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Researchers examine SARS-CoV-2 RNA interactome

A new study focuses on the identification of RNA-binding protein by mass spectrometry (ChIRP-M/S) approach. This study develops a global map that contains the complete set of host proteins that involve the SARS-CoV-2 genome during infection. This study has successfully identified new SARS-CoV-2 host dependency factors by merging proteomics data with gene silencing experiments. Such a discovery has paved new roads to develop more antiviral therapies.

25 Mar 2021

Researchers conduct online survey on people’s intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination

Ahead of the first U.S. emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine, only half of Americans said they were likely to get vaccinated as soon as possible, according to an in-depth study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

25 Mar 2021

COVID vaccines have only 17% detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus

When clinical trials were conducted to determine the immunogenicity -- the ability to elicit an immune response -- for the first two vaccines marshaled against SARS-CoV-2the virus that causes COVID-19, one group was not among those included: people who have received solid organ transplants and others (such as those with autoimmune disorders) who are immunocompromised.

25 Mar 2021

Changing upper respiratory microbiome in children related to SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility

Researchers tested the nasopharyngeal microbiome of children up to 21 years old and found the microbiome changes with age. Specific bacteria, whose abundance also changes with age, are associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection susceptibility and severity.

25 Mar 2021

Alzheimer’s symptoms linked to COVID-induced brain injury

New research shows further evidence between COVID-19 infection and the development of long-term neurological symptoms. The findings found COVID-induced neuroinflammation and microvascular injury contributed to dementia-like symptoms. However, they also found evidence indicating a low possibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly invading the brain.

24 Mar 2021

Fluoxetine (Prozac) performs strongly in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 (including mutants)

Researchers from Finland, to expand on these studies, tested some of these drugs against the new SARS-CoV-2 variants. The study is published on the preprint server bioRxiv.

24 Mar 2021

New initiatives expand COVID-19 saliva-based testing to underserved schools in Illinois

The University of Illinois System, with a $1.4 million grant from The Rockefeller Foundation, announces the expansion of its SHIELD Illinois and SHIELD CU COVID-19 testing initiatives to help safely reopen underserved K-12 schools in communities across the state using the covidSHIELD test, an innovative, saliva-based test developed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

24 Mar 2021

Study finds rapid spread of B.1.1.220 variant with E484K mutation in New York

New research led by Patrick McGann from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research found the first cases of the B.1.1.220 variant with an E484K mutation on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Their results suggest the variant recently emerged as B.1.1.220 was not found in New York before December 2020. Still, it quickly made up 25% of coronavirus strains in late January and early February.

24 Mar 2021

Increased replicative fitness of SARS-CoV-2 UK strain in human bronchial cells

A recent study from France showed that the UK variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – also known as B.1.1.7 variant – can replicate much more efficiently in a reconstituted human bronchial epithelium, which may explain why it spreads so rapidly in the human population. The study is currently freely available on the bioRxiv preprint server.

24 Mar 2021

Researchers characterize a potential therapeutic target to weaken COVID-19

When invaded by a virus, our body cells launch an alert to neighboring cells to increase their antiviral defenses to prevent the infection from spreading.

24 Mar 2021

Deep learning tool predicts hosts based on early SARS-CoV-2 samples

The study, which appeared on the pre-print server bioRxiv*, revealed how DeepHoF could help prevent future outbreaks that may become as large as the current pandemic.

24 Mar 2021

New copper-based foam filter could be used in facemasks or air filtration systems

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have grown accustomed to wearing facemasks, but many coverings are fragile and not easily disinfected. Metal foams are durable, and their small pores and large surface areas suggest they could effectively filter out microbes. Now

24 Mar 2021

New compound may provide a basis for drug development against COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, arrived one year ago and turned our lives upside-down.

24 Mar 2021

Three commonly used antiviral drugs potentially effective at preventing replication of SARS-CoV-2

An international team of researchers has found that three commonly used antiviral and antimalarial drugs are effective in vitro at preventing replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

24 Mar 2021

Researchers examine acriflavine's antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2

Acriflavine is traditionally employed as a topical antiseptic, though has more recently been implicated as an antiviral agent at low doses, potentially by stimulating the production of interferon. In a new study recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the application of the drug to SARS-CoV-2 infection is investigated, demonstrating a broad activity towards a range of other betacoronaviruses.

24 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 can cause persistent dendritic cell deficiencies

In a new study, the persistent influence of SARS-CoV-2 on dendritic cell deficiency seven months post-infection is asserted, and the mechanism of action investigated.

24 Mar 2021

Researchers produce a detailed molecular atlas of lung development

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have produced a detailed molecular atlas of lung development, which is expected to be a fundamental reference in future studies of mammalian biology and of new treatments for diseases, such as COVID-19, that affect the lungs.

24 Mar 2021

Reduced mRNA COVID-19 vaccine response in nursing home residents

A recent study has examined the response of nursing home residents who were naïve to SARS-CoV-2 infection following vaccination by the mRNA BNT162b2 model from Pfizer-BioNTech.

24 Mar 2021

Pangolin coronavirus sheds light on UK SARS-CoV-2 variant's evolutionary trajectory

Researchers at the Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, UK, have provided key insights into the characteristics of the B.1.1.7 (or UK) variant of SARS-CoV-2.

24 Mar 2021

Long-term complications are common among COVID-19 recovered individuals

A team of scientists from the United Kingdom has recently conducted a multicenter, prospective cohort study to investigate long-term consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

24 Mar 2021