Articles tagged with Virus Testing
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Researchers recommend pooled testing to boost testing capacity and track asymptomatic cases in key workers. Several countries have successfully used this approach, such as China and Germany.
A new study by George Mason University found that most college students (88%) would use STI self-testing services if available, and 59% prefer private testing at Student Health Services. The study suggests increasing STI testing among students could lead to better health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a novel COVID-19 rapid test using a nanotube-based electrochemical biosensor that detects SARS-CoV-2 virus in nasal swabs or exhaled breath. The test is simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive, with potential applications for diagnosis of other respiratory viral diseases.
Researchers developed a process to measure COVID-19 antibody levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which is faster, easier and less expensive than traditional methods. The ELISA tests had an 80% or greater probability of predicting virus neutralization titers.
The University of Arizona College of Engineering professor has received a $1.82 million grant to improve the sensitivity and portability of her FLOWER technology, which detects ultra-low levels of disease particles, contaminants, and performance-enhancing drugs.
Researchers studied antibody production in nearly 6,000 people and found high-quality antibodies still being produced five to seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunity is stable for at least five months, and may last much longer.
A new clinical trial launched by Queen Mary University of London aims to investigate whether taking vitamin D can protect people from COVID-19. The study, which will involve over 5,000 participants, will test the effectiveness of a 'test-and-treat' approach to correct vitamin D deficiency during winter.
A team of NYU scientists has developed a holographic imaging method to detect both viruses and antibodies, enabling rapid and accurate diagnoses. This breakthrough could speed up patient treatment, reduce misdiagnosis risks, and lower healthcare costs.
Three Michigan nursing homes successfully limited COVID-19 spread through advance planning, universal testing, and connection with Michigan Medicine. Proactive testing of asymptomatic residents and timely test results played a crucial role in containing the outbreak.
The University of Minnesota Medical School has been selected as one of four Capacity Building Centers in the US, receiving a $6.7 million grant to support its part in the Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet). The network aims to examine the immune response to COVID-19 and speed up testing, treatment, and vaccine development.
Nagoya University scientists have developed a laboratory technique to rapidly select synthetic proteins that strongly bind to SARS-CoV-2. The approach, called TRAP display, could be used to develop sensitive antigen tests and neutralization antibodies for infected patients.
A new method for processing large volumes of COVID-19 tests uses simple algebraic equations to identify positive samples and take advantage of 'pooling' technique. This allows more patients to be tested with the same number of test tubes, reducing testing time and false negatives.
A new UK population study found that 86% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 did not exhibit specific symptoms such as cough, fever, or loss of taste/smell. The study suggests that widespread testing is needed to capture 'silent' transmission and prevent future outbreaks.
A team of researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a SENSR technology that enables fast and accurate COVID-19 diagnosis using RNA sequence detection. This technology can diagnose infections in just 30 minutes, allowing for faster treatment and reducing stress on healthcare systems.
Researchers developed a technique to increase sensitivity of nasal swab tests by recognizing faint signals in diagnostic data. The new method helps spot asymptomatic cases more accurately and reduce false negatives.
Researchers found that universal COVID-19 testing of children undergoing anesthesia procedures saved PPE, reducing standard PPE use by 70%. The study also highlighted the importance of accurate testing to prevent exposure to healthcare workers.
A new COVID test has been developed that omits scarce reagents needed for previous tests, providing accurate results with high accuracy (92%) and reliability. The two-step test is ideal for screening programs in both developing and developed countries, and could extend testing capacity to groups not currently being tested.
A new sensor developed by Caltech researchers can rapidly detect COVID-19 infection in under 10 minutes, offering a potential solution for early diagnosis and monitoring. The sensor uses graphene and antibodies to detect specific proteins and chemical markers of inflammation, providing a full picture of the infection.
Rover Diagnostics' affordable and portable point-of-care test provides reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results in eight minutes, faster than any other test of its kind. The platform is designed to be targeted at locations where rapid turnaround results are important.
A large contact tracing study in Science found that children are active transmitters of COVID-19 and superspreading is common. The study also revealed higher mortality rates in the 40-69 age group, particularly in India compared to other countries.
The Washington COVID-19 biorepository has expanded its sample types to include convalescent plasma, enabling diagnostics developers to accelerate the development and validation of quality diagnostic products. This move aims to improve the performance of antibody assays and facilitate the verification of tests for global markets.
Scientists at Hokkaido University developed a saliva test that detects asymptomatic COVID-19 cases with high sensitivity and specificity. The study found that saliva samples can accurately identify infected individuals without symptoms, reducing the risk of viral transmission to healthcare workers.
A widely used breathing test for patients with respiratory problems is flawed, according to a new study, as it fails to account for individual breathing patterns. Increasing the measurement time to two minutes and using specialized equipment could improve accuracy.
Researchers tested various mask types against expired particles, finding surgical and N95 masks block up to 90% of particles. Cloth masks, however, released a large amount of fibers into the air, emphasizing the importance of regular washing.
Using a time and symptom-based protocol allows healthcare workers to return to work faster than a test-based approach, averting over 4,000 days of lost worktime. This strategy prioritizes employee safety while reducing strain on testing capacity.
A study found significant variation in commercial antibody kit performance, with some tests accurate as sophisticated laboratory technologies. Lateral flow immunoassays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, offering potential usefulness in healthcare settings.
A new study led by UT Southwestern researchers found that administering neuropsychology evaluations to children online delivers results comparable to traditional clinic tests. The home-based environment presented unique challenges, but the vast majority of patients and caregivers were satisfied with the videoconference-based test.
A blood-based test accurately predicts nine different respiratory viral infections, including influenza and COVID-19, up to three days before maximum symptoms. The gene expression assay detects the body's natural immune response signals to identify a viral infection with high accuracy.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method for fast, cheap, yet accurate testing for COVID-19 infection. The new test simplifies the diagnostic process by eliminating expensive reaction steps, enabling upscaling of diagnostics in limited resource settings.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified a standard blood test that can predict high mortality risk in COVID-19 patients. The test measures red cell distribution width (RDW), which is highly correlated with patient mortality, and can be tracked during hospitalization to help determine treatment response.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that individuals from Black and Hispanic backgrounds in the US are twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 than their White counterparts. Despite this higher risk, there was no significant difference in mortality rates among those who tested positive across racial and ethnic groups....
A meta-analysis of studies shows that 40% of healthcare workers with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, increasing the risk of silent transmission. Healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 are at risk of severe complications and death, highlighting the need for universal screening.
A study of 213 asymptomatic individuals found they carried the same amount of virus in their noses and throats as symptomatic patients. This raises concerns about their potential role in driving the spread of COVID-19.
A nationwide study of 5.8 million VA patients found that Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely to test positive for COVID-19, even after accounting for underlying health conditions and geographic location. The disparity in positive-test rates between White and minority groups was consistent across regions and over time.
Research suggests that repeated screening of asymptomatic individuals could significantly decrease COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. The study's findings indicate that this strategy is cost-effective when testing costs are low, but may require more frequent testing to be effective.
Researchers validated clinical feasibility of a low-cost, CRISPR-based diagnostic platform using COVID-19 clinical swab samples. The method enables simple, rapid, and ultrasensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 with results visible by the naked eye within 20 minutes.
A new CRISPR-based diagnostic, STOPCovid, has shown improved sensitivity in detecting Covid-19 cases, with a detection rate of 93%. The test can produce results in 30 minutes to an hour and is being developed for point-of-care use.
A 90-minute COVID-19 test has been shown to have high accuracy, producing few false negatives and no false positives. The test is currently being used across eight London hospitals and is expected to be rolled out nationally.
A study of Seattle-area homeless shelters found a need to provide routine viral testing outside clinical settings to identify new cases and prevent spread. The results suggest that crowded conditions, communal sleeping, and shared hygiene facilities can foster transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers found that active surveillance and surge testing can prevent COVID-19 spread in homeless shelters. Guidelines developers face challenges due to poorly designed studies, but solutions are proposed through the COVID-NMA Project, which aims to improve evidence synthesis and guideline development.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University is developing a computational model to ensure accurate and timely distribution of COVID-19 test kits. The model will be used to address key questions related to COVID-19 testing, including optimal allocation plans for hospitals, clinics, and state agencies.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed an antibody test for COVID-19 that is highly accurate and can handle a large number of donor samples. The test measures antibodies against specific proteins on the virus's spike protein and has been shown to be comparable to the gold standard of antibody testing.
A team of scientists has developed LAMDA, a compact lab-on-paper strip that can diagnose mosquito-borne diseases in under an hour. The device uses Loop-mediated isothermal amplification to detect viral RNA and has great potential for resource-limited clinics and point-of-care diagnostics.
A new study by Houston Methodist has developed a uniform, universal COVID-19 antibody test that can quickly and easily screen plasma donors. The test, which uses ELISA assays, was found to have an 80% probability of comparable antibody levels to VN titers at or above FDA-recommended levels for convalescent plasma.
A research team from City University of Hong Kong has produced graphene masks with an anti-bacterial efficiency of 80%, which can be enhanced to almost 100% with exposure to sunlight. The graphene masks are easily produced at low cost and can help resolve the problems of sourcing raw materials and disposing of non-biodegradable masks.
The article reviews recent insights into feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection pathogenesis using molecular techniques. It explains the various outcomes of FeLV infection, including progressive, regressive, focal, and abortive infections, highlighting the importance of understanding the cat's immune response and the virus.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 patients' blood samples, revealing a unique metabolic signature associated with acute inflammation, liver dysfunction, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The findings may lead to the development of a metabolite-based diagnostic test and inform post-COVID-19 care.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University developed a rapid, reliable, and low-cost antibody test using lab-on-a-chip technology. The device can detect the presence and quantity of COVID-19 antibodies in diluted blood plasma within 30 minutes, making it feasible for nationwide testing.
Researchers followed 150 COVID-19 patients for six, 12, and 24 weeks to track lung and heart damage. Symptoms improved significantly between visits, with lung damage decreasing from 88% at six weeks to 56% at 12 weeks.
The study examines the link between vitamin D status and COVID-19 test results, finding that patients with higher vitamin D levels tend to have better outcomes. Additionally, treatment for insufficient vitamin D levels is also linked to improved test results.
Researchers developed a dipstick test that detects crown-of-thorns starfish by measuring specific DNA in seawater, allowing for early detection of coral-eating pests. The test can detect very low numbers of the pest, supporting an early warning and intervention system.
A new approach to diagnosing COVID-19 combines rapid point-of-care nucleic acid testing with antibody tests, resulting in a significant increase in detection rates. The combined method was shown to be 100% accurate in identifying patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease.
A large population-based study suggests that people with COVID-19 should be retested 4 or more weeks after symptoms first appear to minimize the risk of onward infection. The study found a relatively high rate of false negative test results in early convalescence, highlighting the need for accurate assessment and follow-up testing.
A study found that rapid testing for HIV and HCV at drug detoxification centers led to a higher number of positive test results compared to laboratory-based testing. This approach has the potential to improve healthcare access for individuals with substance use disorders, reducing the risk of transmission and improving treatment outcomes.
The NIH is awarding contracts to nine companies for technologies that include portable point-of-care tests and high-throughput laboratories. These tests aim to provide rapid results and expand national testing in regions of need.
Researchers developed a rapid COVID-19 molecular test and portable instrument using a simpler process called LAMP, which can detect the virus in 30 minutes. The test uses a small 3D-printed microfluidic cartridge that reacts with chemicals to produce fluorescent light.
Researchers developed a saliva-based diagnostic method for COVID-19, detecting more cases than standard nasopharyngeal swab tests. The new approach has several advantages, including reduced need for PPE and trained staff.
The study examined SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates among hospitalized children with no COVID-19 symptoms. Researchers found that approximately 21% of these patients tested positive for the virus.
A new COVID-19 pooling test method, P-BEST, has been developed to identify all positive subjects, including asymptomatic carriers, in a single round of testing. The algorithmic method increases testing efficiency and reduces costs, making it ideal for conducting carrier screening when infection rates are low.
A study from the University of Notre Dame found that over 100,000 people were infected with COVID-19 by early March, despite only 1,514 reported cases and 39 deaths. The researchers attribute this to limited testing and gaps in surveillance during the initial phase of the epidemic.