Text reminders boost vaccine appointments

Coronavirus infections among vaccinated people are on the decline but for the unvaccinated, cases continue to increase. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of California, Los Angeles found text-based nudges are an effective way to remind people to schedule their first COVID-19 vaccination appointment and show up. The results of the study are

Public and private SARS-CoV-2 T cell receptors may be crucial for pan-coronavirus vaccines

Researchers have just established a structural basis for two spike glycoprotein epitopes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that are restricted to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A2 molecules. More specifically, they are involved in the presentation of antigenic peptides to specific T lymphocytes and recognized by public and private T cell receptors.

UK warns COVID monitor devices work less well for darker skin

Britain’s state-run healthcare service warned Saturday that devices used by people with COVID to monitor blood-oxygen levels at home may give inaccurate readings for people with darker skin. The warning concerned pulse oximeters, currently being used by many of those at risk of severe COVID symptoms to check their blood-oxygen levels. Below a certain reading,

Biden says US to see new Covid restrictions in all probability

US President Joe Biden said on Friday “in all probability” new guidelines or restrictions would be imposed in the United States in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Asked if Americans should expect new recommendations from health authorities or new restrictive measures, the president responded, “in all probability,” before leaving the White House by

Florida coronavirus cases jump 50% as surge continues

Florida’s coronavirus cases jumped 50% this week, the state Health Department reported Friday, continuing a six-week surge that has seen it responsible for 1 in 5 new infections nationally, becoming the outbreak’s epicenter. The release came shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis barred school districts from requiring students to wear masks when classes resume next month.

EU to get 40 mn more Moderna jabs in Q3: medicines agency

The EU’s medicines watchdog said on Friday that the bloc was likely to get 40 million more Moderna vaccine doses by October, after an output boost at two new US sites. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) in June gave the green light for the US sites in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to produce ingredients needed

Study Highlights Effect of Acne in Adult Women on Quality of Life

Adult women with acne describe significant impacts on their lived experience of acne, including concerns about appearance, mental and emotional health consequences, and disruption to their personal and professional lives, results from a qualitative study demonstrated. Dr John Barbieri “Nearly 50% of women experience acne in their 20s, and 35% experience acne in their 30s,” the

Novel therapy may improve survival for patients with malignant gliomas

A novel therapy engineered by Northwestern Medicine investigators improved progression-free and overall survival for patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas, according to results from a recent phase I clinical trial published in The Lancet Oncology. In the study, investigators evaluated the safety of a novel therapy called NSC-CRAd-S-pk7 in patients newly diagnosed with malignant gliomas.

Large nanodiscs simulate viral entry into host cells

Membrane proteins are heavily involved in a variety of cellular processes such as signal transduction, membrane translocation, cell adhesion, and many more, and therefore are of great interest within the field of drug design. The structure of relevant membrane proteins is sometimes mimicked during research using detergent micelles, which are capable of entrapping and extracting

Kentucky state officials refuse to enforce virus mask rule

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear defended his mask requirement for state workers Thursday, brushing off criticism by state GOP officials who announced that they would not enforce the mandate in their offices. “Listen, I care more about my people than my popularity. I got the backbone to do what’s right for them and

Idaho Governor Signs Onto Major Abortion-Rights Challenge

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Thursday signed onto an amicus brief in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could overturn the court’s landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. He joined Republican governors from 11 other states in supporting a Mississippi law that would ban abortion at 15 weeks.

Portugal eases virus limits, takes aim at total freedom

Portugal is beginning its journey to what the country’s prime minister calls “total freedom,” with a government decision Thursday to start winding down COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ahead of a forecast 70% of people being fully vaccinated by the end of this summer. The Health Ministry says around 5.4 million people, or 52% of the target