Articles tagged with Epidemics
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
A review of expert opinions reveals mixed results for the EU's COVID-19 response, with successes including coordinated vaccine procurement but shortcomings including inconsistent national responses. Experts emphasize the need for strengthened local surveillance systems and improved EU leadership to prevent similar crises.
A new epidemiology study reveals crucial trends in HIV/AIDS progression in China from 1990 to 2017. The study highlights the need for effective strategies to reduce mortality rates, especially among men, by intensifying targeted efforts including early identification and diagnosis, high-quality treatment services, and patient retention.
Citrus canker has reappeared in Texas after a 70-year absence, threatening the state's $200M commercial citrus industry. Collaborative eradication efforts are underway between the USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, and universities to prevent further spread.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze video segments from live streams and estimate the prevalence of mask wearing. The protocol was successfully learned in under an hour and found reliable estimates of mask-compliance, with the potential to provide useful results for decision-makers within 48 hours.
A new Polish study examines why people refuse vaccination, finding that generalized negative attitudes towards vaccines and confirmation bias play a significant role. Vaccine deniers often attribute negative symptoms to vaccines despite missing evidence of correlation.
The National Institutes of Health's HEALthy Brain and Child Development study aims to identify the impacts of prenatal substance exposure on child development. A 50-state analysis of laws addressing substance use during pregnancy highlights diverse state-by-state policies, with some statutes being more punitive than others.
Research found a shift in how facemasks affect facial attractiveness among Japanese population, with reduced unhealthiness and increased neutral effects reported after pandemic onset. Mask color had no effect on perceptions.
Researchers studied pregnant women infected by zika virus in two cities and found no association between prior dengue exposure and increased risk of microcephaly. High zika attack rate and first trimester infection were linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, while pre-existing immunity to dengue was not.
A study published in Nature Communications found that COVID-19 antibody levels remain high for at least nine months after infection, regardless of symptoms. The research tested over 85% of an Italian town's residents and found no significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.
A review suggests lockdowns may not be associated with large numbers of deaths in countries that avoided large COVID-19 epidemics. Lockdowns also did not lead to increased deaths from suicide, but mental health declined during the pandemic, making it challenging to separate lockdown impacts from COVID-19 itself.
A study analyzing age-at-death records of 33,715 Indigenous people in central California between 3050 BCE and 1870 CE found that Spanish settlers contributed to severe demographic collapse. The research suggests extreme social disruption caused by the presence of Europeans led to increased mortality rates among both males and females.
A recent study has found evidence of a large coronavirus epidemic that occurred in the East Asia region more than 20,000 years ago. The researchers used genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project to discover changes in human genes that suggest ancestors of East Asian people experienced an epidemic similar to COVID-19.
A new mathematical model developed by KAUST and KCST improves pandemic prediction accuracy by incorporating biological uncertainty and latest case data. The model, which uses an ensemble approach and data assimilation process, provides reliable forecasts for up to 14 days in advance.
A novel prediction model predicts US counties at high risk of future overdose death outbreaks, allowing for preemptive deployment of public health resources. The tool improves on existing methods by incorporating neighboring county data, predicting geographic spread of the overdose epidemic.
An article by Julie A. Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN, explores the meaning of epidemics from a nursing perspective, extending Charles Rosenberg's 1992 work on the AIDS epidemic. This approach highlights the importance of understanding the social constructs and meanings attached to epidemics through the experiences of nurses and patients.
Researchers developed a mathematical tool to evaluate the relationship between viral load and case growth, providing real-time estimates of epidemic growth rates. This new metric can help public health officials distribute resources effectively.
The article commemorates the 40th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic with a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine. The piece explores the experiences of American physicians who were central to the epidemic, describing their work as
A national study by University of Cincinnati researchers has identified 25 geographic hot spots for fatal opioid overdoses and linked them to poor mental health. White males aged 25-29 are most at risk, followed by white males aged 30-34, with a correlation between fatal overdoses and mental distress increasing the relative risk by 39%
Research reveals that testing limits make timing crucial for lockdown effectiveness, with marginal differences between success and failure, and super-exponential growth causing rapid increases in infections.
Scientists developed a model showing that collective immunity emerged during the early COVID-19 epidemic but was destroyed as people changed their social behaviors over time. The model suggests that subsequent waves of infection will appear due to variations in imposed mitigations and pandemic fatigue.
A new study from Boston Medical Center reveals a significant association between back pain and elevated mortality risk in women. Mild back pain is unlikely to impact life expectancy, but more severe cases are linked to an increased risk of mortality.
During the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio saw a significant increase in drug overdose mortality. The study found that fentanyl and heroin were the most common causes of overdose deaths among young adults.
A new mathematical model predicts that temporary collective immunity emerged during early COVID-19 stages but was destroyed as people changed their social behaviors. This led to future waves of infection despite initial attempts to achieve herd immunity through vaccination.