Disease/Infection News

RSS

SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and rivers

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in May 2020 shows that while the virus causing COVID-19 may be present in wastewater and rivers, the biological agent is typically devoid of vitality and unable to cause active infection. This should provide some relief to public health authorities in their quest to contain the virus.

6 May 2020

Study discovers inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry priming protein by approved drug

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome -coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to most of the world, causing millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* shows that a protease inhibitor drug already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could inhibit viral entry.

6 May 2020

Low CD8 and NK cell counts in the lung linked to high SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor levels

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in April 2020 reports that low levels of specific immune cells, namely, CD8 T cells and NK cells, are linked to higher expression of the ACE2 molecule, which acts as a receptor for the CoV.

6 May 2020

How do betacoronaviruses evolve?

Researchers have worked on the evolution of the pathogenic strains of the betacoronaviruses including the SARS CoV-2 that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

6 May 2020

Research looks at best ways to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

The world is gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The health care personnel and those caring for these patients are at considerable risk of contracting the infection. N95 masks have been mentioned as protective face gear to cover the face, nose, and mouth of the user to prevent the spread of the infection via aerosols generated while coughing, sneezing, or even breathing.

6 May 2020

People thinking they have had COVID-19 could increase transmission

A study conducted by researchers in the UK has found that people who think they have had COVID-19 are more likely to believe they are immune to the infection and less likely to follow social distancing rules.

6 May 2020

Spillover of more bat coronaviruses likely due to destruction of wildlife habitats

A new study available on the preprint server bioRxiv used phylogenetic analysis to demonstrate how certain groups of bats harbor multiple coronavirus lineages that are not readily transmitted across different bat taxa. However, the researchers caution that another novel human coronavirus outbreak originating from bats is imminent due to the destruction of wildlife habitats.

6 May 2020

Scientists identify unexpected player that causes vision loss in patients with AMD

Scientists have identified an unexpected player in the immune reaction gone awry that causes vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study published today in eLife.

6 May 2020

Study examines the link between flavenoid-rich foods and risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Older adults who consumed small amounts of flavonoid-rich foods, such as berries, apples and tea, were two to four times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and related dementias over 20 years compared with people whose intake was higher, according to a new study led by scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University.

6 May 2020

Antibiotic Resistance: The Patient Perspective

We discuss the impact of antibiotic-resistant infections on everyday life and the work that is being done to overcome this issue with Antibiotic Research UK.

From Bionow 6 May 2020

Researchers discover gene variants that reduce the risk of glaucoma

An international research collaboration led by researchers from the University of Helsinki and Stanford University has identified rare changes in a gene called ANGPTL7 that lower intraocular pressure and significantly reduce the risk of glaucoma

6 May 2020

UTA is developing supply chain to rapidly deliver COVID-19 drugs to Texas’ underserved patients

Working with artificial intelligence, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is developing a rapid-response supply chain designed to quickly deliver COVID-19 medications, once they are available, to vulnerable urban populations in Texas.

6 May 2020

New preclinical study shows promise for treating necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a rare inflammatory bowel disease, primarily affects premature infants and is a leading cause of death in the smallest and sickest of these patients.

6 May 2020

New mobile platform can address another serious complication of COVID-19

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have launched a new mobile platform to address another serious complication of the novel coronavirus pandemic: stress and anxiety.

6 May 2020

PPE combined with proper training can reduce COVID-19 risk in health care workers

Health care workers carry a significant burden of coronavirus infections worldwide, but a new evidence review by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University shows the rate can be lowered with the use of personal protective equipment combined with proper training in infection control.

6 May 2020

Australia to ease restrictions with coronavirus app, return to work to kickstart the economy

Among the countries that have successfully “flattened the curve” and managed to contain the coronavirus, is Australia. The country has managed to keep the viral transmission at bay and has now lifted some restrictions to let its residents return to more normal lives. Along with easing restrictions, the Australian Government launched the COVIDsafe app to help speed up contacting people infected with the virus.

6 May 2020

New method to trace COVID-19 in wastewater can be used to track future outbreaks

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) scientists have developed a new methodology to trace the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the sewage and wastewater systems, which could potentially be used to track existing and future outbreaks of the coronavirus.

6 May 2020

Is ACEI, ARB use linked to testing positive for COVID-19?

A new study published in the prestigious journal JAMA Cardiology in May 2020 reports that there is no association between the use of ACEIs/ARBs and testing positive for COVID-19. This supports current medical advice to continue using these drugs as indicated irrespective of the ongoing pandemic but indicates the need for more research to rule out any additional risk of severe illness due to these agents.

6 May 2020

Public perception of SARS-CoV-2 influences health behavior

A new study published in the Journal of Risk Research in April 2020 shows that public health behaviors aimed at preventing viral spread are influenced by public risk perception, which varies between countries around the world.

6 May 2020

Cytokine storms created by COVID-19 could be reduced by using blood filter

Cytokine storms created by COVID-19 are causing major organ destruction and death, and for the first time in the United States, when patients begin to show signs of trouble, physicians are replacing the usual filter in a kidney dialysis machine with a filter known to trap these tiny proteins, with the goal of avoiding the devastation.

6 May 2020

Disease/Infection News

SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and rivers

Study discovers inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry priming protein by approved drug

Low CD8 and NK cell counts in the lung linked to high SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor levels

How do betacoronaviruses evolve?

Research looks at best ways to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

People thinking they have had COVID-19 could increase transmission

Spillover of more bat coronaviruses likely due to destruction of wildlife habitats

Scientists identify unexpected player that causes vision loss in patients with AMD

Study examines the link between flavenoid-rich foods and risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Antibiotic Resistance: The Patient Perspective

Researchers discover gene variants that reduce the risk of glaucoma

UTA is developing supply chain to rapidly deliver COVID-19 drugs to Texas’ underserved patients

New preclinical study shows promise for treating necrotizing enterocolitis

New mobile platform can address another serious complication of COVID-19

PPE combined with proper training can reduce COVID-19 risk in health care workers

Australia to ease restrictions with coronavirus app, return to work to kickstart the economy

New method to trace COVID-19 in wastewater can be used to track future outbreaks

Is ACEI, ARB use linked to testing positive for COVID-19?

Public perception of SARS-CoV-2 influences health behavior

Cytokine storms created by COVID-19 could be reduced by using blood filter

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Latest News