Neanderthal genes linked to severe COVID-19; and other items

Neanderthal genes linked to severe COVID-19; Mosquitoes cannot transmit the coronavirus The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. Nancy Lapid U.S.

Reuters) - The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Neanderthal genes linked with severe COVID-19

A group of genes passed down from extinct human cousins is linked with a higher risk for severe COVID-19, researchers say. When they compared the genetic profiles of about 3,200 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and nearly 900,000 people from the general population, they found that a cluster of genes on chromosome 3 inherited from Neanderthals who lived more than 50,000 years ago is linked with 60% higher odds of needing hospitalization.

People with COVID-19 who inherited this gene cluster are also more likely to need artificial breathing assistance, coauthor Hugo Zeberg of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology said in a news release. The prevalence of these genes varies widely, according to a report published on Wednesday in Nature.

In South Asia, roughly 30% of people have them, compared to roughly one in six Europeans. They are almost non-existent in Africa and East Asia. While the study cannot explain why these particular genes confer a higher risk, the authors conclude, "with respect to the current pandemic, it is clear that gene flow from

Neanderthals has tragic consequences." (go.nature.com/36lHwnC)

Also see:

Mosquitoes cannot transmit COVID-19   (bit.ly/3jgeLMw)

 Moderna vaccine passes safety test in older patients

bit.ly/3ihdvrp; reut.rs/3cL77HN)

Hydroxychloroquine fails to prevent COVID-19

(bit.ly/3ldgMdd; bit.ly/34eErTl; reut.rs/3cM7wty)