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Public adherence to COVID-19 guidelines in Norway: a case study

To evaluate and understand the adherence to public health actions recommended by the government, a team in Norway undertook a study funded in part by the Norwegian Research Council’s Centres of Excellence Funding Scheme and by the project: A realtime analytical pipeline for preparedness, planning, and response during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway.

23 Dec 2020

Genetic analysis reveals novel traits associated with COVID-19 severity

Researchers in the United States have conducted genetic correlation studies revealing novel traits associated with the development of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

23 Dec 2020

First UK lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted dementia care

Researchers in the United Kingdom have conducted an extensive survey exploring the impact that lockdown had on people living with low prevalence and young-onset dementias during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

23 Dec 2020

COVID vaccines appear safe and effective, but key questions remain

The recent rollout of two newly authorized COVID-19 vaccines is a bright ray of hope at the pandemic's darkest hour.

23 Dec 2020

Modeling the phases of quarantine reveals two-phase route is always better than one

New research into this question shows that the second wave of an epidemic is very different if a population has a homogenous distribution of contacts, compared to the scenario of subpopulations with diverse number of contacts.

23 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 mutations may evade T cell immunity

A potentially disturbing new study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may be undergoing strategic mutations that affect the host immune capacity to recognize and combat the pathogen via T effector cells.

23 Dec 2020

COVID-19 severity could be linked to genetic variance

A new study describes some potentially important genetic factors in the host that may shape the clinical symptoms and signs of the disease.

23 Dec 2020

Cell-mediated immunity may be more important than neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 outcome

A new study sheds light on some important differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

23 Dec 2020

Researchers use fruit fly model to understand COVID-19-related neurological complications

Researchers claim to have reproduced disease mechanisms due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the fruit fly, Drosophila, while also providing proof of the efficacy of one drug against these disease processes. If validated, these findings represent a new understanding of how the virus causes neurological symptoms that could help develop more effective therapies.

23 Dec 2020

Study assesses link between secondary bloodstream infection and severe COVID-19

People with severe COVID-19 and a secondary blood infection were significantly sicker upon hospital admission, had longer hospital stays and poorer outcomes, according to a Rutgers study.

23 Dec 2020

New project to develop a platform for monitoring microvascular health of COVID-19 patients

VASCOVID, a new European project, will develop a platform that uses near-infrared light to monitor microvascular health of COVID-19 patients and assist clinicians in delivering customized treatments.

23 Dec 2020

Researchers test effects of full doses of anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients

Three clinical trial platforms working together to test the effects of full doses of anticoagulants (blood thinners) in COVID-19 patients have paused enrollment for one group of patients.

23 Dec 2020

Phase 2/3 COVID-19 study evaluates safety, potential identification of preliminary efficacy signals

Top-line data from the 270-patient global Phase 2/3 COVID-19 study expected Q1/2021. Top-line data from the 40-patient U.S. Phase 2 study of opaganib in severe COVID-19 expected in the coming days; this non-powered study was designed to evaluate safety and potential identification of preliminary efficacy signals in support of the global Phase 2/3 study of opaganib.

23 Dec 2020

Modulating BST2 expression on blood stem cells may help regulate cell activation during chronic infections

When a person has an infection, the body activates immune responses to fight it. IFNγ is an inflammatory molecule produced by the immune system that helps fight infections.

23 Dec 2020

New study sheds light on the psychology of holiday rituals

In the midst of the raging coronavirus pandemic, we're faced with agonizing decisions about whether to forgo treasured holiday rituals.

22 Dec 2020

Early clinical data demonstrates the efficacy of existing drug in treating COVID-19

In what has the potential to significantly change how Corona patients are being treated and the severity of the disease, research spearheaded at Jerusalem's Hebrew University gathered early clinical evidence demonstrating the efficacy of an existing drug in treating COVID-19.

22 Dec 2020

Researchers evaluate self-administered 'scratch-and-sniff' tests for COVID-19

A self-administered 'scratch-and-sniff' test for COVID-19 may be around the corner, according to researchers at Penn State, the University of Florida and Arizona State University.

22 Dec 2020

Wearing masks may not be enough to prevent COVID-19 spread at close distances

Simply wearing a mask may not be enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without social distancing.

22 Dec 2020

The power of public health screening in mitigating the spread of COVID-19

Testing for COVID-19 has been central in the fight against SARS-CoV-2/ COVID-19. While most efforts, including regulations, have focused on testing as a clinical medical diagnostic tool, the most powerful forms of testing to help control the pandemic have rarely been used or recognized, according to Michael Mina, MD, PhD.

22 Dec 2020

Community burden of COVID-19 linked to survival rates of hospitalized patients

High rates of COVID-19 in the county where a hospital is located appears to reduce survival rates among hospitalized patients with the virus, according to a new study from researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and at UnitedHealth Group.

22 Dec 2020