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CovMT could help researchers to track evolution of SARS-CoV-2 mutations

A SARS-CoV-2 tracker uses publicly available sequencing data to show how the virus is changing and spreading over time. The tracker, called CovMT, was developed at KAUST and is expected to help researchers and policymakers understand the evolution of the virus's mutations.

22 Feb 2021

Virus-specific cellular immunity may be essential for long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers from China and the US recently synthesized select peptide pools of the structural and functional proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), and protease (P) proteins as target antigens to assess COVID-19-specific immunity.

22 Feb 2021

WVU researchers set to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants, mitigate strain outbreaks

West Virginia University scientists knew it was coming. When health officials confirmed the first three cases of a COVID-19 variant in West Virginia late Friday (Feb. 19), they were not surprised.

22 Feb 2021

Seropositive individuals show similar antibody levels to a second mRNA vaccine dose

Seropositive individuals —people who received antibodies after COVID-19 infection — may be able to safely delay their second mRNA vaccine dose after all, according to the results of a new study.

22 Feb 2021

No evidence of SARS-CoV-2 fusing into the human genome

New data from researchers led by Majid Kazemian from Purdue University refutes claims from recent studies suggesting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could create a host-virus chimeric RNA. Their team found SARS-CoV-2 does not combine with the human genome.

22 Feb 2021

Research identifies failures with Australia and New Zealand's hotel-based COVID-19 quarantine

The researchers found a notable risk of failure with hotel quarantine in Australia and New Zealand. The two countries have collectively had 16 COVID-19 identified failures from hotel-based quarantine up to January 31, 2021. The two countries also have higher proportions of infected travelers, threatening both nations' status in eliminating the illness.

22 Feb 2021

Current monoclonal antibodies less potent against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine and Biohaven Pharmaceuticals found that the REGN10933 and REGN10987 combination was 9.1-fold less potent on the B.1.351 variant, which emerged in South Africa, and 16.2-fold less potent on mink cluster 5.

22 Feb 2021

UH receives funding from Gilead Sciences to fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic

A University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work research center working to eradicate the underlying serious and systemic challenges that contribute to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States has received $5 million in renewal funding from biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. to facilitate the continuation of its impactful work.

22 Feb 2021

FDA-approved heart drug shows potential for treatment of SARS-CoV-2

A federally approved heart medication shows significant effectiveness in interfering with SARS-CoV-2 entry into the human cell host, according to a new study by a research team from Texas A&M University and The University of Texas Medical Branch.

22 Feb 2021

Researchers develop a mathematical means of assessing COVID-19 tests' false-negative rate

Even with more than 1.5 million Americans receiving a COVID vaccine each day, officials estimate it will take many more months before enough people are protected from the deadly virus.

22 Feb 2021

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in COVID-19 ICU and ER situations

The overwhelming increase in critically ill COVID-19 patients, who urgently require intensive care units (ICU) and emergency departments (ED), has challenged healthcare systems worldwide.

22 Feb 2021

HIV-positive people with severe immunosuppression, APOE4 gene may have increased risk for dementia

People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have a history of severe immunosuppression and at least one copy of the Alzheimer's disease-related gene variant APOE4, might see a compounded adverse effect on the circuitry that impacts memory.

22 Feb 2021

Failed antiviral response in nasal mucosa may predict severe COVID-19

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study suggesting that the host response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within nasal mucosa is a key determinant of clinical trajectory in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

22 Feb 2021

Viral protein delivery system could facilitate COVID-19 research

Researchers in the United States have successfully delivered a critical structural protein found in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to a human cell line and tracked its localization deep within the cells.

22 Feb 2021

FDA issues guidance for medical product developers to address the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidances for medical product developers, specifically covering vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics products, to address the emergence and potential future emergence of variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

22 Feb 2021

An overview of spike protein antigen COVID-19 vaccine candidates

A new paper in the journal Reviews in Medical Virology provides a perspective on current vaccine development strategies and tools, which may allow the production of safe and effective vaccines.

22 Feb 2021

COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows potential against SARS-CoV-2 and potential future zoonotic coronaviruses

A new study sheds light on the threat posed by future zoonotic coronaviruses to make similar leaps across species barriers to infect human beings and cause other pandemics.

22 Feb 2021

Neanderthal gene can confer protection against severe COVID-19, finds study

A new study has detailed how some of the genes in the human genome inherited from Neanderthals appear to confer a protective effect against severe COVID-19.

22 Feb 2021

Researchers explain SARS-CoV-2's replication-transcription complex

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still spreading rapidly throughout the world. A new preprint on the bioRxiv* server describes the structure of an important viral non-structural protein NSP12-16 and its role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

22 Feb 2021

Some nutritional supplements may help prevent or mitigate COVID-19 severity

A new study in the Journal of dietary supplements shows that nutritional supplements, including several vitamins and the mineral zinc, may be useful in preventing the infection or reducing its severity if caught.

22 Feb 2021