Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Discovery of cryptic pocket in SARS-CoV-2 may lead to pan-coronavirus therapies

A new research paper published in the Biophysical Journal describes a novel binding pocket used by a viral non-structural protein (nsp) to form an activated complex with its partner nsp. In so doing, it may have revealed a common target that may be useful in the development of a broad-spectrum antiviral drug against all coronaviruses.

1 Apr 2021

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in pregnancy

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server shows that while pregnant women are seriously worried about their risk of contracting the infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but are also hesitant to take the vaccine.

1 Apr 2021

Antibodies produced from infection with SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 protect against other variants

A recent paper in the journal Nature shows that while earlier lineages do not elicit antibodies capable of efficiently neutralizing the newly emerged South African variant, SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 (B.1.351), the converse does occur.

31 Mar 2021

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine effective against B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant

Published in The Lancet, the study explores if the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine works well in protecting against the B.1.1.7 variant, otherwise known as the U.K. variant.

31 Mar 2021

Study estimates impact of amino acid changes on SARS-CoV-2 infection

New research led by Costas D. Maranas from The Pennsylvania State University predicts amino acid changes to the receptor-binding domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein would negatively impact binding affinity and subsequent infection into human cells.

31 Mar 2021

Study reports on two cats that caught COVID-19

Our feline friends are also vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to new research posted to the preprint server bioRxiv. The researchers diagnosed two cats living in France with mild symptomatic COVID-19 illness. The virus was most likely transmitted from their owners.

31 Mar 2021

CDC and NIH launch community COVID-19 testing initiative

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, has launched an innovative community health initiative called "Say Yes! COVID Test" starting in Pitt County, North Carolina, and coming soon to Chattanooga/Hamilton County Tennessee.

31 Mar 2021

SwRI researchers part of two collaborative teams receive SAMF bioscience grants

Collaborative teams that include Southwest Research Institute staff received two of six recently awarded San Antonio Medical Foundation (SAMF) bioscience grants. SwRI, in collaboration with UT Health San Antonio and University Health System, received a nearly $200,000 grant to develop machine learning algorithms for cancer detection.

31 Mar 2021

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 from reinfected individuals with previous infection or vaccination

A technical report recently published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has summarized all available literature regarding the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission from asymptomatic reinfected individuals with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.

31 Mar 2021

New Phase 1 clinical trial of investigational vaccine against B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant begins

An investigational vaccine designed to protect against the B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant has been administered as part of a new Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the vaccine candidate's safety and immunogenicity in adult volunteers.

31 Mar 2021

New portable viral screening test can diagnose COVID-19 in minutes and track variants

Clinicians using a new viral screening test can not only diagnose COVID-19 in a matter of minutes with a portable, pocket-sized machine, but can also simultaneously test for other viruses--like influenza--that might be mistaken for the coronavirus.

31 Mar 2021

B.1.1.7 rapidly becoming the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the United States

The faster-spreading B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 first detected in the United Kingdom, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is quickly on its way to becoming the dominant variant of the virus in the United States, according to a study from scientists at Scripps Research and the COVID-19 test maker Helix.

31 Mar 2021

New mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows promise in vivo

Researchers report that a new lipid nanoparticle mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate protected 70% of mice expressing the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), while all the non-vaccinated mice died.

31 Mar 2021

Are marine mammals are at risk of COVID-19?

Researchers have identified a number of marine mammal species native to Italian seawaters that may be highly susceptible to the disease. Additionally, these species inhabit ocean areas where the virus may be present even after receiving sewage treatment, thus highlighting the need for strict sewage improvement plans.

31 Mar 2021

Researchers evaluate antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RBD variants with a novel assay

A team of researchers recently discussed the potential role of a new assay in bridging a major gap in SARS-CoV-2 research. This assay can throw light on 1) the selection of complementary monoclonal antibody candidates and 2) rapid identification of the immune escape to emerging RBD variants following vaccination or natural infection.

31 Mar 2021

Male fetuses impair the maternal and placental immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, finds study

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is now established to be more likely to lead to symptomatic and serious illness in males relative to females. This may extend as far back as pregnancy, suggests a recent study.

31 Mar 2021

Obesity and ethnicity identified as key risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 exposure in UK

The risk factors for severe COVID-19 have been established on the basis of observational studies. However, SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause thousands of COVID-19 cases all over the world, and the risk factors are unclear. A new study deals with this aspect of the pandemic.

31 Mar 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Discovery of cryptic pocket in SARS-CoV-2 may lead to pan-coronavirus therapies

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in pregnancy

Antibodies produced from infection with SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 protect against other variants

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine effective against B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant

Study estimates impact of amino acid changes on SARS-CoV-2 infection

Study reports on two cats that caught COVID-19

CDC and NIH launch community COVID-19 testing initiative

SwRI researchers part of two collaborative teams receive SAMF bioscience grants

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 from reinfected individuals with previous infection or vaccination

New Phase 1 clinical trial of investigational vaccine against B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant begins

New portable viral screening test can diagnose COVID-19 in minutes and track variants

B.1.1.7 rapidly becoming the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the United States

New mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows promise in vivo

Are marine mammals are at risk of COVID-19?

Researchers evaluate antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RBD variants with a novel assay

Male fetuses impair the maternal and placental immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, finds study

Obesity and ethnicity identified as key risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 exposure in UK

Infliximab may hinder the effectiveness of some COVID-19 vaccines

Asymmetrical vaccine distribution could promote vaccine evading mutations in SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 inhibits the cellular response to interferon

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

The CAR T Veteran: A Journey of Resilience, Remission, and Advocacy

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

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

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

The CAR T Veteran: A Journey of Resilience, Remission, and Advocacy

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

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

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