Why Is Omicron So Contagious?
The new coronavirus variant may be better than other versions at avoiding human immune defenses—but that ability may change in different countries -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Multiple mutations may help omicron variant escape antibodies
An array of different mutations or combinations of mutations may help the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 escape immune responses or therapeutic antibodies, according to a study published today in eLife......»»
Is kindness contagious?
Imagine that you're approaching your favorite coffee shop, when your eyes are suddenly drawn toward an interaction between two strangers happening just outside its doors. One man sits, leaning against the glass window, knees drawn to his chest, a pla.....»»
Risk of diabetes rises 58% after COVID, even amid omicron, study finds
This is the latest study finding COVID infections can spur the development of diabetes. Enlarge / A woman with diabetes pricks her finger to take a blood sample to measure the glycemia in Paris on March 24, 2020. (credit: Getty |.....»»
Probing researchers strike gold to stop the trots in pigs
Gold nanorod probes combined with an optical microscope can now be used to detect signs of a highly contagious and lethal virus that poses a major threat to the swine industry worldwide......»»
XBB.1.5: Still more questions than answers on risk of latest omicron subvariant
Amid heightened concern, XBB.1.5 risks have a "high degree of uncertainty." Enlarge / A CDC COVID-19 variant testing site inside Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday. The airport testi.....»»
New omicron subvariant surges to 40.5% as COVID hospitalizations rise
With a new year, a new omicron subvariant is here to drive up cases, hospitalizations. Enlarge / Revelers celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square on January 1, 2023, in New York City. This year's New Year's Eve returned to pr.....»»
Study indicates SARS-CoV-2 variants are still transmissible between species
Scientists believe bats first transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to humans in December 2019, and while the virus has since evolved into several variants such as delta and omicron, a new study indicates the virus is still highly transmissible between mammals. Res.....»»
Bird flu kills almost 14,000 pelicans, seabirds in Peru
The highly contagious H5N1 avian flu virus has killed thousands of pelicans, blue-footed boobies and other seabirds in Peru, according to the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR)......»»
Thousands of Tasmanian devils are dying from cancer—but a new vaccine approach could help us save them
Tasmanian devils are tough little creatures with a ferocious reputation. Tragically, each year thousands of Tasmanian devils suffer and die from contagious cancers—devil facial tumors......»»
Measles outbreak jumps to 7 Ohio daycares, 1 school—all with unvaccinated kids
The highly contagious virus is spreading amid slipping vaccination rates. A false color image of the measles virus. (credit: Arizona Department of Health) A measles outbreak in Ohio has swiftly expanded, spreading to sev.....»»
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.....»»
Where Did Omicron Come From? Maybe Its First Host Was Mice
The Covid virus can infect many animal species. The variant that tore through human populations last winter may have previously circulated in rodents......»»
Dutch cull 300,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak
Dutch health authorities said Thursday they had culled around 300,000 chickens after the largest outbreak of highly contagious bird flu this year, saying almost six million birds have been killed so far in the ongoing epidemic......»»
Moderna-backed mouse study offers first head-to-head BA.5, BA.1 booster data
Sans human data, mouse study offers first direct comparison of the two omicron boosters. Enlarge / A pharmacist prepares to administer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots during an event hosted by the Chicago Department of Public Health at.....»»
How Does a Variant-Specific Covid Booster Work?
The latest vaccines are designed to target the currently circulating Omicron variants—and head off a winter surge......»»
Did an accidental "blood plague" in World of Warcraft help scientists model COVID better? The results are in
Way before COVID, in 2005 the World of Warcraft game developers accidentally introduced an extremely virulent highly contagious disease into this game which then spread to infect the whole fantasy world and caused a virtual pandemic......»»
With help from BA.5, new COVID hospitalizations quadrupled since April
More people are getting seriously ill as BA.5 floods country and protection wanes. Enlarge / A thrown-away surgical mask lays on the ground. (credit: Getty | David Gannon) As the wave of omicron coronavirus subvariant BA.5 con.....»»
A fast, efficient COVID-19 biosensor is under development
As the BA.5 omicron variant continues to spread, health experts are increasingly preparing for a future in which such COVID-19 variants emerge, surge and recede, similar to seasonal flu. An important part of staying on top of these changes will be th.....»»
BA.5 skyrockets in US, now accounting for 78% of cases
Cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and even deaths are increasing. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Spencer Platt) The omicron coronavirus subvariant BA.5 is hurtling toward complete domination in the US, now accounting for an e.....»»
Omicron-Specific COVID Boosters Are Coming
The FDA has called for updating COVID vaccines to address the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. But will the shots keep up with the virus? -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»