Articles tagged with Sars Cov 2
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine may be essential for kidney transplant patients in Japan to prevent severe disease and infection. Researchers found that only a third of patients developed sufficient antibodies after two doses, highlighting the need for additional protection.
Researchers designed artificial peptides that can bind to viral proteins, blocking entry into cells and causing viruses to clump together. These 'miniproteins' were found to be thermostable and safe for use in humans, with promising results in lab tests and animal models.
Researchers have identified 30 COVID-19 patient antibodies that can neutralize a variety of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 and bat coronaviruses. These broadly neutralizing antibodies may lead to the development of next-generation coronavirus vaccines offering broader protection.
A study by NIH found that people with food allergies have a lower risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, obesity and high body mass index (BMI) are associated with increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A Norwegian study found that vaccinated mothers had a lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in their infants within the first four months of life. The study analyzed all live births between September 2021 and February 2022 and showed a significant reduction in infections among vaccinated infants.
A team of researchers has found a way to block the replication of one strain of the influenza virus in human cells by inhibiting a specific protein modification process called SUMOylation. This breakthrough could lead to highly effective treatments for the flu and other respiratory viruses.
Researchers found that inhibiting caspase 11 reduced inflammation, tissue injury and blood clots in lung tissue of infected mice. This suggests potential therapeutic targets for treating severe COVID-19 symptoms.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections with high sensitivity (97%) and lower specificity (91%), even when patients are asymptomatic. The diagnostic accuracy of canine olfaction for non-invasive detection of COVID-19 was demonstrated in a clinical trial conducted in France and the UAE.
A University of Utah-led study found a surge in anti-Asian hate language on Twitter between January and March 2020, with clusters of hateful tweets spreading across the US. The researchers identified 15 geographic regions where anti-Asian hate was statistically higher than expected.
A new study published in Cell compares the four types of COVID-19 vaccines and reveals that most people retain some immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The researchers found that immune memory may not prevent infection but helps fight severe disease.
A study suggests switching from intramuscular to subcutaneous injection may ease post-vaccination fatigue in humans, similar to findings in mice. Researchers identified molecular characteristics linked to increased fatigue and correlated them with baseline gene expression of immune cells.
Excess deaths in Canadian provinces from March 2020 to October 2021 showed wide variability, with Quebec having the highest COVID-19 mortality rate and Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia having the lowest. The article calls for better data management to prepare for future health crises.
Children previously infected with COVID-19 or MIS-C are not protected against the newer Omicron variant. However, vaccination shows protective effects, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
A recent study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that biologic drugs for inflammatory bowel disease may improve the T-cell immune response in patients vaccinated against COVID-19. This could potentially offer protection against severe disease. The study suggests that these treatments may be used to monitor vaccine and booster outcomes.
A UC Riverside study focuses on farm-working communities in the region, highlighting misinformation, lack of trust, and insecurity as major factors. The research emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address health disparities and increase vaccine acceptance among vulnerable populations.
A new study found that COVID-19's delta surge led to a significant prevalence of smell and taste loss in approximately 100% of active cases, contradicting self-reports. The loss persists even after mild infections, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance.
A small study suggests that maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with changes in the brain of developing fetuses. The study found decreased brain structure and volumetric measures in fetuses from the pandemic cohort compared to the pre-pandemic cohort.
A new study found that the delta variant surge in the US was partially due to overestimating population immunity, with only 67% of southern New Englanders actually immune. This underestimation led to inaccurate projections and an incorrect assumption about herd immunity.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 130 studies found that asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections account for 14-50% of cases, with a secondary attack rate two-thirds lower in those without symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals are less infectious than symptomatic ones.
Researchers at Georgia State University developed a nanoparticle vaccine combining two proteins that induce immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine shows potential for broader and safe protection with robust ADCC activity and sustained immunity.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital studied mRNA vaccine safety in pregnant women, finding no Spike protein expression in placentas. The study provides further evidence of mRNA vaccine safety, supporting expanded vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations.
A new method measures individually measurable aerosol values during exercise, revealing moderate aerosol emissions at medium exertion and exponential increases above that point. The study suggests special protective measures are needed for high-intensity training to reduce infection risk.
A machine learning model predicts which SARS-CoV-2 variants will dominate and cause surges in COVID-19 cases, offering a potential early warning system for public health officials. The model, PyR0, can analyze millions of viral genomes in an hour, estimating the effect of genetic mutations on the virus's fitness.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the type of macrophage present in a person's body may determine how likely they are to develop severe inflammation in response to COVID-19. The research found that an aggressive subset of macrophages, known as M1 macrophages, can cause a cascade of events leading to multi-organ fa...
A cohort study of healthcare workers and community participants found that fully vaccinated individuals had significantly less secondary transmission and shorter viable virus duration than partially vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals. The study suggests that vaccination status affects SARS-CoV-2 shedding and transmission.
Long-term exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5, NO2, and O3 increases the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including ICU admissions and deaths. The study analyzed data from over 151,000 people in Ontario, Canada, and found a significant association between chronic air pollution exposure and more severe COVID-19 severity.
A new study by USC researchers found a significant link between exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19.
The University of Minnesota has received a $66 million grant from the NIAID to establish a center for developing antiviral drugs for pandemic-level viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center will bring together investigators from the University and sixteen other institutions nationwide.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Microbiology reveals the correlation between sugar identity and flexibility in SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. The researchers used high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and computer simulation to understand the impact of glycans on antibody recognition and protein shielding.
A new study analyzing 8 cohorts of COVID-19 patients found that antibody responses in previously infected individuals were relatively stable, providing protection from reinfection unless the new infection was the Omicron variant. Vaccination also boosted protection, with rapid immune responses observed even after a single vaccine dose.
Scientists found a connection between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the production of misfolded proteins called amyloids, which can cause complex symptoms and damage in organs such as the heart and kidneys. The researchers' discovery may help explain why COVID-19 often affects multiple parts of the body.
A study of 50 people found that higher body weights were inversely correlated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels six months after receiving two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The findings suggest that weight may impact immune response to the vaccine.
A new study analyzed genomic data from global populations to identify genetic variants linked to COVID-19 severity. The investigation found dozens of genomic variations in critical genes, suggesting these may have evolved to protect against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers analyze viral video of musicians covering Michael Jackson song to understand how it alleviated collective grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identifies key traits that allow empathy and resilience in the face of trauma, highlighting the value of music as a non-pharmacological strategy.
Studies found people infected and vaccinated had similarly robust antibody responses against variants alpha through omicron; Immune memory cells against common cold coronaviruses may be markers of longer immunity. Researchers hope to improve vaccines with these insights.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens suggests that the repurposed antibiotic clofoctol may be an effective therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2 infected mice, with decreased viral load, reduced inflammatory gene expression, and lowered pulmonary pathology. Further studies are needed to confirm its potential as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.
Researchers evaluated various vaccination, testing, and surveillance measures to control Omicron variant spread on a university campus. The study found that routine surveillance and vaccination efforts were effective in reducing case numbers and hospitalizations.
Two studies found that a third dose of mRNA vaccine generates high enough antibody levels to neutralize BA.2 and deltacron, as well as other omicron sublineage variants. Booster shots show stronger protection against these variants than just two doses, particularly against deltacron.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of SARS-CoV-2 variants contain the same three mutations, which together improve the virus's ability to infect human cells and evade the immune system. The combination of K417, E484, and N501 mutations enhances viral fitness by balancing positive and negative selection pressures.
A new study by Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco found that infection with the Omicron variant provides weak immune response in unvaccinated individuals, failing to confer broad protection against other variants. In contrast, vaccinated individuals show stronger immunity against multiple COVID-19 strains.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a device combining an air-curtain and LED irradiation to inactivate viruses in close environments. The technology blocks exhaled air and destroys virus particles, inactivating 99.9% of COVID-19 particles.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that mRNA vaccines show better protection against COVID-19 variants compared to viral vector vaccines. The research, conducted among healthcare workers, revealed higher neutralizing antibody responses in mRNA vaccine recipients against VOCs, including Omicron.
A new study found that hormone replacement therapy within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with a 78% reduction in all-cause mortality in women. This suggests estrogen may offer protective effects against COVID-19 severity, explaining the lower hospitalization and death rates among women compared to men.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that COVID-19, MIS-C and Kawasaki disease share similar underlying molecular patterns. The study reveals that MIS-C is a more severe version of the immune response than KD, with potential implications for improved disease diagnosis and treatment.
A world-first study reveals why people with COPD are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Researchers found that COPD airway cells had a 24-fold greater infection with SARS-CoV-2, leading to increased viral load and inflammatory responses.
Researchers compared SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers after Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in immunosuppressed patients. The study found differing antibody responses among these individuals, who have decreased immune responses to standard vaccines.
A new analysis of nationally representative data reveals a significant increase in the impact of HPV vaccination efforts, leading to decreased prevalence of cancer-causing HPV infections among both vaccinated and unvaccinated females. The study found that vaccination has directly protected individuals and generated herd effects, reduci...
New research published in CMAJ found that 11% of patients discharged from COVID-19 hospitalization were readmitted or died within 30 days. Notably, the rates of readmission were consistent with admissions for other medical conditions.
Researchers have trained sniffer dogs to detect SARS-CoV-2 in airport passengers with high accuracy, comparable to PCR swab tests. The dogs' performance was found to be robust across various scenarios, including low prevalence populations, suggesting their potential for widespread use in screening.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new bioinformatics pipeline, CRESSP, to investigate the mechanism underlying autoimmune diseases following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The tool identified potential epitopes responsible for COVID-related autoimmune diseases and predicted cross-reactive epitopes of di...
Researchers visualized how J08 binds to different SARS-CoV-2 variants, revealing its flexibility and effectiveness. The antibody's ability to withstand mutations suggests it will remain effective against future variants.
Researchers found that a single mRNA vaccine booster shot can provide the same level of protection as three doses, making it a promising investment for resource-poor countries. The study suggests that this strategy could benefit billions of people worldwide and help combat emerging COVID-19 variants.
Researchers found significantly higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in tracheal aspirate samples from COVID-19 patients, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. The study's findings suggest a novel mechanism underlying severe lung complications and potential new therapeutic targets.
Researchers found that MS patients treated with Rituximab who have higher B cell counts of 40/µL or more develop protective levels of antibodies after vaccination. This suggests that measuring B cell level before vaccination is crucial for increasing the chance of a positive response.
Researchers created human mini-kidneys that mimic diabetic kidneys, finding increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and a critical role for the ACE2 receptor. The study provides new insights into the link between diabetes and COVID-19 disease.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a novel class of therapeutics called feedback disruptors that target viral proteins' negative feedback loops. These drugs break the genetic feedback circuits, causing infected cells to self-destruct and stopping infection in its tracks.
Patients who experienced severe systemic inflammation during hospitalization for Covid-19 have a higher risk of dying within one year after seemingly recovering. Prescription of steroids upon discharge from hospital significantly reduces this risk, with effects seen even in the most severe cases.
A Cornell-led study found that underestimating people's COVID concerns can have severe consequences, including undermining cooperation and trust. The researchers analyzed over 1 million responses from mid-2020 and discovered significant disparities in concern levels between different racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic, Black, and Asian...
Research found that SARS-CoV-2 relies on human transmembrane proteins, especially IFITM2, to replicate efficiently and produce infectious viruses. Antibodies targeting IFITM2 can protect lung cells from infection, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach by targeting host factors instead of viral ones.
A follow-up study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that half of people hospitalized with COVID-19 have at least one symptom two years after infection. Long COVID symptoms persist, affecting quality of life, mental health, and healthcare use.