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·May 5, 2020·3 min read

Household factors may exacerbate COVID-19 health risks

Certain household factors, including access to outdoor space, overcrowding, and financial problems, make some people significantly more vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus. Researchers identified which types of households were at particular risk of both short and long-term socioeconomic and health problems associated with COVID-19.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 5, 2020·2 min read

Fully human antibody that blocks infection from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in cells identified

Researchers have identified a fully human monoclonal antibody that prevents SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from infecting cultured cells. The antibody binds to a domain that is conserved in SARS-CoV-2, neutralizing the virus. The findings are an initial step towards developing a fully human antibody to prevent or treat coronavirus.

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·May 4, 2020·3 min read

Making a homemade coronavirus mask? Doubled T-shirt fabric offers 98% droplet blocking protection

As more states are requiring people to wear face masks in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19, researchers investigate the best materials people can use to create their masks at home. A single layer of T-shirt fabric is 40% effective at higher droplet blocking. When layers are doubled, the fabric is 98% effective, exceeding the effectiveness of a clinical medical mask.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 4, 2020·3 min read

Early Predictor of Severe Respiratory Failure in Patients With COVID-19 Identified

Very high levels of the suPAR protein in blood samples of coronavirus patients could be a new biomarker to predict those who will develop severe respiratory failure. Researchers say, the higher the suPAR level, the shorter the time before a patient needs intubation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 4, 2020·4 min read

Chronic illness in childhood linked to higher rates of mental illness

Children who faced chronic health conditions were twice as likely during early adolescence to report mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, as their healthier peers. At age 15, children with chronic health problems were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with mental health disorders.

This is a printout of the genomic data from the study

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 4, 2020·5 min read

A new and unique mutation in coronavirus

A new genetic sequencing study reveals SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus, originated from a single source in Wuhan, China. However, many of the localized cases in the US show Europe as the most likely source of infection. The study also identified a SARS-CoV-2 mutation that has never been seen before, where 81 of the letters have been permanently deleted from the genome. The mutation mirrors a large deletion that occurred during the 2003 SARS outbreak. During the mid-to-late phases of the 2003 SARS infection, the accumulated mutations attenuated the virus, leaving a weakened form of infection that resulted in less severe symptoms.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 4, 2020·2 min read

Stroke clot-buster drugs could be harnessed to tackle COVID-19

An aerosolized version of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a clot-busing drug commonly used for the treatment of stroke patients, could target blood clots that form as a result of severe coronavirus infection.

This shows someone holding a box of actemra

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 3, 2020·2 min read

Arthritis Drug Presents Promise as Treatment for COVID-19 Pneumonia

UCSD has launched a Phase III clinical trial to assess whether tocilizumab (Actemra), a drug commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, has therapeutic value for those at risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. The drug is a monoclonal antibody-based therapy that blocks receptors for interleukin-6, a cytokine that triggers inflammation as an early immune response to coronavirus. Blocking IL-6 could prevent the risk of the COVID-19 associated cytokine storm many with severe infection experience.

Featured Neuroscience

·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.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 1, 2020·3 min read

Schizophrenia drug combined with radiation shows promise in treating deadly brain tumors

Trifluoperazine, a dopamine receptor antagonist commonly prescribed for schizophrenia, used in combination with radiation therapy delays the growth of glioblastoma brain tumors and prolongs survival for brain cancer.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·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.