New COVID variants better infect lungs, could cause more severe disease

A newly published study from researchers at Ohio State University has found the recently emerged BA.2.86 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has a greater propensity for infecting certain lung cells than any prior Omicron variant. The research suggests BA.2.86 could… Continue reading New COVID variants better infect lungs, could cause more severe disease

Plant non-steroidal anti-inflammatory leaves immune system intact

Researchers have developed a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory from the active ingredient in a medicinal plant used throughout Southeast Asia. The novel compound doesn’t suppress the innate immune system like currently used corticosteroids do, open… Continue reading Plant non-steroidal anti-inflammatory leaves immune system intact

Single-dose inhaled dry powder vaccine may replace arm jabs

Researchers have developed a single-dose powdered vaccine that is inhaled directly into the lungs to produce an effective immune response. The vaccine can deliver multiple antigens, meaning one dose could provide broad-spectrum protection against sever… Continue reading Single-dose inhaled dry powder vaccine may replace arm jabs

Single-dose inhaled dry powder vaccine may replace arm jabs

Researchers have developed a single-dose powdered vaccine that is inhaled directly into the lungs to produce an effective immune response. The vaccine can deliver multiple antigens, meaning one dose could provide broad-spectrum protection against sever… Continue reading Single-dose inhaled dry powder vaccine may replace arm jabs

Structural brain changes detected in novel long COVID imaging study

New research to be presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting is the first to reveal microstructural brain changes in long COVID patients compared to fully recovered patients and uninfected subjects. The findings indicate l… Continue reading Structural brain changes detected in novel long COVID imaging study

Drugs identified that may reverse brain fog caused by COVID-19

Experimenting on lab-grown mini-brains and mice, researchers have found that SARS-CoV-19 infection can cause ‘zombie’ cells to accumulate, contributing to the brain fog associated with long COVID, and have identified drugs that can reverse this virus-r… Continue reading Drugs identified that may reverse brain fog caused by COVID-19

Beyond aspirin: Willow bark also found to be a broad-spectrum antiviral

A new study has found that an extract made from willow bark, the precursor to aspirin, possesses effective broad-spectrum antiviral properties. The discovery may mean we will soon have a new way of fighting viral infections, from stomach bugs to season… Continue reading Beyond aspirin: Willow bark also found to be a broad-spectrum antiviral

12 times more people will die from zoonotic viruses by 2050, study says

Anyone who has been on the planet for the last four years will know how viruses that evolve to jump across species, given the right conditions, can rapidly become a serious global crisis. While COVID-19 was a rare ‘perfect storm’ for a zoonotic virus t… Continue reading 12 times more people will die from zoonotic viruses by 2050, study says

All variants of COVID-19 virus can infect the brain, study finds

Several years after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers still face plenty of unanswered questions. For example, we know COVID is associated with a variety of neurological symptoms, both short- and long-term, but it … Continue reading All variants of COVID-19 virus can infect the brain, study finds

Asthmatic kids are not at greater risk of severe COVID, study suggests

Given asthmatic children’s susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like the flu, it was assumed they’d be more prone to severe COVID-19 infection. But a new Australian study suggests that, compared to children who don’t have asthma, those with the cond… Continue reading Asthmatic kids are not at greater risk of severe COVID, study suggests