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Individual variation in viral dynamics could underlie inconsistencies in COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Due to variation in viral dynamics between people, improving the experimental design could help develop effective antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

5 Jul 2021

Scientists identify natural SARS-CoV-2 super immunity against 23 variants

The antibodies are capable of neutralizing a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 variants even at sub-nanomolar concentrations. In addition, the combinations of these antibodies reduce the risk of generating escape mutants in vitro. The study is published in the journal Science.

5 Jul 2021

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrates ~90% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2

The findings reveal that the two-dose regimen of the vaccine is almost 90% effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Moreover, the vaccine shows high efficacy against the B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha) of SARS-CoV-2.

5 Jul 2021

Rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific T cells by direct peptide stimulation of whole peripheral blood

To understand both the correlates of protection induced by vaccinations and the necessary immune responses to manage the COVID-19, researchers from Singapore used an alternative method to closely evaluate the kinetics and magnitude of specific T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their work was posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

5 Jul 2021

Phylogenetic network analysis reveals recombinant origin of the SARS-CoV-2 alpha (B.1.1.7) variant

Researchers from the U.S. recently used the phylogenetic network approach to analyze the origin of the VOC202012/01 (alpha) or the PANGO Lineage B.1.1.7 variant, which was first reported in U.K. in 2020 and soon spread to other countries. This study is published on the bioRxiv preprint server while the paper undergoes peer review.

5 Jul 2021

COVAX urges equal recognition of all COVID-19 vaccines

COVAX was built on the principle of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to protect the health of people all across the globe. That means protecting their lives and livelihoods, including their ability to travel and conduct trade.

5 Jul 2021

Researchers develop random priming amplification method for whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1

Researchers from the UK recently compared the performance of 4 different random priming amplification methods to recover SARS-CoV-2 RNA. In method 1 (H-P), the reverse transcriptase (RT) step included random hexamers, whereas, in methods 2-4, RT incorporated an octamer primer with a known tag. This study is published on the bioRxiv preprint server.

5 Jul 2021

Janssens’ COVID-19 vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

Researchers in the Netherlands have conducted a study showing that Janssen’s Ad26.COV2.S coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine was effective against variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among eight individuals.

4 Jul 2021

COVID-19 vaccination induces highly variable immunity among the immunocompromised

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study showing that the humoral (antibody) immunity induced by vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – varies significantly among immunocompromised individuals.

4 Jul 2021

New clinical and prognostic characteristics discovered in solid organ recipients with COVID-19

Researchers from 12 Spanish hospitals took part with the aim of uncovering clinical and prognostic characteristics in solid organ recipients with COVID-19. The conclusions underscore the need for strict preventive measures in the initial period after transplantation.

2 Jul 2021

Ohio's lottery-based incentive system not associated with increase in COVD-19 vaccination rates

Would you be more willing to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus if you could participate in a lottery for cash and prizes? The answer was surprisingly no, according to Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers who found that Ohio's "Vax-a-Million" lottery-based incentive system, intended to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, was not associated with an increase in COVD-19 vaccinations.

2 Jul 2021

Research pinpoints a molecular component responsible for modulating flu damage

New experimental data pinpoints a molecular component responsible for modulating the damage the flu can wreck on the lungs.

2 Jul 2021

Study demonstrates successful postinfection treatment for SARS-CoV-2

A recent study by Kansas State University virologists demonstrates successful postinfection treatment for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

2 Jul 2021

Most states did not use health equity committees to assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning

During the large second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in fall 2020, pulmonologist and critical care provider Juan C. Rojas, MD, reflected on how disproportionately members of minority populations were being affected by the disease.

2 Jul 2021

Salivary markers of oxidative stress during severe COVID-19

An interesting study from researchers at the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, presents evidence that an elevated level of expression of oxidant molecules may be correlated with severe infection and lung injury.

2 Jul 2021

B cell depleting agents can cause altered immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines, suggests study

A new preprint, available on the medRxiv* server, describes altered responses to the use of the highly effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna in patients with multiple sclerosis on anti-CD20 (MS-aCD20) monotherapy.

2 Jul 2021

What role did the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant play in India’s devastating second wave?

A detailed report, available on the preprint server medRxiv*, describes the various facets of the second wave that set it apart from the first. The report also contains the findings of an extended SIR model that explored the potential effects of intervention at various time points in the second wave.

2 Jul 2021

Disease/Infection News

Individual variation in viral dynamics could underlie inconsistencies in COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Scientists identify natural SARS-CoV-2 super immunity against 23 variants

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrates ~90% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2

Rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific T cells by direct peptide stimulation of whole peripheral blood

Phylogenetic network analysis reveals recombinant origin of the SARS-CoV-2 alpha (B.1.1.7) variant

COVAX urges equal recognition of all COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers develop random priming amplification method for whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1

Janssens’ COVID-19 vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

COVID-19 vaccination induces highly variable immunity among the immunocompromised

New clinical and prognostic characteristics discovered in solid organ recipients with COVID-19

Ohio's lottery-based incentive system not associated with increase in COVD-19 vaccination rates

Research pinpoints a molecular component responsible for modulating flu damage

Study demonstrates successful postinfection treatment for SARS-CoV-2

Most states did not use health equity committees to assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning

Salivary markers of oxidative stress during severe COVID-19

B cell depleting agents can cause altered immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines, suggests study

What role did the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant play in India’s devastating second wave?

The use of flavonoids as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2

New $1.7 million project to identify potential COVID-19 treatments

Monash expert can discuss the significance of R number in COVID-19 infections

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

PhD researcher at LifeArc

Unveiling Hidden Potential: Organoids for Disease Modeling in Neuroscience Research

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