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Intranasal monoclonal SARS-CoV-2 antibody therapy shows promise in preclinical trials

A new study, released as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server, presents a new monoclonal antibody (MAb) called DZIF-10c that powerfully neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, including the current variants of concern (VOCs). With high bioavailability in the lungs and wide distribution in the body, the antibody was able to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice after intranasal administration.

14 Jun 2021

Bone density scan can detect calcium build-up linked to higher risk of serious falls

The build-up of calcium in a major blood vessel is linked with a 39 per cent higher risk of serious falls in older women, new Edith Cowan University (ECU) research has found.

14 Jun 2021

Fatty acid binding site on SARS-CoV-2 spike triggers spike monomer crosstalk that is key to infectivity

A new study, released as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server, examines the role played by a fatty acid called linoleic acid (LA) that attaches at a binding site near the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. The spike exists as a homotrimer in open or closed conformations. In the former, at least one RBD points upwards.

14 Jun 2021

Can rapid antigen tests help screen for COVID-19?

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 is driven by the high proportion of asymptomatic and very mild infections, allowing people to move around and engage in public activity normally. There are many modeling studies that suggest that large-scale screening for the presence of this virus can help curb transmission at this point, from people with few or no symptoms. A new study points out the accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests for this purpose when used at the point-of-care.

14 Jun 2021

COVID-19 in pregnancy could be less severe than previously thought: A Danish case study

A reassuring study by researchers in Denmark indicates that while 5% of pregnant women with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, severe maternal and neonatal outcomes are rare.

14 Jun 2021

Delays and shortages hit SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance program

A new study from the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bengaluru, India, provides an overview of how well this important monitoring mechanism is functioning around the world. The team has released their findings as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server.

14 Jun 2021

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants contain mutations that interfere with genomic sequencing

A recent study by researchers in Canada shows how mutations in newly emerging lineages of SARS-CoV-2 may disrupt the sequencing process and thus interfere with this important area of research.

14 Jun 2021

In mental health crises, a 911 call now brings a mixed team of helpers — and maybe no cops

By the time Kiki Radermacher, a mental health therapist, arrived at a Missoula, Montana, home on an emergency 911 call in late May, the man who had called for help was backed into a corner and yelling at police officers.

14 Jun 2021

In alleged health care ‘money grab,’ nation’s largest hospital chain cashes in on trauma centers

After falling from a ladder and cutting his arm, Ed Knight said, he found himself at Richmond, Virginia’s Chippenham Hospital surrounded by nearly a dozen doctors, nurses and technicians — its crack “trauma team” charged with saving the most badly hurt victims of accidents and assaults.

14 Jun 2021

Study suggests COVID-19 in children is milder than the flu

Researchers retrospectively analyzed the medical records of children in Turkey hospitalized because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or influenza and found COVID-19 to be milder than influenza in this group.

14 Jun 2021

British Liver Trust calls for action to address rising obesity rates that fuel liver disease crisis

The British Liver Trust is calling for greater awareness of a silent yet serious form of fatty liver disease, non-alcohol related steatohepatitis (NASH), as one million adults were reported to have been admitted to hospital with obesity-related conditions in 2020.

14 Jun 2021

New poll finds low public awareness of how to get enough vitamin D year-round

Despite vitamin D being essential for healthy bones, only half of people (51%) realize that it is important for bone health and 43% have never even considered what they need to do to look after their bones, according to a recent poll of 2,000 UK adults by YouGov and commissioned by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).

14 Jun 2021

Joint ICMRA and WHO statement explains how COVID-19 vaccines are regulated for safety, effectiveness

Healthcare professionals and public health authorities have a central role in discussing vaccination against COVID-19 with their patients.

13 Jun 2021

Philippines poorly prepared to deal with COVID-19, report says

In a recent study published in the WHO WPSAR journal, researchers described the challenges and early response of the Philippines to COVID-19.

13 Jun 2021

Role of traditional medicine against SARS-CoV-2

A group of researchers at Kannur University reviewed selected papers and in silico work on potential drug leads that could be used to manage COVID-19.

13 Jun 2021

Study shows poor antibody response in naive elderly of nursing homes after mRNA vaccination

A new study describes inadequate antibody responses to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in elderly residents of a care home with no prior history of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), compared to those with such a history. This adds to the current understanding of vaccine efficacy against infection.

13 Jun 2021

FDA takes steps to allow critically needed supply of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

Following careful review and deliberation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking important steps that will allow a critically needed supply of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine to be made available.

11 Jun 2021

Working spaces and attitudes need to change to attract, retain disabled geoscientists

Inaccessible workplaces, normative departmental cultures and 'ableist' academic systems have all contributed to the continued underrepresentation and exclusion of disabled researchers in the Geosciences, according to an article published today (Thursday 8 June) in Nature Geosciences.

11 Jun 2021

High single-dose efficacy of Pfizer vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in older adults

In British Columbia (BC), Canada, vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began with the Pfizer/Moderna mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines began with nursing home residents and frontline healthcare workers. These are known to have a high protective efficacy of 92-93% after a single dose, but this data comes from younger and healthy adults, for the most part.

11 Jun 2021

New Astra-Zeneca B.1.351 vaccine AZD2816 strongly immunogenic against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A new study, released on the bioRxiv* preprint server, supports the efficacy of the wildtype ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine against B.1.351, B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2, while showing that a booster dose of vaccine based on the B.1.351 spike induces further increase in antibody titers.

11 Jun 2021

Healthcare News

Intranasal monoclonal SARS-CoV-2 antibody therapy shows promise in preclinical trials

Bone density scan can detect calcium build-up linked to higher risk of serious falls

Fatty acid binding site on SARS-CoV-2 spike triggers spike monomer crosstalk that is key to infectivity

Can rapid antigen tests help screen for COVID-19?

COVID-19 in pregnancy could be less severe than previously thought: A Danish case study

Delays and shortages hit SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance program

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants contain mutations that interfere with genomic sequencing

In mental health crises, a 911 call now brings a mixed team of helpers — and maybe no cops

In alleged health care ‘money grab,’ nation’s largest hospital chain cashes in on trauma centers

Study suggests COVID-19 in children is milder than the flu

British Liver Trust calls for action to address rising obesity rates that fuel liver disease crisis

New poll finds low public awareness of how to get enough vitamin D year-round

Joint ICMRA and WHO statement explains how COVID-19 vaccines are regulated for safety, effectiveness

Philippines poorly prepared to deal with COVID-19, report says

Role of traditional medicine against SARS-CoV-2

Study shows poor antibody response in naive elderly of nursing homes after mRNA vaccination

FDA takes steps to allow critically needed supply of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

Working spaces and attitudes need to change to attract, retain disabled geoscientists

High single-dose efficacy of Pfizer vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in older adults

New Astra-Zeneca B.1.351 vaccine AZD2816 strongly immunogenic against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

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