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A mutant SARS-CoV-2 subspecies from minks may evade antibody detection

In a recent research letter published on the bioRxiv preprint server, scientists from Japan discovered that the mutation of spike glycoprotein in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) derived from farmed minks can also be found in the group of individuals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and subsequently evade detection by our immune system.

30 Nov 2020

Rutgers leading a clinical trial assessing combination treatment for coronavirus

Rutgers is leading a clinical trial assessing the combination of nitazoxanide, ribavirin and hydroxychloroquine to treat people 21 or older who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.

30 Nov 2020

Virus induced lymphocytes show promise for COVID-19 and future pandemics

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study demonstrating the potential of a novel therapeutic approach to treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The therapy augments the body’s T cell response to the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by providing a boost of rapidly expanded virus-specific T cells.

30 Nov 2020

Highly functional immune response in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers in Singapore have conducted a study showing that asymptomatic individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – mount an efficient, balanced and coordinated cellular immune response that protects the host without appearing to trigger any pathological processes.

30 Nov 2020

Oxford University podcast's third season to take listeners on a journey through historical pandemics

The University of Oxford's CASE Gold Award winning podcast, Futuremakers, will return for its third season at the end of October.

30 Nov 2020

HIV-related health services in Thailand during COVID-19 pandemic

Thailand's key population-led health services (KPLHS) are a hallmark of the success of the country's HIV response.

30 Nov 2020

UC San Diego chosen to lead an international $28-million grant for HIV/AIDS clinical trials

University of California San Diego Collaborative Clinical Trials Unit has been selected by the National Institutes of Health to lead and administer an international seven-year, $28-million grant for science-driven clinical trials that deliver innovative, efficient results needed to turn the corner on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

30 Nov 2020

Mollusc-derived compounds potential medicines for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases

A research team has reviewed the existing literature on compounds derived from molluscs used for treating respiratory diseases.

30 Nov 2020

Mexican case study finds similar mortality rates in diabetic patients with and without COVID-19

In a large case study based in Mexico, researchers recently examined the mortality risk associated with diabetes in symptomatic COVID-19 patients.

30 Nov 2020

What are the risks associated with human challenge trials for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates?

Researchers from the University of Haifa, Israel, and WAW Statistical Consulting Ltd, UK, designed a model that helps determine the risks faced by participants in a hypothetical COVID-19 dosing study.

30 Nov 2020

COVID-19 Peer Hub program works to tackle vaccine hesitancy amid pandemic

UniSA researchers are evaluating a new vaccination education initiative - the COVID-19 Peer Hub - to help immunization and public health professionals to tackle the emerging dangers of vaccine hesitancy amid the pandemic.

30 Nov 2020

Transmission 'hot zones' drive COVID-19 infection patterns, says study

A recent study describes two different mathematical models of high infection zones, which lead to different effects on viral transmission. This underlines the need to understand how the virus spreads within a community as well as within subgroups with different patterns of interaction.

30 Nov 2020

Severe COVID-19 can produce high long-term neutralizing antibodies, study finds

A new study published by a team of scientists in Spain indicates that neutralizing immunity can last for up to 8 months, despite a steep drop in antibody titer over this time.

30 Nov 2020

Are SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors effective antivirals in treating COVID-19?

Many antiviral development studies have focused on the possibility of inhibiting the main viral protease (Mpro), and papain-like protease (PLpro), given their central role in viral replication. A new study draws attention to the high odds that these may not have anti-infective activity because of the redundant pathways present in human host cells.

30 Nov 2020

UK’s post-lockdown COVID-19 restrictions allows families to celebrate Christmas 2020 together

The UK's three-tier system of COVID-19 restrictions could be tweaked to allow a more effective control of viral spread, while still ensuring that families can choose their own course of action over the Christmas holidays, says a new preprint published on the medRxiv* server in late November 2020.

30 Nov 2020

Excessive use of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could intensify drug resistance

A new study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment in November 2020 discusses this potentially serious issue along with its wider consequences.

30 Nov 2020

TDR and WHO develop interactive web-based research toolkit for TB care

TDR, in partnership with the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme, has developed an interactive web-based toolkit that supports national TB programmes and other partners to conduct implementation research designed to evaluate digital technologies for TB care.

30 Nov 2020

‘An Arm and a Leg’: How to avoid a big bill for your COVID test

Tests for the coronavirus are supposed to be free. And, usually, they are. But sometimes … things happen. Here's how to keep those things from happening to you.

30 Nov 2020

Could the keto diet help prevent or mitigate severe COVID-19?

A new study published in the journal of Translational Medicine reports that the ketogenic diet (KD) may be useful in this area, with its track history of effectual reduction of fat mass, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and consequent improvement of cardiovascular health.

30 Nov 2020

Wuhan mass screening program finds 300 asymptomatic cases

A mass screening programme of more than 10 million Wuhan residents identified 300 asymptomatic cases, but none were infectious - according to a study involving the University of East Anglia.

30 Nov 2020

Disease/Infection News

A mutant SARS-CoV-2 subspecies from minks may evade antibody detection

Rutgers leading a clinical trial assessing combination treatment for coronavirus

Virus induced lymphocytes show promise for COVID-19 and future pandemics

Highly functional immune response in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

Oxford University podcast's third season to take listeners on a journey through historical pandemics

HIV-related health services in Thailand during COVID-19 pandemic

UC San Diego chosen to lead an international $28-million grant for HIV/AIDS clinical trials

Mollusc-derived compounds potential medicines for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases

Mexican case study finds similar mortality rates in diabetic patients with and without COVID-19

What are the risks associated with human challenge trials for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates?

COVID-19 Peer Hub program works to tackle vaccine hesitancy amid pandemic

Transmission 'hot zones' drive COVID-19 infection patterns, says study

Severe COVID-19 can produce high long-term neutralizing antibodies, study finds

Are SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors effective antivirals in treating COVID-19?

UK’s post-lockdown COVID-19 restrictions allows families to celebrate Christmas 2020 together

Excessive use of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could intensify drug resistance

TDR and WHO develop interactive web-based research toolkit for TB care

‘An Arm and a Leg’: How to avoid a big bill for your COVID test

Could the keto diet help prevent or mitigate severe COVID-19?

Wuhan mass screening program finds 300 asymptomatic cases

How cohesin mechanics and nanotracker tech are redefining DNA research

Todd Bauman and Chris Povich

Scaling organ‑chip technology for human‑relevant drug discovery

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