Britain is taking another small step out of lockdown as it looks nervously at a new virus surge inundating its European neighbors. With U.K. coronavirus vaccination rates outstripping those of European Union nations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is easing the…
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Identification of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with cross-neutralization potency
A team of scientists from the USA and Canada recently characterized the cross-neutralizing potency of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies isolated from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The findings reveal that some of the isolated antibodies targeting…
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1 report, 4 theories: Scientists mull clues on virus’ origin
A team of international and Chinese scientists is poised to report on its joint search for the origins of the coronavirus that sparked a pandemic after it was first detected in China over a year ago—with four theories being considered,…
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Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in mice depend on Fc effector function
The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought about intensive research on the biological characteristics of the pathogen responsible, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The immune response mediated by neutralizing antibodies, elicited by the virus or…
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People's politics, values shape COVID-19 risk perception and adoption of protective behaviors
People's politics and values are exerting a bigger influence on how much of a threat they feel from COVID-19 compared to objective indicators such as the number of confirmed cases. That's the finding of a new University of Cambridge survey…
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Study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 spread in Wuhan before the lockdown
Using molecular dating tools and epidemiological simulations, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues at the University of Arizona and Illumina, Inc., estimate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was likely circulating undetected for at most two…
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UK SARS-CoV-2 variant 40% more transmissible than previous strains
Researchers in Japan have estimated that the B.1.1.7 variant strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that recently emerged in England is 40% more transmissible than strains previously circulating in the country. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent…
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Study reveals unknown immune defense system that protects the lungs from viral infections
Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown arm of the immune defense system that protects the lung from lethal viral infections. Respiratory diseases caused by viruses such as influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 cause damage not just through their own actions, but…
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White-tailed deer susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, finds study
White-tailed deer have been observed to be susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). They can also transmit the virus both through direct and indirect contact to one another, researchers find. The research paper is available to be…
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Impact of type I interferon (IFN) autoantibodies in critical COVID-19
The emergence and rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To date, over 118 million cases have been confirmed, and over 2.6 million have lost their lives. The sheer…
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