Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Nanobodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical model

A team of Australian researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), the Doherty Institute, and the Kirby Institute have identified neutralizing nanobody cocktails that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells in pre-clinical models.

27 Apr 2021

Research suggests that Ginkgo biloba extract contains naturally occurring inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at Shihezi University in China found that Gingko Biloba leaves extract contains the most potent SARS-CoV-2 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro). This virally encoded main proteinase is essential for viral replication in coronaviruses.

27 Apr 2021

Study reveals a hidden role of circulating microRNA as a driver of SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a methodological tour-de-force study, a large group of researchers from the USA and the United Kingdom analyzed patient transcriptomic data in-depth and discovered a circulating microRNA (miR-2392) that is directly implicated in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) machinery during the infection process.

26 Apr 2021

Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine provide similar immunity

Researchers in Israel have conducted a study showing that the immunity provided against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – is similar following natural infection or immunization with the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine.

26 Apr 2021

Study raises concern about limited immune response of transplant patients after COVID-19 vaccination

A small study from Mayo Clinic researchers raises the concern that some transplant patients may have a limited immune response after being vaccinated for COVID-19 with an mRNA vaccine.

26 Apr 2021

Scientists uncover an important clue to the conundrum of mother-to-child HIV transmission

Each year over 150,000 infants worldwide are infected with HIV in the womb, at birth, or through breastfeeding.

26 Apr 2021

Stigma, discrimination impede engagement in HIV prevention and treatment

Stigma and discrimination, such as homophobia and racism, impede engagement in HIV prevention and use of biomedical tools for treatment in both HIV-negative and HIV-positive gay and bisexual men, according to a Rutgers study.

26 Apr 2021

Surge of pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis during COVID-19 pandemic

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children generally appear to be less severely impacted by COVID-19 than adults.

26 Apr 2021

Study uncovers a novel autoantigen in patients with narcolepsy type 1

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified influenza virus peptides that resemble human protein fragments and can cause an immune response against the body’s own cells due to cross-reactivity.

26 Apr 2021

Study shows over 2% positivity rate for asymptomatic pediatric dental patients tested for COVID-19

A study by a University of Illinois Chicago pediatric dentist has shown a novel way to track potential COVID-19 cases -- testing children who visit the dentist. The study also showed an over 2% positivity rate for the asymptomatic children tested.

26 Apr 2021

A new concept for quickly detecting the presence of viruses

A Lancaster University professor has introduced a new concept for rapidly analysing for the presence of a virus from colds to coronaviruses.

26 Apr 2021

Commonly-prescribed drug for IBD blunts COVID-19 vaccine response

People who take a commonly-prescribed drug for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should not assume they are protected after a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, after a large-scale study found many had poor antibody responses.

26 Apr 2021

Ultraviolet C radiation is effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on glass surfaces, a study finds

A team of scientists from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and UV Innovators, Inc., USA, recently developed an ultraviolet C radiation emitting device called NuvaWave, which is capable of inactivating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on glass surfaces within seconds.

26 Apr 2021

Researchers characterize India’s devastating second wave of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on human health worldwide. The second wave in India has caught everyone by surprise, showing up the total lack of foresight or precautions. With well over 0.2 million deaths in India, and infections raging out of control, a new study predicts 0.35 million daily cases at the peak of the second wave.

26 Apr 2021

SARS-CoV-2 antibody response robust in nursing home residents after Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

However, with the waning of the immune response, it is not clear if these older people respond to the vaccine as well as younger individuals do. A recent study explored this question and found that though the antibody levels were somewhat lower in this group, they were still robust. This is a promising observation.

26 Apr 2021

Host cell transmembrane protein MARCH8 targets lysine residues to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

A new study deals with the inhibitory activity of a membrane protein that has broad-spectrum activity against multiple viruses, showing that this is due to its effect on cytoplasmic lysine residue incorporation into replicating virions.

26 Apr 2021

Could pooled testing really improve COVID-19 transmission management and decrease costs?

Pooled testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection is instrumental for increasing test capacity while decreasing test cost. A team of researchers at Yale School of the Environment determined the barriers to implementing pooled testing in United States laboratories. The study showed that many laboratories use many instruments in their testing procedures, varying in the number of samples each can process.

26 Apr 2021

UT Southwestern reports first cases of Brazilian variant of COVID-19 infection in North Texas

UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists have identified the first cases of the Brazilian variant of COVID-19 infection in North Texas using next-generation sequencing technologies along with PCR testing.

26 Apr 2021

Cleavage site recognition by SARS-CoV-2 main protease as new antiviral drug target

Many research groups have and are investigating main protease inhibitors as antiviral drugs, and in a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers examine the crystal structure of the protein while bound to various viral substrate peptides (P1-4). In doing so, they reveal the way in which the bound peptide sequence can direct and modulate enzyme activity, providing new templates towards antiviral drug design.

26 Apr 2021

Researchers examine potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals using a drug repurposing library

A new study deals with the screening of the Drug Repurposing Hub (DRH) library for identifying small compounds which are capable of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 using both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. These molecules could be used for designing a novel therapeutic system against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

26 Apr 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Nanobodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical model

Research suggests that Ginkgo biloba extract contains naturally occurring inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2

Study reveals a hidden role of circulating microRNA as a driver of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine provide similar immunity

Study raises concern about limited immune response of transplant patients after COVID-19 vaccination

Scientists uncover an important clue to the conundrum of mother-to-child HIV transmission

Stigma, discrimination impede engagement in HIV prevention and treatment

Surge of pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis during COVID-19 pandemic

Study uncovers a novel autoantigen in patients with narcolepsy type 1

Study shows over 2% positivity rate for asymptomatic pediatric dental patients tested for COVID-19

A new concept for quickly detecting the presence of viruses

Commonly-prescribed drug for IBD blunts COVID-19 vaccine response

Ultraviolet C radiation is effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on glass surfaces, a study finds

Researchers characterize India’s devastating second wave of COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 antibody response robust in nursing home residents after Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Host cell transmembrane protein MARCH8 targets lysine residues to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

Could pooled testing really improve COVID-19 transmission management and decrease costs?

UT Southwestern reports first cases of Brazilian variant of COVID-19 infection in North Texas

Cleavage site recognition by SARS-CoV-2 main protease as new antiviral drug target

Researchers examine potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals using a drug repurposing library

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

Newsletters you may be interested in