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COVID-19

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·May 3, 2020·4 min read

Lockdown singing: the science of why music helps us connect in isolation

Researchers explore how and why music is helping to keep us all connected during the coronavirus lockdown.

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·May 2, 2020·5 min read

Temporarily suppressing immune system during early COVID-19 infection may prevent severe symptoms

A new mathematical model examined the immune response in patients with coronavirus. The findings suggest adaptive immune response may kick in before target immune cells are depleted, slowing the infection. The interaction of the innate and adaptive immune response may explain why some with coronavirus experience a second wave infection, appearing to get better before the symptoms return and get worse. Other studies have shown those who received immunosuppressants at the start of infection had a better clinical outcome than those who did not.

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·May 1, 2020·4 min read

Coronavirus infects cells of the intestine: Stool samples could be used to test for virus

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect intestinal cells and multiple in the gastrointestinal system. When researchers added SARS-CoV-2 to intestinal organoids, they noticed rapid infection. Researchers say in addition to nasal and throat swabs, rectal swabs and stool samples could be key for coronavirus testing.

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·May 1, 2020·3 min read

Scientists uncover structural basis for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by Remdesivir

Researchers have identified the structural basis for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by the drug Remdesivir. The findings reveal a potential binding pattern that offers support for the design of new, more efficient, and specific anti-COVID-19 drugs.

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·May 1, 2020·3 min read

For people with diabetes and COVID-19, blood sugar control is key

It is well reported that diabetes is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 infections and increased mortality risk as a result of the virus. A new study reports those with Type 2 diabetes with well-controlled blood sugar levels fare much better if the contract coronavirus than those with poorly controlled blood glucose levels.

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·April 30, 2020·4 min read

COVID-19: Using wastewater to track the pandemic

Examining wastewater is helping researchers track coronavirus infection trends. The waste reflects the viral load excreted by a population within a few hours and can help establish COVID-19 community hot spots. While researchers will not be able to calculate the exact number of community cases of coronavirus by examining wastewater, they can trace the increase of SARS-CoV-2 concentration and track the level of infection rate.

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·April 30, 2020·2 min read

Blood clotting a significant cause of death in patients with COVID-19

Abnormal blood clotting contributes to death in some patients with severe COVID-19 infections. The abnormal blood clotting caused micro-clots within the lungs. Those with higher levels of blood clotting activity were significantly more likely to require ICU admission. Findings reveal an association with a unique type of blood clotting disorder that primarily focuses within the lung and contributes to higher levels of mortality in coronavirus cases.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 30, 2020·3 min read

DNA may hold the key to protecting populations from COVID-19

A new genetics test for COVID-19 has been developed by an international team of researchers. The full genome sequencing test can not only provide accurate results in less than two minutes, but it can also extract intricate and highly complex genetic data about the strain of the coronavirus infection.

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·April 30, 2020·5 min read

Experts warn against malarial drugs as a cure for coronavirus

Researchers warn early encouraging signals from small-scale preliminary trials for the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus should be taken with caution. Current evidence suggests chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can not be used as a general treatment for all COVID-19 infections. Researchers say the medications should be restricted for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with pneumonia and high death risk, and only then as part of a clinical trial. The study also points out the negative side effects produced by the anti-malarial drugs and warns that those who need the medication to treat Lupus might not have access to treatment if widespread use for coronavirus occurs. The study reports there is no evidence to support the mass use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine to prevent infection from occurring.

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·April 30, 2020·6 min read

Antibodies from Llamas Could Help in Fight Against COVID-19

Linking two copies of a specific antibody produced by llamas, researchers have created a new antibody that binds tightly to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The antibody, called VHH-72, blocks the virus from infecting cells in lab cultures. Researchers say this is one of the first antibodies found to neutralizes SARS-CoV-2. Animal studies are currently underway to test if the antibody is viable in the fight against coronavirus. If successful, the antibody therapy will move into human testing.

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·April 29, 2020·2 min read

Tobacco smoking increases lung entry points for COVID-19

Smoking remodels the gene expression of lung cells so that the ACE2 gene is more highly expressed in goblet cells. The effects of smoking on ACE2 pulmonary expression indicates an increase in the overall entry points for coronavirus and increases the risk for viral binding and entry of COVID-19 into the lungs.

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·April 29, 2020·4 min read

COVID-19 study shows that men have over double the death rate of women

Males who contract COVID-19 have 2.5 times the death rate of women. Being males is a significant risk factor for worse disease severity, regardless of age. Researchers found a similar trend in data from the 2003 SARS outbreak. The study speculates the reason why males are more prone to negative outcomes of coronavirus is due to levels of ACE2, which is significantly higher in males than females.