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Why have COVID-19 caseloads been comparatively low in Africa?

A new study has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that highlights the potential lessons that the world can draw from Africa on assumptions concerning viral pandemics. This is particularly important, given Africa’s long experience with dangerous infectious diseases.

18 Aug 2021

Study examines prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to HCoV-NL63 in healthy adults in Australia

A new study has been published in the MPDI journal Viruses, which focuses on determining the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against HCoV-NL63, in healthy adults, in a cross-sectional study.

18 Aug 2021

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the role of glycan coating on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is further investigated by molecular dynamics simulations of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated protein, identifying several key glycans that play a role in stabilizing and protecting the RBD, and also encourage bonding with the ACE2 receptor.

18 Aug 2021

Study examines the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Geneva, Switzerland

In a paper uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv*, antibodies against both the spike protein and nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are measured in over 3,000 volunteers, six months following the initiation of the vaccination scheme in Geneva, Switzerland.

18 Aug 2021

Rush to boosters sparks confusion, differing recommendations

When the Food and Drug Administration announced last week that a third dose of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech covid-19 vaccine may boost the immunity of some people who are immunocompromised, officials repeated their stance that fully vaccinated, healthy people do not need another dose.

18 Aug 2021

Study suggests Harmony COVID-19 assay is superior to laboratory-based tests

A new study suggests a new coronavirus test developed by scientists from the University of Washington and the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine produces faster and more sensitive results than conventional PCR tests to measure severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA.

18 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant: A gloomy forecast for the United States

The emergence of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) in the United States has backtracked many plans to return to a pre-COVID era. A surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant has caused a rise in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations after what was previously a steady decline during the summer.

18 Aug 2021

A spike-derived epitope YLQ induces robust polyfunctional cytotoxic T cell responses in COVID-19 recovered individuals

The findings reveal that the dominant spike-derived epitope induces polyfunctional CD8+ T cell response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovered individuals. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Aug 2021

Increased chemosensory dysfunction with D614G mutation of SARS-CoV-2

A study, available on the pre-print server medRxiv, has determined the underlying molecular mechanisms of how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), especially the G614 strain, leads to olfactory dysfunction causing anosmia.

18 Aug 2021

Specificity of serological assays against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with parasitic infections

A new study available on the pre-print server medRxiv* aims to assess the specificity of the serological assays of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among patients known to have a tissue-borne parasitic infection or those who reside in areas where the virus is endemic.

18 Aug 2021

Report outlines strong scientific foundations for taking actions to stop the next pandemic

As the world struggles to contain COVID-19, a group of leading, scientific experts from the U.S., Latin America, Africa, and South Asia released a report today outlining the strong scientific foundations for taking actions to stop the next pandemic by preventing the spillover of pathogens from animals to people.

18 Aug 2021

P681R spike mutation enhances replication efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

A team of scientists from the University of Texas, USA, has recently revealed that the P681R spike mutation is responsible for increased infectivity of the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The P681R spike mutation increases the replication of the delta variant by increasing the dissociation of S1 and S2 subunits at the furin cleavage site. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Aug 2021

Naive B cells could be useful for predicting vaccination response in immunocompromised

A recent study conducted at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, has revealed that the number of naïve B cells in the blood could independently predict the magnitude of immune response induced by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in immunocompromised patients. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

17 Aug 2021

Study reveals high racial disparity in stroke prevalence among COVID-19 patients

Black COVID-19 patients are more likely to have experienced strokes prior to their diagnosis than their non-Black counterparts, according to a study by Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

17 Aug 2021

Cote d’Ivoire launches Ebola vaccination of first responders and health workers

Cote d’Ivoire has launched Ebola vaccination of high-risk populations, including health workers and first responders in Abidjan, where an Ebola outbreak was declared on 14 August.

17 Aug 2021

Cote d’Ivoire declares the country’s first case of Ebola since 1994

The Ministry of Health of Cote d’Ivoire today confirmed the country’s first case of Ebola since 1994. This came after the Institut Pasteur in Cote d’Ivoire confirmed the Ebola Virus Disease in samples collected from a patient, who was hospitalized in the commercial capital of Abidjan, after arriving from Guinea.

17 Aug 2021

Partnering with faith-based community to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among persons of color

Concerned about relatively low COVID-19 vaccination rates among U.S. Blacks and Latinos, Glenn Flores, M.D., chair of pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is helping to guide a faith-based initiative addressing one of the nation's most pressing healthcare challenges.

17 Aug 2021

COVIDome Explorer online portal launched to accelerate COVID-19 research on a global scale

To further accelerate COVID-19 research on a global scale, investigators from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have created a multidimensional dataset, known as the COVIDome dataset, derived from hospitalized COVID-19 patients versus negative controls.

17 Aug 2021

Researchers receive $26.5 million NIH grant to pursue a new strategy for curing HIV

Over the last 40 years, HIV has shifted from a deadly and mysterious virus to one that can be controlled with daily drugs. But attempts to completely eliminate the virus from the bodies of people living with HIV, curing them for good, have failed.

17 Aug 2021

UC Davis Health offers third dose COVID-19 'booster' shots to immunocompromised patients

As COVID-19 cases rise due to the Delta variant, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has approved third dose vaccinations for patients whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely.

17 Aug 2021

Disease/Infection News

Why have COVID-19 caseloads been comparatively low in Africa?

Study examines prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to HCoV-NL63 in healthy adults in Australia

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

Study examines the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Geneva, Switzerland

Rush to boosters sparks confusion, differing recommendations

Study suggests Harmony COVID-19 assay is superior to laboratory-based tests

SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant: A gloomy forecast for the United States

A spike-derived epitope YLQ induces robust polyfunctional cytotoxic T cell responses in COVID-19 recovered individuals

Increased chemosensory dysfunction with D614G mutation of SARS-CoV-2

Specificity of serological assays against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with parasitic infections

Report outlines strong scientific foundations for taking actions to stop the next pandemic

P681R spike mutation enhances replication efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

Naive B cells could be useful for predicting vaccination response in immunocompromised

Study reveals high racial disparity in stroke prevalence among COVID-19 patients

Cote d’Ivoire launches Ebola vaccination of first responders and health workers

Cote d’Ivoire declares the country’s first case of Ebola since 1994

Partnering with faith-based community to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among persons of color

COVIDome Explorer online portal launched to accelerate COVID-19 research on a global scale

Researchers receive $26.5 million NIH grant to pursue a new strategy for curing HIV

UC Davis Health offers third dose COVID-19 'booster' shots to immunocompromised patients

Decoding Cannabis: Differentiating Hemp and Marijuana

Deciphering the Microbiome with The Microsetta Initiative

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

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