Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Success of covid antiviral pills hinges on access to speedy and accurate tests

Within a few weeks, perhaps before many Americans finish decorating for the holidays, the U.S. could have access to a new antiviral pill from Merck expected to alter the deadly trajectory of the covid-19 pandemic — with a second option from Pfizer to follow shortly after.

22 Nov 2021

A canine coronavirus zoonotic spillover and tropism shift

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21 Nov 2021

New prevention zone to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza

From 8pm on 21 November 2021, a new avian influenza prevention zone will be declared in parts of North Yorkshire in England, namely the districts of Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire, which means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in that area to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

21 Nov 2021

People urged to take up life-saving COVID-19 booster vaccines ahead of Christmas

From tomorrow, the National Booking Service will open to people aged 40-49 for their booster jab, and young people aged 16-17 for their second jab.

21 Nov 2021

Scientists can read the brain activity of tiny worm to predict smells

It sounds like a party trick: scientists can now look at the brain activity of a tiny worm and tell you which chemical the animal smelled a few seconds before.

21 Nov 2021

UC researchers engineer new probiotic to target and break down cancer cell defenses

Bacteria generally have a bad reputation, as people first think of certain strains that can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia or meningitis. However, there are many helpful bacteria, known as probiotics, that assist the body in different ways.

21 Nov 2021

Scientists unravel near-atomic-scale structure of depression-linked brain receptor

Scientists at Scripps Research, Florida have determined the near-atomic-scale structure of an unusual brain-cell receptor called GPR158, which has been linked to depression and anxiety.

20 Nov 2021

New evidence that host immunity drives evolution of the dengue virus

New research by a team of University of Florida investigators, and others, provides evidence that host immunity drives evolution of the dengue virus.

20 Nov 2021

Can you take the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines on the same day?

Scientists have conducted a substudy within a phase 3 UK trial and have reported the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.

19 Nov 2021

Viral biomolecular condensation

A review published in PLOS Pathogens deconstructs virus condensation and provides a biochemical background for LLPS.

19 Nov 2021

A nasal COVID vaccine using a weakened influenza vector

The authors of a new study, published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, constructed a COVID-19 nasal vaccine candidate by inserting a gene encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, named CA4-dNS1-nCoV-RBD (dNS1-RBD) in a live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vector.

18 Nov 2021

Severe COVID-19 patients have significantly higher NK and T cell frequency

A new study published in the open-access journal Cells aimed to clarify the role of NK and T cell subsets in SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized COVID-19 patients to unravel their potential association with disease severity.

18 Nov 2021

Extreme heat associated with greater risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents

A consequence of global warming is a greater frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. This extreme heat is associated with a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents, especially for adults with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.

18 Nov 2021

Researchers provide a clearer picture of healthy development of the lungs

Researchers have compiled the most comprehensive road map of the protein composition of human lungs, providing a clearer picture of the healthy development of this essential organ that made terrestrial life possible.

18 Nov 2021

Public health measures should be continued alongside covid-19 vaccination, suggest experts

Several personal protective and social measures, including handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence covid-19 and should be continued alongside vaccination, suggest experts after reviewing the latest evidence in The BMJ today.

18 Nov 2021

NIH study finds naturally acquired immunity is weak against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Immunity acquired after recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection is not sufficient in protecting against reinfection from variants.

18 Nov 2021

What is the global prevalence of long COVID?

This study aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of information on the prevalence and symptoms of PASC.

18 Nov 2021

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week: An Interview with the World Health Organization

For World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2021, we spoke to Dr. Liz Tayler from the World Health Organization about antimicrobial resistance.

18 Nov 2021

Triad of cytokines associated with long COVID

A new study suggests a trio of cytokines — IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α — are associated with long COVID symptoms.

18 Nov 2021

Schools, pediatricians look to make up lost ground on non-covid vaccinations

Melissa Blatzer was determined to get her three children caught up on their routine immunizations on a recent Saturday morning at a walk-in clinic in this Denver suburb. It had been about a year since the kids' last shots, a delay Blatzer chalked up to the pandemic.

18 Nov 2021