evolution

New research reveals that childhood omicron infections have been under-reported in Canadian schools

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Study: Extensive SARS-CoV-2 testing reveals BA.1/BA.2 asymptomatic rates and underreporting in school children. Image Credit: FamVeld/Shutterstock

From the early days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, researchers have recognized that many cases were going undiagnosed, resulting in under-reporting at all levels. This impacted public health strategies, from risk assessment to the evolution of planning and monitoring preventive and therapeutic guidelines. Study: Extensive SARS-CoV-2 testing reveals BA.1/BA.2 asymptomatic rates and underreporting … Read more

Poor hygiene practices in hospitals may lead to antibiotic resistance

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Poor hygiene practices in hospitals may lead to antibiotic resistance

A new paper in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that antibiotic resistance may result from poor hygiene practices in hospitals or other medical facilities. Proper hand hygiene in clinical work is a cornerstone of patient safety, but compliance is still poor. This is even though hand hygiene is simple, … Read more

Researchers report that vectored expression of a high-affinity ACE2 microbody protein establishes a high degree of protection from SARS-CoV-2

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Study: Vectored Immunoprophylaxis and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers evaluated the use of receptor decoys for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on soluble forms of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for immunological prophylaxis and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) through the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Study: Vectored … Read more

Artemisia argyi plant extracts and phytochemicals shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in new research

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Study: Artemisia argyi potentially prevents the infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants. Image Credit: kungfu01/Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to research square*, researchers reported that Artemisia argyi extracts and phytochemicals could inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Study: Artemisia argyi potentially prevents the infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants. Image Credit: kungfu01/Shutterstock background The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in novel genomic variants with high transmissibility and immune … Read more

How might healthcare transform in the next 50 years?

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Study: Medicine of the future: How and who is going to treat us? Image Credit: PopTika/Shutterstock

A new study published in Futures highlighted the key factors likely to influence the evolution of medicine over the next 50 years. These factors include wellness technologies, data-driven personalization, and climate change. Study: Medicine of the future: How and who is going to treat us? Image Credit: PopTika/Shutterstock Evolution of the healthcare industry The healthcare … Read more

Seroprevalence study demonstrates vaccination could boost impaired humoral immunity against Omicron BQ.1.1 subvariant

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Study: Impaired humoral immunity to BQ.1.1 in convalescent and vaccinated patients. Image Credit: Naeblys/Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* server, researchers conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional seroprevalence study in emergency departments of five hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, between August and September 2022. They assessed point seroprevalence and neutralization activity against Wu01, BA.4/5, and BQ.1.1. Study: Impaired humoral immunity to BQ.1.1 in convalescent and vaccinated patients. Image … Read more

A genome-based comparison of SARS-CoV-2 XBB recombinant and its parental lineage

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Study: Genome-based comparison between the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 XBB and its parental lineages. Image Credit: NIAID

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers in Italy performed a genome-based comparison of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) XBB recombinant with its parental lineages. Study: Genome-based comparison between the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 XBB and its parental lineages. Image Credit: NIAID background The most recently detected SARS-CoV-2 recombinant is … Read more

Novel machine learning method detects animal coronaviruses that might infect humans

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Study: Using machine learning to detect coronaviruses potentially infectious to humans. Image Credit: MAVV/Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers used machine learning (ML) tools to discover animal coronaviruses (CoVs), both alpha and beta CoVs, previously unknown to infect humans. Study: Using machine learning to detect coronaviruses potentially infectious to humans. Image Credit: MAVV/Shutterstock background It has remained challenging to predict which animal CoVs … Read more

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BQ.1.1

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Study: Convergent evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants leading to the emergence of BQ.1.1 variant. Image Credit: Naeblys/Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers characterized the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BQ.1.1 sub-variant. Study: Convergent evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants leading to the emergence of the BQ.1.1 variant. Image Credit: Naeblys/Shutterstock background SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 rapidly supplanted the Delta variant, and shortly after, Omicron … Read more