Moderna and Pfizer are both testing COVID-19 booster shots intended to address coronavirus variants of concern, the companies announced in separate press releases this week. Such third shots aren't yet available and, at this point in time, aren't needed; however, the presence of certain SARS-CoV-2 variants have the companies preparing as the pandemic evolves.
Despite laws against these substances, psychedelics have resurged in popularity, with anecdotal reports claiming everything from increased productivity and creativity to migraine remission, depression relief, and an increased sense of wellbeing. Amid this popularity, California has introduced one of the most ambitious bills related to these drugs.
Johnson & Johnson has applied for a COVID-19 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA, the company announced on Thursday, February 4. The application pertains to J&J's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate, a single-shot product that is ready to be shipped to distributors 'immediately following authorization,' Johnson & Johnson said.
The FDA has announced its approval of the first injectable extended-release regimen for adults who have HIV-1 infections. For patients who meet the criteria for the regimen, Cabenuva can reduce the number of dosing days to only 12 per year, according to ViiV Healthcare, which says the regimen can replace antiretroviral regimens in eligible adults.
As we approach the end of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the narrative has shifted towards the numerous vaccines that are slowly becoming available. Several countries around the world as well as cities in the US have started injecting the population in the hopes of finally getting a hold of the spread of the coronavirus. With vaccinations, however, also comes the need to distinguish those who have taken it and those who haven't, and Los Angeles county might have some high-tech help on that front.
The FDA is highlighting a new voluntary recall from AvKARE over a pill mixup that may result in some patients taking the wrong medication. The recall covers one lot of Trazodone, a prescription used to treat major depressive disorder, and Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Taking the wrong medication may be dangerous for some people.
Moderna has revealed more COVID-19 vaccine production details, outlining the ramp-up of its drug as we head into early 2021. The vaccine candidate, which the FDA will hold a public Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on later this month, is currently being considered for emergency use authorization as the pandemic toll continues to rise.
Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke this week about the future of COVID-19 and action dates for vaccines in the USA. Dr. Fauci suggested that vaccines going through official approval schedules now will be available to the "highest-priority people" starting from the end of December, 2020. Highest-priority vaccinations will take place through January, February, March, then on to the general public. Per Dr. Fauci, potentially full NFL stadiums in September of 2021 are "possible."
Researchers have created something described as a cancer-fighting "stealth bomber" able to slip through the body's defenses unseen to fight cancer. For decades, scientists have been testing oncolytic viruses that preferentially kill cancer cells. The FDA approved an oncolytic virus to fight melanoma in 2015.
If your old cat is on the path to tooth resorption (TR), the only viable cure is tooth extraction. If your cat shows signs of TR, your cat's veterinary specialist will almost certainly recommend that they remove the affected teeth before TR goes too far. A study published this week worked with a set of feline teeth, sequencing extracted RNA to characterize transcriptomic changes involved in feline TR. Scientists involved in the study aimed to learn more about feline TR so that they might eradicate the disease before tooth extraction becomes necessary.
Researchers at CSIRO have been performing research on the COVID-19 virus, investigating virus survivability on surfaces. The team found that COVID-19 causing virus last for ten days longer than influenza on some surfaces. The virus has a longer life when on glass, stainless steel, and paper banknotes. It also lasts longer at lower temperatures.
Researchers from Flinders University and the University of Adelaide in Australia have discovered something interesting in some humans. When in the womb, babies have a temporary artery that runs down the center of the forearm that typically vanishes over time. However, that artery isn't disappearing as often as it used to.