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BCG vaccine may offer protection against COVID-19, shows study

While scientists race to develop and test a vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, recent studies have indicated that countries with widespread BCG vaccination appear to be weathering the pandemic better than their counterparts.

22 Sep 2020

Social contacts increase again despite coronavirus

At the beginning of the month, 60 percent still restricted themselves in this regard. At the same time, the proportion of people concerned about the impact of the virus on their social relationships fell to 15 percent.

22 Sep 2020

COVID-19 poses a unique threat during hurricane evacuations

The 2020 hurricane season is breaking records with 23 named storms, and more are projected to develop over the next few weeks.

22 Sep 2020

Expanded screening of asymptomatic people could reduce COVID-19 infections and deaths

New research suggests when the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing, low-cost, recurring screening of asymptomatic people - at an expense of approximately $3 or less per test every two weeks - could decrease COVID-19 infections and deaths and be cost-effective.

22 Sep 2020

Belief in pandemic conspiracy theories is an obstacle to minimize the spread of COVID-19

Belief in conspiracy theories about the coronavirus pandemic is not only persistent but also is associated with reluctance to accept a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available and to engage in behaviors such as mask-wearing that can prevent its spread, according to researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

22 Sep 2020

Exploring how COVID-19 pandemic trajectory might unfold in the future

Researchers who adapted standard epidemiological models to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic trajectory might unfold in the next five years report diverse scenarios ranging from recurring severe epidemics to elimination.

22 Sep 2020

Study detects key differences in immune responses of adults and children with COVID-19

The first study comparing the immune responses of adults and children with COVID-19 has detected key differences that may contribute to understanding why children usually have milder disease than adults.

22 Sep 2020

Strength, duration of immunity will shape the future trajectory of COVID-19

New research suggests that the impact of natural and vaccine-induced immunity will be key factors in shaping the future trajectory of the global coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19.

21 Sep 2020

People with severe dementia are unaware of COVID-19 outbreak, indicates study

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially affected patients with dementia and their caregivers.

21 Sep 2020

COVID-19 mitigation efforts significantly decrease influenza activity

The mitigation strategies implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 appears to reduce the transmission of influenza in the United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa. These strategies may augment influenza vaccines, especially for high-risk populations during the seasonal influenza transmission.

21 Sep 2020

Screening university students could reduce community COVID-19 burden

Researchers in Canada and the United States report that screening students for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as universities re-open this fall could reduce the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the broader community.

21 Sep 2020

COVID-19 lockdown measures reduced air pollution in Southeast Asia

In an attempt to contain the spread of the disease, many countries worldwide, including Malaysia and other Southeast Asian (SEA) countries, have enforced lockdowns of varying degrees, which has inadvertently caused some positive changes to the environment.

21 Sep 2020

Bioarchaeology research shows how infectious diseases may have spread 4000 years ago

New bioarchaeology research from a University of Otago PhD candidate has shown how infectious diseases may have spread 4000 years ago, while highlighting the dangers of letting such diseases run rife.

21 Sep 2020

A cost-effective scalable production of SARS-CoV-2 RBD in yeast

A new study by the Argentinian AntiCovid Consortium and published in the preprint server bioRxiv* in September 2020 reports on the successful characterization of the conformation and stability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) in two different cell systems. This may help to accelerate the development of vaccines and neutralizing antibodies.

21 Sep 2020

Research underlines SARS-CoV-2 N-terminal domain of Nsp1 as a potential drug target

A recent study reveals how the non-structural protein 1 (NSP1) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) plays a crucial role in inhibiting the host cell protein synthesis but simultaneously facilitating the viral protein synthesis.

21 Sep 2020

CABI scientists highlight COVID-19 implications on food security in Kenya and Uganda

CABI scientists have conducted new research highlighting the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food security in Kenya and Uganda with more than two-thirds of those surveyed having experienced economic hardship due to the pandemic.

21 Sep 2020

Oncology nurses should be routinely tested for SARS-CoV-2, warn researchers

Researchers from the NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cambridge and Cambridge Clinical Laboratories have warned that until a vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) becomes available, antigen and antibody testing should be carried out among oncology nurses as part of routine patient care.

21 Sep 2020

BU researchers find how SARS-CoV-2 infection may drive deadly lung inflammation

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, requires models that can duplicate disease development in humans, identify potential targets and enable drug testing.

21 Sep 2020

Flu vaccine does not increase a person's COVID-19 risk, finds study

A new Cleveland Clinic study has found that receiving the influenza vaccine does not increase a person's risk for contracting COVID-19 or worsen associated morbidity or mortality.

21 Sep 2020

Using computer simulations to examine personalized mechanical ventilation of COVID-19 patients

Initial clinical guidelines for mechanical ventilation of COVID-19 patients suggested following standard approaches used in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs.

21 Sep 2020