Coronavirus Disease COVID 19 News and Research

Latest Coronavirus Disease COVID 19 News and Research

Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant promote cell binding

Researchers in Germany, based on their recent study published in the journal ChemBioChem, have proposed that the elevated occurrence of positively charged amino acids in specific domains of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) Omicron variant spike protein improves viral binding to cellular negatively charged receptors aiding in enhanced infectiousness.

16 Jan 2022

Monitoring rodents for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, Hong Kong

A new study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal has hypothesized that locations with positive SARS-CoV-2 in sewage could be used as potential surveillance targets to analyze if pestiferous urban rodents shed SARS-CoV-2 into the environment.

16 Jan 2022

Topical antiseptic Acriflavine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses

A new study, published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, has reported the discovery of acriflavine (ACF), an effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. This drug is a mixture of trypaflavines (3,6-diamino-10-methylacridinium chloride and 3,6-diamino-3-methylacridinium chloride) and proflavine (3,6-diaminoacridine).

16 Jan 2022

Cannabidiol may improve innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study shows evidence that cannabidiol, an important active ingredient in the Cannabis sativa plant, can augment the antiviral innate immune response and prophylactically prime the innate antiviral response of cells – enabling in turn improved response against viruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

16 Jan 2022

CDC updates consumer webpage describing masks, respirators used to prevent COVID-19

CDC has updated our consumer webpage describing the types of masks and respirators used to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masking is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.

16 Jan 2022

Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 proves to be highly accurate for pediatric populations

In a large prospective study of just over 1,000 patients ages 17 and younger who were seen at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) testing site during a seven-month period last year, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and collaborating institutions report that a rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — proved highly accurate when compared to the established standard virus detection method: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

16 Jan 2022

Even mild SARS-CoV-2 respiratory-only infection can cause long-term neurologic damage

A new bioRxiv* preprint study led by Michelle Monje of Stanford University in California finds that a mild COVID-19 infection can produce long-term neurological damage. Persistent cognitive complications are one of many symptoms of long COVID, and the latest results suggest the severity of COVID-19 induced brain fog is similar to cancer’s “chemobrain.”

16 Jan 2022

Study shows Omicron less severe than Delta among COVID-19 hospitalized patients

New research posted to the medRxiv* preprint server suggests the Omicron variant produces less severe COVID-19 symptoms than earlier severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

16 Jan 2022

UV-C light prevents airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers demonstrate that ultraviolet light-C (UV-C) effectively prevents airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

16 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron has similar infectious viral load to Delta

Researchers compare SARS-CoV-2 pre-variants of concern strains to the Delta and Omicron VOCs.

16 Jan 2022

Research shows fewer deaths related to COVID-19 in Cape Town during fourth wave

Researchers observe changes in COVID-19-related deaths during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

16 Jan 2022

Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients less infectious than symptomatic patients

Researchers investigate the progression of infection in students and employees who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at Boston University.

16 Jan 2022

With no end in sight to pandemic life, parents find disruption is the new normal

As my kindergartner fumbled with his shoes, I stood at our door sifting through the mental parenting checklist newly lodged in my brain: backpack. Sweatshirt. Snacks. Sunscreen. Water bottle. KN95 mask. Vaccination card.

15 Jan 2022

As omicron surges, effort to vaccinate young children stalls

Two months after Pfizer's covid vaccine was authorized for children ages 5 to 11, just 27% have received at least one shot, according to Jan. 12 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only 18%, or 5 million kids, have both doses.

15 Jan 2022

Exploring the relationship between stem cells and COVID-19

Though COVID-19-related stem cell clinical research is still in its infancy, stem cell treatment offers extensive clinical application possibilities and a far-reaching relevance thanks to ongoing exploration of stem cell clinical research and data mining.

14 Jan 2022

Naïve T cells suggested as critical to low mortality of children with COVID-19

A new study discusses how naïve T cells may contribute to lower mortality rates seen in children with COVID-19.

14 Jan 2022

Exploring waning vaccine effectiveness over time

New research provides strong evidence against waning protection against symptomatic disease from both ChAdOx1-S and BNT162b2, but points out that protection against hospitalization and death remains at much higher levels for at least 20 weeks post-vaccination.

14 Jan 2022