Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Response to a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose amongst immunocompromised

In a research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv* by Schrezenmeier et al. (August 12th, 2021) the potential benefit of three vaccine doses in either a homogenous or heterogeneous dosing regimen amongst kidney transplant patients is assessed, finding that the search for viable vaccination approaches amongst these patients remains an urgent medical need.

16 Aug 2021

Researchers assess the genetic features of T-cell immunity development to SARS-CoV-2 variants

The continuing emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations allows the virus to spread more effectively and evade antibodies. However, it is unclear whether new strains are capable of evading T-cell immunity - one of the body's main lines of defense against COVID-19.

16 Aug 2021

Study reports the prevalence of different types of shock in COVID-19 patients

A new database analysis of critically ill patients with pneumonia related to COVID-19, published in the American Journal of Cardiology and conducted at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), is the first study to report the prevalence of different types of shock in patients with COVID-19.

16 Aug 2021

More than one in ten COVID-19 patients acquired the virus in a hospital during UK's first wave

More than one in ten COVID-19 patients in 314 UK hospitals caught the infection in hospital during the first pandemic wave say researchers conducting the world's largest study of severe COVID-19.

16 Aug 2021

Primate study shows benefit of mRNA vaccine booster shot against SARS-CoV-2 variants

In a recent bioRxiv* preprint research paper, a large group of US scientists demonstrate how a booster dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine can substantially improve both the potency and range of neutralizing antibody responses and mediate protection against upper and lower airway infection by a range of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern – even those relatively resistant to in vitro neutralization.

16 Aug 2021

First dose of COVID-19 vaccine to be offered to all young people aged 16 to 17 in England

All young people aged 16 to 17 in England are to be offered the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 23 August to give them the vital protection provided by the vaccine before returning to school in September, the Health and Social Secretary Sajid Javid has announced today (15 August).

16 Aug 2021

Cost of NHS Test and Trace tests for international arrivals to be reduced in the UK

UK holidaymakers will benefit from cheaper travel testing packages, with the price of some tests to fall by a fifth from today.

16 Aug 2021

New system combines computer software and cryo-EM to determine 3D structures of RNA-only molecules

The single-stranded genetic material RNA is best known for guiding the assembly of proteins in our cells and carrying the genetic code for viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.

16 Aug 2021

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

A group of researchers re-evaluated their previously proposed hypothesis, which stated that the TLR4 activated by the spike glycoprotein S1 domain increases ACE2 expression and, thereby, aids in COVID-19 infection.

16 Aug 2021

Modeling the spread and development of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in the US

In a research paper recently uploaded to the medRxiv* preprint server, high-resolution contact data is utilized to characterize severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in the USA, considering infections' mobility and seasonality and vaccination status seroprevalence within the population.

15 Aug 2021

Direct evidence in hamsters shows SARS-CoV-2 is airborne

Evidence suggests that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be transmitted without contact by respiratory droplets and aerosols bearing the virus when coughing, sneezing, speaking, and breathing. The virus has been cultured from aerosols collected nearby COVID-19 patients, and such aerosols can linger in still air for hours.

15 Aug 2021

Role of neutrophil-epithelial interactions in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers discuss the relationship between airway neutrophils and SARS-CoV-2 infection to determine the impact that neutrophils have on COVID-19.

15 Aug 2021

Utah warns of Delta variant eroding COVID vaccine effectiveness

A recent study finds a reduction in vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 in Utah corresponding to the spread of the Delta variant in the region.

15 Aug 2021

Certain intestinal bacteria induce cross-reactive IgA responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD

A new study finds that human gut bacteria can induce antibodies of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) subtype that cross-react with the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD.

15 Aug 2021

World-first trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine shows improved protection in transplant patients

Scientists with the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN have conducted a first-in-the-world randomized placebo-controlled trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine for transplant patients that shows substantially improved protection.

14 Aug 2021

Enzyme acts as a sensor to find the hiding spots of viruses

While some types of RNA viruses cloak themselves to hide inside a cell and create copies of themselves, a "detective enzyme" might be attuned to their whereabouts. A slight variation in their genomic code gives some people's cells the capacity to produce this sensor.

14 Aug 2021

Understanding how to regulate key enzyme may lead to new treatments for cancers, viral infections

A new study led by University of California, Irvine (UCI) researchers identifies two ways in which APOBEC3A - a vital enzyme that is responsible for genetic changes resulting in a variety of cancers while protecting our cells against viral infection - is controlled.

13 Aug 2021

UC Davis joins with Pfizer for COVID-19 booster vaccine trial

As COVID-19 booster shots begin for those with compromised immune systems, researchers at the UC Davis School of Medicine continue to collect data from clinical trial participants.

13 Aug 2021

Emergency Department sees a significant increase in COVID-19 cases during August 2021

The Emergency Department (ED) at UC Davis Medical Center saw a 33% increase in COVID-19 patients during the first week of August, providing treatment for 107 patients, up from 80 patients the week before.

13 Aug 2021

‘I don’t want to risk my life for a paycheck’: Immunosuppressed people grapple with returning to work

Elizabeth Groenweghe got a kidney transplant 14 years ago. She now takes several medications to prevent her body from rejecting her transplant organ. But these medications also weaken her immune system, putting her at higher risk of becoming seriously ill if she catches covid-19.

13 Aug 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Response to a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose amongst immunocompromised

Researchers assess the genetic features of T-cell immunity development to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Study reports the prevalence of different types of shock in COVID-19 patients

More than one in ten COVID-19 patients acquired the virus in a hospital during UK's first wave

Primate study shows benefit of mRNA vaccine booster shot against SARS-CoV-2 variants

First dose of COVID-19 vaccine to be offered to all young people aged 16 to 17 in England

Cost of NHS Test and Trace tests for international arrivals to be reduced in the UK

New system combines computer software and cryo-EM to determine 3D structures of RNA-only molecules

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

Modeling the spread and development of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in the US

Direct evidence in hamsters shows SARS-CoV-2 is airborne

Role of neutrophil-epithelial interactions in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Utah warns of Delta variant eroding COVID vaccine effectiveness

Certain intestinal bacteria induce cross-reactive IgA responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD

World-first trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine shows improved protection in transplant patients

Enzyme acts as a sensor to find the hiding spots of viruses

Understanding how to regulate key enzyme may lead to new treatments for cancers, viral infections

UC Davis joins with Pfizer for COVID-19 booster vaccine trial

Emergency Department sees a significant increase in COVID-19 cases during August 2021

‘I don’t want to risk my life for a paycheck’: Immunosuppressed people grapple with returning to work

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

Innovating for impact: Jordi Labs on aligning methodologies with FDA expectation

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

Transforming Cardiovascular Care: Insights from Mina Makar at AstraZeneca

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

Innovating for impact: Jordi Labs on aligning methodologies with FDA expectation

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

Transforming Cardiovascular Care: Insights from Mina Makar at AstraZeneca

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