Potent alpaca nanobodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a novel strategy for identifying potent miniature antibodies, so-called nanobodies, against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach led to the discovery of multiple nanobodies that in c.....»»
BA.2.86 fears fizzle as other variants drive up hospitalizations, deaths
Three preliminary studies suggest BA.2.86 may not be the scary subvariant some feared. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Justin Sullivan) Concern over the highly evolved omicron subvariant BA.2.86 is easing as the first batch of.....»»
Methane emissions in LA are decreasing more slowly than previously estimated
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, 80 times more potent at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. In 2014, a California law required statewide methane emissions to be cut by 40% by 2030 from 2013 levels. Currently, the local natural gas utili.....»»
How incoming adenoviruses change their chromatin structure for efficient gene expression
Adenoviruses, known for their low pathogenicity and technological approachability, have become instrumental in many therapeutic applications, including as a vaccination vector platform during the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Central to their efficacy.....»»
Mapping the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could provide insight into vaccine development
Although the COVID-19 pandemic was the first time most of humanity learned of the now infamous disease, the family of coronaviruses was first identified in the mid-1960s. In a new study, molecular biologist Steven Van Doren, a scientist in the Univer.....»»
Inhalable molecules neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in mice
Nanofitins, which are derived from a protein found in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius—an archaeal microorganism found in hot springs—successfully neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in mice and were well-tolerated. When inhaled by the rodents, the engineered nanofi.....»»
Newly-engineered versions of bacterial enzyme reveal how antibiotics could be more potent
Modern medicine depends on antibiotics to treat infections by disabling targets inside bacterial cells. Once inside these cells, antibiotics bind to certain sites on specific enzyme targets to stop bacterial growth. Randomly occurring changes (mutati.....»»
What makes Idalia so potent? It"s feeding on intensely warm water that acts like rocket fuel
Feeding on some of the hottest water on the planet, Hurricane Idalia is rapidly strengthening as it bears down on Florida and the rest of the Gulf Coast. It's been happening a lot lately......»»
Study: Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor promotes mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into cardiac progenitor cells
Cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction (MI), are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the globe. Because cardiac tissue possesses very limited regeneration potential, use of a potent small molecule, inhibitor Wnt p.....»»
COVID-19 virus is evolving rapidly in white-tailed deer, new research finds
White-tailed deer across Ohio have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, new research has found—and the results also show that viral variants evolve about three times faster in deer than in humans......»»
SARS-CoV-2: How the history of human populations influences their immune response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical spectrum observed among people infected with SARS-CoV-2 ranged from asymptomatic carriage to death. Researchers at the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS and the Collège de France, in collaboration with researchers.....»»
BA.2.86 shows just how risky slacking off on COVID monitoring is
The variant has grabbed attention, but with such limited data, the risk is unclear. Enlarge / Transmission electron micrograph of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle isolated from a patient sample and cultivated in cell culture. (credit.....»»
Mapping methane emissions from rivers around globe reveals surprising sources
Freshwater ecosystems account for half of global emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Rivers and streams, especially, are thought to emit a substantial amount of that methane, but the rates and patterns of.....»»
Crucial early-warning listserv for tracking disease outbreaks is in danger
ProMED, which broke news of COVID, SARS, and MERS, is short on cash and in turmoil. Enlarge (credit: Miragec/Getty Images) Internal dissent within the mostly volunteer disease-news network known as ProMED—which alerted.....»»
New SARS-CoV-2 variant gains dominance in US amid mild summer COVID wave
Absolute numbers are low, but several indicators show pandemic virus is on the rise. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Thomas Trutschel) For a fourth consecutive summer, COVID-19 is on the rise, though this year's warm-weather wa.....»»
A Crucial Early Warning System for Disease Outbreaks Is in Jeopardy
The ProMED website and listserv, which broke the news of the arrival of Covid, SARS, and MERS, is now caught between financial shortfalls and staff turmoil......»»
Novel nano-immune magnetic bead may provide faster way to catch SARS-CoV-2
A more efficient way to test SARS-CoV-2 virus was developed recently by a research team led by Professor Wang Junfeng from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). The novel nano-immune magnetic bead (Mal-IMB) t.....»»
Prodrugs: Pills your body converts into an illicit drug can evade detection, but we don"t know how big the problem is
Drug traffickers have found a way to trick enforcement agencies by using one of the most potent tools our bodies have: our metabolism. Welcome to the world of prodrugs......»»
Potent anti-cancer therapy created using "click chemistry"
A potent anti-cancer therapy has been created using Nobel prize-winning "click chemistry," where molecules click together like LEGO bricks, in a new study by UCL and Stanford University researchers......»»
App for visualizing the bovine physical–genetic map
Physical maps are created in genome research to illustrate how the genetic information is arranged on individual chromosomes. In addition, genetic maps show the probability with which genetic variants can be transmitted together from one parent to an.....»»
New infection mechanism in SARS-CoV-2 discovered
Researchers from Heidelberg Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center investigate molecular relationships that promote infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2. The results may provide a starting point for developmen.....»»