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Round-up: COVID-19 May 2021 (Part One)

We have got you covered for another round-up of the latest COVID-19 news and research summarised all here for you!

Statistics

At the time of writing, there have been:

  • 161,104,567 cases
  • 3,345,813 deaths
  • 138,933,059 recoveries

Research

  • Researchers have designed a 3D ‘lung-on-a-chip’ model to test new therapies for COVID-19 and other lung conditions. (Huang et al, 2021)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital researchers have identified the protein signature of severe COVID-19. (Filbin et al, 2021)
  • A new study has revealed a multipronged strategy that the coronavirus employs to ensure its quick and efficient replication. (Finkel et al, 2021)
  • Using organ-on-a-chip technology, researchers have identified SARS-CoV-2 inhibiting effects of the antimalarial drug amodiaquine. (Si et al, 2021)
  • New findings have revealed that circulating antibodies mainly target areas of the viral spike protein outside the receptor binding domain, which could help inform the design of the next generation of vaccines. (Voss et al, 2021)
  • A new study has traced back the progenitor genomes causing COVID-19 and its geospatial spread. (Kumar et al, 2021)
  • A potential new vaccine has been found to block COVID-19 and other coronaviruses. (Saunders et al, 2021)
  • Researchers have discovered a biomarker – the number of natural killer T cells in the blood – that can detect severe COVID-19 early on. (Kreutmair et al, 2021)
  • A new method – UshER – allows researchers to rapidly analyse coronavirus sequences and track transmission dynamics. (Turakhia et al, 2021)
  • A new study has found no evidence of damage to the placenta in pregnancy following COVID-19 vaccination. (Shanes et al, 2021)
  • MIT researchers have generated a comprehensive map of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. (Jungreis et al, 2021)

Other news

  • Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial results have shown efficacy against the B.1.351 variant. (Shinde et al, 2021)
  • A recent article explores what scientists know so far about the spread of coronavirus variants in India. (Vaidyanathan, 2021)
  • A Danish-Norwegian study is the first study to document possible adverse events in relation to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. (Pottegård et al, 2021)

Image credit: By starline – freepik


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