Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Worldwide, those with ‘traditional’ values adhered more strictly to COVID precautions

A new UCLA-led study found that individuals with traditional cultural values tend to take stricter COVID-19 precautions globally, with 21 of 27 countries showing a strong link between the two. In contrast, factors like distrust of science and concerns about the economy in the US suppressed cautionary behavior among social conservatives.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 11, 2023

Those who avoided COVID-19 precautions early in the pandemic are more likely to buy firearms

A Rutgers study finds that individuals who avoid COVID-19 precautions are more likely to buy firearms, especially those with liberal or moderate political views. These groups also tend to trust less scientific information and have concerns about physical attacks, leading them to prioritize firearm ownership as a means of self-protection.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Social and Clinical Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateApr 10, 2023

Air pollution is linked to lower COVID-19 vaccine responses

A study led by ISGlobal found that exposure to air pollution before the pandemic was associated with lower antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in uninfected individuals. The study measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies in participants exposed to fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2023

Cognitive impairment in people living with HIV not made worse by COVID-19 in those who are vaccinated, US study suggests

A recent US study found that people living with HIV performed worse on cognitive tests after SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to those without HIV, but these differences were attributable to HIV rather than COVID-19. However, vaccinated individuals experienced declines in processing speed following COVID-19.

Keeping COVID-19 in check likely to require periodic boosters

New research from Washington University School of Medicine reveals that updated booster shots targeting specific COVID-19 variants can elicit a broad antibody response capable of neutralizing new variants. Periodic boosters may be necessary to maintain population immunity as the virus continues to evolve.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

Nasal vaccine to prevent COVID-19 passes first tests

A new live attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administered through the nose has shown better immunity than injected vaccines in hamster models, reducing transmissibility. The vaccine stimulates local immunity by activating antibody immunoglobulin A and memory T cells, providing early protection against COVID-19.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) induce activation and maturation of antigen presenting cells in young and aged individuals

Researchers found that lipid nanoparticles stimulate innate immune cells more efficiently in younger individuals, but less so in older adults. The study suggests that understanding the immune response to LNPs can help develop strategies to improve vaccine responses in the aged population.

SourceDrexel University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Excess death gap widens between US and Europe

A new analysis shows that the US has substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages compared to five high-income European countries. The excess death gap widened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of excess deaths nearly doubling between 2019 and 2021.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

COVID vaccine induces robust T cell responses in blood cancer patients

Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination generates robust T cell responses in haematology patients, on par with healthy individuals. The study provides key insights for future immunisation strategies and shows that mRNA vaccines can elicit strong T cell immunity in patients with co-morbidities.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Socially vulnerable carry disproportionate COVID burden due to lower likelihood of vaccination not vaccine effectiveness

A study found that socially vulnerable populations have poorer COVID-19 outcomes despite similar vaccine effectiveness, due to lower vaccination rates. The VISION Network analyzed electronic health record data and immunization records to highlight the need for targeted public health efforts on vaccine coverage.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMar 27, 2023

UM School of Medicine researchers chart path forward on developing mRNA vaccines for infections beyond COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 23, 2023

Unmasking the secret of broadly neutralising COVID-19 therapeutic antibodies

A study published in Nature Immunology found that antibodies from previously infected patients can neutralize variants of the COVID-19 disease, including the Omicron variant. These broadly neutralizing antibodies have unique biochemical and structural features that enable them to block the virus from entering human cells.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 21, 2023

Pregnancy-related deaths spiked for second consecutive year during COVID-19

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals a 104% increase in pregnancy-related deaths among American Indian/Alaska Native people, with rates nearly doubling from pre-pandemic levels. The Delta and Omicron variants contributed to the worsening burden of mortality, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Dementia the top COVID-19 risk factor for seniors in care

A University of Gothenburg study reveals that dementia is the dominant risk factor for COVID-19 infection and mortality among residents of Swedish nursing homes. Early-onset dementia was found to be the strongest association with increased mortality rates, particularly in the 65–75 age group.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 8, 2023

Higher trust in public health agencies during COVID-19 driven more by beliefs that agencies led with clear, science-based recommendations and provided protective resources, than by beliefs that agencies controlled outbreak

Researchers found that trust in federal, state, and local public health agencies was driven by beliefs in scientific expertise and provision of direct care, not control of outbreaks. Lower trust was related to concerns about conflicting recommendations and perceived political influence.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeSurvey·DateMar 6, 2023

New treatment for COVID-19 is made from plants

Researchers at Arizona State University describe an innovative therapy using transient expression in tobacco plants to produce a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. This class 4 mAb provides key advantages over existing treatments, including mutation resistance and universal protection against emerging variants.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2023

New research reveals possible COVID vaccine blood clot connection

A new Australian study found fundamental differences in how the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines impact the immune system, with some people receiving more effective protection than others. The study revealed a potential explanation for the connection between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clotting cases.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 21, 2023

Celebrity tweets likely shaped US negative public opinion of COVID-19 pandemic

An analysis of 13 million tweets suggests that celebrity tweets, particularly from politicians and news anchors, played a significant role in shaping public opinion on the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring social media activity to combat misinformation and promote health-protective behaviors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Health & Care Informatics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2023

Education levels impact on belief in scientific misinformation and mistrust of COVID-19 preventive measures

A new study published in Vaccines found that individuals with a university degree were more likely to believe in the effectiveness of COVID-19 preventive measures. The research also revealed that people with higher education levels had lower levels of trust in scientific misinformation, highlighting the importance of education in shapi...

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalVaccines·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 20, 2023

COVID-19 vaccination linked to fewer cardiac events

A US study found that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, particularly among those with comorbidities. Even partial vaccination was linked to a reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The research suggests that vaccination may have beneficial effects on post-COVID-19 complications.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2023

Opportunistic pathogens are less likely to be present in the nose and throat of people vaccinated against COVID-19, who are also less likely to get severe disease compared to non-vaccinated individuals

A study found that vaccinated people are less likely to have opportunistic pathogens in their nose and throat, and also experience milder symptoms of COVID-19. This is attributed to the presence of transcriptionally active nasopharyngeal commensals, which play a key role in defining mild symptoms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 17, 2023

Covid-19: Interactive risk communication formats can help overcome vaccine hesitancy

Researchers found that interactive simulation formats were more effective than conventional text-based formats in convincing vaccine-hesitant adults to get vaccinated. The study suggests that interactive simulations can boost people's decision-making competence, leading to positive changes in vaccination intentions and benefit-to-harm ...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 16, 2023

THE LANCET: Most comprehensive study to date provides evidence on natural immunity protection by COVID-19 variant and how protection fades over time

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet suggests that natural immunity from COVID-19 infection provides significant protection against hospitalization, symptomatic disease, and severe illness for at least 10 months. However, this protection declines over time, with an estimated 85% protection rate at one month ...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023