Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

GPR183 gene a novel drug target for severe COVID-19

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers provide the first preclinical evidence of the usefulness of antagonists of G-protein coupled receptor 183 (GPR183), also known as Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2), in reducing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity.

17 Jun 2022

HIV coinfection significantly impacts B cell response to SARS-CoV-2

In recent research posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, investigators confirmed that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection alters B cell reaction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

17 Jun 2022

Co-circulation of respiratory viruses during the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha surge

Recently, scientists evaluated the influence of mitigation measures that were originally implemented to restrict COVID-19 transmission, on other respiratory viruses.

16 Jun 2022

Glucose meter can detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patient samples

Over-the-counter COVID tests can quickly show whether you are infected with SARS-CoV-2. But if you have a positive result, there's no equivalent at-home test to assess how long you're protected against reinfection.

16 Jun 2022

NSP1 found to act as an immune evasion factor in SARS-CoV-2 infections

A new study explores the role of non-structural protein 1 (NSP1) in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis.

16 Jun 2022

Type I interferons play crucial role in fending off SARS-CoV-2

Researchers investigated whether individuals with breakthrough infections of COVID-19 pneumonia demonstrated normal antibody responses to vaccinations and whether they harbored type I interferon-neutralizing auto-antibodies.

16 Jun 2022

Study underpins use of primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations and booster doses during pregnancy

Researchers evaluated the immune responses to COVID-19 primary vaccinations and booster doses during pregnancy and the impact of the maternal booster dose on transplacental antibody transfer to the infant in the US.

16 Jun 2022

Effectiveness of a hybrid vaccine against COVID-19 and influenza

Researchers assessed the efficiency of a hybrid vaccine against influenza and COVID-19 viruses.

16 Jun 2022

At a Bay Area ‘test-to-treat’ site, few takers for free antivirals

After avoiding movie theaters, restaurants, and gyms for more than two years, Helen Ho decided to take her first big risk since the start of the pandemic to attend her graduation.

16 Jun 2022

Prior spike protein exposures shape protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Researchers found that immune-boosting by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is contingent on prior COVID-19 history.

16 Jun 2022

Researchers evaluate artemisinin for COVID-19 management

Researchers assessed the effectiveness of artemisinin-based antimalarials in the management of COVID-19.

16 Jun 2022

Cryo-electron microscopy structure of SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers illustrated the cryo-electron microscopic (cryo-EM) structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) membrane (M) protein in lipid nanodiscs to 3.5 angstroms (Å) resolution.

16 Jun 2022

Research suggests profound SARS-CoV-2 mutations are rare even among immunosuppressed

A recent article posted to the medRxiv* preprint server assessed whether host traits like immunosuppression aids severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutational drift.

16 Jun 2022

Nasopharyngeal microbiota influences SARS-CoV-2 infection status and severity

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, Canadian researchers investigated how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection altered the microbiota composition of the host’s nasopharyngeal region.

16 Jun 2022

Multiomics identifies genomic risk factors for COVID-19

In a recent Cell Systems study, researchers utilized the RefMap machine learning algorithm to correlate known genomic variations for severe COVID-19 obtained from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with single-cell multiome profiling of human lungs.

16 Jun 2022

Study tracks neurological symptoms in COVID-19 "long-haulers"

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine are conducting a longitudinal study to track neurological symptoms in COVID-19 "long-haulers."

16 Jun 2022

Scientists estimate the incubation period of 2022 monkeypox

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers in the Netherlands estimated the incubation period for monkeypox.

15 Jun 2022

Implementing practical surface SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in public health labs and schools

Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RNA has shown promise to detect the exposure of environments to infected individuals shedding the virus who would not otherwise be detected.

15 Jun 2022

Fc-effector functions for selecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers demonstrated that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasmas (CCPs) with low neutralizing and high fragment crystallizable (Fc)-effector activity result in effective prophylaxis.

15 Jun 2022

Will the US overcome its covid complacency even as the threat returns?

A few months ago, it seemed as though the country was poised to finally tame the pandemic, after two years of restrictions and tens of billions in government spending.

15 Jun 2022