Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Mouse monoclonal antibodies protect against SARS-CoV-2 wildtype, UK and South African variants

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv server reports on the ability of a set of neutralizing mouse antibodies to protect mice against multiple lineages of SARS-CoV-2.

8 Apr 2021

Better masks, adequate ventilation can reduce spread of COVID-19 virus in enclosed spaces

With research increasingly showing the COVID-19 virus is transmissible via smaller droplets suspended in air, there is a growing concern current public health guidelines of mask wearing and social distancing are insufficient in combating its spread in indoor environments, like prisons, hospitals, and meatpacking plants, where people tend to be in close quarters.

8 Apr 2021

Landmark discovery may lead to safe, effective antiviral drugs against COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccines currently rolling out are providing hope that the spread of the disease can be halted. But infection rates are still high, and for those who contract COVID-19, the search for effective treatments remains important.

8 Apr 2021

Leaky gut and microbial dysbiosis could contribute to cytokine storm in severely ill COVID-19 cases

The gut is a well-established route of infection and target for viral damage by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for COVID-19. This is supported by the clinical observation that about half of COVID-19 patients exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

8 Apr 2021

Smartphone mobility tracking strongly predicts COVID-19 outbreaks

Mobility tracking using cell phone data showing greater movement of people is a strong predictor of increased rates of COVID-19, according to new data in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

8 Apr 2021

Study: 1 in 10 people still has moderate to severe symptoms after mild COVID-19

Eight months after mild COVID-19, one in ten people still has at least one moderate to severe symptom that is perceived as having a negative impact on their work, social or home life. The most common long-term symptoms are a loss of smell and taste and fatigue.

8 Apr 2021

Hospital pandemic policies had negative outcomes in maternity patients, nurses

With a lethal, airborne virus spreading fast, hospitals had to change how they treated patients and policies for how caregivers provided that treatment. But for maternity patients and nurses some of those changes had negative outcomes, according to a new University of Washington study.

8 Apr 2021

The interaction between blood clotting and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Coagulopathy - a condition in which the blood's ability to clot is impaired, is recognized as a significant aspect of morbidity in COVID-19 patients. In a recent study, Prof Lewis Cantley and a team of researchers explored the role of coagulation factors in the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their recent study is posted on the bioRxiv server.

7 Apr 2021

COVID-19 antibodies persist in breast milk for months following mother’s vaccination

Nursing mothers who receive a COVID-19 vaccine may pass protective antibodies to their babies through breast milk for at least 80 days following vaccination, suggests new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

7 Apr 2021

NIH-funded clinical trial begins study of systemic allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines

A clinical trial is underway to determine whether people who are highly allergic or have a mast cell disorder are at increased risk for an immediate, systemic allergic reaction to the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

7 Apr 2021

New test for Lyme disease can reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients

For those who live in an area blighted by ticks, the threat of Lyme disease can cast a shadow over the joy of spring and summer.

7 Apr 2021

$15.7 million NIMH grant to renew UC Davis Conte Center studying the origins of mental illness

Discovering how infections during pregnancy, such as COVID-19 and influenza, can lead to psychiatric illness and developmental disorders in offspring years later, and how to detect, prevent or treat these disorders, is the subject of a $15.7 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to the Conte Center at the University of California, Davis.

7 Apr 2021

Novel polyclonal antibody XAV-19 efficiently neutralizes UK and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants

A promising new study reports on the high neutralizing efficacy of a polyclonal swine antibody against SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for the novel COVID-19. By demonstrating the ability of this antibody to neutralize all currently circulating viral variants, the study suggests that it is ideal for development as a new and very effective therapy for COVID-19.

7 Apr 2021

Which SARS-CoV-2 spike mutants can evade T cell immunity?

A new study reports the capability of a new variant of the virus to escape specific cellular immunity, while possessing a higher binding affinity to the host cell binding receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

7 Apr 2021

Enhanced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 South African variant with heterologous adjuvant vaccine candidate

A new study describes the use of a single dose of vaccine based on the viral protein called the receptor-binding domain (RBD) to elicit powerful neutralizing activity against both the Wuhan strain and the most concerning VOC called the South African (SA) strain.

7 Apr 2021

Events of 2020 moved medical students to political activism

Inam Sakinah and her classmates will forever be known as the students who started medical school during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

7 Apr 2021

Global secretive governments are bypassing rules during COVID-19 pandemic

From Brazil to the Philippines, secretive governments across the world are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by covering up data and bypassing public procurement rules, undermining trust in health systems, fuelling anti-vaxxers and putting immunisation campaigns at risk.

7 Apr 2021

Second Radiometer donation to support Red Cross COVID19 response

Acknowledging the impact that COVID-19 has on communities and economies globally, we are pleased to announce our second monetary donation to the Danish Red Cross’ international COVID-19 response of DKK 50,000 (USD 7,900) on World Health Day 7 April.

From Radiometer Medical 7 Apr 2021

South African and Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variants can evade antibodies from therapies, vaccines, and infection

Researchers at the Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, and the Georg-August-University Göttingen in Germany have found that the B.1.351 and P.1 SARS-CoV-2 variants have the potential to evade therapeutic antibodies or antibodies induced by natural infection or vaccination.

7 Apr 2021

World Health Day 2021: The humanitarians building a fairer world

In commemoration of World Health Day 2021, News-Medical interviews the International Medical Corps on how they are helping to achieve a fairer and healthier world.

7 Apr 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Mouse monoclonal antibodies protect against SARS-CoV-2 wildtype, UK and South African variants

Better masks, adequate ventilation can reduce spread of COVID-19 virus in enclosed spaces

Landmark discovery may lead to safe, effective antiviral drugs against COVID-19

Leaky gut and microbial dysbiosis could contribute to cytokine storm in severely ill COVID-19 cases

Smartphone mobility tracking strongly predicts COVID-19 outbreaks

Study: 1 in 10 people still has moderate to severe symptoms after mild COVID-19

Hospital pandemic policies had negative outcomes in maternity patients, nurses

The interaction between blood clotting and SARS-CoV-2 infection

COVID-19 antibodies persist in breast milk for months following mother’s vaccination

NIH-funded clinical trial begins study of systemic allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines

New test for Lyme disease can reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients

$15.7 million NIMH grant to renew UC Davis Conte Center studying the origins of mental illness

Novel polyclonal antibody XAV-19 efficiently neutralizes UK and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants

Which SARS-CoV-2 spike mutants can evade T cell immunity?

Enhanced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 South African variant with heterologous adjuvant vaccine candidate

Events of 2020 moved medical students to political activism

Global secretive governments are bypassing rules during COVID-19 pandemic

Second Radiometer donation to support Red Cross COVID19 response

South African and Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variants can evade antibodies from therapies, vaccines, and infection

World Health Day 2021: The humanitarians building a fairer world

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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