Newswise Focus Channel: Coronavirus Channel Featured Story TOP

Scientists discover how ultraviolet light degrades coronavirus

University of Southampton — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 13:05:07 EST

New research has revealed how light can be used to destroy infectious coronavirus particles that contaminate surfaces.

Key Change in Genetics of SARS-CoV-2 Evolved to Counter Weakness Caused by the Virus' Initial Mutation that Enabled Its Spread

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 09:00:31 EST

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say their new studies suggest that the first pandemic-accelerating mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, evolved as a way to correct vulnerabilities caused by the mutation that started the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness diminishes with age, research shows

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:00:24 EST

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine limits transmission, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 even among patients infected by variants of the virus, but the effectiveness of antibodies it generates diminishes as patients get older, according to a study by UT Southwestern researchers.

Investigating COVID-19 deaths for children and young people

PLOS — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:00:00 EST

A new study conducted in England shows that the risk of death due to COVID-19 remains very low for children and young people, and most deaths occur in those with underlying health conditions. Marta Bertran of the UK Health Security Agency, London, and colleagues present these findings on November 8th in the open access journal PLOS Medicine.

How a SARS-CoV-2 Virus Protein Damages the Heart

University of Maryland School of Medicine — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 19:05:59 EST

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's (UMSOM) Center for Precision Disease Modeling identified how a specific protein in SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, damages heart tissue. They then used a drug to reverse the toxic effects of that protein on the heart.

Treated or Not, COVID-19 Recurrence Seems Symptomatic for Some

University of California San Diego — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:10:10 EST

UC San Diego researchers and others report that more than one-third of the COVID-19 patients who did not receive any treatment experienced complete resolution of symptoms for at least two consecutive days, but then subsequently reported a return of symptoms.

Penn State scientists one step closer to adaptation-proof COVID-19 vaccine

Penn State College of Medicine — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 10:05:43 EST

A vaccine that could protect against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and also potentially protect against other coronaviruses is one step closer to reality thanks to College of Medicine researchers.

Other SARS-CoV-2 Proteins are Important for Disease Severity, Aside from the Spike

University of Maryland School of Medicine — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:05:02 EST

University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers have identified how multiple genes of SARS-CoV-2 affect disease severity, which could lead to new ways in how we develop future vaccines or develop newer treatments. The genes control the immune system of the host, contributing to how fiercely the body responds to a COVID-19 infection.

Vaccines dramatically reduce the risk of long-term effects of COVID-19

Bar-Ilan University — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 04:00:00 EST

Being vaccinated with at least two doses of Pfizer vaccines dramatically reduces most of the long-term symptoms individuals reported months after contracting COVID-19, a new study shows.

New Data Shows COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not Raise Stroke Risk

Cedars-Sinai — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 17:00:48 EST

Newly compiled data evaluated by researchers in the Department of Neurology and the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai shows that COVID-19 vaccines do not raise stroke risk--but that severe COVID-19 infection does. Physician-scientists hope this growing body of evidence, highlighted today in an editorial in the peer-reviewed journal Neurology, will ease the minds of individuals still hesitant to be vaccinated.

Reduced myocardial blood flow is new clue in how COVID-19 is impacting the heart

Houston Methodist — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 14:45:34 EST

Patients with prior COVID may be twice as likely to have unhealthy endothelial cells that line the inside of the heart and blood vessels, according to newly published research from Houston Methodist. This finding offers a new clue in understanding COVID-19's impact on cardiovascular health.

Coronavirus Jumped to Humans at Least Twice at Market in Wuhan, China

UC San Diego Health — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 10:05:10 EST

In a pair of related studies, UC San Diego researchers show that the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic was at a Chinese market and resulted from at least two instances of the SARS-CoV-2 virus jumping from live animal hosts to humans working or shopping there.

Scientists Trace Earliest Cases of COVID-19 to Market in Wuhan, China

University of Utah Health — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 10:00:00 EST

An international team of 18 researchers have determined that the earliest cases of COVID-19 in humans arose at a wholesale fish market in Wuhan China in December, 2019. They linked these cases to bats, foxes and other live mammals infected with the virus sold in the market either for consumption as meat or for their fur.

Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines offer high protection against severe COVID-19, 6 months after second doses, finds study of over 7 million adults

University of Bristol — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 18:30:00 EST

Protection against severe COVID-19 by two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines remained high up to six months after second doses, finds new research which analysed NHS health record data on over seven million adults. Reassuringly, the University of Bristol-led study published in The BMJ today [July 20], found protection in older adults aged over 65 years, and in clinically vulnerable adults.

Mask Wearing Amplifies Harms of Smoking

European Society of Cardiology — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 15:05:30 EST

Smoking traditional or non-combustible cigarettes while wearing a surgical mask results in a two-fold rise in exhaled carbon monoxide and impaired blood vessel function compared to non-mask periods.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy Helps Protect Infants from Needing Hospital Care for COVID-19

Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 11:05:57 EST

In a new study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers provide additional evidence that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy helps protect babies younger than 6 months from being hospitalized due to COVID-19. The risk of COVID-19 hospitalization among babies was reduced by about 80 percent during the Delta wave (July 1-December 18, 2021) and 40 percent during the Omicron wave (December 19-March 8, 2022).

Exercise after flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine bumps up antibodies

Iowa State University — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 12:00:51 EST

Participants in the study who cycled on a stationary bike or took a brisk walk for an hour-and-a-half after getting a flu shot or COVID-19 jab produced more antibodies in the following four weeks compared to participants who sat or continued with their daily routine post-immunization.

Current vaccines teach T cells to fight Omicron

La Jolla Institute for Immunology — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 11:55:14 EST

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found that four COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, J&J/Janssen, and Novavax) prompt the body to make effective, long-lasting T cells against SARS-CoV-2. These T cells can recognize SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern, including Delta and Omicron.

International Study Identifies Predictors of Severe Outcomes in Children with COVID-19

Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 15:05:33 EST

A new international study offers a clearer picture of the impact of COVID-19 infection and the risk of severe outcomes on young people around the world.

Weathering the Omicron Surge, Explaining "Flurona"

Cedars-Sinai — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:30:02 EST

First on the list: Get vaccinated and get a booster shot if you qualify.