found no correlations between adult male and female smoking prevalence with COVID-19 mortality across countries. In lower-middle-income countries, however, there is a link between adult male smoking prevalence with COVID-19-related death.

4 Dec 2020

Clinical metagenomics, a faster approach to identify secondary infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Scientists have demonstrated that clinical metagenomic detection of microbial communities can improve the management of infections in COVID-19 patients.

4 Dec 2020

Low testosterone can increase risk of severe COVID-19 in males

Researchers from the USA and Saudi Arabia describe the direct correlation between testosterone levels, inflammatory cytokines, disease progression, and worse outcomes in male COVID-19 patients.

4 Dec 2020

COVID-19 impacts cardiac care in the United Kingdom

Postponing non-urgent cardiac care and surgeries because of COVID-19 will likely increase demand for cardiac care along with increased costs.

4 Dec 2020

Public willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine around the globe: Study

The worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented effort to develop vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on a timescale that has never been imagined before. Even as some vaccines have begun to be administered on a large scale, scientists and governments are coming up against a difficult obstacle.

3 Dec 2020

Lessons from Italian neurosurgeons who fought on the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic's first wave

A report by neurosurgeons at the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, Italy, highlights the strategies their unit had to take to help combat the viral illness, which has claimed the lives of more than 1.49 million people worldwide. The study was published in the Journal of Neurosurgery in December 2020.

3 Dec 2020

Can melatonin help prevent severe COVID-19?

A team of researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada has found that melatonin can be an adjuvant to augment the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. They believe that the drug is a potential “silver bullet” to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

3 Dec 2020

Household composition and ethnicity may contribute to higher COVID-19 mortality: a UK case study

A new study by researchers in the UK found that older people living with relatives are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death. They also revealed that living in a multi-generational household, where extended family members live, was tied to increased COVID-19 mortality.

3 Dec 2020

High seroprevalence of short-lived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Paris

A recent study indicates a high seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among individuals working in a Paris-based institute.

3 Dec 2020

Designed proteins assemble antibodies into modular nanocages

With cues from nature, designing functional molecules enables scientists to nanoengineer and customize for specific uses.

3 Dec 2020

Nanoparticles with neutralizing antibodies can inactivate SARS-CoV-2

Using nanoparticles conjugated with SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, researchers demonstrated that intense local heating could inactivate the virus.

3 Dec 2020

Pomegranate extract could inhibit the virus that causes COVID-19

Researchers have conducted a study demonstrating the potential antiviral effects of pomegranate extract against SAR-CoV-2.

3 Dec 2020

Novel “multitope” vaccine shows promise in the fight against COVID-19

Researchers have demonstrated the potential of a protein-peptide vaccine to protect against infection with SARS-CoV-2, the agent that causes COVID-19.

3 Dec 2020

New insight into role of autophagy in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection

A team of researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada said that nanoparticle targeting of autophagy at the sites could be a potent tool to effectively overcome COVID-19 while preventing the common adverse effects of the drug.

2 Dec 2020

Emergence of new zoonotic infections like SARS-CoV-2 is inevitable

A team of researchers at the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute explored the role of animals, the veterinary, and associated zoonotic links of SARS-CoV-2 and prevention and control strategies based on 'One Health' approaches. The research is published in the journal Veterinary Quarterly.

2 Dec 2020

The UK approves Pfizer vaccine for December 2020 roll out

The UK approves Pfizer vaccine and schedules phased vaccination process, commencing December 2020.

2 Dec 2020

Spanish-originated SARS-CoV-2 variant A222V shows rapid spread in Lazio, Italy

A startling new study reports the rapid rise to dominance of a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain in Italy. This strain, termed the GV clade, is characterized by a single point mutation.

2 Dec 2020