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Corona: How the virus interacts with cells

Scientists have created a global atlas of direct interactions between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the human proteome, revealing 18 key host proteins involved in viral replication. The study also identified two crucial regulators, CNBP and LARP1, which can inhibit viral replication, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateDec 21, 2020

SARS-CoV-2-like particles very sensitive to temperature

A study found that moderate temperature increases break down SARS-Cov-2 virus-like particles on surfaces, while humidity has little impact. This degradation suggests a potential surge in COVID-19 infections during winter months.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateDec 17, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic had big impact on commercial fishing in Northeast

A Rutgers study found that two-fifths of commercial fishermen did not fish earlier this year due to market disruptions, while nearly all reported a decline in income compared to previous years. Some species, like squid and scallops, saw decreased catch, while others, such as black sea bass and haddock, maintained or increased their catch.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 17, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Quantifying effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission with modeling

A new modeling study found that limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people and closing educational institutions significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Closing schools, universities, and nonessential businesses had a considerable impact on transmission rates, while targeted closures of high-risk businesses showed more benefit.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 15, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Largest seroprevalence study in the region finds number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Iran may be higher than expected

A large-scale seroprevalence study in Iran found that around 17.1% of the population has been infected with SARS-CoV-2, with significant variations between cities and occupations. Despite this high rate, a substantial proportion of the population remains susceptible to infection.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 15, 2020

Remdesivir likely to be highly effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2

A study by University of Cambridge researchers suggests remdesivir is highly effective against SARS-CoV-2, particularly in patients with impaired immune systems. The drug significantly improves symptoms and virus levels in a patient with XLA, a rare genetic condition that affects antibody production.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 14, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

COVID-19: indoor air in hospitals and nursing homes require more attention

Researchers recommend measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 aerosol dispersal, including regular ventilation, humidifiers to maintain relative humidity of 40-60%, and portable air purifiers. The risk is high due to infected & healthy people staying in the same room for long periods.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateDec 14, 2020

Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers found that households will continue to be a significant venue for SARS-CoV-2 transmission despite isolation efforts. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing effective public health measures to mitigate this risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 14, 2020

Biomarkers could help predict severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers discovered biomarkers associated with COVID-19 immunopathology and multi-organ damage, enabling early identification of patients at risk of severe symptoms. The study's findings have potential for developing prognostic classification models to target treatments accordingly.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateDec 14, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

No association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome

Researchers investigated COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition. The study found no significant association between the two conditions, contradicting previous small case series. The researchers conclude that COVID-19 vaccination is unlikely to cause GBS.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBrain·DateDec 13, 2020

Studies reveal potential weaknesses in SARS-CoV-2 infection

A recent study found that transmembrane protein 41 B (TMEM41B) is essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication. The researchers used CRISPR to inactivate genes in human cells infected with the virus and discovered that TMEM41B was the only molecular feature common to both flaviviruses and coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateDec 10, 2020

Genomic analysis of early SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Boston shows role of superspreading events

A genomic analysis of early SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in Boston found that a small number of importations led to most cases, while superspreading events played a significant role in the spread of the virus. The study tracked the downstream effects of these events and highlights the importance of prevention and mitigation strategies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 10, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Health care workers' COVID infections driven mainly by community exposure

A large study of 6,510 healthcare workers found that community exposure was the main driver of COVID-19 infections. Nurses were at higher risk once community exposure was accounted for, while high-flow oxygen therapy and hemodialysis increased antibody production to SARS-CoV-2.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateDec 9, 2020

New multicampus consortium to study assembly of coronaviruses

A new consortium will investigate the physical principles underlying coronavirus formation, using a multidisciplinary approach across multiple scales and environments. The research aims to develop drugs that can disrupt viral assembly, with potential applications in synthetic biology and medicine.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateDec 9, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Elevated biomarker for blood vessel damage found in all children with SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found elevated levels of a biomarker related to blood vessel damage in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study also showed that a high proportion of children met clinical criteria for thrombotic microangiopathy, a syndrome involving clotting in small blood vessels.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalBlood Advances·DateDec 8, 2020

Understanding COVID-19 infection and possible mutations

Penn State researchers computationally modeled the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 protein spike to ACE2, finding it highly optimized for human binding. The team also explored changes in the virus spike that could alter its affinity with human ACE2, potentially informing future research on vaccine durability and animal transmission.

SourcePenn State·JournalComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal·DateDec 8, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers investigate various aspects of COVID-19. A study finds hydroxychloroquine has no benefit in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection after exposure. Meanwhile, a review reveals patients with COVID-19 can develop prolonged illness, sometimes referred to as 'Long COVID'. Additionally, a Wuhan study sheds light on viral persistence and...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 7, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater solids could help monitor COVID-19 spread

Scientists analyzed compounds in wastewater to gauge public health aspects, including SARS-CoV-2 detection. They found that measuring virus particles in settled solids from sewage treatment plants could be a more sensitive approach than current methods.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 7, 2020

Wastewater testing for COVID-19

A new study identifies a method that detects COVID-19 in wastewater samples and tracks infection trends. The test uses genetic material from SARS-COV-2 RNA, which correlates with community COVID-19 infections.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 7, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Researchers adapt cell phone camera for SARS-CoV-2 detection

Researchers developed an assay that detects SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs using a smartphone camera, providing quick results within 30 minutes. The test utilizes CRISPR-Cas technology, eliminating the need for amplification and enabling precise quantification of virus amounts.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateDec 4, 2020

Researchers developed a sequence analysis pipeline for virus discovery

Researchers from University of Helsinki developed Lazypipe to identify both known and novel viruses, demonstrating its efficacy in detecting SARS-CoV-2 without reference genome. The pipeline overcomes challenges in viral metagenomics, enabling rapid detection of emerging infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalVirus Evolution·DateDec 3, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Researchers determine how the SARS-CoV-2 virus hijacks and rapidly causes damage to human lung cells

The study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly causes damage to human lung cells by exploiting core resources and inducing abnormal changes in protein abundance and phosphorylation. The researchers also identified 18 pre-existing clinically approved drugs that can be potentially re-purposed for COVID-19 therapy.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 2, 2020

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on Covid-19

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine investigate using UVC light to disinfect CT scanning machines, which can eliminate SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in minutes. They also explore the relationship between low Ct values in diagnostic tests and infectiousness.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateDec 1, 2020

Chemical compounds in foods can inhibit a key SARS-CoV-2 enzyme

Researchers found that green tea and muscadine grape extracts can inhibit the Mpro enzyme in SARS-CoV-2, while dark chocolate and cacao powder showed reduced activity. The study suggests that these plant compounds could be used to develop new treatments for COVID-19.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateNov 30, 2020

How SARS-CoV-2 reaches the brain

A team of researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have studied how SARS-CoV-2 reaches the brain and found that it enters through nerve cells in the olfactory mucosa. The virus is also transported via blood vessels to reach the brain, which may contribute to neurological symptoms such as loss of smell or taste in COVID-19 ...

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 30, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Rutgers leading coronavirus therapeutic clinical trial

Researchers are investigating a potential treatment for people recently diagnosed with SARS-Cov2 who have no or mild symptoms. The trial aims to determine whether treating asymptomatic patients with a combination of medications can reduce viral replication and the risk of getting sick.

SourceRutgers University·DateNov 30, 2020

SARS-CoV-2 mutations do not appear to increase transmissibility

A study of SARS-CoV-2 virus genomes from over 46,000 people with COVID-19 found that most common mutations are neutral for the virus, and do not appear to increase transmissibility. The research team identified 12,706 mutations, including one in the spike protein D614G, which is not associated with increased transmission.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 25, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Recent studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine investigate the association between ABO blood groups and SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, as well as vaccine development timelines. Additionally, research highlights the potential benefits of home health care for COVID-19 survivors after hospital discharge.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 23, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in 3D

Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg used 3D imaging techniques to visualize the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in infected cells. The study reveals massive changes in cellular architecture, including the creation of mini replication compartments where viral genomes are amplified.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateNov 23, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are detected up to 3 months after infection

A new study found that IgM and IgA antibodies decay quickly, while IgG antibody levels are maintained for at least three months after infection. The study also showed that infected healthcare workers had higher levels of IgG1 and lower levels of IgG2 compared to asymptomatic cases.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateNov 20, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A sulfur molecule to block the coronavirus

Researchers at UNIGE have identified sulfur molecules that can effectively block the uptake of SARS-CoV-2 viruses by cells. The team found inhibitors up to 5,000 times more effective than existing treatments, providing a promising lead for developing new antivirals.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalChemical Science·DateNov 20, 2020

Children's Hospital Los Angeles conducts largest pediatric genomic COVID-19 study to date

A team of scientists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles conducted the largest pediatric genomic COVID-19 study to date, finding a possible link between specific viral mutations and disease severity. The study analyzed over 100,000 samples and identified a potential correlation between certain mutations and severe symptoms in children.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateNov 19, 2020

Antibody cocktails at low doses could be more effective at treating COVID-19

Researchers found that pairs of antibodies targeting different parts of the viral spike protein can prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infection at lower doses than single antibodies. This approach may help reduce the chance of the virus mutating and becoming resistant to antibody treatments.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 19, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Plastic film used to protect foods and surfaces inactivates novel coronavirus

A Brazilian company developed a plastic film that eliminates 79.9% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in three minutes and 99.99% in up to 15 minutes, making it a promising material for food packaging protection against the novel coronavirus. The film contains silver and silica nanoparticles and has been successfully tested in laboratory settings.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateNov 19, 2020