Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 exploits metal-dependent mechanism to evade immune surveillance

Scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have discovered a mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 exploits changes in metal ion concentrations to disguise itself in the body. Varying concentrations of metal ions -- positively charged atoms such as magnesium, manganese and calcium -- are observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

3 Jun 2021

Researchers detect Zika virus RNA in free-ranging African bats

A team of Colorado State University scientists, led by veterinary postdoctoral fellow Dr. Anna Fagre, has detected Zika virus RNA in free-ranging African bats. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule that plays a central role in the function of genes.

3 Jun 2021

Centivax and US Naval Medical Research Center to begin Phase I clinical trial of antibody therapeutics

Centivax Inc. announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) for Phase I clinical development of Centi-B9, Centivax's SARS-CoV-2 broad-spectrum injectable antibody therapeutic and prophylactic.

3 Jun 2021

New survey highlights key role of ECT for treating severe depression, other conditions

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in North America in March 2020, health care facilities stopped providing all but "essential" care, to reduce infection risks and preserve protective gear known as PPE.

3 Jun 2021

Study could help scientists, policymakers communicate about zoonotic diseases

A new study from North Carolina State University found that certain types of messages could influence how people perceive information about the spread of diseases from wildlife to humans.

3 Jun 2021

Single mutation to bat virus spike protein allows cell entry using human ACE2

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv by Kirchhoff et al. (May 31st, 2021) it is demonstrated that a single mutation to the RaTG13 spike protein results in significantly greater affinity towards the human receptor, indicating that the presence of a positively charged amino group at this position better facilitates interaction with the human ACE2 receptor, and helping to identify other viruses with zoonotic potential.

3 Jun 2021

Nanopore sequencing contradicts human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2

Now a new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server dismisses the possibility, raised by that study, that the virus inserts its genetic material into the host cell’s genome.

2 Jun 2021

Predictors of COVID vaccination uptake in the U.S.

A recent preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv server describes the changing patterns of vaccine uptake in the USA and offers short-term forecasts to help create strategies of vaccine supply as required.

2 Jun 2021

Long COVID patients at higher risk of small airway disease

The preprint discussed herein describes the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on lung structure and function in patients with long COVID.

2 Jun 2021

E484K mutation may confer immune evasion capability on UK variant of SARS-CoV-2

A new medRxiv* preprint reports the immunomodulatory effect of the E484K mutation newly acquired by the United Kingdom (U.K.) variant.

2 Jun 2021

Low-wage earners could not afford to comply with stay-at-home orders during lockdown

Fine-grained location data gleaned from mobile phones shows that people living in less affluent neighborhoods spent less time at home during the early lockdown and first several months of the coronavirus pandemic.

2 Jun 2021

Large-scale expansion of spike-reactive T cells feasible after COVID-19 vaccination

A new bioRxiv* preprint reports on the successful use of a protocol to expand SARS-CoV-2-reactive T-cells a thousand-fold.

2 Jun 2021

Study reveals how HIV prevents the maturation of myelin-making brain cells

It's long been known that people living with HIV experience a loss of white matter in their brains. As opposed to "gray matter," which is composed of the cell bodies of neurons, white matter is made up of a fatty substance called myelin that coats neurons, offering protection and helping them transmit signals quickly and efficiently.

2 Jun 2021

Gauging the efficacy and ease of use of at-home COVID-19 tests

As the country gets vaccinated and begins to re-open, testing remains a key element of safe interactions. Rapid testing for COVID-19 has become more common and accessible, including over-the-counter (OTC) tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

2 Jun 2021

New study sheds light on why many COVID-19 patients suffer from hypoxia

A new study published in the journal Stem Cell Reports by University of Alberta researchers is shedding light on why many COVID-19 patients, even those not in hospital, are suffering from hypoxia--a potentially dangerous condition in which there is decreased oxygenation in the body's tissues.

2 Jun 2021

Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants partially resistant to infection- and vaccine-induced immunity, study finds

A recent study conducted by a team of scientists in the Netherlands has revealed that while severely affected hospitalized COVID-19 patients and vaccinated individuals are capable of neutralizing the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants of SARS-CoV-2, a significant proportion of non-hospitalized patients with less severe COVID-19 remain susceptible to these viral variants.

2 Jun 2021

Could certain genes be associated with a loss of smell in some COVID-19 patients?

Researchers at the 23andMe COVID-19 Team, who help search for genetic links associated with the severity of COVID-19, found that the genes UGT2A1 and UGT2A2 may be associated with the loss of smell in those infected with SARS-CoV-2.

2 Jun 2021

Could semen quality indicate SARS-CoV-2 insult susceptibility in polluted areas?

In a recent review in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Italian researchers focused on “the evidence that correlates the degree and type of pollution with the increased susceptibility of many countries to this pandemic and proposes human semen as an early marker of the environmental health and the general health of individuals.” Their observations are based on a robust body of experimental evidence.

2 Jun 2021

New vaccine candidate with RBD and N protein targets protects against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical trials

A recent study published in the journal Science Advances, explores the immunization of RBD with the P2 epitope of tetanus toxoid, to enhance its immunogenicity, and also tests the benefit of N protein in the vaccine.

2 Jun 2021

Coronavirus strain associated with dogs found in humans

Coronavirus strain associated with dogs found in swabs taken from pneumonia patients in Malaysia.

2 Jun 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 exploits metal-dependent mechanism to evade immune surveillance

Researchers detect Zika virus RNA in free-ranging African bats

Centivax and US Naval Medical Research Center to begin Phase I clinical trial of antibody therapeutics

New survey highlights key role of ECT for treating severe depression, other conditions

Study could help scientists, policymakers communicate about zoonotic diseases

Single mutation to bat virus spike protein allows cell entry using human ACE2

Nanopore sequencing contradicts human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2

Predictors of COVID vaccination uptake in the U.S.

Long COVID patients at higher risk of small airway disease

E484K mutation may confer immune evasion capability on UK variant of SARS-CoV-2

Low-wage earners could not afford to comply with stay-at-home orders during lockdown

Large-scale expansion of spike-reactive T cells feasible after COVID-19 vaccination

Study reveals how HIV prevents the maturation of myelin-making brain cells

Gauging the efficacy and ease of use of at-home COVID-19 tests

New study sheds light on why many COVID-19 patients suffer from hypoxia

Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants partially resistant to infection- and vaccine-induced immunity, study finds

Could certain genes be associated with a loss of smell in some COVID-19 patients?

Could semen quality indicate SARS-CoV-2 insult susceptibility in polluted areas?

New vaccine candidate with RBD and N protein targets protects against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical trials

Coronavirus strain associated with dogs found in humans

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

How microRNA is transforming science: From discovery to diagnostics

Advancing benzodiazepine detection

The Surgeon-Scientist Pioneering Regenerative Engineering

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

How microRNA is transforming science: From discovery to diagnostics

Advancing benzodiazepine detection

The Surgeon-Scientist Pioneering Regenerative Engineering

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