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T cells tackle new 'Pirola' SARS-CoV-2 variant

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that most T cells can still target epitopes on the new Pirola variant, suggesting people may be able to mount a response against it. The study's findings provide positive news in the fight against SARS-CoV-2, emphasizing the importance of vaccination with updated vaccines.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 8, 2023

Survey finds patients’ coping styles changed during COVID-19 and that stable coping styles can reduce anxiety and depression

Researchers assessed Veterans Affairs participants' coping strategies over three timepoints, finding that stable coping styles are associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression. The majority of the sample (71%) changed their coping style at least once during the study period.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 27, 2023

Practice facilitation programs can help primary care clinics adopt best practices for providing COVID-19 vaccinations

Researchers developed a practice facilitation program to support family physicians in identifying unvaccinated patients and addressing vaccine hesitancy. The intervention provided resources such as scripts and medical student volunteers to work as physician-delegates, resulting in improved vaccination rates.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 27, 2023

Study: Spike in premature births caused by COVID, halted by vaccines

A new study found that COVID-19 caused a significant spike in premature births, but vaccines played a crucial role in reducing the risk of preterm birth to pre-pandemic levels. The research analyzed California birth records and found that maternal COVID infection increased the risk of preterm births by 1.2 percentage points.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2023

Fractional COVID-19 booster vaccines produce similar immune response as full-doses

A new study found that a half-dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine elicited a non-inferior immune response to a full dose in Mongolian adults, with fewer side effects. The study suggests that fractional dosing may improve booster acceptability and reduce costs.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 23, 2023

Fourth dose of COVID vaccine boosts protection in patients with rheumatic disease

A new study suggests that a fourth dose of the mRNA vaccine significantly reduces risk of infection and severe COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The study found a 41% reduction in risk for infection and 65% reduction for admission/death compared to those who did not receive a fourth dose.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 15, 2023

Virologic rebound observed in 20% of patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir

A study found that 20% of patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritavir (N-R) experienced virologic rebound, a phenomenon where viral load increases after initial decline. In contrast, only 1 untreated patient was affected. The researchers suggest considering the risks and benefits of N-R treatment in patients at low risk for severe disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateNov 13, 2023

A comparative analysis of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: Insights from Korea University College of Medicine

A recent study published in eClinical Medicine found that the GB510/AS03 vaccine elicited a stronger antibody immune response against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain compared to ChAdOx1-S. The vaccine demonstrated robust safety and efficacy, with no significant safety concerns identified.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2023

Poetry can help people cope with loneliness or isolation

A study by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University found that reading and writing poetry had a substantial positive impact on participants' wellbeing during the pandemic. Poetry helped reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, as well as supporting social and cultural recovery.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Poetry Therapy·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 7, 2023

UMD researchers developed a nasal vaccine that prevents COVID in preclinical studies

A team of University of Maryland researchers developed a nasal spray vaccine that delivers the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into cells of the airway, triggering an immune response that significantly reduced infection and spread of COVID-19. The technology can be adapted to induce immunity to other respiratory illnesses.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2023

COVID vaccination in female, male partners does not increase risk of miscarriage

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that COVID-19 vaccination in female and male partners does not increase the risk of miscarriage. In fact, vaccinated individuals had a slightly lower risk of miscarriage compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study analyzed survey data from over 1,800 female participants...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeSurvey·DateOct 30, 2023

Risk of admission and death from COVID-19 low overall, but oldest adults remain vulnerable

A new study found that while most residents in British Columbia had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, older adults remained at highest risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. The researchers estimated that the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 was about 1 in 30 among adults 80 years and older.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 30, 2023

Penn Medicine research sheds new light on immune response during SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections

Researchers identified enhanced B-cell and T-cell responses in fully vaccinated individuals who became infected with SARS-CoV-2, generating immunological memory to prevent severe infection. Vaccine-primed memory T cells play a critical role in preventing severe COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 19, 2023

Communities of color experienced fear and mistrust of institutions during COVID-19 pandemic

A study by UC Riverside researchers found that communities of color in Inland Southern California experienced fear and mistrust of institutions due to historical, cultural, and social traumas. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive health interventions to address these traumas and promote community-based approaches for ...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCulture Medicine and Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateOct 19, 2023

B cell response after influenza vaccine in young and older adults

Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Unvaccinated Covid-19 survivors face higher risk of heart complications, Singapore study finds

A Singaporean study found that unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors are at a heightened risk of heart complications almost a year after recovery. The study revealed a 56% higher risk of developing new heart complications among unvaccinated survivors compared to uninfected individuals.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2023

Does COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination worsen migraines?

Research published in European Journal of Neurology indicates that COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination have negligible effects on migraine severity. Among participants who reported worsening migraines, those infected were 2.5-times more likely to be concerned about migraine worsening than those vaccinated.

SourceWiley·JournalEuropean Journal of Neurology·DateOct 4, 2023

Antigen testing can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of COVID-19 clusters according to mathematical model

Researchers found that antigen testing significantly reduces the probability of cluster occurrence by identifying and isolating infected persons. However, it may not be effective against highly infectious mutant strains like Omicron, highlighting the need for booster vaccination campaigns and other infection control measures.

SourceNagoya University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2023

Pharmacists can improve access to life-saving vaccines

Researchers found that using electronic prompts during appointment scheduling for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines can identify willing participants for HPV and shingles vaccines. Only 30% of those booking for these vaccines were already vaccinated against HPV, presenting a significant opportunity for targeted campaigns.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada·DateOct 2, 2023

Trivalent vaccine candidate fights measles, mumps, SARS-CoV-2

Scientists have developed a trivalent vaccine candidate that provides broad and long-lasting protection against COVID-19 infection by delivering the vaccine via the nose. The vaccine triggers a strong neutralizing antibody response and protects mucosal areas, preventing disease symptoms.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Reassessing COVID-19 precautions in 2023

The article discusses the need to reassess COVID-19 precautions in 2023, particularly for patients with hematologic malignancies. The researchers highlight the increased risk of poor response to vaccination and worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection among these patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 27, 2023

New vaccine technology could protect from future viruses and variants

A new vaccine candidate has shown protection against a range of coronaviruses, including current and future variants, by targeting the critical regions of the virus that it needs to complete its life cycle. The vaccine technology, developed at the University of Cambridge, aims to provide broad-based protection against emerging viruses.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2023

Study details immune cells vital to success of vaccines against coronavirus

A study has identified key T cell subsets that track closely with successful vaccination and are responsible for early protection against SARS-CoV-2. The research found distinct CD8+ T cells that proliferate and attack key proteins of the pandemic virus, particularly those lacking surface protein KLRG1.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

Global background rates study analyzes data from 197 million people for assessment of COVID-19 vaccine safety

A large-scale study analyzing data from 197 million people has generated background incidence rates on conditions such as myocarditis, pulmonary embolism, and Guillain-Barré syndrome for COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring. The findings provide important data for investigating reports of medical events following vaccination.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalVaccine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 17, 2023