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Tuberculosis vaccine could protect newborns against common infections

The tuberculosis (TB) vaccine Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) could protect newborns against a variety of common infections, such as upper respiratory tract infections, chest infections and diarrhoea, according to a new study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

18 Feb 2021

Simulated model for drive-through clinics can be used for mass COVID-19 vaccinations

Policymakers at all levels of government are racing to vaccinate hundreds of millions of people to save lives and blunt the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

18 Feb 2021

Radiological images reveal how COVID virus can trigger the body to attack itself

Muscle soreness and achy joints are common symptoms among COVID-19 patients. But for some people, symptoms are more severe, long-lasting, and even bizarre, including rheumatoid arthritis flares, autoimmune myositis, or "COVID toes."

18 Feb 2021

Engineered peptide can reduce severe COVID-19 infection in humans

An engineered peptide given to ferrets two days before they were co-housed with SARS-CoV-2-infected animals prevented virus transmission to the treated ferrets, a new study shows.

18 Feb 2021

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern drive up infections by 15-40 percent in Germany

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to distress worldwide, new variants are emerging that threaten the possibility of containment by current vaccines or therapeutic antibodies.

18 Feb 2021

CDC study says face mask mandates reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S.

A new study by researchers at the CDC examined whether the implementation of the mask mandate is tied to COVID-19-related hospitalization growth rates among different age groups.

17 Feb 2021

Advancements in DNA vaccines against COVID-19

The rapid spread of the pathogen and the increasing number of cases highlight the need for an effective and safe vaccine. As vaccination efforts roll out in many countries, new types of vaccines, like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccines, are under research..

17 Feb 2021

New 3D imaging technique helps detect breast cancer, COVID-19, other diseases

A research team led by UMass Lowell is pioneering a new 3D imaging technique to better detect breast cancer and other diseases, including COVID-19.

17 Feb 2021

GDP significantly associated with greater COVID-19 vaccine distribution

ccording to a report published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the world's gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 4.6% in 2020. As per WHO estimates, at least 65% of the world population should be vaccinated to contain the virus's spread and achieve herd immunity.

17 Feb 2021

Convalescent plasma shows CD8+ T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study suggesting that individuals who have recovered from or been vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) should maintain effective CD8+ T-cell responses against the major variants that have recently emerged.

17 Feb 2021

Where might future novel coronaviruses come from?

The researchers predicted many more associations between coronaviruses and host species than have been observed to date. They also predicted 30 times more potential recombination hosts of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

17 Feb 2021

Nasal antiviral blocks SARS-CoV-2 transmission in ferrets

A nasal antiviral created by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons blocked transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets, suggesting the nasal spray also may prevent infection in people exposed to the new coronavirus, including recent variants.

17 Feb 2021

Purely mathematical perspective on delaying the second dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

High demand for the vaccines has raised questions as to whether it would be better in the long term to ensure that as much of the population as possible has received the first dose, i.e., vaccinate twice as many people with a lower rate of efficacy.

17 Feb 2021

Study uncovers how the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant entered the United States

A team led by researchers from the Yale School of Public Health has found how the B.1.1.7 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first found in the United Kingdom, made its way into several states in the United States.

17 Feb 2021

New N501Y SARS-CoV-2 mutations increase binding to host cell receptor

A team of researchers used several assays, atomic force microscopy, and simulations to determine that the N501Y mutation in the virus’s receptor-binding domain (RBD) increased the interaction of the virus with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor.

17 Feb 2021

SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein increases infectivity of spike-based pseudoviruses

In a recent study conducted at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, India, a team of scientists screened specific genes of SARS-CoV-2 to identify factors that may contribute to viral infectivity.

17 Feb 2021

Rural hospital remains entrenched in Covid ‘war’ even amid vaccine rollout

The "heroes work here" sign in front of St. James Parish Hospital has been long gone, along with open intensive care unit beds in the state of Louisiana.

17 Feb 2021

Bats and pangolins in Southeast Asia harbor SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses, study finds

A new study has reported evidence that SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses (SC2r-CoVs) are circulating in bats in Southeast Asia. This has extended the geographical area where SC2r-CoVs are found, underscoring the urgency of identifying the immediate ancestor of SARS-CoV-2.

17 Feb 2021

Prominent scientists call on CDC to better protect workers from Covid

A prominent group of academics is pressing the Biden administration to move faster and take stronger action to protect high-risk workers from airborne exposure to the coronavirus, urging enforceable standards to help safeguard risky workplaces including health care, food processing and prisons.

17 Feb 2021

The origin of SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site remains a mystery

A new study discusses the origin of the furin cleavage site on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is responsible for the virus’s relatively high infectivity compared to relatives in the betacoronavirus subgenus.

17 Feb 2021