This year, the healthcare sector has found itself under a forensic microscope as the world comes to terms with a pandemic few predicted. Questions swirl about transmission and infection rates, healthcare systems, vaccines, immune health, lockdowns, the utility of face masks and much else related to the unfolding situation we find ourselves in. It’s a …
Early treatment with hydroxychloroquine cut the death rate significantly in sick patients hospitalized with COVID-19 – and without heart-related side-effects, according to a new study published by Henry Ford Health System. The use of Hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment has become the focus of emotional and political controversy. The best use or non-use should just …
The coronavirus is currently changing slowly. There are only about two dozen mutations. There have been many reports of multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2. Virologists use the world strain as a label to the same group of samples. This does not mean they are functionally different. Strain can also refer to viral genotypes that are functionally …
Antibody levels found in recovered COVID-19 patients fell sharply in 2-3 months after infection for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, according to a Chinese study published in Nature Medicine. This raises questions about the length of any immunity against the novel coronavirus. Published: 18 June 2020 – Clinical and immunological assessment of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. …
Dexamethasone, a cheap steroid, reduced deaths by one-third in ventilated patients and by one fifth in other patients receiving oxygen only. There was no benefit among those patients who did not require respiratory support. A total of 2104 patients were randomised to receive dexamethasone 6 mg once per day (either by mouth or by intravenous …
A personal, handheld device emitting high-intensity ultraviolet light to disinfect areas by killing the novel coronavirus is now feasible, according to researchers at Penn State, the University of Minnesota and two Japanese universities. Finding a new material with the right composition is key to advancing UV LED performance. The Penn State team, in collaboration with …
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, member of the boards of Pfizer and biotech company Illumina and former FDA commissioner expects that any coronavirus vaccine that proves to be safe and effective will still probably only provide immunity for a limited amount of time, maybe “up to a year,” former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb …
Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) developed an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that can visually detect the presence of the virus in 10 minutes. It uses a simple assay containing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present. The test does not require the use …
Internally applied ultraviolet light could help treat coronovirus patients. The Healight is a catheter embedded with small LED lights that emit UVA. The Healight technology delivers intermittent ultraviolet (UV) A light through an endotracheal catheter and according to the company, it is being studied as a potential treatment for coronavirus and other respiratory infections. First …
Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA) a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients, today announced positive interim clinical data of mRNA-1273, its vaccine candidate against novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), from the Phase 1 study led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases …
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which is funding nine different coronavirus vaccine projects, has previously suggested a shot could be ready within 12 to 18 months, an already ambitious target. That assessment didn’t account for the possibility of companies working closely together to accelerate the process, faster enrollment in human trials and other factors, …