Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

India braces for coronavirus onslaught amidst the cries of the poor

India, a nation of 1.3 billion, most of them poor, is braced to meet the coronavirus attack with a mixture of fatalism and active measures. With the 21-day lockdown announced by the Central Government from March 24, 2020, firmly in place, most citizens hesitate to step out of their houses even for perfectly legitimate needs.

2 Apr 2020

Is coronavirus spread through feces?

A startling study from China, published in the journal Gastroenterology in March 2020, reports that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can spread via feces as well as the more familiar respiratory droplet route or from virus-contaminated surfaces.

2 Apr 2020

How (easily) does the novel coronavirus spread?

Viruses are tiny bundles of DNA or RNA which have the ability to infect host cells, hijack the machinery of the host cell and then replicate. Once the host cell’s resources are exhausted, the viral particles are released to infect other cells. In this way, the viruses ensure their survival, often at the expense of the host.

1 Apr 2020

What are coronaviruses and COVID-19?

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

1 Apr 2020

Beards and COVID-19 in the healthcare setting

A new opinion piece in The BMJ published in March 2020 discusses whether healthcare professionals should wear beards because of the risk that they could harbor the novel coronavirus.

1 Apr 2020

Putting an end to the pandemic

From the plagues of medieval Europe to the influenza pandemic of 1918, the specter of the next public health disaster has gripped the minds of scientists, captivated the imaginations of writers and vexed conspiracy theorists.

1 Apr 2020

California hospitals face surge with proven fixes and some Hail Marys

California's hospitals thought they were ready for the next big disaster.

1 Apr 2020

Duke to lead PCORI-funded study of COVID-19 prevention in healthcare workers

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has funded up to $50 million to evaluate hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a preventive drug for the novel coronavirus.

1 Apr 2020

PREDICT receives extension to provide emergency support for COVID-19 outbreak response

PREDICT will provide emergency support to other countries for outbreak response including technical support for early detection of SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, through a six-month extension from the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, effective April 1.

1 Apr 2020

Healthy Nevada Project participants report on possible exposure and risks of COVID-19

The Healthy Nevada Project, a first-of-its-kind, community-based population health study combining genetic, clinical, environmental and social data, offers free genetic testing to every Nevadan interested in learning more about their health and genetic profile.

1 Apr 2020

Estimating the case fatality ratio for COVID-19

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 disease has affected 932,605 individuals and has taken 46,809 lives worldwide. Now, researchers have published a review on the likelihood of survival after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study titled, “Likelihood of survival of coronavirus disease 2019” is published in the latest issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

1 Apr 2020

CVD risk among people with HIV varies by geography, income

People living with human immunodeficiency virus infection are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people without HIV.

1 Apr 2020

PCORI funds $50 million to study HCQ's effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 in healthcare workers

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Board of Governors today approved up to $50 million to fund a registry and randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in preventing COVID-19 infections in U.S. healthcare workers.

1 Apr 2020

Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics launches genetic test for novel coronavirus

Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics has launched a test for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and is using its automation experience and infrastructure to test as many as tens of thousands of samples daily.

1 Apr 2020

NYU researchers capture 3D data on human interactions with COVID-19 infection sources

New York University researchers are in the field capturing highly detailed three-dimensional data on human movements and behaviors -- particularly around medical facilities, public transportation systems, and essential services -- to document the complex landscape of "surface vectors" and thus opportunities for COVID-19 transmission.

1 Apr 2020

Scientists work on early alert system for COVID-19

To better understand early signs of coronavirus and the virus' spread, physicians around the country and data scientists at UC San Diego are working together to use a wearable device to monitor more than 12,000 people, including thousands of healthcare workers.

1 Apr 2020

Phoseon’s KeyPro products use high-intensity UV light to fight against pathogens

Phoseon’s KeyPro™ family of products uses high-intensity, deep ultraviolet light to disinfect and decontaminate laboratory equipment and surfaces. Independent testing has shown efficacy of KeyPro against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and biomolecules like ribonuclease.

From Phoseon Technology 1 Apr 2020