Researchers in Saskatchewan developing COVID-19 saliva test
(Vincenzo Morello/ Radio-Canada International) — Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan are leading the development of a new test that will be able to detect SARS-Cov-2 proteins in saliva, according to a press release from the University of Saskatchewan last Thursday.
Dr. Walter Siqueira of the University of Saskatchewan …
Scientists just beginning to understand many health problems caused by COVID-19
(Reuters) — Scientists are only starting to grasp the vast array of health problems caused by the novel coronavirus, some of which may have lingering effects on patients and health systems for years to come, according to doctors and infectious disease experts.
Besides the respiratory issues that leave patients gasping for breath, …
COVID-19 antibodies can disappear after 2-3 months
(Ralph Ellis/ WedMD) — People who develop antibodies after becoming infected with the coronavirus may not keep them more than a few months, especially if they showed no symptoms to begin with, a Chinese study shows.
Previous studies had found that most people who became infected developed antibodies. Health departments around the …
Some countries reconsider 2-metre rule for physical distancing, but not Canada
(CBC News) — Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, continues to recommend people stay two metres apart from others to curb COVID-19 as the economy reopens and countries like Britain relax their distancing rule.
On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced pubs, restaurants and hotels could reopen …
Eating too much sugar could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s
(Agence France-Presse) — A study led by researchers from Inserm (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and the University of Montpellier points to a link between excessive consumption of sugary foods and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s in people with a genetic predisposition to the disease.
For …
Study finds 1 in 5 people worldwide at risk of severe Covid-19
(Katherine J. Wu/ New York Times) — In just six months, nearly 8 million people worldwide have been stricken with confirmed cases of Covid-19, and at least 434,000 have died. But those deaths have not been distributed evenly; among the most vulnerable are people with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and diseases …
Antibody tests don’t mean a ton right now … but that could change soon
(Alice Park/ Time) — In the largest study to date looking at the antibodies produced by people who have recovered from COVID-19, researchers uncovered a few surprises that could have implications for not only how useful antibody-based treatments might be, but also what the results from an individual’s antibody test actually means. …
Dexamethasone shows promise as a Covid-19 treatment
(Umair Irfan/ Vox) —Scientists at Oxford University in the United Kingdom this week reported that a trial of the drug dexamethasone shows it may be the first treatment demonstrated to save the lives of Covid-19 patients.
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid typically used to treat inflammation. It’s cheap, as little as $1 per dose. It’s …
‘Super-potent’ antibodies may offer Covid-19 therapy
(Vanessa Chalmers/ Daily Mail) — Experts discovered extremely strong antibodies which prevented hamsters getting severely unwell with the disease, when exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Academics at Scripps Research, in San Diego, say the antibodies can be cloned in the lab and be mass-produced, if they are proven to fight the virus. …