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Coin-sized device detects measles virus in saliva

A novel point-of-care biosensing device has been developed to detect measles virions in human saliva, potentially aiding in viral spread control. The device, smaller than a €1-cent coin or U.S. quarter, utilizes lab-on-a-chip technology and showed high accuracy in experiments.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJul 7, 2022

Study explores unusual interaction between viruses, live vaccines

A study by University of Illinois researchers reveals that a vaccine and virus can infect the same cells in living animals, sharing molecular tools to spread. The findings should inform vaccine design to eliminate potential attributes that help viruses spread.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalVirulence·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Age may rival politics in COVID-19 vaccine debate

A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that age and risk perception have a significant impact on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, surpassing political ideology. Older adults (50+) are more likely to consider themselves at risk for severe illness and are universally vaccinated, particularly above 75 years old.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalInternational Journal of Strategic Communication·DateJul 5, 2022

Emerging Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 are inhibited less efficiently by antibodies

Researchers at the German Primate Center found that emerging Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 are inhibited less efficiently by existing therapeutic antibodies, which may reduce protection against future infections. The study suggests these variants have acquired biological traits allowing for more efficient transmission.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Large study on the effectiveness of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in children aged 5-11 published in The New England Journal of Medicine

A large study found moderate protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic Covid-19 illness among vaccinated children, with greater protection observed in younger age subgroups. The research used Israel's Clalit Health Services database to control for confounding variables.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2022

New technique for detecting typhoid infections faster, more accurate than conventional testing, according to study

A new technique for detecting typhoidal Salmonella infections has been developed, allowing for faster and more accurate tracking of infections, particularly in rural areas. The approach detects typhoid antibodies in dried blood spots, providing valuable information for vaccination planning and disease surveillance.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateJun 28, 2022

Which COVID-19 vaccine type and timing are best during pregnancy?

A study examined maternal immune responses and antibody transfer from mother to fetus for different COVID-19 vaccines across pregnancy trimesters. mRNA vaccination induced higher levels and functions against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, while first and third trimester vaccination led to enhanced maternal immune responses.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2022

Canada's COVID-19 response in first 2 years of pandemic compares well with other countries' measures

A comparison analysis found that Canada handled the pandemic well by most measures, thanks to strict policies and high vaccination rates. The analysis showed that if US vaccination and death rates occurred in Canada, about 5.9 million fewer Canadians would have been vaccinated and 68,800 more would have died from COVID-19.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 27, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Association of receipt of fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose with Omicron infection, COVID-19 hospitalizations among residents of long-term care facilities

A fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provided high protection against severe outcomes from Omicron infection among elderly residents in Israeli long-term care facilities. The vaccine also offered modest protection against COVID-19 infections among this population during a surge in Omicron variant cases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Newer COVID-19 subvariants are less vulnerable to immunity induced by vaccination and previous infection, researchers find

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that newer Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 escape neutralizing antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection. These variants are now responsible for over 21% of new cases in the US, highlighting a shift in the COVID-19 landscape.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022

New study finds COVID-19 booster increases antibodies by more than 85% in nursing home residents and their caregivers

A new study found that COVID-19 booster shots significantly increase neutralizing antibodies in nursing home residents and their caregivers, offering improved protection against Omicron variants. This research highlights the importance of booster vaccinations for vulnerable populations, including those living at home.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJun 22, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Mugwort allergy: MedUni Vienna study creates basis for vaccine

A research team at MedUni Vienna has discovered key mechanisms of mugwort allergy, laying the foundation for a potential vaccine. The study found that fragments of the major mugwort pollen allergen can be used for effective therapy, providing a promising first step towards causal therapy and prevention.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 22, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Who should get vaccinated first where supplies are limited? It depends

An analysis from Rutgers researchers highlights that different vaccine allocation strategies may be more effective in minimizing COVID-19 deaths in low-income countries. The experts suggest considering factors such as socioeconomic realities, cultural values, and life expectancy when making decisions.

SourceRutgers University·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 15, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Omicron hit rural America harder than cities

A recent study found that rural counties in the US experienced higher mortality rates during the Omicron wave of COVID-19, particularly among unvaccinated patients. Vaccination coverage was a significant factor in reducing patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers develop a rapid test to measure immunity to COVID-19

Researchers developed a rapid blood assay that measures the magnitude and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, allowing large-scale monitoring of population immunity. The test takes less than 24 hours to perform and is scalable to use broadly in the population.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 13, 2022

Effect of text messaging on COVID-19 vaccination uptake

A randomized clinical trial involving 16,000 participants found that receiving text messages had no significant impact on COVID-19 vaccination rates compared to telephone calls. The study suggests that alternative communication methods may be more effective in promoting vaccine uptake.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 13, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Funding COVID-19 vaccination in low- and middle-income countries is highly cost-effective and projected to save hundreds of thousands of lives

A new analysis suggests expanding COVID-19 vaccine delivery to low-income countries would save hundreds of thousands of lives and be cost-effective. The study found that achieving 60% vaccination coverage in these countries could prevent up to 68 million infections and 160,000 deaths.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 13, 2022

Few differences in safety profiles of Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines

Both Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have a low risk of adverse events over a 38-week period. The study found rare adverse events after both vaccines, particularly when compared to the health risks driven by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 13, 2022

Polio outbreak risk increases in western Ukraine as war ensues

A polio outbreak risk has been heightened in western Ukraine due to the reintroduction of wild-type poliovirus and low immunization rates. The situation has worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing war, and healthcare reforms, leading to a public health emergency declaration.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJun 12, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

COVID-19 vaccination appears to be safe for patients treated for hypothyroidism

A new study presented at ENDO 2022 found that inactivated and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not cause significant fluctuations in thyroid function or increase the risk of emergency department visits among patients treated for hypothyroidism. The research suggests that these vaccines can be a safe option for this vulnerable population.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateJun 11, 2022

Saving kids from dangerous infections -- with an amoeba

A UVA researcher is using a harmless amoeba to develop an innovative treatment for deadly C. difficile infections in young children. The approach has the potential to deliver specific antibodies directly to the gut, reducing the need for antibiotics and addressing a growing public health threat.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·DateJun 10, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New study paves way to better understand and treat those suffering from long COVID

A new study found that patients with long COVID have virus-specific T cell levels over 100 times higher than those who recovered from the disease. The research team's findings suggest hidden viral reservoirs may be causing long-term symptoms, guiding future treatments towards vaccines and antiviral medications.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 9, 2022

Heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than boosted heart failure patients

A new study from Mount Sinai Heart found that heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than those who are fully vaccinated and boosted. The research also shows that these unvaccinated patients face higher risks of hospitalization and ICU admission if infected with the virus.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2022

Pregnant women produce super antibodies to protect newborns, now scientists know how

Researchers discovered that pregnant women produce super antibodies to protect their newborns by altering the structure of sugars attached to the antibodies. This molecular change allows immunoglobulin G to stimulate immunity through receptors that respond specifically to deacetylated sugars, providing expanded protective role.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022

Chicken vaccination shows benefits for nutrition, growth in Kenyan children

A randomized clinical trial found that vaccinating household chickens increased consumption of high-protein foods, leading to improved growth and reduced child stunting in rural Kenya. Children from vaccinated households showed a 24% increase in protein-rich food intake and significant gains in height and weight.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2022
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

COVID-19 vaccine incentives get mixed reception from young people

A new study found that 82% of teens and young adults are open to COVID-19 vaccine incentives, but 21% question their ethics. Most youth believe incentives will promote vaccination and serve the greater good, while some express concerns about bribery or eroding trust in vaccines.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateJun 8, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

The deadly cost of pandemic politics

A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that people in Republican counties were more likely to die from COVID-19, with nearly 73 more deaths per 100,000 people compared to Democratic counties. The disparity was due to structural and policy differences in the more conservative counties.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Pregnant woman wins 22-day-long battle against COVID-19

A pregnant woman battled COVID-19 for 22 days before receiving life-saving ECMO treatment. After a successful delivery of a healthy baby boy via emergency C-section, the mother made a full recovery with extensive physiotherapy.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 4, 2022

The mandate effect

New research suggests that official vaccine mandates can motivate hesitant individuals to seek vaccination, with announcements of mandates having a significant impact on vaccination rates. The study used Canadian provinces and European countries to explore the relationship between mandates and vaccine uptake.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

COVID-19 vaccine impact on chest CT of pneumonia in symptomatic patients

A single-center study found lower pneumonia frequency and severity in fully vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients. The study included 467 patients who underwent chest CT during hospitalization for symptomatic COVID-19, with significant reductions in pneumonia frequency and severity observed in those fully vaccinated.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 31, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Study finds conversion messages effective in reaching vaccine-hesitant populations

Researchers found conversion messages to be more effective than one-sided messages in convincing vaccine-hesitant individuals to get vaccinated. The study showed that messages sharing a personal story of someone changing their mind about vaccines increased pro-vaccine attitudes and behavioral intentions among high hesitancy participants.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalHealth Communication·TypeSurvey·DateMay 31, 2022

Too impatient to get vaccinated?

A survey of hospital staff in two Swiss hospitals found that those who were hesitant or refused vaccination displayed higher impatience and lower expectations for public vaccination rates. This has implications for future health campaigns, as medical staff serve as role models for the general public.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateMay 30, 2022
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Overestimating population immunity contributed to U.S. Delta variant surge

A new study found that the delta variant surge in the US was partially due to overestimating population immunity, with only 67% of southern New Englanders actually immune. This underestimation led to inaccurate projections and an incorrect assumption about herd immunity.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2022