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SARS-CoV-2

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 23, 2020·2 min read

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the risk of severe COVID-19

Researchers confirm ACE inhibitors and ARBS medications may increase the risk of patients with COVID-19 developing more severe symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 23, 2020·4 min read

Containment efforts appear to step COVID-19 spread down from exponential norm

Community actions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 may help to contain the virus and stop the exponential growth of cases. Researchers say the viral spread in China occurred in a fractal pattern. When social distancing was implemented, viral spread slowed. With more communities adopting social distancing measures, the spread became smaller in each new area exposed.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·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.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 23, 2020·1 min read

Loss of smell sense first sign of COVID-19

As many as one in three COVID-19 patients report smell loss as an early symptom of the infection. Researchers say the loss of smell could be used as a key clinical indicator of infection in otherwise symptom-free or pre-symptomatic carriers of coronavirus.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 21, 2020·2 min read

New vaccine candidate for COVID-19 identified

Researchers report they have identified a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 and are working towards phase one clinical testing. A chimpanzee adenovirus vaccine vector was chosen as the most suitable vaccine technology for SARS-CoV-2 as it can generate a stronger immune response in one dose and is not a replicating virus.

This shows the structure of the protease

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 20, 2020·2 min read

COVID-19: Main protease of SARS-CoV-2 decoded

Researchers have decoded the 3-D architecture of the main SARS-CoV-2 protease. The protein is involved in the reproduction of the virus. The findings may help in the systematic development of drugs to inhibit the reproduction of the virus, potentially lowering COVID-19 infections.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 20, 2020·4 min read

App predicts hospital capacity amid COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers have launched a new interactive tool that compares hospital capacity with projected demand throughout the nation's 306 hospital regions. The app provides a clear picture of best and worst scenarios across each region for hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This shows a man looking out of a window

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.

This shows the FluSense device components

Featured Neuroscience

·March 19, 2020·4 min read

Portable AI device turns coughing sounds into health data for flu and pandemic forecasting

Researchers have developed a portable surveillance device that uses machine learning to detect coughing and crowd size in real-time. The system can use the data to directly monitor flu-like illnesses, community trends, and virus spread potential. The system could help monitor the spread of infection and provide a public health response during an epidemic.

This shows two people looking at each other from a distance

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 19, 2020·4 min read

‘Feeling obligated’ can impact relationships during social distancing

Many of us feel obligated to perform acts for loved ones, such as calling more frequently or running an errand for an elderly friend, during this time of social distancing. Researchers report low-level obligations and acts of kindness can help strengthen relationships, while more substantive obligations can put a strain on relationships.