A Lancet study finds that natural immunity against severe COVID-19 is strong and long-lasting for all variants in previously infected individuals. However, protection against Omicron BA.1 reinfection is reduced for those with past pre-Omicron infections. Researchers stress that vaccination is still the safest way to acquire immunity. Largest review and meta-analysis assessing the extent of protection [...]
A virtual workshop in November 2022 highlighted the importance of developing mucosal vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 that could reduce transmission and infection. Participants discussed challenges and priorities, such as identifying protection correlates, improving animal models, and determining delivery methods. Though no COVID-19 mucosal vaccines have been authorized in the US or Europe, the workshop concluded that research in this [...]
The fungus, a type of yeast called Candida auris, or C. auris, can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems. A drug-resistant and potentially deadly fungus has been spreading rapidly through U.S. health care facilities, a new government study finds. The fungus, a type of yeast called Candida auris, or C. auris, [...]
Researchers have used a nanoplasmonics approach to observe the real-time production of cell secretions, including proteins and antibodies; an advancement that could aid in the development of cancer treatments, vaccines, and other therapies. A new optical imaging method from researchers at the University of Geneva and the BIOnanophotonic Systems Laboratory offers a 4D view [...]
Studying blood plasma samples from COVID-19 patients, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified specific proteins that may help predict which patients may need to be placed on ventilators to breathe and which are most likely to die of the virus. "Identifying harmful proteins may be helpful as we [...]
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed the infectious capacity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs), ascertaining its role in SARS-CoV-2 dissemination. Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystemic illness affecting respiratory and non-respiratory organs. Studies have reported that SARS-CoV-2 [...]
Is our brain able to regenerate? And can we harness this regenerative potential during aging or in neurodegenerative conditions? These questions sparked intense controversy within the field of neuroscience for many years. A new study from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience shows why there are conflicting results and proposes a roadmap on how to solve [...]
Scientists identify key differences in immune responses to the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. A recent study conducted by a team from SAHMRI and Flinders University in Australia has revealed significant variations in the way the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines affect the immune system. The findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, are part of the COVID-19 Vaccine Immune Responses Study [...]
China has withheld information about the possible natural origin of the virus. The WHO calls the lack of transparency "inexcusable". Author: Katrin Zöfel It is no coincidence that the WHO is calling for more transparency right now. A few weeks ago, it became known that there are samples from the Huanan animal market in [...]
Doctors experimenting with AI tools to help diagnose patients is nothing new. But getting them to trust the AIs they're using is another matter entirely. To establish that trust, researchers at Cornell University attempted to create a more transparent AI system that works by counseling doctors in the same way a human colleague would — [...]
