Further tests are needed but a trial showed that, when compared against placebo treatment, those given the drug had a 79% lower risk of developing severe disease.
The race is on to develop a vaccine for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Australian researchers are leading several major clinical trials that might help bring an end to the deadly disease.
Researchers are central to any country’s science preparedness, especially in the face of pandemics.
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Sam Kinyanjui, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme et Sharon Fonn, University of the Witwatersrand
Investments are starting to help grow the African continent's science preparedness.
A man with ALS uses a head-mounted laser pointer to communicate with his wife, by pointing to letters and words on a communication board.
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease, is a crippling, progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. Now it seems that a diabetes drug may help some cases.
Vaccinologists have not focused their research on tailoring vaccines to induce robust immune responses in the elderly.
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Immunosenescence — the decline of immune system function with age — means that vaccines are not as effective in older adults, the demographic most susceptible to many diseases, including COVID-19.
Severe scrutiny of two major papers, including one about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, is part of science's normal process of self-correction.
The scope and length of vaccine testing experiments usually mean decade-long timelines for development.
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It usually takes 10 years for a new vaccine to complete clinical trials, but we've been promised a COVID-19 vaccine in 12 to 18 months. Even if such fast-tracked development is possible, is it wise?
Laboratories around the world are working round the clock to find treatments or a vaccine for COVID-19.
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The FDA has sped up its approval process for coronavirus treatments, creating a new division to expedite the regulatory process. But is safety being sidelined for speed?
Drugs and vaccines to fight the coronavirus are already in clinical trials. It is important to understand the difference between each step in this process as efforts to fight COVID-19 continue.
President Trump says he has been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive for the coronavirus.
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Africa needs to be better prepared to deal with future pandemics. That should start with a re-assessment of how countries invest in – and support – local research.
Over 2,000 drugs are approved by the FDA for human use.
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Army physicians are turning to drugs approved for other conditions or newly developed treatments such as the antiviral Remdesivir to treat infected personnel.
Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Management, York University, Emergency Physician at University Health Network, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Professor of Bioethics & Medicine, Sydney Health Ethics, Haematologist/BMT Physician, Royal North Shore Hospital and Director, Praxis Australia, University of Sydney
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, AMREP Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne & Senior Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician, Melbourne Oncology Group, Cabrini Haematology and Oncology Centre, Wattletree Road, Malvern, Monash University
Professsor of Public Health; Co-Director Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa; Panel Member, Private Healthcare Market Inquiry, University of the Witwatersrand