A bacteria killing coating created by scientists has been used in trials of a new paint that can be applied to a range of surfaces to effectively kill bacteria and viruses, including difficult to kill species such as MRSA, flu and COVID-19.

A new Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine study found virtual group singing can be an effective tool for promoting well-being and social connection during isolation. The study assessed the feasibility of virtual group singing for adults over 55 — including those with neurocognitive disorders like dementia — during the COVID-19 pandemic when older adults were experiencing health declines due to isolation. The next step in the research will be a nationwide trial funded by the National Institutes of Health Music Dementia Research Network. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on global health. The momentous effort of researchers around the globe resulted in not only the successful development of multiple vaccines but also a vast accumulation of COVID-19 patient-derived next-generation sequencing data. Despite the availability of efficacious vaccines, COVID-19 persists, and our knowledge of host transcriptomics is still vague.

Researchers have developed a light-induced DNA detection method that enables rapid, PCR-free genetic analysis. Their technique offers ultra-sensitive mutation detection in just five minutes, reducing costs and simplifying testing. The method has significant potential in healthcare, environmental conservation, and personal health monitoring.

A vaccine under development at the University at Buffalo has demonstrated complete protection in mice against a deadly variant of the virus that causes bird flu. The work, detailed in a study published April 17 in the journal Cell Biomaterials, focuses on the H5N1 variant known as 2.3.4.4b, which has caused widespread outbreaks in wild birds and poultry and other mammals. The vaccine is step toward more potent, versatile and easy-to-produce vaccines that public health officials believe will be needed to counteract evolving bird flu strains that grow resistant to existing vaccines.

New bat cell lines and reagents help to study bat antiviral immune responses against hantaviruses and coronaviruses