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New blood test could help predict the severity of COVID-19 symptoms

During the height of the pandemic, some hospitals were overwhelmed with patients seeking treatment for COVID-19.

22 Jul 2021

Can prior human seasonal coronavirus antibody response patterns predict SARS-CoV-2 inhibition?

A new study, recently released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, reports the intriguing finding that the cross-neutralizing antibodies elicited by human seasonal coronaviruses (sCoVs) show varying ability to prevent binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen and its cognate receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

22 Jul 2021

Pfizer vaccine and isolation independently associated with reduced household transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Israel was among the leading proponents of COVID-19 vaccination as the way out of the current worldwide restrictions on social and economic interactions and activity. A new study, recently released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, reports on the effects of the large-scale vaccination campaigns carried out in this country, relating to successful control of SARS-CoV-2 spread within households.

22 Jul 2021

New motor imagery-based BMI system turns intentions into actions

A new wearable brain-machine interface (BMI) system could improve the quality of life for people with motor dysfunction or paralysis, even those struggling with locked-in syndrome – when a person is fully conscious but unable to move or communicate.

22 Jul 2021

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations L452R & Y453F evade cellular immunity

The study, published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, also showed emerging mutations L452R and Y453F in the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding motif evade (HLA) A24-restricted cellular immunity. Meanwhile, the L452R enhances spike stability, viral fusogenicity, and viral infectivity. Hence, the findings suggest that HLA-restricted cellular immunity potentially affects the evolution of viral phenotypes.

22 Jul 2021

Scientist explore conserved RNA elements as potential targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs

The study, published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, identified many small molecules that bind to certain parts of the SARS-CoV-2 genome that are less likely altered by mutations using dedicated substance libraries. The scientists derived key functional units and groups in ligands for effective and safe targeting of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

22 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 proteins manipulate autophagy

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has claimed more than 4.1 million lives worldwide. This pandemic is caused by a novel single-stranded RNA virus, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first reported in 2019 in Wuhan, China. The rapid spread of this virus is attributed to its high infectiousness and its ability to escape and counteract host immune responses, e.g., autophagy.

22 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance identifies intricacies of stabilizing vs. destabilizing mutations

Some of these variants, known as variants of concern (VoC), have a much higher rate of transmission and increased mortality than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. Therefore, it is imperative to assess the efficacy of the available vaccines against the circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains. In addition, tracking the continuously evolving genetic variants is also vital to prevent future outbreaks.

22 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by cats

Researchers in The Netherlands have warned that domestic cats may play a role in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

21 Jul 2021

Combination antibody therapies retain potency against SARS-CoV-2 variants, FDA / HHS research

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study showing that while variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can compromise the effectiveness of single therapeutic antibodies at preventing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many combination antibody products remain potent against the variants.

21 Jul 2021

Scientists identify gut microbiota dysbiosis as a potential risk factor for long COVID

A study in Norway has recently highlighted a significant association between gut microbiota alteration and persistent respiratory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

21 Jul 2021

Study examines the host and viral factors that drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution

In a new paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv*, two clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 are monitored by whole genome sequencing as they are passaged through several generations of Vero cells or human-derived primary nasal epithelial cells (PNEC), allowing direct observation of the occurrence of virus enhancing mutations and the way in which host cell factors shape virus evolution.

21 Jul 2021

Study associates feelings of discrimination and low status with long COVID-19 symptoms

A recent study, released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, examines the correlation of these symptoms with the patient’s socioeconomic status (SES) and perception of social discrimination, along with other social factors. The researchers found that the first two factors are associated strongly with long-term symptoms of COVID-19.

21 Jul 2021

How to run a COVID-19 vaccination campaign: lessons from other infectious outbreaks

A new paper, available on the medRxiv* preprint server, presents lessons learned from the implementation of three adult vaccine programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and South America.

21 Jul 2021

COVIDcast API: An open repository of real-time COVID-19 indicators

A new preprint available on the medRxiv* server reports the utility of the COVIDcast API, a database of all COVID-19 indicators that are constantly being updated, dating from April 2020.

21 Jul 2021

World Brain Day 2021: An interview with Professor Alan Thompson

In commemoration of World Brain Day 2021, News-Medical spoke to renowned neurology expert Professor Alan Thompson about his incredible career in brain research.

21 Jul 2021

Human coronaviruses need organic materials to transfer efficiently between surfaces

This study, published in the journal Viruses, indicated that human coronaviruses do not transfer effectively from contaminated hands to contact surfaces without the presence of any organic material.

21 Jul 2021

Scientists explore susceptibility of different animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection

A team of researchers at the Institute of Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern and the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) has utilized a unique collection of advanced cell culture models of cells lining the airways from various domesticated and wildlife animals. This way, the team can determine which animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

20 Jul 2021

Potent nasal vaccine protects non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2

A team of US-based scientists has recently demonstrated the efficacy of a live attenuated, recombinant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate currently under phase I clinical trial as a single-dose intranasal vaccine.

20 Jul 2021

Structural changes in receptor-binding interface may induce immune fitness of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

Florida International University researchers have investigated the mutation-induced structural changes in the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that could contribute to its immune evasion abilities.

20 Jul 2021

Syndrome News and Research

New blood test could help predict the severity of COVID-19 symptoms

Can prior human seasonal coronavirus antibody response patterns predict SARS-CoV-2 inhibition?

Pfizer vaccine and isolation independently associated with reduced household transmission of SARS-CoV-2

New motor imagery-based BMI system turns intentions into actions

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations L452R & Y453F evade cellular immunity

Scientist explore conserved RNA elements as potential targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs

SARS-CoV-2 proteins manipulate autophagy

SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance identifies intricacies of stabilizing vs. destabilizing mutations

SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by cats

Combination antibody therapies retain potency against SARS-CoV-2 variants, FDA / HHS research

Scientists identify gut microbiota dysbiosis as a potential risk factor for long COVID

Study examines the host and viral factors that drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution

Study associates feelings of discrimination and low status with long COVID-19 symptoms

How to run a COVID-19 vaccination campaign: lessons from other infectious outbreaks

COVIDcast API: An open repository of real-time COVID-19 indicators

World Brain Day 2021: An interview with Professor Alan Thompson

Human coronaviruses need organic materials to transfer efficiently between surfaces

Scientists explore susceptibility of different animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Potent nasal vaccine protects non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2

Structural changes in receptor-binding interface may induce immune fitness of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

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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