Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Scientists support the rollout of portable CO2 monitors to UK schools

UK schools have received more than 300,000 CO2 monitors as part of a government initiative to reduce COVID-19 spread in classrooms.

17 Jan 2022

Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater samples

In a new study, a team of researchers introduced a novel method to estimate the proportion of different SARS-CoV-2 strains in wastewater samples.

17 Jan 2022

Better global health equality could prevent emergence of future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

In a new study, researchers used a simple phenomenological model to investigate the role of immunocompromised hosts in SARS-CoV-2 antigenic development.

17 Jan 2022

Study suggests vaccinated Omicron cases are unlikely to shed infectious virus 10 days after diagnosis or symptom onset

Researchers have been investigating the Omicron epidemic in Japan and have recently released an early report on the infectious period of the disease.

17 Jan 2022

Dexamethasone shown to upregulate innate and adaptive immune responses in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients

In a new study, researchers used per protocol bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples after intubation to evaluate the transcriptomic profiles of the local pulmonary host responses during early-stage severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS), non-COVID-19 ARDS, and sepsis.

17 Jan 2022

Study demonstrates that intra-host SARS-CoV-2 variants with reduced infectivity are developed during infection

A new paper discusses the appearance of quasi-species in a single host with prolonged infection, with different rates of infectivity and sensitivity to neutralization by antibodies elicited by the Pfizer vaccine or those present in convalescent plasma.

17 Jan 2022

Study investigates whether immune responses to BNT162b2 vaccine differ in subjects with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new paper published in the journal JCI Insight reports on the differential levels of immunity achieved in those with and without a history of prior infection with the virus following one and two doses of the earliest vaccines to be approved for emergency use.

17 Jan 2022

Study identifies cellular receptors for alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School has identified a set of cellular receptors for at least three related alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals that host the virus.

17 Jan 2022

Pathogens turn off mitochondrial defense by hijacking a normal cellular response to stress

Mitochondria are known as energy suppliers for our cells, but they also play an important role in the defense against pathogens. They can initiate immune responses, and deprive pathogens of the nutrients they need to grow.

17 Jan 2022

Study analyzes the impact of global trust in government due to the COVID-19 pandemic

In a week when the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted to breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules, a new study has found that impartial, transparent and truthful government communications are fundamental for achieving and maintaining government trust during public health emergencies.

17 Jan 2022

Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant promote cell binding

Researchers in Germany, based on their recent study published in the journal ChemBioChem, have proposed that the elevated occurrence of positively charged amino acids in specific domains of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) Omicron variant spike protein improves viral binding to cellular negatively charged receptors aiding in enhanced infectiousness.

16 Jan 2022

Monitoring rodents for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, Hong Kong

A new study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal has hypothesized that locations with positive SARS-CoV-2 in sewage could be used as potential surveillance targets to analyze if pestiferous urban rodents shed SARS-CoV-2 into the environment.

16 Jan 2022

Topical antiseptic Acriflavine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses

A new study, published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, has reported the discovery of acriflavine (ACF), an effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. This drug is a mixture of trypaflavines (3,6-diamino-10-methylacridinium chloride and 3,6-diamino-3-methylacridinium chloride) and proflavine (3,6-diaminoacridine).

16 Jan 2022

Genome editing in vascular endothelial cells made possible with a powerful new delivery system

Northwestern Medicine scientists developed a unique nanoparticle to deliver genome editing technology, including CRISPR/Cas9, to endothelial cells, which line blood vessel walls.

16 Jan 2022

Cannabidiol may improve innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study shows evidence that cannabidiol, an important active ingredient in the Cannabis sativa plant, can augment the antiviral innate immune response and prophylactically prime the innate antiviral response of cells – enabling in turn improved response against viruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

16 Jan 2022

Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 proves to be highly accurate for pediatric populations

In a large prospective study of just over 1,000 patients ages 17 and younger who were seen at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) testing site during a seven-month period last year, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and collaborating institutions report that a rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — proved highly accurate when compared to the established standard virus detection method: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

16 Jan 2022

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Scientists support the rollout of portable CO2 monitors to UK schools

Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater samples

Better global health equality could prevent emergence of future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Study suggests vaccinated Omicron cases are unlikely to shed infectious virus 10 days after diagnosis or symptom onset

Dexamethasone shown to upregulate innate and adaptive immune responses in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients

Study demonstrates that intra-host SARS-CoV-2 variants with reduced infectivity are developed during infection

Study investigates whether immune responses to BNT162b2 vaccine differ in subjects with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

Study identifies cellular receptors for alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals

Pathogens turn off mitochondrial defense by hijacking a normal cellular response to stress

Study analyzes the impact of global trust in government due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant promote cell binding

Monitoring rodents for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, Hong Kong

Topical antiseptic Acriflavine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses

Genome editing in vascular endothelial cells made possible with a powerful new delivery system

Cannabidiol may improve innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2

Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 proves to be highly accurate for pediatric populations

UK donates COVID-19 vaccines to Uganda to help tackle the pandemic

UV-C light prevents airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron has similar infectious viral load to Delta

With no end in sight to pandemic life, parents find disruption is the new normal

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

Exploring the role of confocal-based high-content imaging in advancing core facilities

Transforming Cardiovascular Care: Insights from Mina Makar at AstraZeneca

Clue's CEO Rhiannon White on the Future of Femtech and PCOS

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

Exploring the role of confocal-based high-content imaging in advancing core facilities

Transforming Cardiovascular Care: Insights from Mina Makar at AstraZeneca

Clue's CEO Rhiannon White on the Future of Femtech and PCOS

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