This paper aims to determine to what level of the two commonly used control measures, social distancing and facial mask usage, are necessary to prevent a resurgence of the epidemic due to eitherresidual active cases in Wuhan or imported cases after lifting the quarantine, examining in a model six proposed dates for quarantine lifting. The
After a lightening round of proposals and reviews, an international team of scientists led by Dr. Camillo Ricordi was granted immediate FDA authorization for a 24-patient clinical trial to test the safety and exploratory efficacy of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) to block the life-threatening lung inflammation that accompanies severe cases of COVID-19. We are very
It’s time to encourage people to wear face masks as a precautionary measure on the grounds that we have little to lose and potentially something to gain, say experts in The BMJ today. Source The BMJ Professor Trisha Greenhalgh at the University of Oxford and colleagues say despite limited evidence, masks “could have a substantial impact on
The crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in complex with human ACE2 reveals insights into the mechanisms of binding of this virus and its differences from SARS. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with hACE2 via S protein CTD A 2.5-A˚ structure of SARS-CoV-2-CTD in complex with hACE2 is resolvedSARS-CoV-2-CTD displays stronger affinity for
Covid-19 antibody testing needs to get a lot better, and so does our understanding of immunity, before people can start circulating freely. Source MIT Imagine, a few weeks or months from now, having a covid-19 test kit sent to your home. It’s small and portable, but pretty easy to figure out. You prick your finger
An interdisciplinary group of renowned scientists is now calling for the current restrictions in society and the economy to be gradually eased, while ensuring medical care for the entire population. In their position paper, the researchers led by ifo President Clemens Fuest and Martin Lohse, president of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians
Pluristem, an Israeli regenerative medicine company, associated with RESTORE community, said several of the seven COVID-19 patients treated with its allogeneic placental expanded (PLX) cells have progressed from suffering severe symptoms of the disease to signs of clinical recovery, including respiratory improvements. Encouraged by the experiment, carried out a under compassionate use program, the company
An international team of researchers has tested more than 10,000 compounds to identify six drug candidates that may help treat COVID-19. The research, involving University of Queensland scientist Professor Luke Guddat, tested the efficacy of approved drugs, drug candidates in clinical trials and other compounds. “Currently there are no targeted therapeutics or effective treatment options for
By analyzing millions of tweets, USC computer science researchers are investigating how false information about the coronavirus spreads on social media. As concerns over the novel coronavirus have surged, so too has misinformation on social media—from false claims about hot water eliminating the virus to hoaxes about nationwide quarantines. In fact, posts, texts and email
Scientists in Shanghai say some recovered patients show no signs of the neutralising proteins Early-stage findings could have implications for vaccine development and herd immunity, they say Researchers in Shanghai hope to determine whether some recovered coronavirus patients have a higher risk of reinfection after finding surprisingly low levels of Covid-19 antibodies in a number of people
