New Omicron Variants Are Here--What We Know So Far
The variants appear to sneak past the immune system, but vaccines will likely continue to hold strong.....»»
COVID Variants May Arise in People with Compromised Immune Systems
The case history of a U.K. man in his 70s shows how selective “pressures” bring about viral mutations -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Booster Shots against Scary COVID Virus Variants Are In the Works
Vaccine makers are designing follow-up shots, based on new mutations, to keep the disease at bay -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
As coronavirus variants spread, the US struggles to keep up
Without federal strategy or enough funding, US sequencing superpowers don't work. Enlarge (credit: Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images) Across the US, the coronavirus is in retreat. The pandemic is still raging, mind you, with more than 70,00.....»»
Genetic variants for skin color in African Americans linked to vitamin D deficiency
One day physicians may be able to look at an African American's skin color and, with the help of other determinants, know if prescribing vitamin D supplements would lower that person's risk of getting cancers of the prostate, colon, rectum or breast......»»
Experts Answer the Biggest COVID Vaccine Questions
Scientific American talked to scientists about everything from what efficacy means, to protection against the new variants -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
As Coronavirus Variants Spread, the US Struggles to Keep Up
The nation is a sequencing superpower. But without a federal strategy or enough funding, scientists can’t coordinate to track an evolving threat fast enough......»»
Neandertal gene variants both increase and decrease the risk for severe COVID-19
Last year, researchers showed that a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals. Now the same researchers show that Neandertals also contributed a protective variant. Half of all people outside Africa carry a Neandert.....»»
Tesla slashes Model 3 and Model Y base prices, raises them for higher-end variants
The price cuts aren't significant, especially compared to previous mark-downs from Tesla, but they might just be enough to drive a few extra sales. According to Reuters, the Standard Range Plus Model 3 has been reduced in price from $37,990 to $36,99.....»»
Booster Shots Against Scary COVID Virus Variants Are In the Works
Vaccine makers are designing follow-up shots, based on new mutations, to keep the disease at bay -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Mutation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein renders virus up to eight times more infectious
A mutation in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2—one of several genetic mutations in the concerning variants that have emerged in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil—makes the virus up to eight times more infectious in human cells than the.....»»
"Virus always has mutation as a weapon": Scientists warn against lifting lockdown too soon
Scientists tracking the spread of COVID variants have warned against lifting lockdown too soon......»»
Large-scale study finds genetic testing technology falsely detects very rare variants
A technology that is widely used by commercial genetic testing companies is 'extremely unreliable' in detecting very rare variants, meaning results suggesting individuals carry rare disease-causing genetic variants are usually wrong, according to new.....»»
NIH experts discuss SARS-CoV-2 viral variants
The rise of significant variants of SARS-CoV-2 has attracted the attention of health and science experts worldwide. In a new editorial, experts outline how these variants have arisen, concerns about whether vaccines currently authorized for use will.....»»
Is It Safe to Delay a Second COVID Vaccine Dose?
Some evidence indicates that short waits are safe, but there is a chance that partial immunization could help risky new coronavirus variants to develop -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
All These Mutant Virus Strains Need New Code Names
As potentially more dangerous variants of Covid-19 spread, scientists are taking a crack at giving them clearer names that’ll help in the fight......»»
Tweaking COVID vaccines to fight variants won’t require big trials, FDA says
The regulatory agency is drawing on its experience with annually tweaked flu shots. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Congressional Quarterly) With concerning coronavirus variants erupting around the world, the US Food and Drug Administration is ironin.....»»
Work starts on coronavirus vaccine that will target variants
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline and German biotech firm CureVac have struck a €150m (£130m) deal to develop next-generation COVID-19 vaccines that target several variants of the virus in one product......»»
Plan to develop new vaccine that targets COVID-19 variants in one jab
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline and German biotech firm CureVac have struck a €150m (£130m) deal to develop next-generation COVID-19 vaccines that target several variants of the virus in one product......»»
Fauci Says CDC May Recommend Wearing Two Masks To Fight Virus
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: The Centers for Disease Control may recommend wearing two masks -- one over the other -- to keep at bay the more contagious variants of the coronavirus, according to Anthony Fauci. The CDC and Fauci.....»»
B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant is picking up a worrisome new mutation
There's a lot of unknowns, but it's clear the virus isn't done trying to outwit us. Enlarge (credit: CDC.gov) As the world races to get vaccines into arms, one of the most concerning coronavirus variants appears to be getting a little more con.....»»