Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Omicron analysis shows no clear evidence for increased virulence or lethality

Researchers conducted a genomic sequencing and epidemiological correlation analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

29 Dec 2021

At least 3 exposures to vaccine or virus needed for minimum protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron

Researchers determine the serum neutralizing and binding activity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in individuals with different levels of immunity.

29 Dec 2021

Exploring the importance of selenium in COVID-19 patients

In a new study, researchers reviewed research on the role that selenium could play in protecting individuals against coronavirus disease 2019.

29 Dec 2021

Animal study suggests Omicron is less infectious than previous SARS-CoV-2 strains

A new study suggests the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is not as infectious as scientists initially assumed.

29 Dec 2021

Impact of an omicron outbreak at a private gathering in the Faroe Islands

New findings suggest that the Omicron variant has potent immune-escape capabilities, putting even newly boosted patients at risk of infection.

29 Dec 2021

3-dose vaccines deemed ultrapotent against diverse and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants

A new study found that the presence of a subset of antibodies with broad neutralizing activities against all circulating variants of concern in the three-dose vaccines' memory B-derived antibody repertoire suggests that the Omicron/future variants infection may elicit selective and rapid recall of humoral responses, conferring secondary protection directed by memory etched in the immune system.

29 Dec 2021

Booster dose of mRNA vaccines found crucial in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

A new study shows that Omicron is more infectious than any of the other variants and that booster vaccines, especially mRNA vaccines, are capable of neutralizing Omicron variants of pseudoviruses.

29 Dec 2021

New strategy to create a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test based on isothermal amplification

Russian researchers have developed a strategy to create a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test based on isothermal amplification. According to their publication in Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, use of this strategy will make it possible to create universal test systems for any of the COVID-19 variants.

29 Dec 2021

Estimating the epidemic potential of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in South Korea

Researchers in South Korea and France have conducted an analysis on individuals infected with Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to estimate the epidemic potential and long-term prospects of this virus in circulation. They have found that the basic reproduction number (R0) for this variant is 1.90, while the mean serial interval is 2.22 days.

28 Dec 2021

Researchers investigate the effect of emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations on ACE2 binding

Now in new research, scientists from the University of Leicester have been investigating how these mutations alter the affinities of RBDs to ACE2.

28 Dec 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces robust and cross-reactive immune responses in children

Researchers compare the convalescent humoral and cellular immune responses between children and adults infected with SARS-CoV-2.

28 Dec 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant neutralized by third BNT162b2 booster shot

A new preprint* research paper under consideration at Nature Portfolio Journal assesses the susceptibility of the Omicron variant to neutralizing antibody response after booster immunization.

28 Dec 2021

Pre-existing immunity against influenza can lower SARS-CoV-2 infection burden and spread

A recent study by a team of European researchers demonstrated how antibodies induced by currently circulating influenza A H1N1 strains can cross-react with the important part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein that interacts with the human cell receptor. Their paper is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

28 Dec 2021

Third BNT162b2 dose effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron pseudovirus

The findings reveal that the Omicron neutralizing titers induced by the third vaccine dose are comparable to that achieved against the original Wuhan strain (wild-type SARS-CoV-2) by the two-dose regimen. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

28 Dec 2021

Double-dose mRNA COVID vaccines effective among dialysis patients

Researchers assess the impact of lesser initial vaccine response and subsequent waning antibody levels on clinical outcomes among maintenance dialysis.

28 Dec 2021

Researchers discover antibodies that neutralize omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants

An international team of scientists have identified antibodies that neutralize omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. These antibodies target areas of the virus spike protein that remain essentially unchanged as the viruses mutate.

28 Dec 2021

COVID isolation and quarantine period for general population shortened by CDC

Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

27 Dec 2021

SARS-CoV-2-induced kidney damage

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infects the kidneys and contributes to tissue scarring, as shown by researchers from the RWTH Uniklinik Aachen, Germany, and Radboudumc, The Netherlands. The developed scar tissue in the infected kidneys may suggest a possible impact on kidney outcomes in the long term.

27 Dec 2021

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccine doses increases before Christmas in England

Thousands more first and second doses were administered last week compared with the week before, as the public are today reminded that the offer of a vaccine is still available and encouraged to come forward to protect themselves against Omicron.

26 Dec 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant mutated to evade the immune system

The SARS-CoV-2 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant mutated to evade our 'innate immune system', helping establish it as the world's first 'Variant of Concern', finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and the Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California San Francisco.

24 Dec 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Omicron analysis shows no clear evidence for increased virulence or lethality

At least 3 exposures to vaccine or virus needed for minimum protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron

Exploring the importance of selenium in COVID-19 patients

Animal study suggests Omicron is less infectious than previous SARS-CoV-2 strains

Impact of an omicron outbreak at a private gathering in the Faroe Islands

3-dose vaccines deemed ultrapotent against diverse and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants

Booster dose of mRNA vaccines found crucial in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

New strategy to create a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test based on isothermal amplification

Estimating the epidemic potential of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in South Korea

Researchers investigate the effect of emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations on ACE2 binding

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces robust and cross-reactive immune responses in children

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant neutralized by third BNT162b2 booster shot

Pre-existing immunity against influenza can lower SARS-CoV-2 infection burden and spread

Third BNT162b2 dose effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron pseudovirus

Double-dose mRNA COVID vaccines effective among dialysis patients

Researchers discover antibodies that neutralize omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants

COVID isolation and quarantine period for general population shortened by CDC

SARS-CoV-2-induced kidney damage

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccine doses increases before Christmas in England

SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant mutated to evade the immune system

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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