Research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself. Covers antiviral trials, antibody neutralization, viral escape, and rapid detection methods.
Researchers found that four common human coronaviruses are sharply seasonal in Michigan, peaking between December and April/May. They also show similar transmission potential to the flu virus. The study's findings could help investigators prepare for SARS-CoV-2 behavior.
The University of Liège has developed an automated test for detecting SARS-CoV-2, allowing for 2000 daily tests. The technique enables rapid and reliable detection of carriers, regardless of symptoms, using a three-step process.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 patients in Munich and found high viral replication and shedding in the throat during symptoms. This suggests individuals with COVID-19 are infectious very early on, potentially before they show symptoms.
A Scripps Research study reveals a likely site of vulnerability on the new coronavirus at the root of COVID-19. The structural mapping revealed a nearly identical site on both coronaviruses to which the antibody binds, suggesting a functionally important and vulnerable site for this family of coronaviruses.
The availability of Austrian SARS-CoV-2 genomes has shed light on the virus' evolutionary trajectory in the human population. Initial analysis revealed an average of 6 mutations differing from the Wuhan reference genome, suggesting positive selection pressure and evolution within the human population.
A new vaccine candidate, PittCoVacc, has generated a surge of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within two weeks of injection. The vaccine follows a more established approach, using lab-made viral protein pieces to build immunity, and is delivered through a novel microneedle array that can be manufactured at scale.
Researchers at Cranfield University are developing a paper-based device to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, allowing for early warning of potential COVID-19 spread. The test uses biomarkers from faeces and urine, enabling rapid screening and quarantine measures to be taken.
A cluster-spreading event was reported in a public bath center in Huai'an, China, where an infected individual transmitted the virus to eight others through bathing. The study highlights the potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in close-contact settings without adequate hygiene measures.
Researchers found that Nafamostat can inhibit the fusion of viral envelope with host cell membranes, a crucial step in COVID-19 infection. The study showed that Nafamostat is more effective than Camostat at lower concentrations, making it a promising candidate for treating COVID-19.
New research addresses diagnostic stewardship for SARS-CoV-2, recommending test utilization and frequency based on patient risk factors. The study highlights the importance of considering individual factors, such as age, symptoms, and exposure history, when deciding when to test.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted cancer care delivery, leading to concerns about treatment delays and reduced access to care. To address these challenges, experts recommend adopting flexible approaches that prioritize patient needs and minimize disruptions.
Recent studies on the SARS-CoV-2 genome have been contradicted by a new study suggesting pangolins as the missing link in the virus's transmission from bats to humans. The researchers found protein sequences in sick animals' lungs that were 91% identical to the human virus' proteins, supporting the pangolin theory.
Researchers, led by Professor Edward Holmes, have identified a similar coronavirus in pangolins that may hold the key to understanding SARS-CoV-2's emergence. The study suggests that pangolins could be intermediate hosts for the novel virus and highlights the importance of banning 'wet markets' to prevent zoonotic transmission.
Researchers at Stanford University explore viral and environmental characteristics that affect COVID-19 transmission via surfaces, air, and fecal matter. They propose a broader approach to understanding viruses to better predict their behavior in the environment.
A review article published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy highlights the potential of remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19. The antiviral has shown effectiveness against a range of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, with prophylactic treatment preventing clinical disease and viral replication.
Researchers are exploring various treatment options for COVID-19, including the use of antiviral medications like remdesivir and tilarone. Several vaccine candidates are also being developed to combat the virus, with experts predicting a 12-18 month timeline for their completion.
A Singapore modelling study suggests that quarantining infected individuals and their families, school closures, and workplace distancing are effective in reducing COVID-19 cases. The combined approach was found to be most effective, preventing a national outbreak at relatively low levels of infectivity.
A recent survey of NYC residents found that nearly 3 in 10 reported losing their jobs due to coronavirus. Additionally, 80% experienced reduced ability to get food they need, and two-thirds lost social connections. The findings highlight disproportionate impacts on Hispanics, lower-income city residents, and middle-aged respondents.
The article provides guidance on supporting clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings highlight the importance of maintaining a patient-centered approach and adapting to new clinical challenges.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have decoded the 3D architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, providing concrete starting points for developing inhibitors. The analysis was conducted using high-intensity X-ray light from BESSY II.
The study found SARS-CoV-2 stable in aerosols for up to three hours and on copper for up to four hours, while also detectable for 24 hours on cardboard and two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. This stability suggests people may acquire the virus through air and after touching contaminated objects.
Researchers analyzed public genome sequence data to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2. They found no evidence that the virus was engineered or created in a laboratory, supporting natural evolution as its origin.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational COVID-19 vaccine in the Seattle area. The trial is evaluating different doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine for safety and immune response in healthy adult volunteers.
A review of COVID-19 infections in children reveals milder symptoms and lower risk of severe disease compared to adults. Children account for only two percent of hospitalizations and most recover within one to two weeks after symptom onset.
Researchers analyzed lung tissue from a COVID-19 patient to investigate histopathologic changes and SARS-CoV-2 immunostaining. The study found distinct patterns of immune cell activation and inflammation, shedding light on the disease's pathophysiology.
Researchers analyzed published scientific data on SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses to identify potential therapeutic agents and vaccines. More than 500 patents have been issued for COVID-19 treatments, including antibodies and nucleic acids.
A study published in The Lancet describes the first locally-transmitted case of SARS-CoV-2 in the USA, where a woman transmitted the virus to her husband after returning from China. Despite extensive contact tracing and monitoring, no further transmission was detected.
Researchers used existing data from known coronaviruses to predict which parts of SARS-CoV-2 are capable of activating the human immune system. The study identified five regions in the spike glycoprotein, membrane protein, and nucleoprotein that elicit a strong immune response.
Researchers estimate the median incubation period of COVID-19 to be 5.1 days, with 97.5% of cases developing symptoms within 11.5 days of infection. This supports current CDC recommendations for active monitoring and quarantine.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 requires the protease TMPRSS2 to enter host cells, a target for therapeutic intervention. The drug camostat mesilate, approved for pancreatic inflammation, shows promise in blocking virus entry into lung cells.
A team of HKUST scientists has identified potential vaccine targets for SARS-CoV-2, leveraging genetic similarity with SARS-CoV. The study found that only 20% of SARS-CoV epitopes map identically to SARS-CoV-2, but these promising candidates may offer protection against COVID-19.
Four research teams at Columbia University will pursue four different approaches to develop drugs and antibodies against the new coronavirus. They aim to identify protease inhibitors, polymerase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, with the goal of advancing at least one compound into clinical trials within a year.
Researchers describe key chest CT imaging findings in Wuhan coronavirus patients, highlighting bilateral ground-glass and consolidative pulmonary opacities. The study's findings suggest that lung cavitation, discrete nodules, and lymphadenopathy are characteristically absent in cases of 2019-nCoV.
A new modelling study estimates that up to 75,800 individuals in Wuhan may have been infected with 2019-nCoV by January 25, 2020. The researchers also suggest that multiple major Chinese cities might have already imported dozens of cases of 2019-nCoV infection from Wuhan.
The Lancet report provides comprehensive clinical and treatment data on 2019-nCoV cases from Wuhan, China. Most patients had underlying chronic diseases and pneumonia, but responded well to antivirals and antibiotics.
The 2019-nCoV virus has nearly identical genetic sequences among patients, indicating a recent emergence and rapid detection. The virus shares similarities with bat-derived coronaviruses and may use the ACE2 receptor to enter human cells.
The emergence of a new coronavirus from animals to humans poses a significant threat, prompting the need for swift action. Researchers are developing diagnostic tests, exploring broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs, and adapting approaches used with earlier outbreaks to jumpstart candidate vaccine development.
A new study reveals that the 2019-nCoV coronavirus likely originated from a combination of a bat coronavirus and an unknown coronavirus, with recombination allowing cross-species transmission to humans via snakes. This finding highlights the importance of understanding viral origins for effective control of emerging outbreaks.