Research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself. Covers antiviral trials, antibody neutralization, viral escape, and rapid detection methods.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital uses an ultrasensitive test to detect circulating antigen in vaccinated individuals, showing a strong immune response. The test found evidence of low viral protein levels followed by antibody production and clearance of proteins from the blood.
Researchers analyzed PCR samples from over 25,000 COVID-19 cases to estimate infectiousness. Viral loads were found to be lowest in young children and increased with age. The study provides new insights into the B.1.1.7 variant and highlights individual differences in infectiousness.
Researchers from La Jolla Institute for Immunology have found that human T cells can target more than 1,400 sites on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, revealing a broad and diverse immune response. This analysis can help monitor effective responses to COVID-19 vaccines and track variations in T cell responses.
Researchers at the University of Oxford and their international team have discovered how SARS-CoV-2 RNA interacts with host cells, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies. The study found that SARS-CoV-2 hijacks more than 100 cellular proteins to replicate, providing a potential target for antiviral treatments.
Researchers developed a method called SARSeq that enables large groups to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 with the same sensitivity as regular PCR tests. The method processes up to 36,000 samples in less than 48 hours and is highly specific and scalable.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC have identified GRP78 as a molecular chaperone that plays a crucial role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2, offering a potential new therapy to combat COVID-19. Targeting GRP78 with therapies could provide additional protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that neutralizing antibodies and infection-enhancing antibodies are produced after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Infection-enhancing antibodies increase infectivity, which is more common in severe COVID-19 patients.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified a unique defense mechanism against SARS-CoV-2, involving the viral pattern recognition receptor RIG-I. Upregulating RIG-I expression may help predict COVID-19 patient outcomes and could be a potential strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A study examining SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and socioeconomic disadvantage among a Mayan-Latinx population in California revealed significant variation in infection rates. The researchers identified socioeconomic factors as a key predictor of increased risk, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health disparities.
Mathematical models predict that COVID-19 severity will decrease as populations develop immunity, with mild cases becoming the norm. The research suggests adaptations in immune response over time rather than virus changes may drive this shift.
A new study reveals key details of how SARS-CoV-2 variants escape the immune response created by natural infection or vaccination. The research highlights that several mutations are clustered in one site on the spike protein, disrupting antibody binding and neutralization.
Researchers mapped COVID-19 viral lineages across New York City during its first wave of epidemic. The study found that the borough of Queens played a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to high local circulation of viral lineages.
Face masks are highly effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in virus-limited environments, but more advanced masks and ventilation are required in virus-rich settings. High compliance is necessary for mask effectiveness, with at least 60-70% required for surgical masks.
This study describes clinical characteristics and outcomes of adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Key findings include the prevalence of comorbidities and predictors of severe disease.
A US study published in The BMJ found that 14% of adults with COVID-19 developed new conditions requiring medical care during the post-acute phase. Risk was higher in younger adults and those with pre-existing conditions, but persisted even among those who recovered at home.
A rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 in saliva has been developed, showing high accuracy and efficiency for mass-screening. The test uses chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) and can detect the virus within an hour.
The European Society of Endocrinology has confirmed the strong links between hormones and COVID-19, with evidence suggesting an 'endocrine phenotype' of the disease. Diabetes and obesity have emerged as comorbidities associated with severity and mortality of COVID-19.
Researchers investigated the link between vitamin D levels and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in working-age adults, finding no independent association. The study suggests that other risk factors may play a more significant role in determining seropositivity.
Researchers developed a new rapid assay principle for viral antigen detection, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The test can detect almost all specimens containing the virus and has a high theoretical capacity of up to 500 samples per hour.
A study found that people who have had dengue are twice as likely to develop symptoms of COVID-19. The research analyzed blood samples from a town in the Brazilian Amazon before and after the pandemic, revealing an increased risk among populations most exposed to dengue.
Researchers at Mount Sinai found that SARS-CoV-2 can infect surface cells of the eye, revealing presence of infection-associated proteins and suppressed IFNβ. Ocular surface cells are susceptible to infection, while central cornea is less vulnerable.
A new study found that immunocompromised pediatric patients showed significant T-cell activity and humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The research suggests that vaccination may still be beneficial for this population, particularly those with antibody deficiency disorders. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A team of researchers from ETH Zurich has identified the crucial step in viral protein synthesis that makes coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 vulnerable to inhibition. They found that targeting this process with chemical compounds could lead to effective antiviral drugs, offering new hope for treating COVID-19 and other coronaviruses.
SARS-CoV-2 employs a three-pronged strategy to outsmart the immune system, including reducing gene translation, degrading messenger RNAs, and preventing mRNA export. This 'host shutoff' tactic delays and muddles the immune response, resulting in severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Researchers found that the major source of microbes in aerosols came from dental irrigant, with saliva contributing minimally. The study's findings suggest that current infection control practices are adequately robust to protect personnel and patients.
COVID-19 causes loss of smell by infecting sensory neurons and triggering inflammation. The virus persists in the olfactory epithelium for months, leading to prolonged clinical signs.
Researchers are exploring SARS-COV-2 proteins as potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19. The review highlights the viral proteins' role in replication, structure, and interaction with host cells.
MIT researchers have generated the most accurate gene annotation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, confirming six new protein-coding genes and discovering a rare gene-within-a-gene. The study also analyzed over 1,800 mutations, revealing regions that may help the virus evade the immune system.
Researchers discovered molnupiravir works by causing polymerase to make sloppy copies of viral genome, rendering them useless. The drug has shown promising results in eliminating SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in newly diagnosed patients after five days of treatment.
A new pan-coronavirus vaccine has proven effective in protecting monkeys and mice from various coronavirus infections, including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The vaccine triggers neutralizing antibodies via a nanoparticle and targets a cross-reactive site of vulnerability on the spike protein.
Research reveals that as body mass index (BMI) increases, the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 also rises, especially among overweight and obese patients. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 patients tested for COVID-19 at a major medical center in Israel and found significant associations between BMI and viral infection risk.
Researchers propose targeting viral RNA with cylindrically-shaped molecules to block replication, effective against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV viruses. The approach could lead to broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs and provide a first line of defence against future pandemics.
A new study found that non-hospitalised SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals have a low risk of severe delayed effects, but still reported increased visits to general practitioners and outpatient clinics. The research highlights the need for clinicians to manage potential long-term conditions.
A global network of researchers has developed protocols for producing large quantities of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in high purity and stability. This allows laboratories to quickly and reproducibly study the virus and its mutants, facilitating research into potential treatments and vaccines.
Researchers found that GS-441524, a metabolite of remdesivir, inhibits the nsP3 protein's activity, which is important for virus replication and suppressing host cell defense. This discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs effective against multiple viruses
A study published in Experimental Physiology found increased stiffness of arteries in young adults after COVID-19, potentially leading to cardiovascular complications. The researchers are following the participants for 6 months to observe any improvements or long-term effects.
The study found a significant association between the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine and decreased risk of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in hospital employees. Hospital employees who received the vaccine had lower rates of infection compared to those who did not receive the vaccine.
Healthcare workers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine had lower incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. The study found a significant association between vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine and reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers.
Researchers from UNC Charlotte analyzed over 2,000 coronavirus genomes to clarify the origins of human infections. They found that bats are ancestral hosts of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and other coronaviruses, with transmission occurring episodically.
Researchers reconstructed the SARS-CoV-2 progenitor genome, finding it was circulating worldwide months before the first reported cases of COVID-19 in China. The team's findings provide a genetic common ancestor to all current infections and could aid molecular epidemiology detective work.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has discovered that most SARS-CoV-2 antibodies target areas outside the receptor-binding domain, neutralizing the virus in cell cultures. This finding provides a promising lead for designing next-generation vaccines against variants and future coronaviruses.
A Wyss Institute collaboration used human organ chips to identify the antimalarial drug amodiaquine as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. The research streamlines drug testing and provides a proof-of-concept for repurposing existing drugs for new medical applications, including future pandemics.
A study by Imperial College London found that prior COVID-19 infection significantly enhances protection against the Kent and South Africa variants after a single dose of mRNA vaccine. In contrast, those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection may not receive sufficient immune response, highlighting the importance of second doses.
Researchers at Salk Institute confirm COVID-19 is primarily a vascular disease, revealing the virus' spike protein damages cells and disrupts molecular signaling. The findings provide new insight into the mechanism of disease and open doors for effective therapies.
Researchers from Ural Federal University developed a new method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 using electrochemical biosensors made of emerging materials. The sensors offer high sensitivity, specificity, and portability, making them a promising tool for virus detection. Further research is needed to commercialize the technology.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) are more effective at detecting higher quantities of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, but struggle to identify infections in individuals with lower viral loads. The research highlights the need for frequent testing, particularly in early or late stages of infection.
Researchers discovered SARS-CoV-2 uses m6A modification to evade immune response, increasing viral replication and survival. Inhibiting METTL3 suppressed viral replication.
A large meta-analysis of 17,687 individuals with diabetes found that those with more advanced diabetes have a higher risk of death from SARS-CoV-2. Men and older adults with diabetes were particularly at increased risk.
Researchers have identified a SARS-CoV-2 variant that sacrifices tight binding to human cells in favor of evading the immune system, which could undermine current COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. The variant, B.1.351, has been found to reduce its binding to ACE2 receptors but decrease its binding to human antibodies.
Experts debate whether wearing masks outdoors can help reduce covid-19 transmission and encourage mask-wearing indoors. Some argue that normalising outdoor mask-wearing can bring benefits, while others believe efforts should focus on reducing indoor transmission.
Researchers found that combining remdesivir with four HCV drugs boosts its antiviral activity by up to 10 times. This combination therapy could be a game changer for patients with COVID-19 who are not vaccinated or have waned immunity.
New research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can infect both neurons and astrocytes in the brain, leading to unpredictable neurological symptoms. Astrocytes play a key role in spreading the infection to neurons, contributing to severe effects in some patients.
Scientists from Würzburg developed CRISPR-Cas9 based diagnostic platform LEOPARD to detect multiple RNAs simultaneously, enabling simultaneous detection of viruses and other pathogens. The technology has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics for infectious diseases and rare genetic diseases.
Researchers found that four hepatitis C drugs boost remdesivir's efficacy by up to tenfold in cell cultures. This combination therapy may provide an immediate treatment for unvaccinated individuals or those with waning immunity. The study aimed to develop an oral drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 like remdesivir.
Researchers created human intestinal cells to study SARS-CoV-2 infection process. The findings indicate the virus silences immune response in infected cells, suggesting new ways to treat it.
Researchers evaluated SARS-CoV-2 variants and virus groupings in relation to disease severity. The study found notable associations between specific variants and more severe patient outcomes.
Australian researchers have identified neutralizing nanobodies that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells, paving the way for alternative treatments. The discovery of a nanobody recognizing emerging global variants and original SARS virus suggests potential cross-protection against human coronaviruses.
Researchers have developed a new pooling strategy that maximizes the proportion of negative results after a single round of testing, allowing for prompt notification of results. This approach reduces the need for reagents and increases efficiency in healthcare settings.
A new study has found that people can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to their cats during the pandemic, leading to mild or severe respiratory disease in felines. The researchers detected the virus in two domestic cats from households with suspected cases of COVID-19 and emphasized the need for monitoring human-to-cat transmission.
A study found that maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with poorer health outcomes in perinatally exposed newborns. The study examined test result positivity rates and health outcomes among mothers infected during pregnancy or childbirth.