Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

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

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

Five million of these doses are being offered to the COVAX Facility to ensure equitable, global access to COVID-19 vaccines.

16 Jan 2022

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

Researchers demonstrate that ultraviolet light-C (UV-C) effectively prevents airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

16 Jan 2022

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

Researchers compare SARS-CoV-2 pre-variants of concern strains to the Delta and Omicron VOCs.

16 Jan 2022

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

As my kindergartner fumbled with his shoes, I stood at our door sifting through the mental parenting checklist newly lodged in my brain: backpack. Sweatshirt. Snacks. Sunscreen. Water bottle. KN95 mask. Vaccination card.

15 Jan 2022

As omicron surges, effort to vaccinate young children stalls

Two months after Pfizer's covid vaccine was authorized for children ages 5 to 11, just 27% have received at least one shot, according to Jan. 12 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only 18%, or 5 million kids, have both doses.

15 Jan 2022

Exploring the relationship between stem cells and COVID-19

Though COVID-19-related stem cell clinical research is still in its infancy, stem cell treatment offers extensive clinical application possibilities and a far-reaching relevance thanks to ongoing exploration of stem cell clinical research and data mining.

14 Jan 2022

Naïve T cells suggested as critical to low mortality of children with COVID-19

A new study discusses how naïve T cells may contribute to lower mortality rates seen in children with COVID-19.

14 Jan 2022

How has COVID-19 Impacted our Economy?

In this interview, News-Medical talks to Professor Adam Rose and his research team about how direct behavioral responses to COVID-19 have impacted the US economy.

14 Jan 2022

Study shows possible reverse zoonoses of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals

A new study describes an instance of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in a puma during the first wave and three lions during the third wave in a private zoo in South Africa in at least three transmission events from their handlers.

14 Jan 2022

Study reveals factors responsible for increased risk of aerosol transmission for SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron

A new study describes the expected distribution of viral emission of COVID-19 by an infected population of people who were either silent, speaking softly, or loudly, to determine factors influencing risks of viral transmission.

14 Jan 2022

Synthetic antibody demonstrates Omicron detection along with all other variants of concern

MIP Diagnostics Ltd. has today announced that its synthetic SARS-CoV-2 antibody (COVID-19 nanoMIPTM) can detect the Omicron variant as well as previously proven Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma variants of the COVID-19 virus.

14 Jan 2022

Similarities and dissimilarities in immune responses and metabolism in SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 infections

A new study, posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, has developed a single-cell atlas that presents the shared and distinct immune responses and metabolism following SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 infections.

13 Jan 2022

BNT162b2 COVID vaccine 94% effective against adolescent hospitalization

A recent study revealed the effectiveness of 93% for the BNT162b2 vaccine against COVID-19 hospitalization among adolescents (12 to 18 years). This study included 179 patients at 19 sites in 16 states. The same group of researchers have extended their analysis to 31 locations in 23 states across the U.S. and recruited 266 more patients who had been hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

13 Jan 2022

Multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disease that affects 2.8 million people worldwide and for which there is no definitive cure, is likely caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers.

13 Jan 2022