Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

MIT researchers unravel the molecular structure of key coronavirus protein

MIT chemists have determined the molecular structure of a protein found in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This protein, called the envelope protein E, forms a cation-selective channel and plays a key role in the virus's ability to replicate itself and stimulate the host cell's inflammation response.

12 Nov 2020

Some people had non-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 prior to COVID-19

A recent study examined several medical records and found that while past human coronavirus exposures are not linked to decreased SARS-CoV-2 infections, they are associated with reduced COVID-19 severity.

12 Nov 2020

Neuroscientists identify astrocytes as master 'conductors' of the brain

In the orchestra of the brain, the firing of each neuron is controlled by two notes--excitatory and inhibitory-- that come from two distinct forms of a cellular structure called synapses.

12 Nov 2020

Nearly two in five Americans likely to attend large holiday gatherings despite COVID-19

A new national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds that although a majority of Americans plan to take precautions at holiday gatherings, such as social distancing and asking those with COVID symptoms not to attend, many will also put themselves at risk.

12 Nov 2020

COVID-19 pandemic associated with patient willingness to enroll in cancer clinical trials

A significant portion of cancer patients may be less likely to enroll in a clinical trial due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

12 Nov 2020

Hantavirus can also be transmitted by wild or domesticated rats

A group of researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have confirmed Germany's first-ever case of animal-to-human transmission involving a specific species of virus known as the 'Seoul virus'.

12 Nov 2020

Mink farms potential viral reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2

A new study published in the journal Science in November 2020 describes the probable transmission of the virus between farmed minks and humans working on the mink farm, even with biosecurity measures in place and the culling of infected farms as soon as an infection is reported.

12 Nov 2020

New prediction model may make it easier to find which infants will develop NAS

A new Vanderbilt-designed prediction model may make it easier to determine which infants will go on to develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal syndrome in newborns that occurs after exposure to opioids during pregnancy.

12 Nov 2020

Bispecific sybodies show potential against SARS-CoV-2

As the search for effective antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues, a new study published on the preprint bioRxiv in November 2020 discusses the role of synthetic nanobodies or sybodies in neutralizing the virus by binding to its receptor-binding domain (RBD) on the spike protein.

12 Nov 2020

Promising SARS-CoV-2 N epitope for more accurate diagnostic and surveillance antibody testing

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020 describes the virus's N protein as a promising epitope for serology.

12 Nov 2020

Global measles cases increase to 869,770 in 2019

Measles surged worldwide in 2019 reaching highest number of reported cases in 23 years. Highlighted in a publication by the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles cases worldwide increased to 869,770 in 2019, the highest number reported since 1996 with increases in all WHO regions.

12 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2-induces temporary loss of smell in mice

Now, a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020 presents the onset of olfactory dysfunction (loss of smell) in mice infected with the virus, examining this process at the cellular level. In doing so, this study throws more light on this curious symptom and COVID-19’s manifestations outside the lungs.

12 Nov 2020

Modeling suggests lower COVID-19 cases in Lombardy's second wave

Researchers found a negative association between the number of excess deaths during the first wave of the epidemic and the number of second-wave cases. This could be because of both a sort of herd immunity and changes in behavioral response.

12 Nov 2020

Researchers assess risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 to Antarctica wildlife

Researchers have assessed risks posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Antarctica wildlife.

12 Nov 2020

Peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vero cells

The hunt for antivirals has reached an unprecedented pace in light of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The causal agent for this disease – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – has already infected over 52 million people worldwide, and has subsequently claimed over 1.3 million lives. However, among the innumerable promising drug candidates that help battle the virus and mitigate its damage, none have yet made it to the clinic.

12 Nov 2020

Rhesus monkeys and cats potential spillover reservoirs for COVID-19 virus

A team of researchers from Switzerland, Costa Rica and Germany has conducted a study showing which animal species could potentially serve as spillback reservoirs of severe acute repertory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

12 Nov 2020

"Cat's claw" extract inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Researchers in Columbia and Peru have shown that Uncaria tomentosa – a woody vine native to South America known of as "Cat's claw" – exerts in vitro antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

12 Nov 2020

Antidepressant drug fluvoxamine may prevent some serious complications of COVID-19

In a preliminary study of COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate disease who were attempting to recover in their homes, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that the drug fluvoxamine seems to prevent some of the most serious complications of the illness and make hospitalization and the need for supplemental oxygen less likely.

12 Nov 2020

Pollution may bear part of the blame for rapid spread SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S.

The United States may have set itself up for the spread of a pandemic without even knowing it.

12 Nov 2020

Common spike mutation may make SARS-CoV-2 more susceptible to a vaccine

A new study published in Science confirms that SARS-CoV-2 has mutated in a way that's enabled it to spread quickly around the world, but the spike mutation may also make the virus more susceptible to a vaccine.

12 Nov 2020

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

MIT researchers unravel the molecular structure of key coronavirus protein

Some people had non-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 prior to COVID-19

Neuroscientists identify astrocytes as master 'conductors' of the brain

Nearly two in five Americans likely to attend large holiday gatherings despite COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic associated with patient willingness to enroll in cancer clinical trials

Hantavirus can also be transmitted by wild or domesticated rats

Mink farms potential viral reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2

New prediction model may make it easier to find which infants will develop NAS

Bispecific sybodies show potential against SARS-CoV-2

Promising SARS-CoV-2 N epitope for more accurate diagnostic and surveillance antibody testing

Global measles cases increase to 869,770 in 2019

SARS-CoV-2-induces temporary loss of smell in mice

Modeling suggests lower COVID-19 cases in Lombardy's second wave

Researchers assess risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 to Antarctica wildlife

Peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vero cells

Rhesus monkeys and cats potential spillover reservoirs for COVID-19 virus

"Cat's claw" extract inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Antidepressant drug fluvoxamine may prevent some serious complications of COVID-19

Pollution may bear part of the blame for rapid spread SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S.

Common spike mutation may make SARS-CoV-2 more susceptible to a vaccine

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

CoppaFeel!: Breast Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate, So Why Should Awareness?

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

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

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

A new way of characterising biomolecules eBook

CoppaFeel!: Breast Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate, So Why Should Awareness?

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

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

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