Sewer slime can hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater
During the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater entering treatment plants has been one way that researchers have gauged the disease's spread. But could the slimy microbial communities that line most sewer pipes aff.....»»
Wastewater helps decipher the popularity of new synthetic drugs
Over the years, hundreds of new synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of illegal and legal substances have emerged. The underground nature of each drug's development and distribution makes its international popularity hard to track. Now, using waste.....»»
Visualising cell structures in three dimensions in mere minutes
Viral pathogens like the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus change the interior structure of the cells they infect. These changes occur at the level of individual cell components—the organelles—and can provide information on how viral diseases develop. Extre.....»»
Researchers crack the synthetic code of rare molecules sought after in drug development
A research team at Lund University in Sweden has succeeded in producing two molecules that are otherwise only formed by microorganisms from extremely contaminated wastewater in an abandoned mine in South Korea. The method, which took four years to de.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
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.....»»
New study shows electric fields can improve the efficiency of wastewater purification
Ammonia is one of many pollutants present in wastewater and can be toxic for marine and terrestrial life. Therefore, in a process called air stripping, it is removed from wastewater and later used as a fertilizer or fuel. Air stripping converts ammon.....»»
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.....»»
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.....»»
Rodents could be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, study suggests
Some ancestral rodents likely had repeated infections with SARS-like coronaviruses, leading them to acquire tolerance or resistance to the pathogens, according to new research. This raises the possibility that modern rodents may be reservoirs of SARS.....»»
Team maps out how autophagy functions in mammals; SARS-CoV-2 infection can disrupt the process
The intricate biological process known as autophagy plays a vital role in keeping our cells healthy and functioning by sweeping up and recycling bits of debris and invading microorganisms......»»
COVID gets airborne: Team models delta virus inside an aerosol for the first time
In May 2021, the Centers for Disease Control officially recognized that SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—is airborne, meaning it is highly transmissible through the air......»»
Rodents could be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, study suggests
Some ancestral rodents likely had repeated infections with SARS-like coronaviruses, leading them to acquire tolerance or resistance to the pathogens, according to new research publishing November 18th in PLOS Computational Biology by Sean King and Mo.....»»