Corona in general

New trial results find no statistically significant effect// 12.8.2021

Polluted air caused by smoke released from record-breaking wildfires in the US last year has been linked to a strong increase in covid-19 cases and deaths// 13.8.2021

Background Understanding the determinants of long-term immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and the concurrent impact of vaccination and emerging variants of concern will guide optimal strategies to achieve global protection against the COVID-19 pandemic. //13.8.2021

After examining past disease eradications, a new scientific paper argues that the global eradication of COVID-19 is still a genuine possibility.// 13.8.2021

Scientific Reports - Delayed neutralizing antibody response in the acute phase correlates with severe progression of COVID-19 // 16.8.2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals often suffer from thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with low platelet counts. The cytokine thrombopoietin regulates platelet count. Previous studies have reported that thrombocytopenia can increase the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rate by about five times. //16.8.2021

A group of researchers re-evaluated their previously proposed hypothesis, which stated that the TLR4 activated by the spike glycoprotein S1 domain increases ACE2 expression and, thereby, aids in COVID-19 infection.// 16.8.2021

In a research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv* by Havervall et al. (August 12th, 2021), neutralizing antibody titers towards wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and several variants of concern in individuals having either been vaccinated or infected with mild COVID-19 one year earlier are assessed, finding a reduced neutralization capacity against some strains. //16.8.2021

Nature Communications - Reopening of universities to students following COVID-19 restrictions risks increased transmission due to high numbers of social contacts and the potential for asymptomatic... //17.8.2021

Due to the known anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of zinc, 25(OH)D, and vitamin B12, in this study, we explored the association between serum levels of these micronutrients in coronavirus disease// 18.8.2021

A new study aims to evaluate the current body of published in vitro research related to the efficacy of mouthwashes in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission.// 20.8.2021

Scientists have manufactured a synthetic form of peptide to combat viral infections, with tests already conducted on HSV-1 as well as SARS-CoV-2.// 24.8.2021

Scientific Reports // 25.8.2021

Nature Communications - Mass gathering events represent a risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Here, the authors describe an experimental indoor test event in which individual ....// 19.8.2021

Therapeutic approach developed by Weizmann Institute scientists could spell new hope in the battle against COVID-19. //27.8.2021

A recent study suggested that ACE2 receptors are expressed in oral tissues, making the oral cavity an important potential entry point of SARS-CoV-2.// 26.8.2021

SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind today's global coronavirus pandemic, spreads primarily by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols at both short and long ranges -;and a comprehensive new assessment of respiratory viruses finds that many others probably do as well. //27.8.2021

Author summary SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent disease presentation are dependent on exposure dose in a nonhuman primate model of inhalational COVID-19. TCID = “tissue culture infective dose”. A way to measure viable infectious virus 52 TCID50 — it requires 52 TCID’s of virus (roughly # of infectious virus) to produce 50% response in the animals. //23.8.2021

Supercomputing-derived movies reveal details of deceptive sugar coating on spike protein, presenting new possibilities to block cell entry and infection. // 27.8.2021

Introduction We systematically reviewed studies to estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among those previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. // 29.8.2021

A new study published in Scientific Reports identifies the human proteins that share structural similarities with the SARS-CoV-2 proteins.// 30.8.2021

A respiratory therapist's view of how the worst cases of COVID fare. They rarely end well. // 26.8.2021

Nonseroconversion after SARS-CoV-2 Infection New CDC study finds that 36% of COVID patients *never seroconvert*, meaning they NEVER make antibodies! // 30.8.2021

A new study reports that the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 through such fomites is very low.// 30.8.2021

A new study available in the Journal of Experimental Medicine focuses on the importance of interferon in SARS-CoV-2 infection.// 30.8.2021

Information on granulocytes helps to understand mechanisms associated with covid-19 and other infectious diseases. Such information also promotes the development of better diagnostic methods and therapies.// 30.8.2021

A recent randomized phase III trial conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, US, evaluated the impact of CD24Fc in severe COVID-19 patients and showed promising clinical efficacy. // 26.8.2021

Scientists using the Advanced Photon Source have discovered that a drug used to fight tumors in animals might be effective against many types of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Scientists from the University of Chicago have found that the drug masitinib may be effective in treating COVID-19.// 31.8.2021

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the genetic link between COVID-19 severity and gene expression is investigated, hoping to allow early identification of otherwise healthy individuals that will likely require hospitalization if infected.// 30.8.2021

COVID-19 Antibody Study Shows Downside of Not Receiving Second Shot A new study shows that two months after the second Pfizer/Moderna vaccination, antibody response decreases 20% in adults with prior cases of COVID-19. The study also tests how well current vaccines resist emerging variants.// 30.8.2021