SARS CoV 2 News and Research

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Virus induced lymphocytes show promise for COVID-19 and future pandemics

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study demonstrating the potential of a novel therapeutic approach to treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The therapy augments the body’s T cell response to the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by providing a boost of rapidly expanded virus-specific T cells.

30 Nov 2020

Highly functional immune response in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers in Singapore have conducted a study showing that asymptomatic individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – mount an efficient, balanced and coordinated cellular immune response that protects the host without appearing to trigger any pathological processes.

30 Nov 2020

Mollusc-derived compounds potential medicines for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases

A research team has reviewed the existing literature on compounds derived from molluscs used for treating respiratory diseases.

30 Nov 2020

Mexican case study finds similar mortality rates in diabetic patients with and without COVID-19

In a large case study based in Mexico, researchers recently examined the mortality risk associated with diabetes in symptomatic COVID-19 patients.

30 Nov 2020

What are the risks associated with human challenge trials for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates?

Researchers from the University of Haifa, Israel, and WAW Statistical Consulting Ltd, UK, designed a model that helps determine the risks faced by participants in a hypothetical COVID-19 dosing study.

30 Nov 2020

Transmission 'hot zones' drive COVID-19 infection patterns, says study

A recent study describes two different mathematical models of high infection zones, which lead to different effects on viral transmission. This underlines the need to understand how the virus spreads within a community as well as within subgroups with different patterns of interaction.

30 Nov 2020

Severe COVID-19 can produce high long-term neutralizing antibodies, study finds

A new study published by a team of scientists in Spain indicates that neutralizing immunity can last for up to 8 months, despite a steep drop in antibody titer over this time.

30 Nov 2020

Are SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors effective antivirals in treating COVID-19?

Many antiviral development studies have focused on the possibility of inhibiting the main viral protease (Mpro), and papain-like protease (PLpro), given their central role in viral replication. A new study draws attention to the high odds that these may not have anti-infective activity because of the redundant pathways present in human host cells.

30 Nov 2020

UK’s post-lockdown COVID-19 restrictions allows families to celebrate Christmas 2020 together

The UK's three-tier system of COVID-19 restrictions could be tweaked to allow a more effective control of viral spread, while still ensuring that families can choose their own course of action over the Christmas holidays, says a new preprint published on the medRxiv* server in late November 2020.

30 Nov 2020

Excessive use of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could intensify drug resistance

A new study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment in November 2020 discusses this potentially serious issue along with its wider consequences.

30 Nov 2020

Could the keto diet help prevent or mitigate severe COVID-19?

A new study published in the journal of Translational Medicine reports that the ketogenic diet (KD) may be useful in this area, with its track history of effectual reduction of fat mass, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and consequent improvement of cardiovascular health.

30 Nov 2020

Wuhan mass screening program finds 300 asymptomatic cases

A mass screening programme of more than 10 million Wuhan residents identified 300 asymptomatic cases, but none were infectious - according to a study involving the University of East Anglia.

30 Nov 2020

Steam inhalation therapy found to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 virions

Researchers have published a study on the efficacy of steam inhalations as another possible treatment to help mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection.

30 Nov 2020

Researchers highlight potential advantages of mucosal vaccine

Anyone who has undergone a nasal swab or saliva test for COVID-19 knows that the virus is most easily detected in the nose and mouth.

30 Nov 2020

Warmer countries less vulnerable to COVID-19, study finds

In fact, a new study by a researcher at the University College London (UCL) suggests that global temperature plays an essential role in the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19.

29 Nov 2020

Asymptomatic patients have higher SARS-CoV-2 viral loads than symptomatic patients, study says

Now, a surprising new study shows that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients have greater viral loads than those with symptoms.

29 Nov 2020

Healthy diet plays vital role in warding off COVID-19

A researcher at the School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, explored nutrition's role in boosting the immune system to combat COVID-19 infection.

29 Nov 2020

Research suggests importance of vitamin D for good health in the context of COVID-19

A researcher at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina revealed that avoiding vitamin D deficiency may help reduce the risk of severe COVID-19.

29 Nov 2020

Virusend TX-10 detergent rapidly reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity

Researchers at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have conducted a study showing that a novel disinfectant called Virusend TX-10 is highly effective at inactivating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - the agent responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

29 Nov 2020

Female reproductive hormones may be protective against COVID-19

In an article recently published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, Graziano Pinna from the University of Illinois in Chicago outlines some of the evidence suggesting that female reproductive hormones may play a role in the sex bias that has been observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

29 Nov 2020