Articles tagged with Covid 19
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.
Researchers at EMBL-EBI developed SPRTA, an interpretable and efficient way to score the reliability of each branch in a phylogenetic tree. This method enables fast and reliable understanding of virus strain evolution, informing better decisions during outbreaks.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine has identified that the sequence of previous diseases may help predict the risk of long COVID. The research analyzed health trajectories over time and found that taking into account the interaction of diseases can improve prediction accuracy.
Patients with a history of COVID-19 undergoing panniculectomy surgery are at higher risk of serious blood clot-related complications. A study found that patients with previous COVID were more likely to develop venous thromboembolism after the procedure.
Researchers outline 22 opportunities and strategies to help communities better prepare for and mitigate the effects of next pandemic; focusing on adaptable urban planning and smart technologies to ensure equitable and effective pandemic preparedness.
New research published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that updated COVID-19 vaccines remain effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalizations, with peak protection observed four weeks after vaccination. The study found similar effectiveness against different Omicron subvariants.
The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated effective protection against severe disease and similar effectiveness against different subvariants. However, their effectiveness declined over time.
A study from University of Utah Health found that combining psilocybin group therapy with mindfulness training significantly reduced depression in healthcare workers. Nearly half of participants experienced complete remission of depression after just two weeks.
Patients with advanced lung and skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer. The vaccine was associated with a near doubling of median survival, from 20.6 months to 37.3 months in lung cancer patients.
Colorectal cancer screening modities shifted among privately insured individuals after COVID-19, with decreased colonoscopy and fecal tests, increased stool DNA tests. Differences found by sex, socioeconomic status, and metropolitan area residence.
A study found that vitamin D levels fell significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among older women and urban populations. The researchers analyzed data from over 292,000 patients and discovered a 26% decrease in mean serum vitamin D levels, accompanied by a 35.2% increase in deficiency rates.
In her book 'Sonic Socialism: Crisis and Care in Pandemic Hanoi', Christina Schwenkel explores how Vietnam used sound technologies to inform, regulate, and connect people during the pandemic. The country's success was largely due to its rapid communication systems, including loudspeakers and public health videos.
A randomized clinical trial found that colchicine did not improve functional capacity or inflammatory markers in adults with long COVID. Researchers highlight the need for new therapeutic strategies for this condition.
A recent study found that patients with advanced lung and skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine. The observation marks a significant step toward a long-awaited universal cancer vaccine to boost tumor-fighting eff...
A study found a significant increase in type 1 diabetes cases among children under five and young adult men in Sweden during the Covid-19 pandemic. The incidence of diabetes increased by 12% in 2021 and 9% in 2022 compared to previous years, with no clear connection between Covid-19 infection and diabetes.
A study published in BMC Medicine reveals that vascular dysfunction is a key mechanism in long COVID, especially in postmenopausal women. The researchers identified the VEGFA protein as a central element in this process, highlighting its role in blood vessel formation and vascular function.
A study of 200 classrooms found that HEPA purifiers did not significantly reduce respiratory viral exposures, suggesting additional interventions are needed. Maintaining classroom humidity between 40% and 60% may help lower viral exposures and improve comfort for students and teachers.
A new study found that COVID-19 work absences have become a year-round phenomenon in the US labor market, similar to pre-pandemic influenza season conditions. Nationally representative data can help monitor public health crises and inform policy decisions.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have identified a previously uncharacterized subset of immune cells called preTfr that play a critical role in preventing autoantibody production. In patients with severe COVID-19, these cells are significantly reduced, correlating with increased levels of harmful autoantibodies.
Scientists have developed a high-accuracy blood test to diagnose Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), with 96% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The test uses EpiSwitch technology to identify unique DNA patterns in patients, offering new hope for diagnosis and treatment.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects nearly a third of patients with severe long COVID, with middle-aged women being the most common demographic. Researchers emphasize that POTS can be detected with simple tests and treated to alleviate symptoms.
Researchers found that students from low-income households, specifically boys, were the most affected by class closures, highlighting growing educational inequality. Smaller class sizes and experienced teachers can reduce adverse effects on disadvantaged students.
A new report highlights how a California partnership, STOP COVID-19 CA, helped address health inequalities during the pandemic by bringing together researchers and communities. The network improved access to reliable information, testing, and vaccination, while laying the foundation for long-term health equity.
Researchers argue that AI can strengthen pandemic preparedness by detecting emerging diseases earlier. By combining data from humans, animals, and the environment, AI can reveal patterns and provide insights into potential pathogens.
A new study found that exercise-based rehabilitation programs can improve immune cell function in individuals with post-COVID syndrome. This leads to reduced inflammation and symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain. The research suggests that exercise may help restore a more normal, well-regulated immune system.
Researchers found a significant increase in AMPA receptors across Long COVID patients' brains, correlating with cognitive impairment severity. This discovery provides a direct biological explanation for brain fog symptoms and may lead to novel treatments.
A new study analyzing over 460,000 children and adolescents found a more than double risk of developing long COVID after a second COVID-19 infection. The study highlights the importance of vaccination and preventive measures to reduce this risk.
A large study found that children and adolescents are twice as likely to experience long COVID after catching COVID for the second time compared to their peers with a single previous infection. Long COVID in youth is associated with various conditions, including myocarditis, blood clots, and severe fatigue.
A decision analytical model study estimates COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy will continue to yield meaningful benefits, especially in reducing infant hospitalizations. COVID-19 vaccination has been shown to be safe for pregnant individuals.