Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

As vaccine rollout expands, Black Americans still left behind

Black Americans are still receiving covid vaccinations at dramatically lower rates than white Americans even as the chaotic rollout reaches more people, according to a new KHN analysis.

29 Jan 2021

Study finds protective genetic associations with mild COVID-19

Using self-reported survey data, researchers have defined eight phenotypes associated with COVID-19 outcomes. Analysis of the data revealed possible protective genetic associations.

29 Jan 2021

How feasible is at-home antibody testing for COVID-19?

Researchers at King’s College, London, have found that self-administered, at-home antibody testing could be a simple method for virus surveillance on university campuses.

29 Jan 2021

Researchers develop ‘next-generation vaccine platform’ against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers have designed a subunit vaccine based on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein co-administered with CpG (Oligodeoxyribonucleotides) adjuvant.

29 Jan 2021

Use of antiviral and antiretroviral medication could have detrimental impact on crops

The increased global use of antiviral and antiretroviral medication could have a detrimental impact on crops and potentially heighten resistance to their effects, new research has suggested.

29 Jan 2021

Scientists create new way to detect COVID-19 proteins and antibodies

Scientists have created a new way to detect the proteins that make up the pandemic coronavirus, as well as antibodies against it. They designed protein-based biosensors that glow when mixed with components of the virus or specific COVID-19 antibodies.

29 Jan 2021

Saliva-based and antibody tests expand testing capacity, track vaccine response

Mason scientists employ a rapid-result, saliva-based test that significantly expands testing capacity, and an antibody test that can track vaccine response.

28 Jan 2021

New machine learning model predicts COVID-19 severity

COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun across the globe, while many countries are still struggling with the rampant rise of infections.

28 Jan 2021

NEI scientists develop and test a promising gene therapy strategy for rare eye disease

Scientists at the National Eye Institute have developed a promising gene therapy strategy for a rare disease that causes severe vision loss in childhood.

28 Jan 2021

Simulation can be a viable way to refine new medical guidelines for COVID-19

Simulation can be a viable way to quickly evaluate and refine new medical guidelines and educate hospital staff in new procedures, a recent study from UT Southwestern's Department of Pediatrics shows.

28 Jan 2021

Research highlights public health burden posed by livestock-associated MRSA

For Michigan State University's Felicia Wu, the surprise isn't that people who work with livestock are at higher risk of picking up antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but instead how much higher their risk levels are.

28 Jan 2021

New study aims to improve the support and care for people affected by 'long COVID'

A new £375,000 study led by the University of Stirling is seeking to understand the lived experiences and support needs of people suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19.

28 Jan 2021

Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 may be more widespread than previously thought

Researchers in Cambodia, France, and the United States have conducted a study indicating that viruses related to SARS-CoV-2 – the agent that causes COVID-19 – are far more geographically widespread than previously thought.

28 Jan 2021

Variants emerging during COVID-19 pandemic resist antibody neutralization

Researchers in the U.S. have warned that recently emerged variants of SARS-CoV-2 have become worryingly resistant to monoclonal antibody therapies, plasma from convalescent patients and sera from vaccinated individuals.

28 Jan 2021

At Colorado’s rural edges, vaccines help assisted living homes crack open the doors

Bingo is back in the dining room. In-person visits have returned, too, though with masks and plexiglass. The Haven Assisted Living Facility's residents are even planning a field trip for a private movie screening once they've all gotten their second round of covid-19 vaccines.

28 Jan 2021

Can the US keep covid variants in check? Here’s what it takes

The covid-19 variants that have emerged in the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa and now Southern California are eliciting two notably distinct responses from U.S. public health officials.

28 Jan 2021

Huge gaps in vaccine data make it next to impossible to know who got the shots

As they rush to vaccinate millions of Americans, health officials are struggling to collect critically important information — such as race, ethnicity and occupation — of every person they jab.

28 Jan 2021

New covid cases plunge 25% or more as behavior changes

A dozen states are reporting drops of 25% or more in new covid-19 cases and more than 1,200 counties have seen the same, federal data released Wednesday shows. Experts say the plunge may relate to growing fear of the virus after it reached record-high levels, as well as soaring hopes of getting vaccinated soon.

28 Jan 2021

Common anticoagulant drug could be repurposed to help alleviate Covid-19 infections

An international team of researchers led by the Universities of Keele and Liverpool, working with Public Health England, has found that the common anticoagulant drug heparin inhibits the SARS-Cov2virus spike protein, by reducing the virus' ability to attach to human cells and infect them.

28 Jan 2021

Moderna vaccine shows robust suppression of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal model

Researchers have demonstrated that the prime or prime-boost vaccination of Moderna vaccine in hamsters induced robust neutralizing antibodies, ameliorated weight loss, and suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in the airways.

28 Jan 2021