As temperatures drop, coronavirus particles on surfaces may remain infectious longer: Study

Scientists have used virus-like particles to predict how environmental factors affect survival of vel coronavirus on surfaces, and found that COVID-19 virus may remain infectious longer as temperatures drop in winter.

According to study, published in journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, virus-like particles, or VLPs, "faithfully mimic external structure of SARS-CoV-2 virus." researchers from University of Utah in US said VLPs are empty shells me of same lipids and three s of proteins as present in an active SARS-CoV-2 virus, but without its genetic material RNA that causes infections.

" VLPs however, possess geme and thus present infectious threat which enables rapid studies with reduced safety requirements," y wrote in study.

In current research, scientists tested virus-like particles on glass surfaces under both dry and humid conditions.

researchers explained that SARS-CoV-2 virus is commonly spre when an infected person ejects droplets of tiny mucus-len aerosols from lungs via sneezing, coughing, or exhaling sharply.

y said se droplets have a high surface to volume ratio and dry out quickly -- so both wet and dry virus particles come into contact with a surface or travel directly into a new host. Using vanced microscopy techniques, researchers observed how structure of VLPs changed under se changing conditions.

y exposed VLP samples to various temperatures under two conditions -- with particles inside a liquid buffer solution, and with particles dried out.

In both liquid and bare conditions, scientists found that elevating temperature to about 93 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes degred outer structure.

According to researchers, effect was stronger on dry particles than on liquid-protected ones.

In contrast, y said particles in room temperature conditions or outside in cooler wear may remain infectious longer.

While humidity likely affected how far virus particles in cough and sneeze aerosols travelled in air before y dried out, researchers saw very little influence of humidity on survival of VLPs on surfaces.

"When it comes to fighting spre of this virus, you kind of have to fight every particle individually. And so you need to understand what makes each individual particle degre," explained Michael Vershinin, co-author of study from University of Utah.

"What's surprising is how little heat was needed to break m down--surfaces that are warm to touch, but t hot. packaging of this virus is very sensitive to temperature," Vershinin ded.

In order to remain infectious, scientists said SARS-CoV-2 membrane needs a specific web of proteins arranged in a particular order.

When that structure falls apart, y said it becomes less infectious, suggesting that as temperatures begin to drop in winter, particles on surfaces could remain infectious longer.