Compound that might block virus which causes Covid-19 found

A cabin crew member (L) of Japan Airlines receives the Moderna vaccine at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Monday. Pic/AFP

Research conducted at Louisiana State University Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence reports that ‘Elovanoids', bioactive chemical messengers made from omega-3 very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, may block the virus that causes Covid-19 from entering cells and protect the air cells (alveoli) of the lung. The findings of the research are published in the journal Scientific Reports.

"Because the compounds are protective against damage in the brain and retina of the eye and the Covid-19 virus clearly damages the lung, the experiment tested if the compounds would also protect the lung," noted Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Director of the LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center and senior author of the paper. The research team tested Elovanoids (ELVs) on infected lung tissue from a 78-year-old man in petri dish cultures. They found that ELVs not only reduced the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to bind to receptors and enter cells, but they also triggered the production of protective, anti-inflammatory proteins that counteract lung damage.

The scientists report that ELVs decreased the production of ACE2. ACE2 is a protein on the surface of many cell types. ACE2 receptors act like locks on cells, and the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins act like keys that open the locks letting the virus enter cells to multiply rapidly.

Study finds Novavax shot about 90% effective

A vaccine at Novavax labs in Gaithersburg, Maryland. File pic

Vaccine maker Novavax said Monday its shot was highly effective against Covid-19 and also protected against variants in a large, late-stage study in the US and Mexico. The vaccine was about 90 per cent effective overall and preliminary data showed it was safe, the company said. While demand for Covid-19 shots in the US has dropped off dramatically, the need for more vaccines around the world remains critical. The Novavax vaccine, which is easy to store and transport, is expected to play an important role in boosting vaccine supplies in the developing world.

UK PM might delay lockdown end

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce a four-week delay to an end to all legal lockdown restrictions in the country when he makes a statement later on Monday in relation to so-called Freedom Day, which was set for June 21. The last and fourth stage of the lockdown roadmap is now expected around July 19 instead amid a worrying spike in cases of the Delta variant, which experts fear will result in greater hospitalisations.

Germany has lowest cases in 9 months

Germany has recorded its lowest number of new daily coronavirus infections in nearly nine months, and officials are floating the possibility of relaxing mask rules. The Robert Koch Institute, the national disease control centre, said Monday that 549 new cases were reported over previous 24 hours. It's the first time since Sept. 21 that the figure has been under 1,000, though numbers over the weekend are relatively low because fewer tests are conducted.

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2,14,921
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

17,55,41,600
Total no. of cases worldwide

37,98,361
Total no. of deaths worldwide

Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins

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