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Study: Social distancing also reduces the chances of contracting COVID-19

Considering the greater good by social distancing during a pandemic turns out to have an attractive personal benefit: A new study has found that staying away from others also reduces an individual person's chances of contracting COVID-19.

5 Feb 2021

Army scientists evaluate three nonhuman primate models of SARS-CoV-2 airborne infection

Army scientists evaluated three nonhuman primate species as potential models of SARS-CoV-2 airborne infection, according to results published online this week in PLOS ONE.

5 Feb 2021

Study indicates that 2019-2020 flu season was driven by a new, more transmissible strain

The 2019-2020 flu season in the U.S. was unusual in a number of ways. Cases picked up in August rather than the more typical fall and early winter months, and it hit children particularly hard. It was also dominated early on by a Type B influenza virus instead of one of the much more common Type A viruses like H1N1 or H3N2.

5 Feb 2021

Study: COVID-19 cases in India are nearly 95 times greater than reported

A new study, led by professors at the University of Chicago and Duke University, found that COVID-19 cases in the southern state of Karnataka, India, are nearly 95 times greater than reported.

5 Feb 2021

Research shows intestinal parasite infestations reduce COVID-19 severity

Now, new research out of Mekelle, Ethiopia, examines the role of parasitic infestation on the prognosis of COVID-19. The research paper, which appears on the preprint server medRxiv, shows that intestinal parasitosis is protective against severe COVID-19.

4 Feb 2021

Greater muscle strength associated with lower risk of COVID-19 hospitalization

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server discusses the results of a study exploring the relationship between increased muscle strength and hospitalization for severe COVID-19.

4 Feb 2021

Alpaca nanobodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv server reports the development of highly effective neutralizing nanobodies targeting the viral receptor-binding domain (RBD), thus disrupting its engagement with the host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor.

4 Feb 2021

SHREK proteins mediate broad spectrum antiviral host immunity, including against SARS-CoV-2

A new preprint posted to the bioRxiv server demonstrates that similar mucins and mucin-like proteins cannot only suppress HIV-1 infectivity via blockage of viral attachment to the host cells but can block infection by multiple enveloped viruses.

4 Feb 2021

SARS-CoV-2 N501Y mutation adversely affects cellular immune response

Among these is the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant, with its characteristic N501Y mutation. A new preprint on the bioRxiv server reports the impact of this mutation on CD4 T cell responses, including antigen presentation on cells expressing Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules.

4 Feb 2021

Study: Only 14% of the Bernese population developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

In the canton of Bern, only 14% of the adult population were infected with the coronavirus and developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

4 Feb 2021

Study shows psychological impact of perceived COVID-19 health threat among Black Americans

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate communities worldwide, Black Americans who face racial discrimination in hospitals and doctor's offices weather additional stresses that can exacerbate threats from COVID-19.

4 Feb 2021

COVID-19 vaccination alone may not end the pandemic

A simulation-based study conducted at the Miami University, USA, has revealed that vaccination of the general population against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) alone is not sufficient to control the pandemic, given the current availability and implementation strategies.

4 Feb 2021

Dialysis patients are 4 times more likely to die from COVID-19

People undergoing long-term dialysis are almost 4 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination, found a new Ontario study published in CMAJ.

4 Feb 2021

ZyCoV-D SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine shows robust immunogenicity and protective efficacy in Rhesus macaquesys

A team of scientists from India has recently tested the efficacy and immunogenicity of two different concentrations of a plasmid DNA-based vaccine candidate ZyCoV-D. The findings reveal that the vaccine candidate administered via Needle Free Injection System (NFIS) can significantly induce the production of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies for a prolonged period.

4 Feb 2021

Researchers call for trials of rapamycin to treat COVID-19

Researchers in the United States, China, and the UK have called for immediate large-scale clinical trials of an antibiotic called rapamycin as a prophylactic and treatment approach to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in older individuals.

4 Feb 2021

Phase I/II trial findings support use of CoronaVac vaccine in older individuals

Researchers in China have reported phase I/II clinical trial findings showing that the vaccine candidate CoronaVac is well tolerated among older individuals and effectively generates antibody responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARs-CoV-2) - the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

4 Feb 2021

New study supports UK’s delay of the SARS-CoV-2 Pfizer vaccine second dose

After reanalyzing data from 500,000 people in Israel who received the Pfizer vaccine, researchers suggest a single dose provides sufficient immunity after about 21 days, thus providing support for the UK’s decision to delay the second dose to 12 weeks.

4 Feb 2021