Tag: INFECTIOUS/EMERGING DISEASES

People who develop severe COVID-19 have markedly blunted antiviral responses in the nasopharynx

Early antiviral response in the nose may determine the course of COVID-19

Cells sampled at the time of diagnosis from patients who later developed severe COVID-19 show a muted antiviral response, study finds

Advantages of intranasal vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Intranasal vaccination is needle-free and elicits immunity at the site of infection, the respiratory tract

AZ heroes study awarded $15M to continue, expand evaluation of COVID-19 immunity

July 22, 2021 sarah JonasResearch Results

A University of Arizona Health Sciences study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and immunity among frontline workers has received a $15 million award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue the current research for another year…

New Insights Into Uncontrolled Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients

In a new study, published recently in the journal Circulation Research, scientists discover how the production of protective molecules known as specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPM) is altered in patients with COVID-19.

How Readily Does COVID-19 Spread on School Buses?

July 22, 2021 sarah JonasResearch Results

Although in-school transmission of COVID-19 among K-12 students is low when safeguards are in place, the risk of acquiring COVID-19 during school bus transportation is unclear.

New insights into uncontrolled inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Research led by Queen Mary University of London provides new insight into the mechanisms that lead to uncontrolled inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Cell-analysis technique could combat tuberculosis

ITHACA, N.Y. – A new method that analyzes how individual immune cells react to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis could pave the way for new vaccine strategies against this deadly disease, and provide insights into fighting other infectious diseases around…

Study points to remotely supervised exercise classes as best option during lockdown

Based on data for 344 volunteers, Brazilian researchers compared the physical and mental health benefits of workouts led in person by a fitness instructor, unsupervised online sessions, and classes supervised remotely via video call

Interaction identified between SARS-CoV-2 and unusual RNA structures in human cells

Replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, depends on a series of interactions between viral proteins and different cellular partners such as nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). Characterizing these interactions is crucial to elucidate the process of viral replication…

Prostate cancer treatment among black, white patients during pandemic

What The Study Did: This study included 647 patients with untreated nonmetastatic prostate cancer (269 patients during the pandemic and 378 from before the pandemic). During the initial COVID-19 lockdown, only 1% of Black men underwent prostatectomy, while 26% of…

Less-sensitive COVID-19 tests may still achieve optimal results if enough people tested

Analysis suggests same epidemiological outcomes possible with rapid-antigen versus RT-PCR tests

Global warming may limit spread of dengue fever, new research finds

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Infection with dengue virus makes mosquitoes more sensitive to warmer temperatures, according to new research led by Penn State researchers. The team also found that infection with the bacterium Wolbachia, which has recently been used to…

Pathogens get comfy in designer goo

Rice, Baylor labs use custom hydrogels to mimic insides of intestines, study infectious bacteria

COVID-19: Patients with malnutrition may be more likely to have severe outcomes

July 21, 2021 sarah JonasResearch Results

Adults and children with COVID-19 who have a history of malnutrition may have an increased likelihood of death and the need for mechanical ventilation, according to a study published in Scientific Reports . Malnutrition hampers the proper functioning of the…

Traditional Japanese Food May Hold Building Blocks of COVID-19 Treatments

Natto, a fermented soybean dish often served for breakfast in Japan, originated at the turn of the last millennium but may hold an answer to a modern problem: COVID-19, according to a new study based on cell cultures.

New method predicts COVID-19 severity, could help with hospital triage

During the height of the pandemic, some hospitals were overwhelmed with patients seeking treatment for COVID-19. This situation could happen again during future outbreaks, especially with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern on the rise. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Analytical Chemistry…

Toward one drug to treat all coronaviruses

Safe and effective vaccines offer hope for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the possible emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as novel coronaviruses, make finding treatments that work against all coronaviruses as important as ever. Now, researchers…

Association between COVID-19 exposure, self-reported compliance with public health guidelines among essential employees at an institution of higher education

What The Study Did: This study at an institution of higher education in Colorado evaluated the association between self-reported protective behaviors and how common SARS-CoV-2 infection was among essential in-person employees during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic…

Study links vaccine immune response to age

New OHSU laboratory research highlights importance of increasing vaccination to protect older vaccinated adults

Traditional Japanese food may hold building blocks of COVID-19 treatments

Existing drug is shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virus

A new University of Chicago study has found that the drug masitinib may be effective in treating COVID-19. The drug, which has undergone several clinical trials for human conditions but has not yet received approval to treat humans, inhibited the…

Children’s National Hospital and NIAID launch study on long-term impacts of COVID-19 and MIS-C

NIH-funded multi-year study will look at impacts on children’s physical health and quality of life

Study refutes suspicion that dengue increases risk of microcephaly associated with zika

Researchers compared data for pregnant women in two cities who were infected by zika virus in 2015-16. Factors that influenced the risk of fetal malformation were the high zika attack rate in the area and being infected in the first trimester of pregnan

SARS-CoV-2: Achilles’ heel of viral RNA

Researchers at Goethe University find small molecules as binding partners for genomic RNA of the coronavirus

Strong immune response underlies acute kidney injury related to COVID-19

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have found that acute kidney injury associated with COVID-19 resembles sepsis-caused kidney injury, and the immune response triggered by the infection plays a pivotal role. The findings, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, also suggest…

The environmental toll of disposable masks

A new study calculates the waste generated by N95 usage and suggests possible ways to reduce it

More than 1.5M children lost a primary or secondary caregiver due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Addressing the impact of caregiver deaths critical for pediatric mental health, authors note

The Lancet: 1.5 million children worldwide have lost parent, grandparent, caregiver due to COVID-19

Study offers first global estimates of the number of children who experienced the death of a parent, grandparent, or primary caregiver from COVID-19. Researchers estimated figures based on COVID-19 mortality data from March 2020 through April 2021, and national fertility…

Take your best shot: Which SARS-CoV-2 vaccine should I get, if any?

University of Cincinnati physician-researcher uses computerized decision model to provide evidence that being vaccinated is better than not

CEPI and IVI collaborate on clinical research to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in Africa

July 20, 2021; Oslo, Norway and Seoul, Republic of Korea: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) today announced a new programme of clinical research which aims to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in…

Public trust in CDC, FDA, and Fauci holds steady, survey shows

But heavy users of conservative media have less confidence and are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories

Preparing for the next pandemic: Harmonize vaccinations in Canada

To prepare for the next pandemic and provide a coordinated approach to vaccination across the country, Canada should create Canadian Immunization Services based on the Canadian Blood Services model, authors propose in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) . The authors,…

COVID-19 antibodies persist at least nine months after infection

Testing of an entire Italian town shows antibody levels remain high nine months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. Researchers from the University of Padua and Imperial College London tested more than 85 percent of the 3,000 residents of…

RedHill Biopharma announces last patient out for phase 2/3 COVID-19 study of oral Opaganib

Top-line results expected in the coming weeks

Rapid screening, face masks may prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission at indoor mass-gathering events

Embargoed News from Annals of Internal Medicine

COVID-19-related immigration concerns among Latinx immigrants in US

What The Study Did: T hese results suggest that substantial proportions of Latinx immigrants have immigration concerns about engaging in COVID-19-related testing, treatment and contact tracing. Authors: Carol L. Galletly, J.D., Ph.D., Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, i s…

Novel autoantibody adds fuel to COVID-19 ‘firestorm’ of inflammation, blood clots

The finding will likely help physicians develop targeted therapies for future COVID patients

Of lives and life years: 1918 influenza vs COVID-19

Next time, vaccination may be too little, too late

In vitro Zoo helps in understanding SARS-CoV-2

July 16, 2021 sarah JonasResearch Results

Since the beginning of the pandemic, several reports have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 spillover events have occurred from humans to animals, as evidenced by the transmission of the virus between keepers and tigers and lions in the Bronx Zoo in New…

No Sign of COVID-19 Vaccine in Breast Milk

Messenger RNA vaccines against COVID-19 were not detected in human milk, according to a small study by UC San Francisco, providing early evidence that the vaccine mRNA is not transferred to the infant.

Exploring gap between excess mortality, COVID-19 deaths in 67 countries

What The Study Did: N ational health care systems have different capacities to correctly identify people who died of COVID-19. Researchers in this study analyzed the gap between excess mortality and COVID-19 confirmed mortality in 67 countries to determine the…

Primary care payment model, telemedicine use for Medicare Advantage during pandemic

What The Study Did: The association between primary care payment models and the use of telemedicine for Medicare Advantage enrollees during the COVID-19 pandemic was examined in this study. Authors: Brian W. Powers, M.D., M.B.A., of Humana Inc. in Louisville,…

From birth control to mammograms, many women missed out on preventive care for all of 2020

Study shows even after in-person care restarted, women were 20% to 30% less likely to get such services than in 2019, especially those from lower-income and higher-minority areas

COVID-19 vaccination: Examining negative dominance on social media

It’s not all negative

3D “assembloid” shows how SARS-CoV-2 infects brain cells

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine have produced a stem cell model that demonstrates a potential route of entry of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, into the human…

Common COVID-19 antibiotic no more effective than placebo

UCSF outpatient study found limited effect of azithromycin on progression of disease

Study finds vaccine hesitancy lower in poorer countries