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Scientists study how our immune system responds to COVID-19 variants

Australian scientists researching how our immune system responds to COVID-19 have revealed that those infected by early variants in 2020 produced sustained antibodies, however, these antibodies are not as effective against contemporary variants of the virus.

8 Jul 2021

New artificial intelligence system could lead to improved ways to control high ozone problems

Ozone levels in the earth's troposphere (the lowest level of our atmosphere) can now be forecasted with accuracy up to two weeks in advance, a remarkable improvement over current systems that can accurately predict ozone levels only three days ahead.

25 Jun 2021

Green tea catechins might be useful as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

Scientists from the Queen’s University, Canada, have recently uncovered the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of epigallocatechin gallate, a bioactive compound from green tea, against highly pathogenic coronaviruses found in humans and animals. The compound prevents viral infection by interfering with virus-host cell attachment. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

24 Jun 2021

Natural compound myricetin shows antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2

New findings from a team of Chinese researchers suggest natural compounds — specifically the flavonoid myricetin — could also be a potential drug candidate for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

23 Jun 2021

High junk food consumption in childhood increases risk of unhealthy body fat by early adulthood

A new paper published recently in the journal JAMA Pediatrics reports consistent and significant associations between the increased consumption of such ‘ultraprocessed foods’ by children in the UK, and a higher risk of obesity, increased body fat percentage, and overall body mass, by the time they reach young adulthood.

17 Jun 2021

Examining how the consumption of ultra-processed foods increases adiposity in children

A recent paper discusses the positive association that exists between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and adiposity measurements from children.

15 Jun 2021

Alkaloids show potential as treatments for COVID-19

To further study these organic compounds, researchers from Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile, reviewed the role of alkaloids as a potential antiviral, specifically against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). They presented the chemistry, plant sources, and antiviral effects of alkaloids and their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect.

15 Jun 2021

Natural products show promise against COVID-19 via iron chelation

Researchers at the University of Catania in Italy investigated whether natural compounds could prevent disease progression. Their study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that iron chelators and protease inhibitors can counteract SARS-CoV-2 infection.

7 Jun 2021

New study investigates how green tea could lead to a drug for tackling Covid-19

As India continues to be ravaged by the pandemic, a Swansea University academic is investigating how green tea could give rise to a drug capable of tackling Covid-19.

5 Jun 2021

Anti-inflammatory diets could help lower the risk of breast cancer

Women eating more foods that increase inflammation in the body have a 12% increase in their risk of breast cancer relative to women who did not.

4 Jun 2021

Could a green tea compound combat SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers recently published an article that reviewed the mechanisms by which EGCG could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and the various syndromes caused by COVID-19.

3 Jun 2021

A new model to prevent or manage caffeine withdrawal after surgery

Millions of people consume caffeine in coffee, tea, sodas and energy drinks, but when they go without, the withdrawal symptoms can include drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and intense headaches.

25 May 2021

Employment for frontline healthcare workers should be conditional on COVID-19 jab, argue ethicists

Employment for frontline healthcare workers should be conditional on COVID-19 vaccination, and unless they have a valid medical reason for not getting the jab, persistent refusniks should be temporarily redeployed to protect their colleagues and patients, argue ethicists in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

17 May 2021

Natural products a rich source for novel antiviral compounds

In a recent review in the journal Viruses, researchers look at natural products that can be identified as potential alternative antiviral agents. The reviewers discussed the antiviral activities of several natural products towards DNA and RNA viruses with an analytical approach. The researchers detailed the cellular/viral targets of the active molecules and their impact on the infection and viral replication cycle.

10 May 2021

Complementary medicines for weight loss cannot be justified based on current evidence, review suggests

The first global review of complementary medicines (herbal and dietary supplements) for weight loss in 16 years--combining 121 randomized placebo-controlled trials including nearly 10,000 adults--suggests that their use cannot be justified based on the current evidence.

8 May 2021

Ravi Sheth receives 2020 Hertz thesis prize for transforming microbial research

Hertz Fellow Ravi Sheth says his lab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard is "like a Willy Wonka factory of microbes" geared toward improving the taste and safety of food and beverages.

4 May 2021

City of Hope initiates Phase 2 clinical trial to investigate if mushroom tablets could slow prostate cancer

City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases, is now recruiting patients for a Phase 2 clinical trial to investigate whether pills containing white button mushroom extract could regulate the immune system, affecting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels to either remain stable or decline.

29 Apr 2021

Plant-derived compound isorhamnetin may have antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2

The lack of new or repurposed drugs to treat patients with severe or critical COVID-19 has been one of the biggest hurdles to reducing mortality rates in the ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. A new study describes the potential for the use of the plant molecule isorhamnetin in the management of this virus.

19 Apr 2021

Drinking flavanol-rich cocoa could protect from mental stress-induced cardiovascular events

Increased consumption of flavanols - a group of molecules occurring naturally in fruit and vegetables - could protect people from mental stress-induced cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart disease and thrombosis, according to new research.

31 Mar 2021

A green tea compound shows anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties in vitro

Researchers show the antiviral potential of a green tea compound against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

22 Mar 2021