All COVID-19 articles – Page 2
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NewsNew hypothesis links HPV E6 and SARS‑CoV‑2 spike proteins to reduced p53 activity
Scientists have proposed a hypothesis suggesting that virally encoded proteins such as HPV-E6 or SARS-COV-2 Spike may cooperate in suppressing host defenses including tumor suppressor mechanisms involving p53.
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NewsUK: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased over time, though mistrust persists among certain groups
Most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is rooted in concerns that can be addressed and effectively reduced over time, according to a new study following more than 1.1 million people in England between January 2021 and March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NewsBeing infected or vaccinated first influences COVID-19 immunity
A new study analysing the immune response to COVID-19 sheds light on an important question: does it matter whether a person was first infected or first vaccinated? According to the results, the order of the events does alter the outcome.
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NewsThe COVID-19 virus manipulates host cell RNA to shut down the immune system
Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 uses a sophisticated tactic to evade the human body’s defense system. In addition to evading the immune system before invading the host cell, SARS-CoV-2 manipulates the host cell’s genetic material in a way never before seen in other pathogens.
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NewsCOVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the human brain
COVID-19 does not just affect the respiratory system, but also significantly alters the brain in people who have fully recovered from the infectious disease, highlighting the long-term neurological impact of the virus.
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NewsWho is more likely to get long COVID?
Scientists have identified the key genetic drivers behind long COVID, revealing why some people continue to experience debilitating symptoms long after their initial infection.
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NewsCOVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces risk to pregnant women and baby
Pregnant women who received a COVID-19 vaccine were far less likely to experience severe illness or deliver their babies prematurely, according to a major new study.
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NewsCould hidden infections be fueling long COVID?
For millions suffering from long COVID, their persistent breathlessness, brain fog and fatigue remain a maddening mystery, but microbiologists think they may have cracked the case. The review argues that co-infections acquired before or during COVID could cause symptoms to persist indefinitely for many people.
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NewsStudy shows why mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis
Investigators have unearthed the biological process by which mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 can cause heart damage in some young men and adolescents — and they’ve shown a possible route to reducing its likelihood.
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NewsOld molecules show promise for fighting resistant strains of COVID-19 virus
SARS‑CoV‑2 continues to mutate, with some newer strains becoming less responsive to current antiviral treatments like Paxlovid. Now, researchers have identified several promising molecules that could lead to new medications capable of combating these resistant variants.
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NewsTo treat long COVID, we must learn from historical chronic illnesses, medical researchers say
Scientists and doctors have highlighted the importance of studying long COVID in the context of other post-acute infection syndromes or chronic illnesses. By analyzing historical accounts of other epidemics, researchers can gain important perspective on the effects of these chronic illnesses.
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NewsThe immune system creates its own targets within viruses
A new study reveals that our immune system does more than defend against viruses. In certain cases, it induces mutations within viruses that make them easier to recognize later on.
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NewsA viral fitness-constraint strategy exploits the structural and functional limitations of viral evolution
Researchers have revealed two innovative strategies for the development of durable and broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Their study proposes the immune trajectory strategy and the viral fitness-constraint strategy.
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OpinionWe couldn’t get people interested in science - until we started speaking their language
In 2020, Puerto Rico faced a misinformation crisis. Melanie Ortiz Alvarez De La Campa reveals how five STEM undergraduates created a sci-comm organization that helped pass legislation, educated thousands, and created an inclusive database of Caribbean scientists.
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NewsScientists uncover how COVID-19 variants outsmart the immune system
Researchers have created the most comprehensive map to date showing how antibodies attach to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, and how viral mutations weaken that attachment.
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NewsDid US cities’ indoor vaccine mandates affect COVID-19 vaccination rates and outcomes?
New research reveals that despite widespread adoption of indoor vaccine mandates in major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no consistent evidence that these policies significantly increased vaccination rates or reduced COVID-19–related outcomes. The findings contrast with those from other countries, as national mandates abroad boosted vaccine uptake.
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NewsWomen are three times more likely than men to get severe long COVID: Here’s why
Researchers have identified a distinct immune signature in female long Covid patients versus male patients. They found evidence of ’gut leakiness’ in the women patients, including elevated blood levels of intestinal fatty acid binding protein, lipopolysaccharide, and the soluble protein CD14 — all signs of gut inflammation that can then trigger further systemic inflammation.
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NewsHuman PARP gene could be novel target for viral diseases or immune-mediated disorders
Researchershave discovered a human gene, the protein PARP14, plays a role in regulating interferon, part of the body’s innate immune system. Their study could guide development of antiviral therapies for several groups of viral infection.
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NewsCould tiny airborne plastics help viruses spread? Scientists warn of a hidden infection risk
While plastics are already recognized as a global environmental threat, a new commentary highlights that their microscopic airborne forms could also play a hidden role in human infection.
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NewsNo-needle test can tell if flu/COVID vaccines are effective
A team of researchers has developed a skin patch that can detect antibodies associated with COVID and flu infections. It’s orders of magnitude more sensitive than existing tests, uses just a half volt of electricity, and can return results in 10 minutes.