COVID-19 News - SciTechDaily

New Study Unravels the Mystery of COVID’s Worst Pediatric Complication

University of California San Francisco — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:58:46 +0000

A study identified how children’s immune systems trigger MIS-C by mistaking a COVID-19 protein for a similar human protein, leading to severe autoimmune responses. This finding provides new perspectives on treating autoimmune diseases linked to viral infections. Research uncovers a mechanism behind multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). During the early stages of the COVID-19 [...]

Why Can’t We Test for Long COVID? Unraveling the Diagnostic Puzzle

American College of Physicians — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 21:00:59 +0000

Of 25 routine clinical lab tests, not one can aid in diagnosing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (Long COVID). Over 10,000 participants were analyzed in a study to explore Long COVID’s clinical markers and health implications. Results indicated no effective laboratory markers for PASC, but suggested connections between prior SARS-CoV-2 infections, heightened diabetes risk, and early [...]

How Your Nose Fights Infection: Scientists Unveil Hidden Immune Defenders in the Upper Airways

La Jolla Institute for Immunology — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 10:55:31 +0000

LJI researchers develop innovative technique to assess immune memory and SARS-CoV-2 reactions in the upper respiratory tract Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have conducted the first comprehensive study of immune cell memory in the upper airways of adult volunteers. In their analysis, they identified “tissue resident” memory cells, which are prepared [...]

Better Than Traditional Shots: New Nasal Vaccine Halts COVID-19 Transmission

Washington University School of Medicine — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:55:54 +0000

Research on hamsters suggests that vaccines aimed at the nose and mouth could be crucial in curbing the transmission of respiratory infections. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines within months of the virus’s emergence was a remarkable achievement of modern science, saving millions of lives. But for all the good they did in reducing illnesses [...]

Widespread in Wildlife: Tracking the Silent Spread of COVID-19

Matt Chittum, Virginia Tech — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:00:37 +0000

Tracking the genetic code of the COVID-19 virus revealed that six out of 23 commonly studied wildlife species in Virginia exhibited signs of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Research from Virginia Tech has found widespread presence of SARS-CoV-2 among various wildlife species in Virginia, with evidence of human-to-animal transmission and novel viral mutations, highlighting the necessity for enhanced [...]

Scientists Expose Long-Term Cognitive Impacts of Mild COVID-19

São Paulo Research Foundation — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 06:43:32 +0000

Research indicates that while the most severe effects of SARS-CoV-2 were observed in patients with acute COVID-19, individuals who experienced milder cases and were not hospitalized also reported symptoms of memory loss and attention deficits lasting over 18 months post-infection. Memory loss and attention deficit are common complaints among severe COVID-19 survivors. However, these and [...]

Pandemic and Prejudice: How COVID-19 Worsened India’s Existing Inequalities

University of Oxford — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 18:00:40 +0000

In 2020, life expectancy in India saw substantial and disparate declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated 1.19 million excess deaths, significantly higher than official figures. The study utilized high-quality data from over 765,000 individuals to analyze life expectancy changes by sex and social group, revealing greater impacts on younger populations, women, and [...]

Decoding the Decline: Scientific Insights Into Long COVID’s Retreat

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 21:00:23 +0000

Research indicates a significant reduction in long COVID risk, largely due to vaccination and the virus’s evolution. The study analyzes data from over 441,000 veterans, showing lower rates of long COVID among vaccinated individuals compared to their unvaccinated counterparts across different COVID-19 variants. Decreased Long COVID Risk and the Role of Vaccination The risk of [...]

Pregnant with COVID? The Long-Term Risks You Need to Know

University of Utah Health — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:00:33 +0000

A study finds that about 10% of pregnant women contracting COVID-19 may develop long COVID, showing higher risks of long-term symptoms like fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. Factors such as anxiety, obesity, and financial hardship were linked to increased risk, and health practitioners are urged to be vigilant about these symptoms to provide proper care. Nearly [...]

How Cornell’s Revolutionary Biochip Could Save Us From the Next Pandemic

David Nutt, Cornell University — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:08:05 +0000

Cornell University researchers have developed an innovative bioelectric device capable of detecting and classifying coronavirus variants by mimicking the infection process on a microchip. This device, which uses a biomembrane to simulate the cellular environment, can swiftly determine the potential threat level of each variant and also adapt to other viruses like influenza and measles, [...]

Unraveling COVID-19 Brain Fog: New Study Pinpoints Immune Culprit

University of Western Ontario — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 23:04:21 +0000

A new study identified a particular protein that seems to be responsible for memory loss linked to COVID-19. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, between 10 to 30 percent of the general population has suffered from some kind of cognitive impairment caused by the virus, such as difficulty concentrating, brain fog, or memory loss. This prompted [...]

Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine Secures Federal Funding for Groundbreaking Clinical Trial

University of Georgia — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 03:55:19 +0000

The trial will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new vaccine compared to an FDA-approved mRNA vaccine. University of Georgia-based startup CyanVac LLC has received federal funding to conduct a Phase 2b clinical trial to compare its intranasal vaccine candidates, CVXGA, which are designed to provide protection against COVID-19. As part of the award from [...]

Cannabis Use and COVID-19: Surprising Scientific Link Uncovered

Washington University School of Medicine — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:38:13 +0000

Similar to smokers, cannabis users are nearly twice as likely to need hospitalization and intensive care when infected with the virus. A new study indicates that cannabis users face higher risks of serious COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalization and ICU care, similar to tobacco users. However, their mortality rates do not increase. The findings highlight the [...]

Meet the Virus-Killing Plastic That’s Changing the COVID Game

University of Jyväskylä — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:22:40 +0000

Studies at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland show that resin-treated plastics can quickly deactivate viruses, part of a larger effort under the BIOPROT project to develop bio-based antiviral materials for protective gear. Viruses can remain active on solid surfaces for extended periods, potentially raising the risk of infection. Professor Varpu Marjomäki, a Cell and [...]

Religious Faith Linked to Improved Coping in COVID-19 Pandemic, Research Finds

University of Cambridge — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:31:06 +0000

Research from the University of Cambridge indicates that during the COVID-19 lockdowns, individuals with religious faith in the UK and US experienced less unhappiness and stress compared to non-religious people. The studies revealed that strong religious beliefs and practices, including participation in online services, provided significant mental health benefits during the pandemic, with higher religiosity [...]

Feeling Sick After Your COVID Vaccine? According to Scientists, It’s Actually a Good Sign

University of California - San Francisco — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:51:35 +0000

A UCSF study suggests that side effects like headaches and chills from COVID-19 vaccines indicate a robust immune response; however, uptake of the vaccine remains low in the U.S. despite ongoing fatalities. According to a UCSF-led study, symptoms such as headaches, chills, and fatigue could indicate an enhanced immune response. Despite the fact that fewer [...]

New Study: How Vaccination Impacts Long COVID Recovery

Columbia University Irving Medical Center — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:00:32 +0000

Research by Columbia University on over 4,700 participants shows that long COVID has a varied impact, influenced by vaccination status and pre-existing conditions. Vaccinated individuals and those with milder initial infections tended to recover faster, while certain groups, such as women and individuals with cardiovascular issues, took longer. Early in the pandemic, many people who [...]

Alarming Findings: COVID-19 Triggers Lethal Lung Disease in Previously Unaffected Populations

University of Leeds — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 19:11:21 +0000

Researchers discovered that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in a rare autoimmune disease among previously unaffected demographic groups, leading to the deaths of nine patients. The disease is an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own sentinel proteins, which are help detect viruses. It is predominantly observed in East [...]

COVID-19 Virus Can Lurk in Sperm for 100+ Days After Infection

São Paulo Research Foundation — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:32:23 +0000

SARS-CoV-2 was detected in male reproductive cells under the microscope even when PCR testing failed to detect the virus in semen. The discovery serves as a warning of possible implications for natural conception and assisted reproduction. Researchers from the University of São Paulo have discovered that the COVID-19 virus can linger in the sperm of [...]

High Excess Death Rates in the West 3 Years Running Since COVID – “Serious Cause for Concern”

BMJ — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 12:51:33 +0000

Despite containment and COVID-19 vaccines; “serious cause for concern,” say researchers. A study highlights persistent high excess death rates in the West from 2020 to 2022, despite COVID-19 measures and vaccines. Over three million excess deaths were reported in 47 countries, urging a reevaluation of pandemic policies and their effectiveness. Excess Death Rates Post-COVID Excess [...]

Scientists Race To Perfect New Oral COVID-19 Treatment Poised To Replace Paxlovid

Rutgers University — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:13:16 +0000

Rutgers researchers are advancing a potential new COVID-19 treatment, Jun12682, which is effective in animal studies and compatible with other medications, unlike the current leading treatment, Paxlovid. Researchers at Rutgers believe they are among the lead in developing an oral COVID-19 treatment that could supplement or replace Paxlovid, an antiviral drug that aids in preventing [...]

The Dual Faces of COVID-19: Progress and Peril Three Years Later

Washington University in St. Louis — Thu, 30 May 2024 09:00:25 +0000

Risk of death from COVID-19 lessens, but infection still can cause issues 3 years later. The study also shows that patients hospitalized within 30 days after infection face 29% higher death risk in 3rd year compared with those not infected. New findings on long COVID — long-term effects on health experienced by many who have [...]

Scientists Decode Deadly Blood Clot Disorder Triggered by COVID Vaccines

Flinders University — Mon, 27 May 2024 02:59:30 +0000

New research has shown that the dangerous PF4 antibodies involved in vaccine-induced thrombosis (VITT) and similar disorders from common cold infections share identical molecular structures, highlighting implications for future vaccine development and disease management. New research conducted by Flinders University and global specialists is deepening our knowledge of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). During [...]

Evolving With the Virus: Repeat COVID-19 Shots Neutralizing Beyond the Expected

Washington University School of Medicine — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:38:42 +0000

The response to an updated vaccine is influenced by previous vaccinations but also produces broadly neutralizing antibodies. The COVID-19 pandemic has ended, yet the virus responsible continues to circulate, hospitalizing thousands weekly and frequently producing new variants. Due to the virus’s remarkable capacity for mutation and immune evasion, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises yearly [...]