The research may explain why early outbreaks in some parts of the world did not end up overwhelming health systems as much as other outbreaks in New York and Italy, according to experts at Scripps Research.
The mutation, named D614G, increased the number of "spikes" on the coronavirus - which is the part that gives it its distinctive shape. Those spikes are what allow the virus to bind to and infect cells.
"The number--or density--of functional spikes on the virus is 4 or 5 times greater due to this mutation," said Hyeryun Choe, one of the senior authors of the study.
The researchers say that it is still unknown whether this small mutation affects the severity of symptoms of infected people, or increases mortality.
The researchers conducting lab experiments say that more research, including controlled studies - widely considered a gold standard for clinical trials, needs to be done to confirm their findings from test tube experiments.
Older research has showed that the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is mutating and evolving as it adapts to its human hosts. The D614G mutation in particular has been flagged as an urgent concern because it appeared to be emerging as a dominant mutation.
The Scripps Research study is currently undergoing peer review and was released on Friday amid reports of its findings.
(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru: Editing by Bernard Orr)
Chicago will quarantine for 14 days all arrivals from U.S. states where coronavirus cases are surging, its Public Health Commissioner said late on Thursday, as the country reported a record number of new infections.
Allison Arwady said the directive will take effect on Monday.
It currently covers 15 states, including California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, and it makes provision for adding or removing states as their coronavirus caseloads change, according to the city's official website https://bit.ly/2VDVLO7.
Cases are currently rising in 37 out of 50 U.S. states, leading several governors to halt or back-pedal on plans to end lockdowns.
On Thursday, the country reported more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases, a global record.
The Chicago order will stay in effect until further notice and violation is subject to fines of $100-$500 per day, up to a maximum of $7,000.
The United States has recorded nearly 129,000 deaths from COVID-19, nearly a quarter of the known global death toll, and about 2.76 million cases, according to a Reuters tally.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; editing by John Stonestreet)
The research may explain why early outbreaks in some parts of the world did not end up overwhelming health systems as much as other outbreaks in New York and Italy, according to experts at Scripps Research.
The mutation, named D614G, increased the number of "spikes" on the coronavirus - which is the part that gives it its distinctive shape.
Those spikes are what allow the virus to bind to and infect cells.
"The number--or density--of functional spikes on the virus is 4 or 5 times greater due to this mutation," said Hyeryun Choe, one of the senior authors of the study.
The researchers say that it is still unknown whether this small mutation affects the severity of symptoms of infected people, or increases mortality.
The researchers conducting lab experiments say that more research, including controlled studies - widely considered a gold standard for clinical trials, needs to be done to confirm their findings from test tube experiments.
Older research has showed that the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is mutating and evolving as it adapts to its human hosts. The D614G mutation in particular has been flagged as an urgent concern because it appeared to be emerging as a dominant mutation.
The Scripps Research study is currently undergoing peer review and was released on Friday amid reports of its findings.
(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru: Editing by Bernard Orr)
Chicago will quarantine for 14 days all arrivals from U.S. states where coronavirus cases are surging, its Public Health Commissioner said late on Thursday, as the country reported a record number of new infections.
Allison Arwady said the directive will take effect on Monday.
It currently covers 15 states, including California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, and it makes provision for adding or removing states as their coronavirus caseloads change, according to the city's official website https://bit.ly/2VDVLO7.
Cases are currently rising in 37 out of 50 U.S. states, leading several governors to halt or back-pedal on plans to end lockdowns.
On Thursday, the country reported more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases, a global record.
The Chicago order will stay in effect until further notice and violation is subject to fines of $100-$500 per day, up to a maximum of $7,000.
The United States has recorded nearly 129,000 deaths from COVID-19, nearly a quarter of the known global death toll, and about 2.76 million cases, according to a Reuters tally.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; editing by John Stonestreet)