Researchers in Spain and the United States have proposed that an existing drug may help prevent an excessive, life threatening immune reaction to SARS-CoV-2 in susceptible individuals. In people with severe COVID-19, which is the disease that SARS-CoV-2 causes, “hyperinflammation”…
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Hope during COVID-19: Russian vaccine holds promise and other findings
While the pandemic is still ongoing, we continue to round up the scientific studies that offer encouraging results to help us envisage an end to the current crisis. Firstly, scientists at the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, in…
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COVID-19: Seaweed extract may be more effective than remdesivir
New research concludes that extracts from seaweed could be more effective than remdesivir, the current leading SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug. The authors published their research as a correspondence piece in the journal Cell Discovery. It lays the groundwork for future studies…
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What are the neurological complications of COVID-19?
A new report of COVID-19 patients referred to a neurological hospital in the United Kingdom describes complications including delirium, brain inflammation, and stroke. Viral infections can impact the brain, even if the virus has not directly infected brain tissue. For…
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New, more infectious SARS-CoV-2 variant does not cause worse symptoms
Research shows that a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which is now the dominant form of the virus, is more infectious in cell cultures. However, clinical data suggest that the variant does not cause more severe illness. All viruses mutate, and…
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The new coronavirus may spread more easily in crowded homes
A study in New York City revealed a threefold higher risk of infection among pregnant women living in neighborhoods with the most crowded households. Poverty and unemployment also appeared to increase the likelihood of infection. SARS-CoV-2, which is the coronavirus…
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Temperature has ‘modest’ effect on SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates
A new study finds that warmer temperatures are associated with lower rates of SARS-CoV-2. However, the researchers say that the effect is modest and warn against the relaxation of containment measures. Some viruses display seasonal behavior. Influenza cases, for example,…
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DNA of virus spread across hospital ward in 10 hours
A new study has demonstrated how quickly virus DNA can spread throughout a hospital. A new study has demonstrated that virus DNA can spread across a hospital ward in 10 hours. The study, published as a letter to the editor…
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‘A no-win situation’ — Expert weighs in on COVID-19 racial disparities
The current pandemic is exposing — and exacerbating — already existing social inequalities. In this interview, Medical News Today spoke to Tiffany Green, assistant professor in the Departments of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of…
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Closing schools has only a minor role in suppressing COVID-19
A recent review of modeling studies and data from previous coronavirus outbreaks suggests that the educational, social, and economic costs of closing schools might outweigh the benefits. However, hard evidence is lacking. By April 13, 2020, a total of 192…
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