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T cell epitopes from recovered COVID-19 patients identified for vaccine

A new study by researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and published on the preprint server bioRxiv in August 2020 collates the available database of SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes gathered from 8 studies of COVID-19 patients who recovered. This could serve as a launchpad to fill in knowledge gaps regarding the immunological aspects of this disease, and drive towards an effective T cell vaccine.

31 Aug 2020

IL-6 signaling blockade can alleviate severe COVID-19

A team of researchers led by Osaka University find an overlap in the pathogenesis of cytokine release syndrome and COVID-19, and show that the symptoms of both can be alleviated by IL-6 signaling blockade

31 Aug 2020

Cat antiviral that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 fast-tracked for human clinical trials

Now, a team of researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada has identified viral inhibitors that they claim are potential candidates as a treatment for COVID-19. The team is set to launch clinical trials of the drug that is used as a treatment for a type of coronavirus in cats.

31 Aug 2020

Serum protein shows therapeutic value against severe COVID-19-like features in mouse model

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in August 2020 reports the disease-mitigating effects of a serum protein called serum amyloid P (SAP) in mice exposed to a peptide that mimics the clinical signs of severe COVID-19 in humans.

30 Aug 2020

New lipid derivatives of Remdesivir have higher anti-coronavirus activity

In a fascinating new preprint paper published on bioRxiv* in August 2020, the researchers report “the synthesis and antiviral evaluation of three novel lipophilic prodrugs of RVn-monophosphate that are substantially more active than Remdesivir in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2.” These could be of immense use in treating COVID-19 patients early and helping to end transmission.

30 Aug 2020

Rabbits susceptible to SARS-CoV-2: Red flag for potential virus reservoir

A new study by scientists in the Netherlands and published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in August 2020 shows that the severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect rabbits, which opens the door for possible circulation in rabbit farms and another potential source of animal to human SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding calls for urgent research on the prevalence of the virus in farmed rabbits.

30 Aug 2020

Using SARS-CoV-2 epitope to construct a vaccine

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in August 2020 reports the use of prediction and advanced simulation techniques to identify a novel T cell epitope on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that could serve as the basis for a customized vaccine with broad-based efficacy.

30 Aug 2020

Australia’s readiness for emergencies

Seven in 10 Aussies say strong community bonds sustain them through COVID19, but more action needed to prepare for future lockdowns and looming disasters.

30 Aug 2020

SARS-CoV-2 Neucleocapside (N) protein is heavily glycosylated

However, the nucleocapsid (N) protein is also extremely abundant and, therefore, a useful target for both vaccine and diagnostic test development. A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in August 2020 reveals the structure of this protein, a valuable step in using it for these purposes.

30 Aug 2020

Severe and fatal COVID-19 is rare in children

Now, a new study by researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool, Imperial College London, and the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow in the United Kingdom has shown that children and teenagers are less likely than adults to develop severe COVID-19 or die from the disease.

30 Aug 2020

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 spreading in an airplane toilet

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is still actively spreading like wildfire, with nearly 300,000 new infections reported daily across the globe. Early on in the outbreak in China, scientists said that the virus could spread through respiratory droplets, when a person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

30 Aug 2020

FDA announces public meeting to discuss development and licensure of COVID-19 vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that a public meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will be held on CutOct. 22, 2020, to discuss the general matter of the development, authorization, and/or licensure of vaccines indicated to prevent COVID-19.

29 Aug 2020

Scientists describe known approaches for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers from Sechenov University together with Russian and Iranian colleagues described currently known approaches to the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

29 Aug 2020

Race to produce COVID vaccines should not leave the poor left behind, says expert

Race to produce vaccines against COVID-19 must ensure that the poor are not left behind, says Crispin Maslog. A mad race to produce a vaccine against COVID-19 has begun with the world's superpowers leading the pack.

29 Aug 2020

Poultry farmers play active role in the dissemination of avian influenza

Small-scale poultry farmers in Vietnam tend to respond to viral outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) by rapidly selling their birds as a way to avoid financial loss, according to a new study by an international team of researchers.

28 Aug 2020

Study may help explain the symptoms and organs involved with SARS-CoV-2 infection

A study of a gateway receptor for SARS-CoV-2 led by Walter Lukiw, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience, Neurology and Ophthalmology at LSU Health New Orleans' Neuroscience Center of Excellence and School of Medicine, may help explain the wide variety of symptoms and organs involved with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.

28 Aug 2020

Study shows the need to refine COVID-19 testing criteria to include children with GI symptoms

Over 1,000 children from Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, known as 'COVID Warriors' have had their antibodies measured in the UK-wide trial called 'Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 infection in healthy children'.

28 Aug 2020

Serious heart complications are common in adults hospitalized with flu

The link between influenza and serious heart conditions just grew stronger. A CDC study looking at more than 80,000 adult patients hospitalized with flu over eight seasons found that sudden, serious heart complications were common, occurring in 12% of patients, or 1 in 8.

28 Aug 2020

COVID-19 crisis highlights shortcomings in Australia's National Broadband Network

The COVID-19 crisis has increasingly highlighted shortcomings in Australia's National Broadband Network, Flinders University experts say.

28 Aug 2020

COVID + influenza: This is a good year to get a flu shot, experts advise

Flu season will look different this year, as the country grapples with a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 172,000 people. Many Americans are reluctant to visit a doctor's office and public health officials worry people will shy away from being immunized.

28 Aug 2020