Articles tagged with Virus Testing
A study of 18 Connecticut colleges found that COVID-19 cases were associated with higher social contact and lower testing rates. The authors suggest that colleges should continue testing residential students and implementing mitigation strategies.
Researchers have found COVID-19 infection in white-tailed deer in six northeast Ohio locations, suggesting the virus may be spreading among wildlife. The study's findings indicate that infected deer can potentially harbor new strains of SARS-CoV-2, complicating human mitigation and control plans.
Austrian researchers developed a detailed epidemiological model to study the spread of coronavirus in nursing homes. The agent-based simulation tool helps balance safety and quality of life, considering vaccination rates and testing accuracy. With a high vaccination rate, major outbreaks are no longer expected.
A novel quantum-based sensor has been developed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus with high accuracy and speed. The sensor uses nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond to detect minute perturbations in the presence of viral RNA, enabling fast and reliable detection.
Researchers at Binghamton University developed a new methodology called E-beacon that can detect SARS-CoV-2 with reliable results in under 2 hours. The E-beacon uses enzymatic beacons to recognize specific sequences in the virus' spike gene, producing a brighter light signal with increasing virus nucleic acid presence.
Researchers evaluated the quality of supporting evidence for FDA emergency use authorizations of COVID-19-related diagnostic tests, medical devices, and treatments. The study found that some authorizations lacked adequate evidence to support their approval.
The Lancet infographic reviews COVID-19 diagnostic tests, highlighting their strengths and limitations. The study suggests that improved test accuracy could aid in pandemic control measures.
A new aptasensor has been designed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva samples, offering higher sensitivity than antigen-based sensors. The sensor can detect concentrations as low as 0.5 nanomolars and works quickly and cheaply.
A new study suggests that breakthrough infections generate 'super immunity' to COVID-19, providing a robust immune response against the delta variant and potentially other variants. The study found that antibodies generated from breakthrough cases were 1,000% more effective than those from vaccinated individuals.
A new blood test developed at Hebrew University of Jerusalem detects immune and inflammatory activity in tissues by monitoring circulating DNA fragments. This method provides accurate information about immune processes in remote tissues, removing the need for invasive measures.
The CDC found flaws in the assay design and contamination of one component, leading to false positive reactivity in negative controls. A redesign and improved quality control measures have since been implemented.
University of North Carolina researchers have created a rapid sensing COVID-19 test strip using the natural biology of epithelial cells. The test is inspired by the virus' affinity for sugars in the glycocalyx matrix.
Researchers developed an RNA-based breath test called the Bubbler that can detect SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled breath, revealing a more direct indicator of current infection. The test also provides additional information on viral load and strain identity.
The Parallel Amplified Saliva rapid POint-of-caRe Test (PASPORT) has been developed with a two-stage process, producing results in minutes and enabling sensitivity comparable to laboratory-based PCR tests. The test's sensitivity was 97% in a clinical study involving over 100 participants.
A large field hospital study shows that a rapid Covid-19 test is as accurate as PCR detection, with high sensitivity rates for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The rapid antigen test's ease of use, time savings, and cost effectiveness make it an ideal solution to reduce testing disparities in medically underserved communities.
A new analysis of the COVID Pass tool found that daily symptom attestation helped identify over 100 cases of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. The study suggests that these tools can play a crucial role in preventing transmission events, particularly when combined with testing and proper care.
A new rapid test developed by Duke University researchers can measure patient immunity against multiple COVID-19 variants like Omicron and Delta. The CoVariant-SCAN test uses a polymer brush coating to detect neutralizing antibodies, allowing for quick and accurate assessment of antibody effectiveness.
A local health department in Indiana used surveillance data to identify neighborhoods with high disease burden and set up test sites, resulting in a decline in new cases among targeted groups. The success of this intervention highlights the importance of using data to address systemic racism and promote health equity.
A study published in Frontiers in Medicine found that patients who survive severe Covid-19 have a significantly greater chance of dying over the next year. The risk is highest for those under 65, with a 233% increased chance of dying compared to uninfected individuals.
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that prostacyclin treatment reduced damage to vital organs and halved mortality rates among critically ill Covid-19 patients. The research team hopes to investigate larger patient populations in future studies.
Researchers have developed a device that detects viruses in seconds from blood samples with 95% accuracy, significantly improving over current rapid tests. The optical sensor uses nanotechnology to accurately identify viruses, making it a promising technology for early treatment and virus detection.
Researchers have discovered that ulvan extracted from marine algae can prevent the infection of cells with the Corona virus. The study suggests that this cheap and accessible natural material may help solve the global spread of the pandemic in developing countries without access to vaccines.
A new protocol has been developed to identify potential false-positive COVID-19 results, particularly in asymptomatic non-exposed individuals. The method involved retesting all positive results from such patients, revealing 20 out of 288 initial positives to be false positives.
A rapid same-day test has been developed to identify secondary infections in COVID-19 patients on intensive care, allowing for targeted antibiotic treatment and reduced risk of antimicrobial resistance. The test uses nanopore sequencing technology to analyze bacterial and fungal pathogens present in patient samples.
A new test can determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies within 10 minutes, allowing for larger-scale screening and mass monitoring. The rapid cellulose pull-down viral neutralisation test has been developed using protein engineering technology and offers quick results with high accuracy.
Researchers found that omitting or altering the buffer solution can generate false positive results, highlighting its essential role in test function. The study's findings have far-reaching implications for public health worldwide, as the rapid antigen test has been distributed to over 120 countries.
Researchers at East Carolina University have discovered a new way to detect SARS-CoV-2 by testing air passing through building ventilation systems. The method revealed the presence of the virus in air samples with high accuracy, potentially leading to earlier detection and reduced transmission.
Researchers found that rapid antigen tests can detect COVID-19 in saliva samples with high sensitivity early in infection, but later in infection the tests lose sensitivity. Saliva-based tests may offer a more comfortable and convenient option for diagnosing COVID-19, especially in children or younger unvaccinated students.
A study of nearly 2000 healthcare workers found that being vaccinated against COVID-19 decreased asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection detection compared to unvaccinated staff. Vaccination status was associated with reduced risk of infection.
A study at the University of São Paulo found that Torquetenovirus (TTV) titer is higher in people infected by SARS-CoV-2, suggesting it could be a biomarker for COVID-19 severity. TTV load correlates with disease progression and outcome, and its measurement may support diagnosis.
Regular testing of asymptomatic healthcare workers identified as cost-efficient strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The study suggests that desynchronization of teams had limited effectiveness due to economic constraints.
Researchers at UC San Diego have created a CRISPR-based rapid diagnostic technology that detects SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing COVID-19. The new SENSR system is designed to simplify SARS-CoV-2 detection with a goal of eventual adaptation for in-home use.
The NIH emphasizes the need to engage with vulnerable communities in research design and implementation to ensure safe in-person schooling during COVID-19. This approach addresses significant gaps in previous studies conducted primarily in affluent neighborhoods.
A study by the Universities of Basel and Saarland found almost no risk of coronavirus infection in football players, contradicting previous assumptions about team contact risks. The research team collected data from over 1,300 cases and concluded that outdoor sports with minimal physical contact pose a very low risk of infection.
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has published new guidelines to improve the US' ability to respond to emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The recommendations focus on better collaboration between public health, clinical laboratories, and government agencies.
A new breath test developed by Ohio State researchers can identify COVID-19 infections in critically ill patients with high accuracy. The non-invasive technology uses nanosensors to detect specific biomarkers in exhaled breath, allowing for rapid screening and exclusion of non-infected patients.
A mathematical model suggests that high test administration, short testing delays, and intense non-pharmaceutical interventions decrease SARS-CoV-2 infection burdens. Increasing testing capacity can reduce reliance on costly interventions like distancing and shutdowns.
A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of infection with the delta variant, but vaccinated people can still spread the virus in household settings. Vaccination remains effective at preventing severe disease and deaths from COVID-19.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have created a deep neural network that detects disease biomarkers with high accuracy, achieving 98 per cent detection of peptide features. This breakthrough could enable earlier and more accurate disease detection through tissue sample analysis.
Researchers developed a novel sensor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins without antibodies, giving results within minutes. The technology enables rapid diagnostics for Covid-19 and future pandemics, reducing economic loss.
Scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified specific genetic biomarkers in blood samples that can indicate the severity of COVID-19. The study's findings suggest that these signals can be used to monitor SARS-CoV-2 status and predict clinical outcomes.
A study of 5,000 simulated undergraduates found that weekly surveillance testing was associated with a substantial reduction in infections. Even at low vaccine effectiveness rates, quarantine protocols were effective in reducing infections by up to 93.6%.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced influenza reporting, but vaccination and strengthened surveillance are critical for a possible resurgence. Research highlights the importance of flu vaccination and early testing for non-influenza respiratory viruses.
A team of researchers at the University of Warwick has demonstrated a novel glycan-recognition technology for detecting SARS-COV-2 using sugars. The prototype devices showed promise in identifying COVID-19 positive swabs across various viral loads, including variants of concern.
A new analysis suggests that the continuous arrival of infected individuals has a significant influence on the evolution and severity of local outbreaks. The researchers found an association between the number of seed arrivals and the speed of spread, final number of people infected, and peak incidence rate.
Researchers developed a computational method to estimate new infection rates from genomic sequences, revealing decreased case detection in Europe during summer 2020 due to relaxed testing criteria. The study also highlights the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 spread.
A team of researchers developed a new nanomechanical technique to fast-track the detection of COVID-19 variants. The method provides real-time insights into infection immunity and enables direct classification of variant-binding properties.
Researchers evaluated D-Dimer blood test to rule out blood clots in COVID-19 patients, finding it effective. The study also highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.
A team of scientists has developed an air sampling surveillance system that can detect COVID-19 in indoor environments, producing a higher detection rate compared to surface swab samples. The system's potential for early warning of infection risks makes it valuable in hospitals and nursing homes.
Researchers found that asymptomatic patients may not produce significant IgG antibodies, but rather a different kind of antibody count that can indicate disease severity. The study suggests using the ratio of these two counts as a marker to determine if a person has had COVID-19.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found a significant inverse relationship between oral health and COVID-19 severity, as well as delayed recovery and increased inflammation in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Researchers recommend maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent or decrease COVID-19 disease severity.
Researchers found that T-cell tests are prone to false-positive responses due to cross-reactive reactions with other infections. The study suggests that these tests should not be used for individual diagnosis, but may still have a role in research and studies.
Studies found distinct patterns in nasal microbiota of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, with symptomatic patients showing reduced bacterial counts and increased presence of certain bacteria. The findings suggest that altered microbiota may impact immune response to the virus.
Researchers at DTU Health Tech have invented a one-pot assay, NISDA, for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA without the need for enzyme-based methods. The assay detects low concentrations of RNA in 30 minutes and has shown high accuracy and sensitivity.
Researchers found that shrinking waveforms on electrocardiograms can help identify high-risk patients with COVID-19 or influenza, allowing for more aggressive monitoring and treatment. The study also showed that this technique may be particularly useful in overwhelmed systems where timely intervention is crucial.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to study the action of SARS-CoV-2, enabling the examination of individual virus particles and their spikes. This analysis can help fine-tune prevention and treatment by providing insights into viral load, spike distribution, and cell infection potential.
Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.
A new DNA sensor can detect both the presence and infectivity of viruses in minutes, providing a significant improvement over current methods that only detect genetic material. This breakthrough could aid in tracking and containing viral outbreaks, as well as understanding mechanisms of infection.
Researchers found that salivary HR-HPV DNA can detect HPV-driven head and neck cancers (HNC) in most patients at the time of diagnosis. The study showed a clear survival advantage for salivary HR-HPV-positive patients, with high-risk strains detected in most cases.