Virus

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin A new ACE2 decoy mechanism efficiently neutralizes a variety of Covid-19 variants, including Omicron strains. With the continuous evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus over the last three years, the pathogen has become more efficient at infecting our cells and evading our immune defenses. One crucial aspect of this efficiency is affinity to the ACE2 receptor, a major selection criterion in virus evolution. The ACE2 decoy mimics the host cell ACE2, similarly engaging the virus and inhibiting viral entry to a real cell. Using receptors as decoys is not a novel concept. In connection to SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 decoys were tested against closely related viruses, SARS-1 and HIV, in recent decades. The decoy did not come to fruition against these viruses for myriad reasons. For SARS-1, the strategy showed some signs of reduced symptoms in mouse models, but the outbreak calmed before further animal and human testing could continue. For HIV, … [Read more...] about Will Receptor Decoys Both Prevent And Treat SARS-CoV-2 Infection?

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Starbucks’ stock slid Thursday afternoon after the company missed its quarterly revenue estimate, in part because of an immense drop in sales across China as the country grappled with tight lockdowns followed by a renewed surge in the spread of the virus, resulting in reduced commerce that hurt retail businesses across the country—one of Starbucks’ largest markets. Key Facts The company reported $8.71 billion in quarterly revenue, setting a new record but falling short of Wall Street’s $8.78 billion estimate. Sales in North America rose 10% but tumbled 13% internationally, largely due to an eye-popping 28% decline in China. Starbucks also missed on earnings per share, reporting 75 cents after analysts expected 77 cents. The company’s share price declined more than 3% in after-hours trading to $105.81. Crucial Quote “We posted today’s strong results despite challenging global consumer … [Read more...] about Starbucks Stock Drops After Massive Decline In China Sales

PHOTO: Agoda Pattaya’s Committee for the Surveillance and Prevention of Covid-19 is proposing to use the city’s Grand Bella Hotel as a temporary medical shelter for people under investigation for Covid-19 coronavirus symptoms. Pattaya currently has 12 total cases, with a total of 16 in Bang Lamung and 53 in Chon Buri province. 105 people are currently being scrutinised for the virus in the province. A total of 952 people have been under investigation since the start of the outbreak there, with the vast majority testing negative. If approved, the measure would separate people under investigation for Covid-19 from regular hospital patients at Pattaya and Chonburi hospitals, and use the Grand Bella Hotel as a temporary staging area for investigations of people who have not tested positive for the virus but are either awaitng results or being monitored for signs of the illness. According to the members of the committee, the hotel has the facilities and resources needed to … [Read more...] about Pattaya eyes hotel as quarantine area

FILE PHOTO: Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the WHO, Takeshi Kasai The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially announced today, that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region. Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the WHO, Takeshi Kasai, says… “Let me be clear. The epidemic is far from over in Asia and the Pacific. This is going to be a long-term battle and we cannot let down our guard, we need every country to keep preparing for large-scale community transmission, Countries with limited resources are a priority, such as Pacific Island nations, as they have to ship samples to other countries for diagnoses, and transportation restrictions are making that more difficult.” “We realise that there is no one right method to approach the crisis but there are common tactics, for example… Related news Is Erling Haaland the new Beethoven, Shakespeare, or Rembrandt? 8 hours ago … [Read more...] about “Far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region – WHO update

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) told potential donors he was a producer on the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark , which ran on broadway from 2011-2014, Bloomberg reported Friday—the latest apparent lie from the freshman congressman, who is facing calls to resign over his fabricated resume and questionable financial statements. Key Facts Broadway producer: Santos allegedly told potential donors during the 2021 campaign that he was a producer on the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark , Bloomberg reported Friday, but his name never appeared in the show’s playbill and lead producer, Michael Cohl told Bloomberg the congressman wasn’t involved. An illustrious modeling stint: Santos told his former roommate in 2013 that he was a model who would soon appear in Vogue and had worked at New York Fashion Week, New York Magazine reported Wednesday, citing an interview with Santos’ … [Read more...] about George Santos Reportedly Claimed To Be A Broadway Musical Producer: Here’s Everything The Embattled Congressman Has Lied About

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin This article is part of a larger series on the risks of molnupiravir. For a summary of the risks at the level of the individual, see here , and for an overview of the risks on a societal level, see here . Mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 genome, especially in the spike protein, help the virus elude vaccines, natural immunity, and monoclonal antibody treatments. Such mutations can also help improve viral fitness, including quicker viral replication, shorter incubation periods, and increased immunosuppressive capabilities. Together, these issues pose a serious challenge to pandemic control. One potential area of hope are antiviral drugs. Unfortunately, none of our current options are effective in preventing infection. In fact, one of the more widely-used drugs against Covid-19 —molnupiravir— may supercharge viral mutation and spawn new variants. When I first voiced this concern , it was sidelined as largely … [Read more...] about Taking A Closer Look At Molnupiravir. Is Continued Use Justified?

Stock photo via Public Health England A small group of people, including 2 who claimed they were infected with Covid-19, held a rally outside the Government House in Bangkok yesterday evening, calling for the Thai government to provide proper medical treatment for coronavirus patients. 25 police officers dressed in personal protective equipment, or PPE suits, were called to monitor the rally. Just 7 people attended the rally. The 2 protesters claiming to be infected with Covid-19 say they tested positive for the virus last week. They had used a rapid antigen test and stayed home to self-isolate after the positive results. A protester says they sought treatment, but there were no available hospital beds. “I contacted officials to come pick me up for treatment but not a single hospital has available beds, so I came here to ask the government for help… I suspect that I contracted Covid-19 while participating in a rally at Government House last week to oust General Prayut … [Read more...] about 2 people infected with Covid-19 rally in Bangkok to demand medical care

So far, more than 100 people have tested negative for Covid-19 after a 57 year old French/Thai woman tested positive for the virus in Koh Samui. Her case is the first on the island in 7 months and health officials are investigating to determine if she came in contact with the virus on the island, when travelling from France or possibly while in quarantine at an ASQ hotel in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok. The woman, born in Thailand, was repatriating back to Thailand with her family. She has dual citizenship. Meanwhile, 30 people are considered to be at “high risk” of contracting the virus. The Koh Samui Hospital director Veerasak Lorthongkum says those people, including her husband and son, as well as people seated close to her onboard a flight, show no signs of infection. Traces of the virus were found on gym equipment at the ASQ hotel in Samut Prakan where the woman stayed when she arrived back in Thailand. She spent the mandatory 2 weeks in isolation upon entering … [Read more...] about 100+ test negative after Koh Samui Covid-19 case of the Thai/French woman