Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

At-home finger prick COVID-19 antibody testing

The best way to estimate the actual prevalence of COVID-19 in the population is by antibody testing. A new study by scientists at Enable Biosciences and published on the preprint server medRxiv* in May 2020 reports the development of fast and sensitive antibody testing kits designed for at-home use. This could significantly boost the measurement of population prevalence of this infection and help understand whether it confers immunity to reinfection.

2 Jun 2020

Optimal measures to reduce the chance of viral infection

Keeping at least one metre from other people as well as wearing face coverings and eye protection, in and outside of health-care settings, could be the best way to reduce the chance of viral infection or transmission of COVID-19.

2 Jun 2020

Study highlights the importance of child vaccine against infections

In the U.S., our children rarely fall ill to grave infections because they are protected by vaccines.

2 Jun 2020

Specific immune suppression leads to severe COVID-19 disease

A new study published online on the preprint server medRxiv in May 2020 reports that specific changes in the way the human immune system responds to COVID-19 determine whether the individual develops moderate or severe illness.

2 Jun 2020

Lancet issues correction on paper than prompted WHO to suspend Hydroxychloroquine trial

The World Health Organization (WHO) suspended the hydroxychloroquine trial amid the coronavirus pandemic. The decision comes after the study findings published in The Lancet reported issues on the drug's efficacy and safety. Now, the journal has issued a correction on the figures reported in the study.

2 Jun 2020

Study highlights the importance of research-based healthcare in Germany

The authors recommend a needs-based system focusing on patient well-being and quality assurance, rather than a primarily profit-oriented approach. It should appreciate all employees and integrate innovations as well as digital solutions.

2 Jun 2020

SARS-CoV-2 started spreading in the United States in January, CDC says

The United States has reported the highest number of infections across the globe, with more than 1.81 million confirmed cases and at least 105,000 deaths. The magnitude of the novel coronavirus spread hints that the virus may have started earlier than previously thought.

2 Jun 2020

COVID-19 has become less deadly in Italy, health expert says

Italy was one of the hardest-hit countries amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now, health experts say that the novel coronavirus is losing its potency and has become less deadly.

2 Jun 2020

New detection platform for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases

The prompt, precise, and massive detection of a virus is the key to combat infectious diseases such as Covid-19.

1 Jun 2020

SARS-CoV-2 emergence could be due to genetic selection and recombination

Researchers have found that genetic selection and recombination could be behind the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or COVID-19 disease. This research could explain COVID-19 pandemic and its emergence. The study titled, “Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 through recombination and strong purifying selection,” was published in the journal Science Advances.

1 Jun 2020

Study maps novel coronavirus infection in cells of nasal cavity, airway and lungs

In a major scientific study published in the journal Cell, scientists at the UNC School of Medicine and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health have characterized the specific ways in which SARS-CoV-2 – the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 – infects the nasal cavity to a great degree – replicating specific cell types – and infects and replicates progressively less well in cells lower down the respiratory tract, including the lungs.

1 Jun 2020

Delay in implementing social distancing measures adds to the length of COVID-19 outbreak

A new analysis of COVID-19 outbreaks in 58 cities has found that places that took longer to begin implementing social distancing measures spent more time with the virus rapidly spreading than others that acted more quickly.

1 Jun 2020

Study reveals how essential SARS-CoV-2 protein can be stabilized and scaled for production

A research group from the University of Texas in Austin described a high-yield production of a stabilized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (S-protein) that may accelerate the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests. This methodological 'tour de force' paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

1 Jun 2020

A handheld ultraviolet light device to kill novel coronavirus may be feasible

A personal, handheld device emitting high-intensity ultraviolet light to disinfect areas by killing the novel coronavirus is now feasible, according to researchers at Penn State, the University of Minnesota and two Japanese universities.

1 Jun 2020

Study aims to bring relief for patients removed from ventilators at end of life

A paper recently published online in the journal Chest reports on a study of the palliative ventilator withdrawal (PVW) procedure performed in intensive care units at end of life.

1 Jun 2020

Geospatial analysis reveals most vulnerable COVID-19 areas in Spain

A report based on a geospatial analysis conducted by researchers from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in collaboration with TAPTAP Digital, using additional data from Predicio and Tamoco, identifies the areas in Spain that require increased measures of protection against new outbreaks of the COVID19 epidemics.

1 Jun 2020

COVID-19 transmission unlikely to slow down dramatically during summer months

It is well known that rates of transmission of some respiratory viruses, including influenza, tend to fall during the summer months.

1 Jun 2020

High prenatal choline levels may mitigate negative effects of COVID-19 on newborns

Pregnant women who take extra choline supplements may mitigate the negative impact that viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19, can have on their babies, according to a new study from researchers in the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

1 Jun 2020

NAU scientist collaborating on vault-based vaccine to prevent and treat COVID-19

C. Todd French, assistant professor of biology and leader of Northern Arizona University's new COVID-19 Testing Service Center, is working with scientists at Vault Pharma, an emerging biotechnology company, to test candidate vaccines against the novel coronavirus.

1 Jun 2020

Studies call for reforms to improve nutritional programs in HIV care settings

HIV management in developing countries varies with socioeconomic and structural circumstances, with two Flinders University studies finding examples of key ways to close the gap for those worst affected in developing countries.

1 Jun 2020