Articles tagged with Covid 19
Researchers leveraged genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to understand COVID-19 virus structure and mechanism of action. Multi-omics approaches identified potential antiviral drugs and characteristics of pathogens, informing vaccine design and therapeutic development.
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered that female mice secrete more RELMalpha, an immune protein, which protects them against obesity and inflammation. In contrast, male mice have lower levels of RELMalpha, leading to increased inflammation and obesity.
A clinical trial found that interferon can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 from a positive person to their household contacts. The study tracked 1,172 participants and showed that interferon treatment reduced viral load in households with high viral loads. However, it did not reduce disease severity.
Researchers developed a bioinformatic tool that selects parts of proteins to elicit strong immune responses. This approach, grounded in immunological theory, was four times more efficient than current methods, suggesting better vaccine protection against diseases.
A significant fall in Covid-related hospitalisations and mortality among UK cancer patients was found following the vaccine rollout. The study, published in Scientific Reports, revealed that age was a greater predictor of mortality rates than the type of cancer.
A Canadian study found that patients were very satisfied with care from their family physicians (90%) and allied health teams (89%), comparable to traditional in-person models. Another pilot program successfully engaged hard-to-reach adolescents in preventive care, demonstrating a 40% increase in show rates for well visits.
Researchers identified a new class of molecules capable of preventing excessive inflammation in severe COVID-19. Blocking the link between peptide C5a and its cellular receptor reduced lung damage and other complications in mice. This finding suggests that antagonists of C5aR1 could be useful for treating severe COVID-19.
Researchers surveyed primary care clinicians on telemedicine use during the pandemic, noting initial challenges but increasingly positive attitudes towards its value. Clinicians recognized video- and phone-based care as a valuable tool, but also identified obstacles such as infrastructure and reimbursement issues.
A series of articles published by The BMJ highlights major pandemic failures in Canada's COVID-19 response, including fragmented leadership and poor data-sharing. Experts call for an independent national review to learn lessons and ensure accountability.
A study of 538,000 deaths in Florida and Ohio between March 2020 and December 2021 found significant excess mortality among Republican voters compared to Democratic voters. The disparity suggests differences in vaccination attitudes and uptake may have influenced pandemic severity and trajectory.
A program integrated community health workers into patient outreach to improve health, doubling annual visits to older adults with type 2 diabetes and dementia. The program resulted in a 17% reduction in hospital admissions and an 11% decline in emergency room visits among homebound patients.
A large study found that vaccination can prevent COVID-19 hospitalizations with 205 individuals needed to be vaccinated, while preventing ED visits requires fewer vaccinations. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the vaccine's effectiveness, especially in older populations.
A new 'fly-to-bedside' resource has been developed to sort through the complexities of SARS-CoV-2 virus-host interactions. Researchers found that nine out of 10 non-structural proteins resulted in wing defects, providing a basis for understanding how viral proteins affect host proteins.
Telehealth use in Michigan has increased significantly, especially for mental health needs and rural residents. The study found that 11-17% of appointments take place virtually, up from less than 1% before the pandemic.
Researchers found that people with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms experienced reduced performance in mental tasks up to two years post-infection. Those who didn't feel fully recovered after infection showed lower task accuracy scores.
A study of 290 hospital referral regions found that 53.1% experienced load imbalance due to overcapacity, with Black patients disproportionately affected. The research emphasizes the need for better coordination of patient transfers and real-time data sharing across hospitals.
A Rutgers study found that people turned to hobbies and health-conscious activities to cope with pandemic-related stresses, increasing physical activity, exercise, and social connections. The study suggests that individuals adapted to negative impacts by adjusting behavioral lifestyle habits.
Researchers found a clear pattern of suicidality related to the academic calendar, with peaks in April and October, but a decline during COVID-19 school closures. The study suggests interventions during peak months could help protect against seasonal increases in suicidality, especially for adolescent females.
A study of 73,000 emergency department visits and hospitalizations found seasonal patterns in suicidality among children and adolescents. After COVID-19-related school closures, an unexpected decrease in suicidality was observed, suggesting a potential link to the school calendar.
A new method revealed a 43% increase in physician turnover rate between 2010 and 2018, from 5.3% to 7.6%, with rural practices and burnout linked as contributing factors. The study also found that female doctors and those in larger practices were more prone to turnover.
A study led by UCSF researchers discovered that people who remain asymptomatic after contracting COVID-19 often carry a specific gene variation that helps their immune system recognize the virus. This mutation, HLA-B*15:01, is common among asymptomatic individuals and can also help those with symptoms to recover more quickly.
A new study reveals that a common genetic variant among people, HLA-B*15:01, is responsible for mediating asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals with this variant can quickly kill infected cells due to cross-reactive immunological responses, allowing them to avoid symptoms.
A study found that people who experienced disrupted access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic were at increased risk of hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Disruptions in accessing procedures led to a higher risk of hospital admission, with 77% higher odds compared to those without disruptions.
A multimodal prenatal health care model combining in-office and telemedicine visits performed adequately compared with traditional in-office only prenatal health care, supporting its continued use after the pandemic. The study of 151,000 pregnant individuals found similar health outcomes for both models.
A study in South African households found no association between frequency/duration of close contact and COVID-19 transmission. Airborne transmission, particularly in poorly ventilated environments, may play a larger role in spreading the virus.
A large new study by Kaiser Permanente found no significant differences in health outcomes between pregnant patients receiving in-person or multimodal (virtual + in-office) prenatal care. Rates of complications like preeclampsia, severe maternal morbidity, and NICU admissions remained steady across time periods.
A study by University of Barcelona found that poorer districts in Barcelona were more likely to close schools during the pandemic, exacerbating existing health inequities. The researchers stress the importance of considering socioeconomic inequalities when designing public policies to prevent future pandemics.
Research review finds scent dogs can successfully sniff out COVID-19 in symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic cases, as well as new variants and long COVID. Scent dogs demonstrate similar or better sensitivity and specificity than current gold-standard tests.
The Omicron subvariant BA.5 efficiently infects lung cells due to a mutation in the spike protein, enabling efficient entry and fusion with lung cells. This finding suggests that future SARS-CoV-2 variants may regain the ability to cause severe illness in risk patients and people with insufficient immunity.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased mortality rates among people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Notably, excess deaths in nursing home/long-term care settings declined in pandemic year 2.
A new study found that more than one million US deaths per year could be avoided if the US had mortality rates similar to its peer nations. Excess deaths among working-age adults are particularly stark, with nearly 50% dying before age 65 in 2020 and 2021.
A team of medical leaders recommends a sustainably funded public-private partnership to combat misinformation, citing challenges faced by the TIOS-VY organization. The American College of Physicians calls for modernizing public health infrastructure, including increased funding and addressing disinformation, especially on social media.
A new study found that rural areas experienced higher excess deaths during the second year of the pandemic, despite vaccines being widely available in urban areas. The study highlights the role of healthcare inequities, vaccine skepticism, and partisanship in exacerbating mortality rates in rural communities.
A new study found that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduced dementia-related deaths in long-term care and nursing homes, with a 77% decrease in the second year. However, deaths among those living at home did not decline as much, with only a 16% reduction.
Researchers developed a deconvolution method for epidemiology using neural networks, inferring daily infection rates from mortality data. The approach can assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdowns and mask mandates in reducing infection transmission.
A new study finds that living in neighborhoods with higher air pollution, lower walkability, and density are associated with a greater incidence rate of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Neighborhoods with higher public transit quality and access also show a higher incidence rate of hospitalization.
New research reveals low use of monoclonal antibodies and oral antiviral drugs in US nursing homes, despite high risk of resident populations. The study analyzed data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects the placenta by targeting specific cells expressing the ACE2 protein, leading to inflammation and reduced production of crucial pregnancy hormone hCG. Anti-ACE2 antibody treatments and antiviral drugs show promise in preventing infection and restoring normal function.
A survey of 2,000 German adults found that people with higher levels of empathy and cosmopolitanism are more likely to prioritize sharing vaccine supplies internationally. The study suggests that there is substantial public support for international vaccine solidarity when infection rates are at a modest level and falling.
A joint study reveals significant alterations in gene regulation within the placenta due to COVID-19 infection, potentially leading to abnormal blood vessel formation and fetal growth restriction. The research also identifies dysregulation of angiogenesis genes and downregulation of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein genes.
Studies showed mRNA vaccines provided long-term immunity against severe COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients. The study found waning immunity after up to 4 mRNA vaccine doses, highlighting the need for booster shots.
A study by Harvard Medical School found a sharp increase in young people visiting hospital emergency departments for mental health crises during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend, driven by a surge in girls' visits, highlights the critical need for policies to increase resources for mental health care.
Researchers tracked daily lifestyle diaries and photographs from over 1,000 participants to understand the impact of Covid-19 on physical and mental health. The study found that people with limited resources struggled more during lockdowns, while those with more control and financial stability coped better.
During the pandemic, acute care use for mental health conditions among youth increased notably, particularly among adolescent females. Prolonged boarding in emergency departments and waiting for inpatient psychiatric care are concerning trends that require interventions to address.
A new AI-powered NLP model developed by Emory and Georgia Tech successfully triaged patient messages reporting positive COVID-19 test results with 94% accuracy. The model expedited physician-patient communication, leading to faster access to treatment within a five-day window.
The IBS-KAI Conference will focus on viral diseases and immunology, featuring over 20 international experts. The conference aims to prepare for responses to future infectious diseases, including those with pandemic potentials.
A new study found that COVID-19 pandemic babies had communication skill gaps at age 2, with a larger proportion scoring below standardised cut-offs for developmental concern. Despite this, most developmental and behavioral outcomes were comparable to pre-pandemic born babies.
Researchers created a real-time air monitor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 variants in about 5 minutes, with potential applications for hospitals, schools, and public places. The device uses an ultrasensitive biosensing technique and aerosol sampling technology to quickly identify airborne virus concentrations.
The study found an association between COVID-19 pandemic exposure and delayed childhood development in children aged 5. Variations in development widened during the pandemic, regardless of age, emphasizing the importance of identifying and supporting affected children.
A global study found that wildlife, including goats and coyotes, roamed freely in cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while human activity decreased. The study tracked GPS data from 2,300 land mammals across 43 species, showing significant changes in animal behavior in response to human lockdowns.
A study found that anti-inflammatory drugs like abatacept and infliximab reduced mortality in severely ill COVID-19 patients when used with standard care. However, these medications did not affect recovery time. The findings suggest that multiple treatment options are available for severe cases of COVID-19.
A cross-sectional study found that over one-fourth of children experienced delayed or missed preventive care during the pandemic. Targeted interventions may be necessary to address these disparities in timely pediatric care.
Researchers found that acute kidney injury does not predict worsening of kidney function trajectory in patients with CKD, suggesting that pre-existing kidney disease may be a major contributor. The study recommends focusing on flattening the eGFR slope and treating proteinuria to slow CKD progression.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased vacancies among pediatric and neonatal transport teams, with 62.1% reporting multiple team members leaving during the crisis. Compensation emerged as a primary concern for healthcare workers, highlighting the need for resilience training to reduce stress and promote retention.
A randomized clinical trial found that treatment with these biologics showed no significant difference in time to recovery compared to placebo for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study's results suggest that alternative treatments may be needed for this patient population.
Researchers have developed a saliva collection system using lollipops that can capture bacteria from adults and remain shelf-stable for up to a year. Participants preferred the lollipop-based method over conventional collection systems, finding it less gag-inducing and more sanitary.
Hospital admissions for alcohol-related hepatitis increased dramatically during the pandemic, particularly among younger patients and women. Researchers found a 12.4% rise in cases in 2020 compared to 2019 levels.
Researchers developed a new method using Copula models to restore the true statistical model from data processed by Differential Privacy technology, even with many missing values. This enables highly accurate data analysis for pandemic mitigation and various societal applications.
Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute have discovered unique patterns of blood plasma proteins in patients with long COVID, which could lead to new diagnostic tests and treatment therapies. The study found prolonged inflammation associated with changes in immune cells and blood vessels, affecting organs like the brain and heart.
Opioid toxicity-related deaths in the US increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1 in every 22 deaths attributable to unintentional opioid toxicity. This trend highlights the urgent need for support people at risk of substance-related harm, particularly men and younger adults.