Articles tagged with Epidemics
A recent study found that aquatic exercise is preferred by individuals with multiple sclerosis and can provide significant benefits for those with the condition. However, lack of access to pools and high costs are major barriers to participation.
A new study found that hormone replacement therapy within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with a 78% reduction in all-cause mortality in women. This suggests estrogen may offer protective effects against COVID-19 severity, explaining the lower hospitalization and death rates among women compared to men.
Researchers are monitoring children for exposure to and responses to emerging pathogens, aiming to develop diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive tools for future pandemics. The study will inform the development of tests, treatments and vaccines that may be used in future pandemics.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in infants, potentially impacting growth and brain development. Researchers emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women to avoid long-term adverse consequences for their infant.
A new KAUST study uses machine learning to predict disease spread with high accuracy, dynamically incorporating latest data without human bias. This approach offers a promising alternative to conventional models, providing a more accurate story of the underlying epidemic data.
Researchers found high levels of mood disturbances and sleep disorders among COVID-19 patients, with increased fatigue increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health issues in COVID-19 recovery.
A decision-support framework was developed by management science researchers to help clinicians make informed decisions about opioid prescribing. The framework incorporates multiple factors, including recovery time, pain intensity, and patient history, to provide a quantitative model of the prescribing process.
A new tool, SPARCLD, speeds up the development of vaccines and pharmaceutical products by accelerating synthesis and analysis on a nano scale. This breakthrough method allows for the creation of 40,000 different molecules in an area smaller than a pinhead, reducing material, energy, and economic costs.
A California study found that adults living with handgun owners had twice the homicide rates compared to those without, with most victims being women. Survivors of nonfatal gunshot injuries also experienced significant healthcare costs and worsening mental health.
A team of researchers identifies common biases in epidemic research, including the Grue Paradox, Simpson's Paradox, and confirmation bias. They offer a game-theory approach and a new simulation tool, Episimmer, to guide future work and improve methodological decision-making.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a setback in global efforts to meet SDG targets for tackling tuberculosis. TB mortality plateaued in Europe between 2019 and 2020, likely due to disruptions in essential TB services. Researchers highlight the need for continued commitment and investments to prevent further progress being reversed.
Researchers urge federal intervention to make naloxone widely available, citing a 30% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020. The lack of accessible distribution points and high costs are major barriers to access, with one prescription dispensed for every 70 high-dose opioid prescriptions nationwide.
Researchers at West Virginia University are using machine learning and geographic information systems to identify areas with low COVID-vaccine uptake. They aim to pinpoint counties with increased risk of outbreaks, predict where testing is most crucial, and develop targeted interventions to increase testing rates. By acknowledging comm...
A team led by City University of Hong Kong researcher Dr Zhang Qingpeng found that donating 46% to 80% of COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries can significantly reduce infection rates and mortality. The study suggests prioritizing vaccines for countries with high incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates.
Aston University researchers developed an AI model that can estimate daily Covid transmission rates using data from antibody tests in blood donors. The model provides a more refined view of infection rates and relative immunity compared to official measurements.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that babies born with Congenital Zika Syndrome are at an 11x greater risk of dying during their first three years of life compared to those born without. The study highlights the importance of protecting women, especially those pregnant or of child-bearing age, against ...
The study reveals that focusing on occupation and contact network structures can effectively contain pandemic spread while reducing economic costs. The findings suggest simpler methods for mitigating the impact of pandemics without causing significant economic disruption.
The Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis recommends banning direct marketing to prescribers and curbing industry influence on medical education. The group also suggests standardizing addiction care within health systems and improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel droplet manipulation method called WRAP, which can transport micro-sized droplets using electromagnets or programmable electromagnetic fields. The method overcomes challenges in traditional magnetic actuation, such as contamination from added magnetic particles.
A new US-based study published in PLOS Biology found that most people who have had COVID-19 are protected against reinfection for at least six months. The research analyzed data from 4,441 SpaceX employees and estimated an odds ratio of 0.14 to 0.28 for reinfection depending on the time period considered.
The study found significant gaps in naloxone access and distribution across the US, with state-specific needs varying by epidemic type and distribution pathways. Community-based and pharmacy-initiated access points were more effective in reducing fatal opioid overdoses.
A new study found that rural counties had 2.4 times more infections per 100,000 people than urban areas during the third wave of COVID-19 in summer 2021, driven primarily by the delta variant. Low-vaccination areas experienced a more intense surge of new cases.
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm injuries increased significantly in Massachusetts, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men. The study found that unemployed individuals from these groups were more likely to experience firearm injuries, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention services.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour finds that COVID-19 fact checks can immediately reduce misperceptions, but these effects do not persist over time. The research suggests that repeatedly debunking false claims about the coronavirus is necessary to effectively address misinformation during the pandemic.
The opioid crisis is predicted to grow exponentially in North America, adding 1.2 million more overdose deaths by 2029. The epidemic began in the 1990s and has worsened over the past decade due to the availability of illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl.
The opioid crisis in the US has reached epidemic levels, with over 100,000 drug overdose deaths reported for the first time. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the rise to abuse of synthetic opioid fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study has found that children in sub-Saharan Africa who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are dying at a rate far greater than children in the US and Europe. Children under 1 year old had nearly five times the risk of death compared to adolescents aged 15-19 years.
A Brazilian study found a correlation between dealing with COVID-19 and environmental disasters, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and community resilience. The study also identified a lack of continuity in funding for disaster relief and pandemic response.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that countries with high levels of trust among their citizens experienced a faster decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths. This is because behaviors like mask wearing and social distancing rely on mutual trust to be effective.
A Phase II trial will investigate a prime-boost regimen using two different COVID-19 vaccines, with the goal of expanding access to vaccines in Africa. The study aims to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a mixed schedule of COVID-19 vaccines.
A new study suggests that women and older adults with college degrees are more likely to report feeling socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate social isolation in vulnerable populations, including Hispanic and African American communities.
A new study links the composition of gut microbiome before infection to HIV susceptibility and progression. Men who contracted HIV in the early days of the pandemic had a greater relative abundance of pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory gut microbes, which contributed to their increased risk of developing AIDS.
Researchers found 2.4 times the rate of arbovirosis as originally reported, including coinfections, suggesting underestimation of the incidence of the three viruses. The study enriches epidemiological information on these arboviruses, which can help improve estimates of burden and resource allocation.
A recent study found that 19.9% of trans feminine individuals and 2.56% of trans masculine individuals were HIV positive, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts. The researchers called for increased focus on this population's unique needs.
Researchers found that major COVID-19 models were wrong and not very useful in predicting the pandemic course. They used physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to capture changing parameters and make predictions with improved accuracy.
A recent study estimates that COVID-19 vaccination prevented almost 470,000 deaths among people aged 60 years and older across Europe. The authors found that early implementation of vaccination was associated with the largest reduction in expected deaths.
A mathematical model suggests that SARS-CoV-2 Delta-like variants, which combine enhanced transmissibility and partial immune escape, will cause more severe pandemics than variants with either trait alone. Vaccination is predicted to be highly beneficial in these cases, preventing more infections and breakthroughs.
Researchers developed EDS-HAT, an AI-powered system combining machine learning and whole genome sequencing to detect clusters of similar infections in real-time. The system identified 99 clusters of infections and prevented potential transmissions in 65.7% of cases, saving the hospital $692,500.
An updated vaccination strategy is credited with averting an outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, according to research published in Scientific Reports. The study found that the virus spread rapidly, reaching cities never affected before, and that a high number of cases were reported in areas with low vaccination coverage.
A study from the University of Texas at Dallas found that governments downplay pandemic severity if they prioritize economy over public health, while exaggerating it when prioritizing public health. The researchers suggest transparent information policies are key for balanced objectives.
A team of researchers led by Maurizio Porfiri found that counties with fewer COVID-19 cases voted more for Joe Biden than Donald Trump. The study used a spatial data modeling approach to analyze county-level data and determine the influence of epidemiological and economic processes on voting behavior.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers analyzed contact tracing data and found that most player interactions were fleeting and brief. Only a small number of games had prolonged close contacts, with none resulting in COVID-19 cases among athletes.
International panel develops EPIFORGE guidelines to standardize reporting of epidemic prediction research, aiming to improve manuscript quality and impact. The checklist outlines 19 recommended items, including clear data sources and public availability of computer code.
A study by Northwestern University scientists has shown that coronavirus vaccines and prior infections can provide broad immunity against other, similar coronaviruses. The findings build a rationale for universal coronavirus vaccines.
The study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance data from England, identifying key variants like Alpha and Delta that changed the course of the epidemic. These variants led to significant growth advantages, with Delta's growth rate being 59% higher than Alpha's, more than doubling the average growth rate of the virus.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed an ultrapotent inhibitor of the dengue virus, effective against all known variants. The antiviral molecule is also suitable for prevention purposes and has shown promising results in mouse tests, with a low dose being extremely effective.
Research from the University of Georgia found that individuals living in multifamily housing units were more likely to experience mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Renters had higher odds of experiencing mental health issues due to factors such as tighter living quarters, financial anxieties, and lack of control over...
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified 14 genes that can cause and three that can prevent weight gain, offering a promising lead in developing new treatments for obesity. The findings were made using a worm model of obesity and automation to test hundreds of genes.
A new study led by Rachel Penczykowski investigates the hydra effect in water fleas, where parasite infections trigger a counterintuitive increase in population density. The researchers found that infected water fleas consume less algae, leading to an abundance of resources for uninfected individuals.
A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that nearly one-fifth of young people with tuberculosis (10-24 years old) in Brazil experienced adverse treatment outcomes. Factors associated with these outcomes included poverty, HIV, homelessness, and drug use, highlighting the need for greater attention to this age group in tuberc...
A study analyzing Medicare data found that racial and ethnic minority groups received fewer opioid prescriptions for new low back pain compared to white patients. This disparity persisted during the first wave of the opioid epidemic, despite growing awareness of its adverse effects.
West Virginia University researcher Judith Feinberg is integrating services for opioid use disorder, the hepatitis C virus and HIV in 20 primary care clinics across the state. The project aims to address the intertwined opioid and HIV epidemics through efficient and comprehensive care.
Research suggests that overweight and obese asthmatic children are less likely to respond to inhaled steroid medication, leading to more frequent asthma attacks. The study used genetic variants linked to BMI to investigate this link, finding a correlation between higher BMI z-scores and poor ICS response.
A national study shows that reducing US jail populations leads to community-wide public health benefits, as overcrowded facilities become 'infectious disease incubators' for COVID-19. Decarceration reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2, benefiting both those released and communities nationwide.
Project 2VIDA! aims to increase access and use of COVID-19 vaccines in San Diego's most heavily affected neighborhoods. The program directly educates the public on vaccine safety and addresses health disparities through a door-to-door outreach approach.
Two studies found that breathing humid and salt-enriched air reduced respiratory droplet generation by approximately 50% within 10 minutes. The study suggests this mechanism may contribute to the effectiveness of cotton face masks in reducing COVID-19 incidence and death.
A new study found that local mobility, primary care access, and limited contacts in contagion hubs can curb COVID-19 deaths. The researchers used novel statistical approaches to analyze mortality curves across 20 Italian regions, identifying a strong association between mobility and COVID mortality.
Researchers found that masks, social distancing, and ventilation significantly reduce the risk of musical COVID-19 transmission. Simple safety measures, such as wearing masks, limiting performance time to under 30 minutes, and maintaining distance between players, can mitigate this risk.
A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 200,000 children found that those aged 5-11 gained more weight during the pandemic than teenagers. The result was a significant increase in overweight and obese children, highlighting the need for health-focused interventions to prevent long-term consequences.
Scientists analyzed two telecommuting strategies to slow Sars-CoV-2 spread; the 'rotating week-by-week' approach was most effective in controlling epidemics. By combining these strategies with health measures, local reproduction numbers can be effectively controlled.