Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Identification of common genes in COVID-19 and COPD

Based on protein-protein interactions, the paper shows the presence of ten genes that overlap between the two illnesses, also shared by several other deadly and debilitating diseases.

2 Nov 2021

What do we really know about vaccine effectiveness?

The politicization of covid vaccines — and, well, just about everything else having to do with the pandemic — has led to confusion, if not utter fatigue.

2 Nov 2021

Curious case of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a dog

In a recent study, researchers document the detection and sequencing of an AY.3 virus from a 12-year-old Collie living with a SARS-CoV-2-infected owner.

1 Nov 2021

New genetic epidemiology tool provides detailed information about viruses, coinfections

With mask wearing and social distancing on the decline and the cold and flu season upon us, researchers have developed a viral panel that enables the simultaneous testing for SARS-CoV-2 along with numerous common respiratory viruses, that tells us whether other viruses also are at play in patients hard hit by COVID.

1 Nov 2021

Evidence antibodies targeting HCoV-OC43 are robustly boosted in response to SARS-CoV-2 but not vaccination

The magnitude of cross-reactive antibodies correlated well with responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the S2 subdomain.

1 Nov 2021

Do weather and climate determine where COVID-19 occurs?

A new study provides information on the associations between weather parameters and seasonal coronavirus cases.

1 Nov 2021

More than 8 million people in the UK have taken COVID-19 booster vaccinations

Over eight million people have now received their COVID-19 booster jab, the latest figures show today (Monday 1 November 2021), ensuring the protection they've secured from their first two doses is maintained over the winter months.

1 Nov 2021

Curcumin, a bioactive component of turmeric, effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

The researchers investigated the neutralizing activity of turmeric root extract, curcumin-containing capsules, and pure curcumin against SARS-CoV-2.

1 Nov 2021

Study finds inhaled microspheres reduce SARS-CoV-2 infective effectiveness

A new study develops an inhaled microfluidic microsphere with a genetically engineered membrane from the ACE2 receptor-overexpressing cells and macrophages.

1 Nov 2021

Factors predicting cognitive symptoms in long COVID

The researchers focused on finding risk factors for long-term symptom occurrence and severity, with special attention to cognitive impairment.

1 Nov 2021

Areas with higher 1968 influenza pandemic mortality have lower COVID-19 deaths

A new study demonstrates the influence of prior infectious outbreaks in a large population on succeeding pandemic outcomes.

31 Oct 2021

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on the COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa

A new study explores the role of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in sustaining the pandemic in South Africa.

31 Oct 2021

COVID-19 patients' eyes and tears can be infected with SARS-CoV-2

A new study investigates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in tears and eye secretions and describes the ocular symptoms in patients with COVID-19.

31 Oct 2021

Exercises using virtual reality to relieve COVID breathlessness

A recent study evaluates an immersive virtual reality-based digital intervention to alleviate refractory breathlessness in patients recovering from COVID-19.

31 Oct 2021

The ability of natural flavonoids to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

A recent systematic review discusses naturally occurring flavonoids as a promising antiviral alternative against SARS-CoV-2.

31 Oct 2021

Needle-free COVID-19 vaccine could soon be possible

A needle-free COVID-19 vaccination could be possible, with University of Queensland scientists successfully protecting mice from the virus by administering a US-developed vaccine candidate with a 'patch'.

30 Oct 2021

Brown fat could be the key to healthy metabolism in obese people

Not all forms are obesity are the same and brown fat could make all the difference. A study led by Florian Kiefer's research group from the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Department of Medicine III at MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital shows that people who are seriously overweight (obese) who also have active brown fat have a healthier metabolism and use more energy than obese people without brown fat.

29 Oct 2021

Study discovers inflammatory mediator critically involved in bacterial pneumonia

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that a recently discovered inflammatory mediator, interleukin-26, appears to have an important role in pneumonia and contribute to the killing of bacteria.

29 Oct 2021

Environmental and social factors associated with higher rates of pediatric pneumonia

A new study led by researchers in the Louisiana State University Superfund Research Program demonstrates that children who are exposed to a certain type of environmental air pollution are more likely to contract community acquired pneumonia, or CAP, and to be hospitalized for longer periods of time.

29 Oct 2021

UKHSA’s Green Book updated to allow flexibility in COVID-19 booster vaccines for vulnerable people

COVID-19 booster vaccines can now be given sooner than six months after their second dose to certain vulnerable people where this makes operational sense, as the UKHSA's Green Book has been updated.

29 Oct 2021