Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Scientists develop a cell-free assay to screen SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors

Scientists have developed and validated a cell-free fluorescence assay for the rapid screening of protein inhibitors.

7 Oct 2021

Study suggests continued delta variant outbreaks unless vaccination reaches high coverage levels in adults and children

Researchers have conducted a mathematical modeling study to understand how expanding vaccination to younger age groups may reduce the increasing case numbers.

7 Oct 2021

SARS-CoV-2 evolution promoted by long-term infection in patient with B cell depletion

A new study published on the medRxiv* preprint server focused on a patient with a persistent symptomatic viral infection for over a year. Researchers amplified sub-genomic transcripts for the E gene (sgE) using nasopharyngeal samples of the patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 over the course of 335 days.

6 Oct 2021

New model can predict the risk of airborne COVID-19 infection in offices and schools

As more UK workers and students return to offices and schools, a new model has been developed to predict the risk of airborne COVID-19 infection in such environments.

6 Oct 2021

Study shows new antibody resistant variants can emerge in patients treated with monoclonal antibodies

A new study, published on the medRxiv* preprint server, suggested that selective pressures induced by the administration of monoclonal antibodies (Bamlanivimab) may require increased genomic surveillance to identify and control the spread of therapy-induced variants.

6 Oct 2021

Novel proteomics approach predicts severe COVID-19 outcomes

Researchers in the United States, Canada, and the UK have developed a potential new approach to predicting severe and critical outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

6 Oct 2021

Graphene biosensor in a portable and wireless device for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection

A new study posted to the medRxiv* server and led by Dr. Mattia D'Agostino, Dr. Eleonora Pavoni and Dr. Alice Romagnoli from the Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona (Italy), a gFET biosensor that uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a bioreceptor has been put forth as a viable solution.

6 Oct 2021

COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial for children is underway in St. Louis

A pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial is underway in St. Louis. Led by Washington University School of Medicine, about 140 area children will receive the two-shot Moderna vaccine or placebo at St. Louis Children's Hospital as part of a clinical trial involving about 100 medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada.

6 Oct 2021

Does vaccination prevent long COVID?

In a recent study, researchers evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on a large ongoing prospective cohort of patients with long COVID.

6 Oct 2021

Moderna COVID vaccine booster dose results in immune memory

A recent study presents evidence that a booster dose of the Moderna vaccine can induce a robust memory immune response against COVID-19.

6 Oct 2021

Research on twins indicates strong genetic influences in COVID-19

A new study discusses the strong possibility of multifactorial causation for SARS-CoV-2 infection using data from twin studies.

6 Oct 2021

KU Leuven researchers develop an ultrapotent inhibitor of dengue virus

Researchers at the KU Leuven Rega Institute and CD3 have developed an ultrapotent inhibitor of the dengue virus, which causes the tropical disease known as dengue.

6 Oct 2021

Durability of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 reinfection

The current study used data on the durability of immunity among evolutionarily close coronavirus relatives of SARS-CoV-2 to estimate times to reinfection.

6 Oct 2021

California vaccine mandate extends to aides for people with disabilities

Workers in adult and senior care facilities and in-home aides have been added to the list of California health workers who must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

6 Oct 2021

Enisamium shows potential as antiviral therapy for COVID-19

Researchers studied the effect of enisamium on the growth and proliferation of Caco-2 and normal human bronchial epithelial cells.

6 Oct 2021

Rapid molecular assay to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific RNA sequences

The study reported rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity and specificity in clinical samples.

6 Oct 2021

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during a 2-hour domestic flight

A new study investigated a cluster of COVID-19 infections among travelers who were likely exposed to an index patient in an airplane.

6 Oct 2021

Comparative analysis between the SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 mPro systems

To better understand the biophysical changes that occur due to mutations, the mechanisms of multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins have been studied and compared with SARS-CoV-1.

6 Oct 2021

SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants display enhanced syncytia formation

Researchers compared the replication and syncytia forming potential of Alpha, Beta, and D614G strains in human cell lines and primary airway cells.

6 Oct 2021

What is the frequency of COVID testing to prevent Delta variant transmission?

In a new study published on the medRxiv* preprint server, scientists have used available data on the Delta variant’s viral load to infer its infectiousness and, subsequently, estimate the reduction in its transmission brought about by surveillance testing. The testing, done at different frequencies, was performed on a susceptible population. The cases of both the original Wuhan strain and the Delta variant were considered.

6 Oct 2021