Science & Technology
Saliva test for COVID-19 outperforms commercial swab tests, study shows
The DRUL saliva assay has been shown to be safer, more comfortable, and less expensive than comparable COVID screening tools. Now a new study demonstrates that it is at least as sensitive as swab tests, too.
COVID-19 nasal vaccine candidate effective at preventing disease transmission, study shows
A nasal vaccine candidate for COVID-19 is showing good results in providing durable local immunity against inhaled pathogens.
Pilot study of diet/exercise in young adults with intellectual disabilities is promising
A pilot study found that young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID) were able to lose or maintain their weight with a system of education and support in place.
Heterogeneous development of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome-associated microcephaly
At age two, children who were born with neurological abnormalities due to congenital Zika Virus (ZIKV) have a range of neurodevelopmental profiles that can be tracked using a routine neurological assessment, according to a new study.
Some shark species are tougher than others when it comes to surviving catch and release, study finds
A new landmark study of over 300 sharks found that some species are extremely resilient to the stress of being caught and released in commercial longline fisheries while other species are much more likely to die.
COVID-19 virus rapidly evolves to higher infectivity during in vitro growth, which may be a step toward lower virulence
Attenuated viral vaccines for rubella, measles, yellow fever and other diseases are widely used. Can a similar vaccine be developed for COVID-19? Researchers have now published a foundational study for that possibility. They asked a simple question: Wh…
Physicists make square droplets and liquid lattices
Driving systems out of equilibrium with electric fields proves useful for creating liquid shapes that are nearly impossible to find in nature.
New study challenges understanding of pandemic preparedness and resilience in Africa
Countries in Africa assessed as being least vulnerable to an epidemic were the worst affected by Covid-19, new research suggests.
Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children
A recent study determined the factors associated with severe disease and poor health outcomes among children presenting to the hospital with COVID. These included older age and chronic co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes and neurologic conditions,…
Making musical performances safer in the era of COVID-19
Researchers have studied aerosol production from playing wind instruments, singing and acting, allowing them to develop recommendations to minimize COVID transmission.
DNA researchers develop critical shortcut to detect and identify known and emerging pathogens
Researchers have developed a sophisticated new tool that could help provide early warning of rare and unknown viruses in the environment and identify potentially deadly bacterial pathogens which cause sepsis, among other uses.