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Could saffron be an effective supplement for helping manage COVID-19?

A new study, published in the journal Cell Press, explores the potential use of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as a drug supplement for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

24 May 2021

Researchers identify aluminum hydroxide/TLR9 agonist as potential adjuvant to improve RBD-based COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

The study findings reveal that RBD-based vaccines adjuvanted with the formulation can induce strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing immunity in young and aged mice. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

24 May 2021

Researchers identify factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in USA

A team of scientists from the Washington University, in St. Louis, USA, has recently conducted a survey to analyze factors responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy among US citizens.

24 May 2021

Genetically engineered intestinal organoids reveal potential treatment targets against SARS-CoV-2

Using CRISPR/Cas9 and human intestinal organoids to study genes implicated in the biology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), researchers from the Netherlands identified a specific serine protease (TMPRSS2) as an attractive pan-coronavirus therapeutic target. Their exciting findings are available in a study currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

24 May 2021

Proof that face masks reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Researchers in Germany and China have conducted a study analyzing the efficacy of face masks in mitigating the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

24 May 2021

Research suggests Garcinia kola extract might suppress severe COVID-19 cytokine storms

Researchers in the UK and Nigeria have conducted a study showing that Garcinia kola seed extract and garcinoic acid may provide therapeutic benefits in the late stage of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other coronavirus infections.

24 May 2021

STING agonist diABZI shows promise against SARS-CoV-2 variants

COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective way to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. For people who are already infected, new research suggests the small molecule stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist-1, diABZI, may be effective in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection — including those caused by variants.

23 May 2021

Computationally designed peptide blocks the entry of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV

In order to develop effective antiviral drugs, scientists design active molecules based on their structures that can prevent or disrupt the specific viral-receptor binding - this is an effective strategy to prevent the virus from entering the host.

23 May 2021

Memory B cells with a functional anti-SARS-CoV-2 response persist despite loss of specific IgG

In Munich, Germany, scientists at Ludwig Maximilian University studied temporal adaptive immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to better understand protection against re-infection. They found functional properties of persisting memory B specific to SARS-CoV-2 may help in protect against the virus.

23 May 2021

Decreasing activity of ZMPSTE24 protease with age and comorbidities may make elderly COVID-19 patients vulnerable

Studies have shown that circulating levels of PAI-1, the coagulation cascade activator, are considerably higher in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory illness compared to patients with bacterial-sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Hence the increase in PAI-1 levels is recognized as an early marker of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.

23 May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mutations strengthen RBD-ACE2 binding, making the virus more infectious

In January 2020, the first complete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome sequence was deposited to GenBank. Since then, the amount of new genome sequences has increased rapidly at GenBank and GISAID. This has laid the foundations for analyzing the virulence, antigenicity, pathogenicity, and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 mutations.

22 May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants exhibit enhanced affinity towards the ACE2 receptor

In a short correspondence paper recently uploaded to the Lancet by Ramanathan, Muthukumar et al. (May 19th, 2021) the affinity of labeled SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain proteins sourced from each of these two variants of concern towards human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) recombinant proteins is investigated using microscale thermophoresis, confirming the enhanced affinity towards the receptor observed in other studies.

22 May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 virus persistence in immunocompromised individuals

Positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tests are frequently obtained from individuals that have already recovered from the virus in the past. They have therefore undergone seroconversion and bear the expected antibodies.

22 May 2021

High seroprevalence in Peruvian population recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection

By the middle of 2020, Iquitos, Peru, had the highest number of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the world. Despite natural immunity, the city experienced a second coronavirus wave, with reinfections possibly owing to the P.1 variant.

22 May 2021

Specific enzymes protect the human skin and body from microbes, viruses

The human body is constantly exposed to various environmental actors, from viruses to bacteria to fungi, but most of these microbial organisms provoke little or no response from our skin, which is charged with monitoring and protecting from external dangers.

22 May 2021

Telepresence robot enables COVID-19 patients to talk to their loved ones

Researchers of the Integrated Systems Engineering Group of the University of Malaga (UMA) have designed a telepresence robot that enables people suffering from COVID-19 to talk to their loved ones.

22 May 2021

New study aims to reduce HIV incidence among transgender women

HIV prevention services will be combined with access to gender-affirming hormonal therapy and peer health navigation to try to reduce the disproportionate percentage of transgender women who are HIV positive in an innovative study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHeath).

22 May 2021

Researchers validate new COVID-19 test kit that could spur the expansion of more rapid testing

Simon Fraser University researchers have validated a faster, cheaper COVID-19 test that could kickstart the expansion of more widespread rapid testing. Study results have been published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

22 May 2021

Australian discovery could speed up SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development

To address this gap, researchers from Australia recently examined the relationship between levels of in vitro neutralization and the observed protection obtained from SARS-CoV-2 infection. They used data from 7 currently available vaccines and convalescent cohorts. Their research is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

22 May 2021

When COVID-19 is severe, rogue antibodies attack body tissues and organs

The study, published in the journal Nature, sheds light on the disease mechanism of COVID-19 and how the virus causes a faulty immune system.

21 May 2021

Disease/Infection News

Could saffron be an effective supplement for helping manage COVID-19?

Researchers identify aluminum hydroxide/TLR9 agonist as potential adjuvant to improve RBD-based COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Researchers identify factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in USA

Genetically engineered intestinal organoids reveal potential treatment targets against SARS-CoV-2

Proof that face masks reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Research suggests Garcinia kola extract might suppress severe COVID-19 cytokine storms

STING agonist diABZI shows promise against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Computationally designed peptide blocks the entry of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV

Memory B cells with a functional anti-SARS-CoV-2 response persist despite loss of specific IgG

Decreasing activity of ZMPSTE24 protease with age and comorbidities may make elderly COVID-19 patients vulnerable

SARS-CoV-2 mutations strengthen RBD-ACE2 binding, making the virus more infectious

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants exhibit enhanced affinity towards the ACE2 receptor

SARS-CoV-2 virus persistence in immunocompromised individuals

High seroprevalence in Peruvian population recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection

Specific enzymes protect the human skin and body from microbes, viruses

Telepresence robot enables COVID-19 patients to talk to their loved ones

New study aims to reduce HIV incidence among transgender women

Researchers validate new COVID-19 test kit that could spur the expansion of more rapid testing

Australian discovery could speed up SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development

When COVID-19 is severe, rogue antibodies attack body tissues and organs

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

PhD researcher at LifeArc

Unveiling Hidden Potential: Organoids for Disease Modeling in Neuroscience Research

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