Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

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

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

Research could pave way for injectable gels that release drugs over time

Gels are formed by mixing polymers into fluids to create gooey substances useful for everything from holding hair in place to enabling contact lenses to float over the eye.

4 Feb 2021

Seasonal flu shots reduce COVID-19 symptoms in children

Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered that children who receive a seasonal flu shot are less likely to suffer symptoms from a COVID-19 infection. The finding comes from a review of more than 900 children diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020.

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

Researchers develop thermostable RNA vaccine delivery platform

A new study describes the production of a new RNA vaccine delivery system that promises greater ease of storage and distribution. This could help boost vaccination rates in regions without adequate infrastructure for low-temperature storage.

4 Feb 2021

What are public preferences for COVID-19 vaccine prioritization strategies across the globe?

Researchers describe the results of a novel survey that asked members of the public in a range of countries for their thoughts on prioritization measures for vaccination programs against COVID-19.

4 Feb 2021

Researchers develop prototype COVID-19 vaccine using DNA vaccine platform

It is necessary to develop additional COVID-19 vaccines, as different vaccine approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and may work synergistically.

4 Feb 2021

Study shows how SARS-CoV-2 evades immune responses

In a recurring pattern of evolution, SARS-CoV-2 evades immune responses by selectively deleting small bits of its genetic sequence, according to new research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

4 Feb 2021

Researchers define key questions to help the UK government for next biosecurity threat

During the summer of 2019, a global team of experts put their heads together to define the key questions facing the UK government when it comes to biological security.

4 Feb 2021

Predicting future mamalian hosts of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the Beijing Computational Science Research Center and Peking University analyzed sequences of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) proteins from 16 mammals and predicted the structures of ACE2- receptor-binding domain (RBD) complexes.

4 Feb 2021

Hematological findings in Amazonian patients with COVID-19

To discriminate between patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19 quickly, researchers from Peru looked for prognostic signatures in the blood samples of COVID-19 patients. Virgilio E. Failoc-Rojas et al. examined laboratory results and clinical prognosis of COVID-19 patients from a hospital in the Peruvian Amazon.

3 Feb 2021

Survey finds 41% of United States residents unwilling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine

A cross-sectional online survey conducted by the scientists of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA, has revealed that about 41% of US residents are unwilling to receive a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine due to concern over vaccine safety and efficacy. Moreover, there are sub-group variations in willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine

3 Feb 2021

Insight into role of aging in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine set out to determine the differences between young people and older adults regarding their host responses against SARS-CoV-2. The team revealed that independent of disease severity, COVID-19 was linked to a significant shift in plasma inflammatory factors. The research is posted to the pre-print server medRxiv*.

3 Feb 2021

Preclinical study uncovers how Zika virus passes from mother to fetus during pregnancy

A preclinical study by a University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine research team has discovered a new mechanism for how Zika virus can pass from mothers to their children during pregnancy - a process known as vertical transmission.

3 Feb 2021

Phase 1 clinical trial of novel HIV vaccine approach shows promising results

A phase 1 clinical trial testing a novel vaccine approach to prevent HIV has produced promising results, IAVI and Scripps Research announced today.

3 Feb 2021

Experimental intranasal influenza vaccine produces durable immune response

An experimental single-dose, intranasal influenza vaccine was safe and produced a durable immune response when tested in a Phase 1 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

3 Feb 2021

Genomic study suggests SARS-CoV-2 clade 20C was imported into Japan from the US

A new study describes the outcome of such sequencing efforts in Japan as an important tool towards containing the spread of the infection.

3 Feb 2021

Viral-caused cancer in California sea lions has major health implications for humans

20-plus years of data in a newly released study by The Marine Mammal Center shows ocean pollutants is one of the leading causes of cancer in sea lions and highlights how exposure to environmental contaminants can fast-track the likelihood of humans developing virally caused cancers.

3 Feb 2021