covid 19 News and Research

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Study suggests nitazoxanide fails to reduce the severity of SARS-CoV-2

A new study shows that the optimization of nitazoxanide formulations may allow the review of the potential use of the drug for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

22 Dec 2021

Defensosomes can act as decoys to protect against SARS-CoV-2

In a new study, researchers from New York University have been examining the ability of defensosomes to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

22 Dec 2021

How can we increase confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine?

In this interview, we speak to Professor Rishi Goyal and Professor Dennis Yi Tenen about their latest research that investigated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

22 Dec 2021

Exploring the Mediterranean diet as a potential strategy against SARS-CoV-2

A study found that the Mediterranean diet, when combined with non-smoking and regular physical activity, can lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

22 Dec 2021

Scientists develop a detailed epidemiological model for the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes

Researchers from TU Graz and Complexity Science Hub (CSH) Vienna have developed a detailed epidemiological model for the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes. This enables optimal prevention strategies to be identified, as practical experience in Caritas nursing homes has shown.

22 Dec 2021

Importance of pneumococcal vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study discusses the necessity and role of pneumococcal immunization in strengthening the global health system amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Dec 2021

UK government signs two new deals to combat the Omicron variant

Millions more cutting-edge antiviral treatments for COVID-19 have been secured for NHS patients as the UK Government signs two new contracts to help tackle Omicron.

22 Dec 2021

‘An Arm and a Leg’: The rapid-test edition: Who’s making a buck?

Rapid, at-home covid-19 tests are close to essential if you want to see friends and family this holiday season, and do your best to stay safe.

22 Dec 2021

As pandemic wears down hospital staff, one town offers groceries to say thanks

This mountain community — which comes alive during the winter ski season and annual Sundance Film Festival — is home to the Park City Hospital, which has 460 employees.

22 Dec 2021

Researchers identify new mechanism for DNA invasion of adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines

Adenoviruses have a linchpin protein that stabilizes their DNA until it reaches the infected cell's nucleus. The protein then detaches from the viral genome, and the virus uncoats. Only then are the genes released into the nucleus, which is necessary for the production of new viruses.

22 Dec 2021

Study offers insight into asymptomatic transmission of droplets in public transportation

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the urgency of understanding how public transportation ventilation systems transmit viruses and how exhaled droplets evolve in ventilated spaces. Researchers have wondered if those ventilation systems can be improved to mitigate virus transmission.

22 Dec 2021

Sensor based on quantum effects may offer faster and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus

A novel approach to testing for the presence of the virus that causes Covid-19 may lead to tests that are faster, less expensive, and potentially less prone to erroneous results than existing detection methods. Though the work, based on quantum effects, is still theoretical, these detectors could potentially be adapted to detect virtually any virus, the researchers say.

21 Dec 2021

Two-dose ChAdOx1 vaccine protection wanes after three months

New research reported in the journal The Lancet examines the temporal association between the two-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccination regimen and the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 in Scotland vs. Brazil, where the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was dominant and rare, respectively.

21 Dec 2021

NIH’s new report provides a road map on how to improve Americans’ oral health

Despite important advances in the understanding and treatment of oral diseases and conditions, many people in the U.S. still have chronic oral health problems and lack of access to care, according to a report by the National Institutes of Health.

21 Dec 2021

Broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by an unconventional antibody fragment

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server examines the nature and effects of the spike mutations and identifies a vulnerable point that could help develop broad-spectrum protection against circulating variants.

21 Dec 2021

Government to provide additional support for businesses affected by Omicron variant in the UK

Recognizing that the rise of the Omicron variant means some businesses are likely to struggle over the coming weeks, the government is providing one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England.

21 Dec 2021

National U.S trial confirms effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

In a recent study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists conducted a target trial emulation study and documented that among the elderly in the U.S. (with significant comorbidities), the efficacy of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines was much lower in terms of preventing infection, than previously reported. However, the effectiveness against death was found to be high.

21 Dec 2021

Promising new drug target for TB identified

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the hardy bacterial species that causes tuberculosis (TB), has an unexpected vulnerability that future drugs may be able to exploit, according to a study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

21 Dec 2021

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests

Researchers test commercially rapid antigen tests to evaluate their analytical sensitivity and specificity, as well as clinical sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2.

21 Dec 2021

Early administration of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma reduces outpatient hospitalizations

The results of a nationwide, multicenter clinical trial led by Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides solid evidence for the use of plasma from convalescent patients — those who have recovered from the disease and whose blood contains antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 — as an early treatment.

21 Dec 2021