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immune system

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·March 23, 2020·4 min read

COVID-19 pandemic likely to go in waves

A new mathematical model shows the current COVID-19 pandemic could decline during the summer months, but return in the fall, with a major resurgence next winter. The model takes into account the seasonal variations of other closely related respiratory coronaviruses. Based on other coronavirus data, the model reveals infections were ten times more common between December and April in the northern hemisphere than between July and September. Researchers emphasize this model only attempts to examine possible scenarios, as we are currently unsure how warmer temperatures will affect SARS-CoV-2.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 23, 2020·3 min read

Tuberculosis BCG-based vaccine may be effective against COVID-19

VPM1002, a vaccine candidate based on the tuberculosis BCG vaccine, may be effective in protecting against COVID-19. Previous studies in mice have shown the BCG vaccine is effective at protecting against several respiratory viral infections. If effective against coronavirus, researchers hope the vaccine can bridge the time gap until a specific SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is available.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 20, 2020·4 min read

How stress and loneliness can make you more likely to get COVID-19

Stress, loneliness, and sleep loss can weaken the immune system, leaving people more susceptible to COVID-19. The best way to mitigate the negative health effects of stress and social isolation during the pandemic is to stay connected with others, particularly via video calls.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 20, 2020·4 min read

New drug target found for COVID-19

Researchers have identified a potential new drug target for COVID-19. The scientists mapped the anatomical structures of two critical SARS-CoV-2 proteins in the nsp10/nsp16 complex. If a drug can be developed to inhibit nsp10/nsp16, researchers believe the immune system should be able to detect the infection and eradicate it faster.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 17, 2020·3 min read

COVID-19: The immune system can fight back

Australian researchers have mapped immune responses from one of the country's first COVID-19 patients. The findings shed light on how the immune system fights the virus and assists in recovery from the virus.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 12, 2020·4 min read

Researchers identify potential targets for immune response to COVID-19

Study provides first potential targets for effective immune responses against COVID-19. The findings provide essential information for vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 3, 2020·4 min read

Depressive symptoms during pregnancy linked to lowered immunity in infants

Depression during pregnancy can directly influence the development of the immune system in children. Children whose mothers reported symptoms of prenatal depression had lower levels of immunoglobulin A in their guts. Lower immunity placed babies at risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, as well as allergies and asthma. Additionally, children may face an increased risk of depression, obesity, and autoimmune diseases as they age.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 28, 2020·3 min read

Our own immune cells damage the integrity of the blood-brain barrier

Microglia initially protects the blood-brain barrier from damage due to systemic inflammation. However, microglia can alter their behavior and increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, thus damaging it.

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Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·February 24, 2020·4 min read

‘Resetting’ immune cells improves traumatic brain injury recovery

By inhibiting a particular receptor microglia use to survive, researchers reduced neuroinflammation and prompted recovery following traumatic brain injury in mouse models.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 24, 2020·4 min read

Antibodies: The body’s own antidepressants

When autoantibodies are able to enter the bran and act on NMDA receptors, people experience relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 11, 2020·6 min read

Human gut-in-a-dish model helps define ‘leaky gut,’ and outline a pathway to treatment

A new 3D human gut organoid reveals the molecular system that keeps the intestinal linings sealed and how dysfunction can occur. Findings reveal the diabetes drug metformin can help strengthen the intestinal lining.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 11, 2020·4 min read

How the brain’s immune system could be harnessed to improve memory

Altering microglia in rats helped enhance their performance in memory tasks by up to 50%. The findings could help to develop new therapies that enhance memory function and prevent cognitive decline in humans.