Articles tagged with Covid 19
A new study found that over 155,000 US deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 were not officially recorded as COVID-19 deaths, highlighting critical gaps in the death investigation system. These unrecognized deaths disproportionately affected certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed lipid nanoparticles that modify immune metabolism to strengthen mRNA vaccines and reduce common side effects. The new lipid boosts the metabolism of immune cells, providing energy for the body's defenses while dialing down inflammatory signals.
Using azithromycin within one day triggers antibiotic resistance in the respiratory tract, according to a study published in Nature Microbiology. The researchers followed hospitalized COVID-19 patients and found that azithromycin changed the mix of microbes in the upper airway, leading to persistent changes for more than a week.
Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections can prime the lungs for cancer development, according to new research. Vaccination, however, largely prevents these changes, suggesting a reduced risk of lung cancer.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found a strong correlation between state tax revenue and public health policies during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. States with higher sales tax revenue were associated with shorter stay-at-home orders, while those without sales tax had longer durations.
A review of 900 scientific articles identified several biological markers associated with cognitive decline in viral infections, including activated monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, certain markers like anti-inflammatory cytokines are linked to better preservation of cognitive abilities.
A study from the University of East Anglia found that Covid lockdowns disrupted children's ability to self-regulate, leading to slower growth in executive functions. Reception-age children, who normally learn to socialize and navigate classroom routines, showed significant setbacks in cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills.
A recent study found that nearly 6 in 10 long COVID patients have recovered, but many adults over 35 continue to experience lasting symptoms. The study's authors suggest greater investment in understanding biological mechanisms may provide insights into pathways of persistence and potential targets for intervention.
The study found that the intranasal vaccine booster Clec9A OMNI induced significantly stronger neutralising antibody responses and robust T-cell responses in the lungs and nasal tissues, offering robust protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection. This breakthrough may address current shortcomings of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, includi...
A new Tulane University study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes persistent brain inflammation and small blood vessel injury, even after the virus is no longer detectable. This finding helps explain why long COVID often includes neurological symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue.
A study found that COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure in US adults. The research used machine learning models to analyze data from over three million patients, revealing a 2.3-times higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to influenza.
After the pandemic, most museums continued offering online programs, with a focus on school programs for K-12 students. The shift was driven by partnerships between museums and public schools in need of digital content.
A study of over 50,000 pregnant women in Norway found low vaccination rates against COVID-19 and influenza, with only 29.9% and 12.1% vaccinated respectively. The study highlights the need for targeted strategies to improve vaccination uptake among expectant mothers.
Researchers developed a new single-cell transcriptomic clock called Tictock to measure aging in specific immune cells. The study found that COVID-19 and HIV alter T cell composition and accelerate the biological age of naïve CD8 T cells, while long-term antiretroviral therapy stabilizes T cell proportions.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has certified its first class of critical care advanced practice providers with the CCAPP designation. This achievement recognizes their dedication to high-quality patient care and their role in supporting multidisciplinary critical care teams. The CCAPP certification is designed to vali...
Hospital admissions for child maltreatment declined by 31% during the initial lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic but rebounded to pre-pandemic levels after restrictions were lifted. However, rates of admission to intensive care units (ICUs) increased by 80% after the 16-week period of restricted healthcare access.
A new study by Dr. Alex Gileles-Hillel and colleagues found that children with sleep apnea are twice as likely to contract the flu or COVID-19. The researchers suggest prioritizing annual vaccinations for these children to prevent severe respiratory complications.
A nationwide Japanese study of 270,000 patients found that widespread mask-wearing during the pandemic significantly lowered PM2.5-associated risk of MINOCA, a non-obstructive type of heart attack. The study suggests that simple protective measures like mask use can mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with air pollution.
A new commentary raises concerns about editorial bias in scientific publishing, particularly in relation to COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. The authors highlight the rejection of a case report and literature review that raised potential links between mRNA vaccines and rare blood cancers.
A phase 3 trial will assess the efficacy of baricitinib in reducing persistent neurological and cardiopulmonary symptoms of long COVID. The study, REVERSE-LC, aims to address the massive public health problem of long COVID, which affects millions worldwide.
A case report investigates a woman's development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma after receiving her second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, highlighting potential genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis.
A new study found that patients with Long COVID have a larger choroid plexus, which tracks with Alzheimer's disease markers and greater dementia risk. The research also suggests that CP alterations may predict long-term cognitive issues in some individuals.
A study from Linköping University in Sweden found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and decreased childbirth rates. Researchers analyzed data on over 60,000 women and found no statistically significant difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
A recent cohort study found that individuals diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and 2021 experienced worse short-term survival rates compared to those diagnosed between 2015 and 2019. The study suggests substantial harms associated with cancer care disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study found that 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and severe in-hospital outcomes. Monitoring vaccine effectiveness remains crucial to guide vaccine composition and recommendations.
Researchers found that paid sick leave is linked to lower perceived infection risk, reduced job stress, and higher job satisfaction among home service workers. The study suggests that expanding paid sick leave can be a population-level prevention strategy during public health emergencies.
The study found that metformin reduces the risk of developing Long COVID by approximately one case for every 50 cases of acute SARS-CoV-2 treated with 14 days of metformin. Metformin can be used alone or combined with other treatments to prevent Long COVID in most adults.
A study in Japan found that wastewater surveillance can uncover the true scale of COVID-19 spread by detecting high viral loads in sewage despite reduced clinical testing. This approach offers an objective view of community-wide infection levels, unaffected by changes in testing policies or public behavior.
A UC San Diego study found that older women with a history of depression and anxiety had a 78% higher risk of developing long COVID. The researchers analyzed data from the Women's Health Initiative and hope to inform preventative measures for public health officials and policymakers.
In Ontario, primary care home visits for adults aged 65 years and older decreased by nearly 30% after a 2019 policy change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonpalliative visits declined more than palliative ones, which showed growth after 2020.
This study reveals an increase in nonmedical childhood vaccination exemptions from 2010 to 2024, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, with wide regional disparities.
A new hypothesis article proposes that HPV E6 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins could cooperate in suppressing host defenses including tumor suppressor mechanisms involving p53. Laboratory studies suggest that combined viral pressures on tumor-suppressor pathways may contribute to cancer progression.
A study of over 1.1 million people in England found that most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is addressable and can be reduced over time. Among those who initially expressed hesitation, 65% went on to get vaccinated at least once, highlighting the potential for targeted messaging and information to improve vaccine uptake.
A global review of COVID-19 vaccination and infection cases found associations between the two and certain types of cancer. The study analyzed 69 publications and identified potential biological mechanisms, including immune responses and inflammation.
A recent study found a substantial COVID-19 burden in the US between October 2022 and September 2024, with adults 65 years and older particularly affected. The study's results underscore the importance of continued prevention efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable population.
A multi-center observational study found that households facing food insecurity and challenges like low social support had a significantly higher risk of long COVID. Healthy diets may protect against the risk, highlighting the need for addressing adverse social factors in disease prevention.
Researchers used computer modeling to reconstruct the spatial transmission of the 2009 H1N1 flu and COVID-19 pandemics in the US, highlighting challenges of early outbreak containment and identifying key transmission hubs. The study suggests expanding wastewater surveillance coverage could slow initial spread of future pandemics.
Research found that older women with younger biological ages were more likely to experience increased depressive symptoms during the pandemic. The study suggests that this may be due to reduced social connections and daily routines, which can affect mental health.
Composite copper oxides La₂CuO₄ and Y₂Cu₂O₅ demonstrate exceptionally high antiviral activity against non-enveloped viruses, outperforming individual constituent oxides. The oxides' cation-rich surfaces enhance electrostatic adsorption of viruses, leading to protein inactivation and viral neutralization.
Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 interacts with infected lung cells' genetic material in an unprecedented way, manipulating RNA to shut down the immune system. The virus uses methylation to destabilize RNA structures, weakening interferon signaling and impairing the immune response.
Public Health Alerts provide concise, data-driven information on disease outbreaks and urgent health events. The new series, launched by NEJM Evidence and CIDRAP, offers expert-reviewed reports to support public health evidence-based care.
During the pandemic closure, UCLA's urban junco bills evolved to resemble those of mountain juncos, as they had less human-provided food. Once campus life returned, the bills reverted to their previous shape. This finding demonstrates how quickly traits can evolve under changing selective pressures.
A large Catalan cohort study found that occupational factors play a significant role in the development of Long-COVID. Healthcare and social care professionals, teachers, retail workers, transport workers, and security staff were identified as high-risk occupations.
This study found that vaccination before and during COVID-19 diagnosis in pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of severe maternal illness and premature birth. The results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination plays a crucial role in protecting pregnant individuals from serious health complications associated with the virus.
A UBC-led study found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces hospitalization, intensive care admission, and preterm birth risks for pregnant women. Vaccination is associated with lower risks even as the virus evolved from Delta to Omicron variants.
Researchers have identified 32 causal genes that increase the likelihood of developing long COVID, including 13 new genes not previously associated with the disease. The study's findings could lead to more precise diagnoses and treatment options for the condition, which affects an estimated 400 million people worldwide.
Researchers found altered brain tissue microstructure and neurochemical profiles in Long COVID and recovered COVID-19 individuals through advanced MRI techniques. This study provides vital insights into how COVID-19 affects the central nervous system, potentially explaining cognitive problems reported after infection.
Research suggests that co-infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and tuberculosis may contribute to long COVID symptoms. These infections could leave the immune system compromised, triggering persistent symptoms. The study's findings offer new lines of investigation into effective treatments for long COVID.
Health insurance premiums rose at rates close to hospital prices during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since stabilized, reflecting shifts in healthcare utilization. Insurance premiums increased 3 times faster than workers' earnings since 1999, accompanied by rising hospital costs.
The new guideline recommends full-time infection prevention staff, comprehensive training, and support for all staff, as well as partnerships with hospitals and public health agencies. This guidance aims to reduce the risk of infections in nursing homes, saving lives and money.
Researchers have identified promising compounds that can combat resistant COVID-19 variants by targeting an enzyme similar to one used by Chagas disease. Compounds 5a and 5b, synthesized from older chemical libraries, demonstrated strong Mpro inhibition with low toxicity.
A study by University of California - Merced sociologist Daisy Verduzco Reyes found that Latinx college graduates experience improved emotional well-being after the COVID-19 pandemic student loan repayment pause, with 37 participants carrying over $26,000 in debt.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that adjunct corticosteroids probably reduce short-term mortality in cases of severe pneumonia and ARDS, but have little effect on hospital-acquired infections. The evidence suggests that there is no increased risk of infectious complications with corticosteroid use for non-COVID-19 pneumonia.
A national survey by SFU researchers found that Canadians with Long COVID identify virtual healthcare services as crucial to their care, citing benefits like reduced risk of infections and travel time. The study aims to produce a national guidebook providing recommendations on improving virtual care access for people with Long COVID.
A comprehensive dataset detailing Japanese adults' responses to the pandemic offers unprecedented insights into public attitudes and behaviors. The 30-wave panel survey captures how risk perception, preventive behaviors, and psychological distress evolved over four years.
Research published in Contemporary Economic Policy reveals that US cities' indoor vaccine mandates did not significantly increase vaccination rates or reduce COVID-19-related outcomes. The findings challenge assumptions about the effectiveness of local public health interventions.
Researchers identified eight different long COVID trajectories, depending on severity and duration of symptoms, in a study of over 3,500 adult participants. The study found that 10.3% of patients had long COVID symptoms three months after infection, with 81% continuing to experience persistent or intermittent symptoms a year later.
Researchers discovered a 'sticky' molecule, P-selectin, that can cause blood clots and organ failure during COVID-19. A new mRNA therapy that drives P-selectin expression provides broad protection against coronavirus infection.
Risk-adjusted mortality declined significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming prior improvement trends. Patient acuity, measured by case mix index, remained elevated, suggesting a new postpandemic baseline.
The 15% expansion of food stamp payments during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced child food insufficiency among SNAP participants compared to eligible non-participants. In Hispanic-American households, odds were 39% lower, while in large households (6+ people), they were 33% lower.