Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Beards and COVID-19 in the healthcare setting

A new opinion piece in The BMJ published in March 2020 discusses whether healthcare professionals should wear beards because of the risk that they could harbor the novel coronavirus.

1 Apr 2020

Putting an end to the pandemic

From the plagues of medieval Europe to the influenza pandemic of 1918, the specter of the next public health disaster has gripped the minds of scientists, captivated the imaginations of writers and vexed conspiracy theorists.

1 Apr 2020

California hospitals face surge with proven fixes and some Hail Marys

California's hospitals thought they were ready for the next big disaster.

1 Apr 2020

Duke to lead PCORI-funded study of COVID-19 prevention in healthcare workers

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has funded up to $50 million to evaluate hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a preventive drug for the novel coronavirus.

1 Apr 2020

PREDICT receives extension to provide emergency support for COVID-19 outbreak response

PREDICT will provide emergency support to other countries for outbreak response including technical support for early detection of SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, through a six-month extension from the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, effective April 1.

1 Apr 2020

Healthy Nevada Project participants report on possible exposure and risks of COVID-19

The Healthy Nevada Project, a first-of-its-kind, community-based population health study combining genetic, clinical, environmental and social data, offers free genetic testing to every Nevadan interested in learning more about their health and genetic profile.

1 Apr 2020

Estimating the case fatality ratio for COVID-19

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 disease has affected 932,605 individuals and has taken 46,809 lives worldwide. Now, researchers have published a review on the likelihood of survival after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study titled, “Likelihood of survival of coronavirus disease 2019” is published in the latest issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

1 Apr 2020

CVD risk among people with HIV varies by geography, income

People living with human immunodeficiency virus infection are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people without HIV.

1 Apr 2020

PCORI funds $50 million to study HCQ's effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 in healthcare workers

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Board of Governors today approved up to $50 million to fund a registry and randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in preventing COVID-19 infections in U.S. healthcare workers.

1 Apr 2020

Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics launches genetic test for novel coronavirus

Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics has launched a test for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and is using its automation experience and infrastructure to test as many as tens of thousands of samples daily.

1 Apr 2020

NYU researchers capture 3D data on human interactions with COVID-19 infection sources

New York University researchers are in the field capturing highly detailed three-dimensional data on human movements and behaviors -- particularly around medical facilities, public transportation systems, and essential services -- to document the complex landscape of "surface vectors" and thus opportunities for COVID-19 transmission.

1 Apr 2020

Scientists work on early alert system for COVID-19

To better understand early signs of coronavirus and the virus' spread, physicians around the country and data scientists at UC San Diego are working together to use a wearable device to monitor more than 12,000 people, including thousands of healthcare workers.

1 Apr 2020

Phoseon’s KeyPro products use high-intensity UV light to fight against pathogens

Phoseon’s KeyPro™ family of products uses high-intensity, deep ultraviolet light to disinfect and decontaminate laboratory equipment and surfaces. Independent testing has shown efficacy of KeyPro against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and biomolecules like ribonuclease.

From Phoseon Technology 1 Apr 2020

New Vivalytic Viral Respiratory Tract Infection Array can identify SARS-CoV-2 virus

A game-changing point of care coronavirus test from global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories and leading technology manufacturer Bosch Healthcare Solutions will launch in April 2020.

From Randox Laboratories Ltd. 1 Apr 2020

Randox partners with government to develop new coronavirus testing program

Randox Laboratories is partnering with the government to develop a new coronavirus testing program in which NHS staff will be first in line.

From Randox Laboratories Ltd. 1 Apr 2020

With coronavirus rare in rural Florida, experts dispute way forward

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has refused to issue a statewide "stay-at-home" order to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus because the disease has not hit many areas of the state, he said.

1 Apr 2020

Blood centers will collect plasma from COVID-19 survivors in bid for treatment

Blood donation centers across the U.S. are ramping up efforts to collect plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 in hopes it could be used to save the lives of others infected with the pandemic disease.

1 Apr 2020

Researchers develop new PCR system for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Michael Traugott and the spin-off company Sinsoma GmbH, together with the Departments of Zoology and Microbiology at the University of Innsbruck, are developing a new PCR system for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

1 Apr 2020

Stem cells used to combat COVID-19 pneumonia

The novel coronavirus first emerged in December 2019, and since then, it rippled across 180 countries, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many people are looking for answers. Scientists are racing to find a treatment that can help save lives. Now, a team of scientists has suggested that stem cell therapy can help fight the deadly infection.

1 Apr 2020

Purdue scientists working to speed up diagnostic, therapeutic solutions for COVID-19

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the U.S. and the world, Purdue University scientists are working to move solutions to diagnose and treat the virus to the marketplace as soon as possible.

1 Apr 2020