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Low-molecular-weight drugs could help against COVID-19 says study

Chinese researchers have worked on using existing low molecular weight drugs to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 disease.

10 May 2020

Reproduction number of COVID-19 and how it relates to public health measures

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in May 2020 reports the use of a dynamic SEIR model to identify variations in the reproductive number of SARS-CoV-2 over time, using machine learning techniques. This could help to model and predict the outcomes of various public health solutions.

10 May 2020

Internet search patterns important in tracing and predicting COVID-19 spread

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in May 2020 has identified a link between Internet search patterns and local disease progression for COVID-19. It recommends the use of search data to track and predict COVID-19 spread as a complementary method to established public health surveillance methods.

10 May 2020

Reproduction number and herd immunity in COVID-19

A new modeling study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in May 2020 hypothesizes that the asymptomatic cases in the ongoing pandemic in Japan may far outnumber the symptomatic infections by several orders of magnitude. This has implications for future predictions and public health policies.

10 May 2020

Study demonstrates dynamic and broad-scale immune alterations in COVID-19 patient

A new case report released on the preprint server medRxiv* provides a detailed longitudinal analysis of the immune response associated with a fatal case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It highlights the need for addressing the source of hyper inflammation in the treatment approach.

10 May 2020

Study shows COVID-19 vulnerability is highly dependent on host genetic architecture

A new US study available on the preprint server medRxiv reveals certain genetic variations that are associated with infection susceptibility and diverse clinical presentation of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – including asymptomatic cases and severe forms of the disease in younger patients.

10 May 2020

ACE inhibitors should not be discontinued over fears about COVID-19, say researchers

Researchers in Europe have found no evidence to support previous reports that the use of drugs that target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) increases susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The research is published in the European Heart Journal.

10 May 2020

Understanding the ability of COVID-19 virus to infect pets and livestock

A new paper identifies the critical need for research on the ability of the COVID-19 virus to infect certain animal species, the transmissibility of infection between humans and those animals, and the impact infection could have on food security and the economy.

9 May 2020

Perspective: Existing drugs could be repurposed for COVID-19 patients

Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 and its relatively high mortality, filling the gap for coronavirus-specific drugs is urgent.

9 May 2020

New study examines easing of COVID-19 restrictions on licensed pubs, nightclubs

A new University of Stirling study is seeking to understand how the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on licensed premises can be effectively managed to protect emergency services.

9 May 2020

Perspective: Finding the fastest pathway to COVID-19 vaccine development

When seeking the fastest pathway to a vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), defining the stakes and potential hurdles is critical, says Barney Graham in this Perspective.

9 May 2020

NIH clinical trial evaluates antiviral plus anti-inflammatory drug for COVID-19

A randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a treatment regimen of the investigational antiviral remdesivir plus the anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has begun.

8 May 2020

Study shows how air pollution makes COVID-19 mortality worse for marginalized populations

As scientists worldwide race to gather data about the novel coronavirus, one of the more surprising findings has been detecting the virus attached to fine particles of air pollution.

8 May 2020

World's largest CT scan database with COVID-19 features collected in Russia

Earlier, scientists of the Diagnostics and Telemedicine Center already reported that they had collected the first database of CT studies of patients with laboratory-confirmed infection. It had about 50 CT scans of 20 patients.

8 May 2020

Tissue engineering can play an important role during COVID-19 pandemic

Tissue engineering has a unique set of tools and technologies for developing preventive strategies, diagnostics, and treatments that can play an important role during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

8 May 2020

FDA grants emergency approval for first at-home saliva-based coronavirus test

Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics received an amended emergency use authorization from the FDA late Thursday for the first SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test that will allow people to collect their own saliva at home and send to a lab for results.

8 May 2020

Life-Saving Lullabies spread Covid-19 precautions among African women

RESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield are harnessing the power of song to spread vital healthcare messages - including Covid-19 precautions - among African women thanks to major funding from Britain's Arts and Humanities Research Council.

8 May 2020

Researchers discover molecular mechanism that helps HSV1 infect the brain

Herpes simplex virus (HSV1) infections are initiated at mucosal surfaces where the virus infects epithelial cells.

8 May 2020

Temperature and latitude not associated with COVID-19 spread, study finds

Temperature and latitude do not appear to be associated with the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study of many countries published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) http://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.200920, but school closures and other public health measures are having a positive effect.

8 May 2020