Disease/Infection News

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Gene surfing caused the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant to rise to dominance in the US

A recent preprint that appeared on the bioRxiv* server applies a new approach to conventional birth-death lineage modeling.

17 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion ΔH69/ΔV70 shows repeated emergence and spread

Since the COVID 19 pandemic, it has been established that the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2 gains entry to the target host cell via its spike glycoprotein.

17 Dec 2020

HDL nanoparticles prevent cholesterol movement at membrane receptor to inhibit entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in cell culture

As researchers strive to find safe therapeutics for COVID 19, a study suggests that preventing the movement of cholesterol may inhibit viral entry by up to 80%.

17 Dec 2020

Hepatitis C virus drugs synergize with remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 71.5 million people and claimed over 1.6 million lives globally since December 2019.

17 Dec 2020

Study shows an inflammatory response in the mice brain is responsible for severe COVID-19

Researchers demonstrated that neuroinvasion and encephalitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with significant mortality in a special mouse model.

17 Dec 2020

Why are some groups more vulnerable to COVID-19?

News-Medical speaks to Dr. Jaswinder Singh about his research surrounding why some groups are more susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19.

17 Dec 2020

Slower drill rotation during dental procedures can reduce COVID-19 spread

Dental procedures can pose a high risk of viral transmission because the tools that are used often produce aerosols, which can contain high numbers SARS-CoV-2 virions, copies of the virus causing COVID-19.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers evaluate changes in measles vaccination rates before COVID-19 pandemic

One consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is that more families are putting off their children's preventive care visits, causing pediatric providers to worry about missed vaccines.

17 Dec 2020

Natural changes in UV influence the spread of COVID-19, shows study

Natural variations in ultraviolet radiation influence the spread of COVID-19, but the influence is modest compared to preventive measures such as physical distancing, mask wearing, and quarantine, according to new research from Harvard University.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers find evidence that COVID-19 spread is sensitive to UV exposure

Scientists, policymakers and healthcare workers are eager to discern to what extent COVID-19 may be seasonal. Understanding this aspect of the disease could guide our response to the pandemic.

17 Dec 2020

LOOP technique is an effective alternative for treating skin abscesses

The LOOP technique for incision and drainage (I&D) of abscesses in adults is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional I & D with packing and may offer an alternative to the standard regimen in the treatment of uncomplicated skin abscesses in pediatric patients.

17 Dec 2020

Population mobility patterns could help address malaria in the Amazon, say scientists

Understanding population mobility patterns could hold the key to tackling malaria in the Amazon, say scientists. Malaria has traditionally been seen as a rural scourge, but increasingly it is being documented in or near urban areas, experts warn, as a new study shows that human mobility plays an important role in the "urbanization" of the disease.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers identify key gene necessary for cells to consume and destroy viruses

A team led by UT Southwestern researchers has identified a key gene necessary for cells to consume and destroy viruses. The findings, reported online today in Nature, could lead to ways to manipulate this process to improve the immune system's ability to combat viral infections, such as those fueling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

17 Dec 2020

Specific genetic target could help explain the variation in COVID-19 effects

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, has identified a specific genetic target that could help explain the tremendous variation in how sick those infected with COVID-19 become.

17 Dec 2020

COVID-19 pandemic affects sleep habits, leads to further stress and anxiety

The COVID-19 pandemic is seriously affecting the sleep habits of half of those surveyed in a new study from The Royal and the University of Ottawa, leading to further stress and anxiety plus further dependence on sleep medication.

17 Dec 2020

COVID-19 spread is linked to atmospheric pollutants exposure

The spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the current pandemic outbreak, has been speculated to be linked to short-term and long-term atmospheric pollutants exposure, mainly particulate matters (PMs).

17 Dec 2020

Researchers examine proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Like all viruses, the novel coronavirus is dependent on help from the human host cell. Proteins are the functional units of the cell and enable the virus to enter the host cell or help the virus to replicate.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers use GIS software to map COVID-19 vaccine administration facilities

As the biggest vaccination effort in U.S. history gets underway, several states may not have a sufficient number of facilities in some areas to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all residents who want it, according to a new analysis from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the nonprofit West Health Policy Center.

17 Dec 2020

Harvard Medical professor wins Berggruen Prize for transforming perception of infectious diseases

Paul Farmer, the Kolokotrones University Professor and chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, was selected as the winner of the 2020 Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture.

16 Dec 2020

Researchers use bacterial strains to measure host gene expression in mouse model

The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the nasopharynx and can cause pneumonia. Then, it can spread from the lungs to the bloodstream and cause organ damage.

16 Dec 2020