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Scientists discover tuberculosis bacterium channels vitamins into the cell

A new study published in the journal Nature in March 2020 reports a unique transport protein found within the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This huge membrane-spanning vesicular protein is different from other transport proteins and is instrumental in carrying hydrophilic molecules, notably vitamin B12 or cobalamin, across the cell membrane.

24 Mar 2020

One in five childhood deaths in England and Wales still due to infection

A new study published in the journal Archives of Diseases of Childhood in March 2020 reveals that despite a drop to less than half, compared to 25 years ago, infection is still a cause of significant mortality among children. The most common cause of infection-related deaths in this age group are respiratory infections.

24 Mar 2020

Cleaning for coronavirus

As the novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) spreads to over 169 nations and territories across the globe, grinding to a halt nations and their healthcare systems, more and more countries are resorting to ‘lockdowns’ to prevent human to human transmission of the virus.

24 Mar 2020

Africa prepares for lockdown as COVID-19 situation worsens

Like most other continents, Africa is affected by the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. African nations are gearing up to curb the spread of the infection by imposing travel bans and lockdowns for the populations. The picture today looks grim, but steps are being taken to address the pandemic in Africa.

24 Mar 2020

German scientists test TB vaccine against coronavirus

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had taken a toll on the world, affecting 168 countries and more than 417,000 people. So far, more than 18,600 people have died due to complications of the disease. Scientists across the globe race to develop the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

24 Mar 2020

Researchers propose a stopgap measure to help Covid-19 patients in respiratory distress

Researchers at MIT and the University of Colorado at Denver have proposed a stopgap measure that they believe could help Covid-19 patients who are in acute respiratory distress.

24 Mar 2020

Clinical trial launched to investigate safety and efficacy of antiviral drug for COVID-19

Physician-scientists at four University of California Health medical centers -- UC San Diego Health, UC San Francisco, UC Irvine Health and UC Davis Health -- have begun recruiting participants for a Phase II clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of treating adult patients with COVID-19 with remdesivir, an antiviral drug that has shown activity in animal models and human clinical trials of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola, Marburg and other viruses.

24 Mar 2020

Research shows striking increase in help line requests for food pantries as pandemic spreads

In the first week since COVID-19 was designated a pandemic, requests for food pantries skyrocketed across the United States. Requests for home-delivered meals more than tripled in the same time period, said a Brown School researcher who tracks calls to 2-1-1 help lines across the U.S.

24 Mar 2020

Taylor & Francis publishes new microsite to provide full access to COVID-19 research

Taylor & Francis has published a new microsite that aggregates and organizes all recently published COVID-19 research in one easy to navigate portal, including all relevant research articles and book chapters.

24 Mar 2020

OHDSI hosts COVID-19 virtual study-a-thon to generate real-world evidence

The Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics international community will host a COVID-19 virtual study-a-thon this week (March 26-29) to inform healthcare decision-making in response to the current global pandemic.

24 Mar 2020

European Respiratory Society urges governments to ensure free movement of medical supplies

The European Respiratory Society adds its voice to those raising the alarm bells regarding border controls and export bans, which have an enormous impact on the free movement of essential medical supplies around Europe.

24 Mar 2020

New Australian pilot program to monitor the effects of flu vaccines

A new Australian pilot program led by The University of Western Australia, in partnership with SmartVax, MedAdvisor and the Queensland University of Technology, will monitor the effects of flu vaccines administered by pharmacists this flu season.

24 Mar 2020

University of Freiburg’s Galaxy platform for virus research

Data and analyses relating to SARS-CoV-2 are available on the University of Freiburg's Galaxy platform.

24 Mar 2020

Missouri S&T campus rallies to 3-D print protective masks

When representatives from Phelps Health, anticipating a shortage of protective masks due to the coronavirus outbreak, needed help, students, faculty and staff at Missouri S&T answered by harnessing the power of technology and ingenuity.

24 Mar 2020

Does everyone over 60 need to take the same coronavirus precautions?

She knew it wasn't a good idea and her daughter would disapprove. Nonetheless, Barbara Figge Fox, 79, recently went to four stores in Princeton, New Jersey, to shop for canned goods, paper towels, fresh fruit, yogurt, and other items.

24 Mar 2020

Overweight and obese people at higher risk of COVID-19

Since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) first emerged in China, a series of studies have provided a better understanding of the virus and how it affects the human body. Evidence shows that vulnerable or high-risk populations include older adults, those who are immunocompromised, and those who have underlying medical conditions.

24 Mar 2020

Projects to develop COVID-19 vaccines receive U.K. gov’t funding

The U.K. government backs six projects aimed to fight the coronavirus outbreak, promising $23 million (£20 million) in funding. The projects, including two focused on vaccination trials, will help fast track the development of a vaccine to stop the spread of the coronavirus, leading to the death of more than 16,500 people across the globe.

24 Mar 2020

Coronavirus cases approaching the 400,000 mark

Recent updates show a rapidly spiking incidence rate for the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 that has already affected well over 380,000 people the world over, killing well over 16,000 of them. In a bid to arrest viral spread in its tracks, shops and other establishments have stopped their physical operations, but deaths continue to increase.

24 Mar 2020

Huge WHO trial of COVID-19 therapies begins

As the world reels from the devastating impact and the looming threat of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, researchers around the globe are racing to find a cure that will reduce symptom severity and reverse the course of the disease, freeing up more hospital space and making it possible to treat more of the severely affected cases.

24 Mar 2020