British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre (BC DPIC)

Boosting virtual screening with machine learning allowed for a 10-fold time reduction in the processing of 1.56 billion drug-like molecules. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland teamed up with industry and supercomputers to carry out one of the world's largest virtual drug screens.

The study finds that COVID-19 vaccination can significantly reduce symptoms and improve well-being in patients suffering from post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC). Vaccination also lowered systemic markers of inflammation but did not entirely eliminate persistent SARS-CoV-2 antigens, which may continue to contribute to inflammation.

New research analyzing the effects of two drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes indicates a consistent lack of cardiovascular and renal benefits in Black populations.

The ACTIV-6 trial investigated the effectiveness of inhaled fluticasone furoate on mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases and found it did not accelerate recovery or prevent clinical progression compared to a placebo. Interestingly, vaccinated participants showed slightly faster recovery when treated with the drug, while unvaccinated participants did not.

A comprehensive review in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy delves into the versatility and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, from their game-changing role in COVID-19 to potential applications in cancer and rare diseases. Despite drawbacks like stability and high immunogenicity, advancements in vaccine technology have poised mRNA platforms as a robust tool for both preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Weill Cornell Medicine has received a three-year, nearly $6 million grant to lead one of three national contraceptive research centers.