Articles tagged with Sars Cov 2
A study found no evidence of increased risk during the first wave of the UK pandemic, but small increased risks of infection and hospital admission in adults living with children. The researchers conclude that close monitoring will be crucial as schools reopen.
A new study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells with high expression of ACE2 receptor and protease, found in lung epithelium and other organs. The study suggests that elderly people, men, and smokers are more severely affected due to increased viral entry factor expression.
Filtration with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters is the most popular choice in hospitals and clinical settings. Other methods using ultraviolet C (UVC) light and bipolar ionization also show promise, but research on their effectiveness against COVID-19 is still evolving.
A recent study published in Nature suggests that the leprosy drug clofazimine exhibits potent antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 and prevents exaggerated inflammatory response associated with severe COVID-19. Clofazimine could be a potential at-home treatment for people who test positive for COVID-19 but are not hospitalized.
A recent study found a higher seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the US adult asymptomatic population than previously estimated based on public health case reporting. The study suggests that the actual number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the US may be substantially higher.
A recent study published in Cell shows that SARS-CoV-2 mutations can evade both naturally occurring antibodies from COVID-19 survivors and lab-made antibodies now in clinical use. The research highlights the importance of designing next-generation vaccines and therapies that target less mutable parts of the virus.
Researchers studied the structural basis of G614 virus spread, revealing a loop that stabilizes the spike protein and prevents premature dissociation. This increased stability results in more functional spikes, leading to enhanced infectivity.
Human viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, adapt their codon usage to specific tissues based on cellular machinery preference. This adaptation enables more effective antiviral treatments, gene therapies, and vaccines by targeting specific tissue types.
Researchers found that neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 vaccines are less effective against new variants, including those from South Africa and Brazil. The study suggests that mutations in the spike protein may contribute to the variants' resistance.
The study found that SARS-CoV-2 underwent little significant genetic change in the first year of the pandemic, suggesting a 'generalist' nature and rapid transmission. This is attributed to human population immunity and lack of containment, allowing the virus to spread quickly.
Researchers aim to assess the efficacy of surface coating and aerosolized decontamination technologies to combat SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces and in the air. The studies will test various materials, application strategies, and exposure durations to determine viral and microbial decontamination strategies.
A study of Italian close contacts found that older adults (60+) were 6.6% more likely to develop critical disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to younger participants, who had a lower likelihood of severe symptoms.
Research summarizes COVID-19 gastrointestinal symptoms in patients, detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA and virus particles in intestinal samples. Animal models suggest high susceptibility of intestines to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with potential faecal-oral transmission risks.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study evaluating over 9,500 Orthodox Jews in 12 states identified key factors contributing to the spread of COVID-19 within culturally bonded groups. The findings informed the development of safety guidelines for COVID-19-free celebrations among Orthodox Jewish communities.
A study among US healthcare workers found most risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection outside the workplace. The research highlights the importance of pre-exposure protection measures for healthcare personnel.
A new SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate has shown strong immune responses and prevented infection in multiple animal studies. The vaccine uses a modified measles vaccine platform to stimulate immunity, potentially offering advantages over existing vaccines.
A team of researchers, including UC Riverside biomedical scientists, identified the South African COVID-19 variant, which has been detected in at least 40 countries. The variant has mutations that make it resistant to antibodies generated by existing vaccines, potentially reducing vaccine efficacy.
A new study led by Yale University suggests that home testing for SARS-CoV-2 could significantly reduce total infections and mortality at a reasonable cost. By providing households with rapid antigen tests to identify potential contagion, individuals can self-isolate before spreading the disease.
Researchers found that only a few patients carried many variants of the virus, which were often lost at transmission, but some initiated ongoing transmission and wider dissemination. Continued monitoring is necessary to understand viral adaptation and patterns of spread.
A global collaboration of over 15,000 surgeons found that delaying surgery for at least seven weeks after a COVID-19 diagnosis significantly reduces mortality risk. Patients operated within two weeks of diagnosis have higher postoperative death rates.
Researchers at University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre have identified biomarkers associated with the severity of COVID-19. The study found specific immune alterations linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease progression, which could help stratify patients by risk and identify new therapeutic targets.
A study found that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients have similar T cell responses to symptomatic patients, but with higher IFN gamma and IL-2 levels. This suggests a key role for T cells in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection without triggering severe symptoms.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have developed a new colorimetric RT-LAMP assay called Cap-iLAMP, which extracts viral RNA from gargle lavage samples. The improved testing method outperforms previous methods, reducing false positives and increasing detection accuracy.
The article summarizes current evidence on COVID-19 vaccines, immunity, and the potential for SARS-CoV-2 to become an endemic or seasonal virus. Experts weigh in on these critical issues, providing insights into the long-term impact of the pandemic.
A study found SARS-CoV-2 present on ocular surfaces in 52 of 91 patients with COVID-19, suggesting potential detection through non-invasive methods. The virus may also be detected when nasopharyngeal swab results are negative.
Researchers have found that Camostat and its metabolite GBPA inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary human lung tissue. The study supports further development of Camostat as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 mutations can evade the immune response by T-killer cells, reducing their effectiveness in detecting and eliminating viruses. The study suggests that future vaccines should target a broader range of epitopes to provide more comprehensive protection.
A new study suggests a potential link between blood group A and COVID-19 infection, with the SARS-CoV-2 virus preferring to bind to the A antigen found on respiratory cells. The study's findings could provide insight into how coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 interact with different blood types.
A new study finds that the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK is more transmissible than existing variants, leading to predictions of large COVID-19 resurgences if left uncontrolled. The analysis suggests a higher reproduction number and increased disease severity for the variant.
Scientists highlight the need for sustainable collaboration frameworks and harmonization of health data practices to tackle the pandemic. Improved sequencing could enable better tracking of transmission and mutations, leading to more accurate estimates of R-number and improved understanding of mutational impacts.
The introduction of immunization passports may help countries reopen and revitalize their economies while reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To implement these passports effectively, governments must establish secure digital immunization records and ensure adherence to international standards.
Researchers at UC San Diego used sewage-handling robots to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and predicted COVID-19 cases with excellent accuracy. The system extracts RNA from sewage samples, runs PCR to search for virus signature genes, and can process 24 samples every 40 minutes.
A promising new COVID-19 vaccine candidate utilizing nanotechnology has shown strong efficacy in preclinical disease models, producing potent neutralizing antibodies and preventing infection and disease symptoms. The vaccine candidate may also be thermostable, easing shipping and storage constraints.
Scientists at Colorado State University quantify transmission risk of airborne viruses, considering aerosol dynamics for indoor and outdoor scenarios. They find that distancing indoors may not be enough to limit harmful exposures due to confinement and particle buildup.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 data to understand the immune system's response and found SARS-CoV-2 uniquely triggers a more severe cytokine storm in certain patients. The study aims to identify better treatments and diagnoses for this deadly condition.
A new paper discusses how smoking may affect risk for COVID-19 and proposes areas of research needed to better understand the link. Studies have shown that current smokers with COVID-19 have twice the risk of dying in the hospital as nonsmokers, highlighting the need for rigorous study design to clarify this relationship.
A new study suggests that individuals who remain asymptomatic after SARS-CoV-2 infection have a highly efficient and balanced anti-viral cellular response. This response produces a careful balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules, protecting the host without causing symptoms.
Researchers demonstrated the D614G mutation's increased binding to human cells and replication speed, confirming its dominance over the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study used hamsters and ferrets as models to evaluate transmission dynamics in direct competition between variants.
Researchers used electronic medical records to estimate SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk and identify risk factors for household transmission. The study found that addressing in the home address could be used to predict transmission risk.
Research reveals how glycans on SARS-CoV-2's surface facilitate activation of the virus by altering spike protein structure. This finding holds potential for identifying treatments to block or prevent viral activation.
A new multiscale coarse-grained model of the complete SARS-CoV-2 virion has been developed using supercomputers, providing a holistic understanding of the virus's behavior. The model reveals cooperative motion among spike proteins on the surface of the virus, which is informative of how it explores and detects host cell receptors.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2's spike protein moves on a different time scale than SARS-CoV-1, giving it more stability and increasing its ability to infect cells. This discovery could lead to the development of therapeutics that alter the protein's dynamics and make it less transmissible.
Researchers have created molecular models to study the critical parts of SARS-CoV-2 that interact with human cell membranes. The simulations reveal how the virus inserts itself into cells and provide new insights into a potential drug target. This discovery could help develop new treatments for COVID-19.
A new, openly available SARS-CoV-2 laboratory research toolkit was published in PLOS Biology. The toolkit includes a 'single plasmid reverse genetics' system allowing researchers to manipulate the coronavirus genome and study individual mutations. This will fast-track investigation of COVID-19 research, including novel variants, drug d...
Studies directly visualized changing SARS-CoV-2 spike shapes and monitored antibody attachment, finding two targeting strategies: occupying the open position or locking in a closed state. This research informs COVID-19 vaccine and treatment development.
Researchers discover that SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 share similarities due to a recombination event involving the ACE2 receptor. The study provides evolutionary context for these viruses' behavior, enabling researchers to identify high-risk viruses and estimate their potential for human spillover.
A new strain of the coronavirus in Southern California, CAL.20C, is rapidly spreading across the country and around the world, accounting for nearly half of current COVID-19 cases in the region. The strain has been detected in 19 US states and six foreign countries, suggesting travelers are carrying it to these destinations.
Researchers investigated SARS-CoV-2 antibody status and subsequent nucleic acid amplification test results to understand serostatus as a predictor of reinfection. The study found that seropositive individuals had a lower risk of future infection compared to those who were not seropositive.
Researchers used stem cell-derived organoids to study SARS-CoV-2 interaction with organs. Lung organoids responded more to the virus than brain organoids, producing different molecules and outcomes.
A new study reveals that researchers produced more than 87,000 scientific papers about coronavirus between January and October 2020. The vast majority of these studies were conducted by scientists from China and the United States, which initially dominated coronavirus research due to government funding and institutional partnerships.
Researchers applied game theory to analyze cellular processes, revealing insights into viral behavior and immune system deception. The study provides blueprints for understanding mimicry formation and destruction in cellular populations.
Researchers found that protective B cell responses remain stable over time, but do not recognize emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants from Brazil and South Africa. A large proportion of neutralizing antibodies generated by long-lasting B cells only target conserved epitopes.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a real-time sensor system that can detect the airborne COVID-19 virus, with funding from DARPA. The system uses molecular imprinting and organic electrochemical transistors to rapidly transduce SARS-CoV-2 binding events into electronic signals.
A research team from Texas A🌍 University and The University of Texas Medical Branch has identified a potential drug to treat SARS-CoV-2 using the FDA-approved heart medication bepridil. The study suggests that bepridil shows significant effectiveness in interfering with SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells.
Scientists have identified potential new therapeutic targets beyond the RBD on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, which may help explain how emerging variants become more infectious. The research could lead to new treatments targeting the S1/S2 cleavage site.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed protein fragments called peptides that effectively bind to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, blocking the virus's ability to access host cells. The team envisions delivering these peptides in nasal sprays or aerosol disinfectants to prevent viral entry.
Researchers discovered that MEK inhibitors reduce cellular expression of ACE2, pERK, and pRb while stimulating NK-mediated cytotoxicity and attenuating inflammatory cytokines. MEKi also suppressed infectivity of the pseudovirus in human cells.
The CovMT system processes publicly available data to detect mutations and mutation fingerprints, enabling tracking of virus evolution across the globe. It also predicts disease severity based on mutational fingerprints and correlates with patient data from GISAID.
Researchers at WVU and Marshall University are analyzing COVID-19 samples to identify new variants, including the UK Variant B.1.1.7, which is believed to be more contagious than the original virus. The team aims to understand how these variants evolve and potentially develop therapeutics or vaccines.
Research found that warmer temperatures lead to decreased COVID-19 case rates, while cooler temperatures increase the rate of new cases. The study analyzed daily low temperatures and infection rates from Jan 22 to April 6, 2020, in 50 countries and showed a significant correlation between temperature and transmission.