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SARS-CoV-2

·May 12, 2020·2 min read

Exploring why some COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell

ACE2 and TMPRSS2, two proteins required for SARS-CoV-2 entry, are produced in cells in the nasal cavity that contribute to odor detection. The findings may explain why people with coronavirus often describe the loss of the sense of smell as a symptom of the virus.

This shows a woman's eye with computer code and covid19

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·May 12, 2020·3 min read

New AI diagnostic can predict COVID-19 without testing

A new artificial intelligence algorithm can accurately predict whether a person is infected with coronavirus based on a range of symptoms a person experiences. Researchers say the technology will help identify those with COVID-19 in populations that are experiencing limited clinical testing.

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·May 11, 2020·3 min read

Breathing and talking contribute to COVID-19 spread

Researchers say that to date, primary transmission methods of concern for coronavirus have been near field transmission via sneezing and coughing, and hand-to-face transportation of the virus after touching infected surfaces. They warn more attention needs to be paid to the inhalation of aerosols generated from breathing and talking.

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·May 11, 2020·6 min read

Men’s blood contains greater concentrations of enzyme that helps COVID-19 infect cells

Men have higher concentrations of ACE2 in their blood than women. As ACE2 enables coronavirus to infect cells, the findings may explain why men are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than women.

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·May 11, 2020·5 min read

Vitamin D levels appear to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates

COVID-19 patients from countries with higher mortality rates for the infection had lower levels of vitamin D compared to those from countries with lower mortality rates. Findings suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of both more severe coronavirus infection and mortality as a result of contracting the virus.

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·May 6, 2020·3 min read

COVID-19 may increase blood clotting and blockage of brain blood vessels

A new case study reveals a link between COVID-19 and clotting in blood vessels in the brain that results in an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Five of the six cases included in the study suffered an ischemic stroke within 8-24 days of the onset of coronavirus symptoms. Early use of anticoagulants might help reduce the risk of blood clotting and stroke in patients with COVID-19.

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·May 5, 2020·4 min read

Recently recovered COVID-19 patients produce varying virus-specific antibodies

Recovered coronavirus patients show a wide range of immune responses following the infection, with about half from a current study showing sustained antibodies two weeks later. Results indicate which parts of the virus are most effective at triggering the immune responses.

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·May 5, 2020·2 min read

Coronavirus structure clue to high infection rate

Researchers identified a structural loop in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the area of the coronavirus that facilitates entry into cells, and a sequence of four amino acids in the loop that are different from other known human coronaviruses in this viral lineage. SARS-CoV-2 has some shared properties with the 2003 virus responsible for the SARS outbreak. The loop appears to be important to both the transmission and stability of the virus. The study also found that in addition to humans and primates, cats, ferrets, and minks are also susceptible to COVID-19 infection.

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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.

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·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.

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·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.