The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread rapidly following its first reported incidence in 2019, and since that time, several variants of the virus have circulated around the world, and more seem to be emerging all the time. While the vaccines in major circulation seem to be reasonably effective against all currently known viral variants so far, …
Back to the Egg — Searching for a Low-Cost COVID-19 Vaccine
In much of the developed world where COVID-19 vaccination rates have been relatively high, reported COVID-19 cases have dropped significantly. For developing countries where there is limited access to vaccines, however, COVID-19 infection rates are an ongoing concern. The vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca are expensive to produce, transport and store. Moderna and Pfizer’s …
Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms
Several weeks ago, we discussed COVID-19 neurological symptoms, including difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering. All of these symptoms have one crucial factor in common: they are among the most debilitating symptoms of lingering, or “long-haul,” COVID-19. Lingering COVID-19 symptoms can affect a wide variety of essential physical processes, including heart, lung, and brain function.
When Did SARS-CoV-2 Actually Emerge?
When developing a therapy or vaccine against an emerging virus, knowing how long it has been in existence can tell scientists how many forms may exist, how prevalent it is, and even whether it is hazardous enough to merit an intervention. For SARS-CoV-2, its history of existence is not well known. When COVID-19 was recognized …
New Study Illuminates COVID-19 Neurological Symptoms
Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering are amongst the most debilitating long-haul symptoms of COVID-19. In some cases, this “brain fog” can linger for months. Of the first 100 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections whose symptoms lasted at least six weeks, 81 reported experiencing brain fog. Until recently, the underlying causes of these lingering COVID-19 neurological symptoms …
The Most Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Could Be Intranasal
The pace of vaccine development against COVID-19 will certainly go down as one of the fastest in our history. In less than a year, a number of vaccines have been developed and distributed that prevent illness from COVID-19. In the U.S. alone, more than 200 million doses of vaccine have been distributed as of April …
How Houseplants Can Contribute to Fighting Multi-Resistant Germs
Plants can liven up a dreary space, purify our air, and generally keep us healthier – but what if they could contribute to innovative germ-fighting science, too? That question is at the center of recent research on multi-resistant, or multidrug-resistant germs. Why? Because these highly evolved germs are a major concern in healthcare environments. There, they …
COVID-19 and Allergies – Symptoms, Similarities, and the Science
The spring equinox arrived in March and with it came longer days, warmer temperatures and, for about eight percent of the world’s population, seasonal allergies. Prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, allergies were more of a nuisance than a serious health concern for most people. But beyond emotional duress stemming from the fact that seasonal allergy …
Equine Coronavirus and Horses’ Contribution to the COVID-19 Vaccine
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world have been asked to do their part to prevent the virus from spreading. Whether they developed a vaccine, cared for the sick, or simply followed health officials’ guidelines, all humans have had the opportunity to make a positive impact – but did you know …
View from My Window, Part 3: The Community We Build
In January, we introduced the social media phenomenon “View From My Window” (VFMW), a Facebook Group whose members who have posted pictures of their inside-out views during lockdown. In February, we reviewed some of the science explaining why the VFMW photos have become such a global phenomenon. We discussed how views of natural environments have …
