Antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 infections: Tthe more the better
Oxford University Hospital tracked infections in 12,500 of its healthcare workers. Enlarge / Oxford University is associated with the hospital that ran this study, as well as a vaccine that is currently undergoing clinical trials. (credit: Gallo.....»»
Unsung gene is key to how antibodies develop, study finds
Researchers have discovered that an overlooked gene plays a major role in the development of antibodies, which help the immune system recognize and fight viruses including SARS-CoV-2, bacteria and other causes of infectious disease......»»
Antibodies mimicking the virus may explain long haul COVID-19, rare vaccine side effects, study suggests
A new article suggests that secondary antibodies known as 'anti-idiotype antibodies' could be responsible for some of the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and the symptoms of long-haul COVID......»»
Scientists find SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses in Cambodian bats from 2010
Scientists have identified coronaviruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 from two bats sampled in Cambodia more than a decade ago......»»
Distortion: Researchers discover new strategy for antibodies to disable viruses
It is widely understood that antibodies neutralize viruses by latching onto their surfaces and blocking them from infecting host cells. But new research reveals that this barrier method isn't the only way that antibodies disable viruses. An internati.....»»
An AI Finds Superbug-Killing Potential in Human Proteins
A team scoured the human proteome for antimicrobial molecules and found thousands, plus a surprise about how animals evolved to fight infections......»»
Potential new therapeutic pathway to clear chronic viral infections
A recent study in mice has uncovered that during chronic viral infection, a protein called BMI-1 gets turned on too early in B cells and messes up the delicate balance of gene expression, resulting in antibodies that are unsuccessful in their endeavo.....»»
Exposure to harmless coronaviruses boosts SARS-CoV-2 immunity, study shows
Infections with the novel coronavirus and vaccination lead to strong antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2. Immune responses to other human coronaviruses, which mostly only cause harmless colds, also provide some protection against SARS-CoV-2. This c.....»»
COVID-19 testing kits also can measure oral microbiome in saliva
COVID-19 saliva testing kits that include a novel preservative can also be used measure microscopic organisms in the mouth, a new study has found. This enables study of the relationship between mouth and lung microbes and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that ma.....»»
SARS-CoV-2 infection hijacks key cellular process, autophagy researchers discover
Novel autophagy research traces new mammalian pathways and reveals unexpected impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection......»»
Researchers develop rapid, highly accurate test to detect viruses like SARS-COV-2
University of Central Florida researchers have developed a device that detects viruses like SARS-COV-2 in the body as fast as and more accurately than current, commonly used rapid detection tests......»»
Why Omicron quickly became a variant of concern
The WHO lets Omicron skip over variant of interest, go straight to concern. Enlarge / That's a lot of mutations. (credit: Stanford) On Friday, the World Health Organization officially named a new version of the SARS-CoV-2 viru.....»»
It’s time to fear the fungi
Humans have long been protected from fungal infections. Climate change could ruin that. Enlarge / Computer illustration of Candida fungi (yeast). The most common representatives of Candida fungi are C. albicans and C. auris with simil.....»»
Germany Considers a Full Covid Lockdown and Mandatory Vaccines
Germany is set to decide on tougher Covid-19 restrictions and could even opt for a full lockdown amid record daily infections and mounting pressure on hospitals. From a report: Olaf Scholz, Germany's chancellor-designate, said Wednesday that the Covi.....»»
Phages kill dystentery-causing bacteria and reduce virulence in surviving bacteria
Phages are viruses that infect bacteria and can also be used to treat human infections. However, as with antibiotics, bacteria can readily evolve resistance to phage attack, highlighting a key limitation to the use of phages as therapeutics. Now, res.....»»
Plant-derived antiviral is effective in blocking highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, say scientists
A plant-based antiviral has been found to be just as effective at treating all variants of the virus SARS-CoV-2, even the highly infectious Delta variant......»»
Unborn babies could contract COVID-19, says study, but it would be uncommon
An unborn baby could become infected with COVID-19 if their gut is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, finds a new study......»»
Delta-like SARS-CoV-2 variants are most likely to increase pandemic severity
Mathematical model indicates SARS-CoV-2 variants that combine enhanced transmissibility with the ability to escape immunity cause more infections than variants with either trait alone. Understanding which type of variants are most likely to increase.....»»
Age, sex and waning COVID-19 antibodies
Antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination peaked higher for women and younger people than men and individuals over the age of 65, respectively, but levels dropped by half within six months for everyone in a study group......»»
Blocking protein interactions inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells
Viruses invade our cells and turn them into virus factories. Researchers at Uppsala University, together with a network of national and international collaborators, have identified the way SARS-CoV-2 takes control of our cells—and they have found a.....»»
Lung autopsies of COVID-19 patients reveal treatment clues
Lung autopsy and plasma samples from people who died of COVID-19 have provided a clearer picture of how the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads and damages lung tissue. Scientists say the information could help predict severe and prolonged COVID-19 cases, parti.....»»