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This stinks: New research finds sense of smell and pneumonia linked

Researchers at Michigan State University found a possible link between poor sense of smell and a higher risk of pneumonia hospitalization. Older adults with a poor sense of smell were about 50% more likely to be hospitalized with pneumonia compared to those with a good sense of smell.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·DateMay 11, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New clinical practice guideline on community acquired pneumonia

The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical practice guideline on community-acquired pneumonia, addressing the use of nucleic acid-based testing for non-influenza viral pathogens. The guidelines recommend testing only for patients with severe CAP or immunocompromised patients.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 4, 2021

Repurposed arthritis drug did not significantly improve severe COVID-19 pneumonia

Researchers found that tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody treatment, improved length of stay by eight days and reduced mechanical ventilator use, but had no significant impact on clinical status or mortality rate in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 1, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New vaccine needed for serious childhood pneumonia

A new study found that a current vaccine reduced childhood pneumonia hospitalizations by 21% but increased empyema admissions by 25%. The researchers urge the development of an effective vaccine against emerging non-vaccine serotypes, particularly serotype 3, which causes 76% of empyema cases.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThorax·DateFeb 23, 2021

Biosensors to detect P. jirovecii, responsible for Pneumocystis pneumonia

Researchers developed more sensitive and efficient biosensors to detect specific sequences corresponding to P. jirovecii using nanotechnology and capture probes. These sensors can detect the fungus in real time without prior amplification steps, enabling a reliable diagnosis of infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalJournal of Fungi·DateFeb 5, 2021

CT imaging features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus

Researchers highlight the importance of chest CT imaging in diagnosing COVID-19, with specific attention to pulmonary CT findings across various disease stages. The study provides a valuable reference for clinicians and radiologists seeking to accurately diagnose COVID-19 using CT scans.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateJan 26, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

COVID-19 warnings were on Twitter well before the outbreak of the pandemic

A new study reveals that posts revealing concern for 'pneumonia' circulated early on Twitter, indicating social media's potential to detect emerging health threats. The analysis of Twitter data shows a statistically significant increase in mentions of pneumonia and dry cough before the official announcement of COVID-19 cases.

SourceIMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2021

Study finds genetic clues to pneumonia risk and COVID-19 disparities

Researchers identified genetic factors increasing pneumonia risk in patients of European and African ancestry, highlighting potential disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. The study may aid efforts to identify high-risk patients and develop targeted treatments.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJan 21, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

State laws promoting flu vaccination for hospital workers may help prevent deaths from flu and pneum

Research suggests that state laws requiring flu vaccination for hospital workers can reduce pneumonia and influenza mortality rates, particularly among the elderly. A quasi-experimental study found a 2.5% reduction in monthly pneumonia and influenza mortality rates after law implementation, averting approximately 1,822 deaths.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 4, 2021

Coronavirus pneumonia and pulmonary thromboembolism

COVID-19 patients are at increased risk of pulmonary thromboembolism due to endothelial injury, activated platelets, cytokine storms, and suppressed fibrinolytic systems. Early prophylaxis, antiviral therapy, and supportive treatment can mitigate this complication.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateDec 8, 2020

T-cell abnormalities in severe COVID-19 cases

Researchers found T cell hyperactivation and paralysis in severe COVID-19 patients, leading to unbalanced immune response. This imbalance may cause severe pneumonia, highlighting potential new treatment targets.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateNov 20, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

TGen and HonorHealth study suggests alternative method of diagnosing lung infection

Researchers propose endotracheal aspirates as an attractive alternative to invasive bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia. The study revealed that ETA is functionally diverse and highly enriched in proteins involved in immunity, suggesting its potential to detect lung infection earlier and more accurately.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateOct 1, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Study on the effect of rosemary and ginger essential oils against Klebsiella pneumoniae

This study investigates the antimicrobial effect of rosemary and ginger essential oil-based nano-sized formulations on colistin-resistant K. pneumonia clinical isolates. The results show that oil-loaded chitosan nanoparticles exhibit high antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, inhibiting the expression of the biofilm gene mrkD.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Microbiology Journal·DateSep 21, 2020

Vaccine proves effective against the most severe type of pneumonia

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific found that the pneumococcal vaccine PCV13 reduced hypoxic pneumonia and pneumonia requiring oxygen support by 37 per cent in children in Laos. This significant reduction in severe cases has great potential to alleviate the burden of disease on vulnerable populations.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·DateSep 10, 2020

Preventing infections tied to ventilator intubation

Researchers developed a curcumin-functionalized endotracheal tube that inactivates up to 95% of bacteria when illuminated. This innovation may help prevent hospital-acquired infections and reduce the need for antibiotic treatment.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Dilated blood vessels in the lung may explain low oxygen levels in severe cases of COVID-19

A new study suggests that COVID-19 is causing significant dilation of the lung's blood vessels, contributing to low oxygen levels and unusual respiratory behavior. The dilation was detected using a non-invasive ultrasound technique, and its correlation with oxygen levels may help explain why some patients experience 'happy hypoxia.'

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 20, 2020

Training algorithms to identify COVID-19 in CT scans

A team led by University of Pittsburgh's Jingtong Hu is working on a project to train algorithms that can accurately diagnose pneumonia caused by COVID-19 using CT scans. The goal is to create a mobile scanning device that can quickly screen for signs of the disease in crowded places.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJul 30, 2020

Using lung X-rays to diagnose COVID-19

Researchers from the University of Seville have developed a system that uses deep learning to identify COVID-19 patients using lung X-ray images. The system achieves around 100% accuracy in identifying COVID-19 and can help reduce health professionals' workload by filtering out negative cases.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalApplied Sciences·DateJul 21, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

COVID-19: Patients improve after immune-suppressant treatment

A single-center observational study at Cedars-Sinai found that 23 out of 27 COVID-19 patients treated with tocilizumab experienced significant drops in body temperature and C-reactive protein levels. The medication was shown to reduce inflammation, oxygen requirements, blood pressure support, and risk of death.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 15, 2020

Scientists evaluated the perspectives of zinc intake for COVID-19 prevention

Current research suggests that adequate zinc status can lower the risk of infectious respiratory diseases, pneumonia, and its complications. Zinc intake has also shown promise in modulating inflammation and suppressing viral replication, including coronaviruses that cause COVID-19.

SourceSechenov University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Medicine·DateJul 13, 2020

CT of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) versus CT of influenza virus pneumonia

Most COVID-19 lesions are located in the peripheral zone and close to the pleura, whereas influenza virus pneumonia is more prone to show mucoid impaction and pleural effusion. However, differentiating between the two conditions remains challenging due to overlapping CT manifestations.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJul 9, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

COVID-19 from food safety and biosecurity perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of food safety and biosecurity in preventing the spread of the virus. Initial epidemiological studies suggest that bats may be natural reservoir hosts of Coronavirus, and hunting for bushmeat can increase the risk of transmission.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Food Science Journal·DateJun 24, 2020

COVID-19 hospitalizations could mean significant out-of-pocket medical costs for many Americans

Researchers analyzed insurance claims from 2016 to 2019 and found that out-of-pocket costs for respiratory illnesses were particularly high for consumer-directed plans. Tens of millions of Americans with self-insured health plans may face significant financial burden due to COVID-19 hospitalizations.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 15, 2020

Osteoporosis treatment may also protect against pneumonia

A recent study found that N-BPs like alendronate are associated with a 24% lower risk of pneumonia and 35% lower risk of pneumonia mortality compared to no treatment. The results suggest that N-BP treatment may also protect against pneumonia, warranting further investigation into its potential for treating COVID-19 symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJun 3, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Intel from an outpatient COVID-19 clinic

A new analysis of outpatient COVID-19 clinic data provides clues to distinguish between patients with COVID-19 and those with other conditions mimicking its symptoms. Key findings include fever not being a reliable indicator, COVID-19 often presenting with various permutations of cough without fever, and loss of the sense of smell as a...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMay 6, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New study shows how oxygen transfer is altered in diseased lung tissue

Researchers developed graphene-based sensors to measure oxygen transport in bovine lung tissue, revealing that a surfactant called cardiolipin disrupts oxygen balance in pneumonia patients. The study also found damaged spots in diseased tissue, which may be responsible for increased oxygen transfer.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2020

HSC professor on team using stem cells to combat COVID-19 pneumonia

A team of international researchers led by Dr. Kunlin Jin used stem cells to boost a person's immune system and ward off COVID-19 pneumonia. The study showed that intravenous infusion of clinical-grade human mesenchymal stem cells is a safe and efficient approach for treating patients with severe cases.

SourceUniversity of North Texas Health Science Center·JournalAging and Disease·DateMar 30, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

The (un)usual suspect -- novel coronavirus identified

Scientists from China's top research institutes discovered the novel coronavirus responsible for the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic through next-generation sequencing and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. The virus is 99.8-99.9% similar among all patients' samples, closely related to bat SARS-like CoVs.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·DateFeb 17, 2020

Pneumonia recovery reprograms immune cells of the lung

After recovering from pneumonia, alveolar macrophages transform and retain a memory of their prior experience, influencing future responses to infections. This finding may lead to improved lung defenses against pneumonia in young adults.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJCI Insight·DateJan 28, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Researchers trace coronavirus outbreak in China to snakes

A new study reveals that the 2019-nCoV coronavirus likely originated from a combination of a bat coronavirus and an unknown coronavirus, with recombination allowing cross-species transmission to humans via snakes. This finding highlights the importance of understanding viral origins for effective control of emerging outbreaks.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateJan 22, 2020

Skin and mucous membrane lesions as complication of pneumonia

Researchers developed a new ELISpot blood test to diagnose bacterial infections, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which can trigger skin and mucous membrane lesions in children. The test detects specific immune cells targeted against M. pneumoniae, allowing for more specific treatment and prognosis.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateDec 19, 2019

Exposure to e-cigarette vapor fails to induce pneumonia in mouse models

Researchers found no link between e-cigarette vapor and pneumonia in mouse models, contrary to earlier concerns about vaping's health risks. However, e-cigarette vapor did alter gene expression of pneumococcus bacteria, which may impact immune response.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 2, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers discover how lungs cells respond to bacteria

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered that lung resident memory T (TRM) cells recruit neutrophils to protect the lungs against future bacterial infections. This study has implications for preventing and treating pneumonia, potentially leading to improved treatment options and personalized medicine.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMucosal Immunology·DateNov 21, 2019

Vaccine reduces likelihood of severe pneumonia

A new study finds that a vaccine against pneumococcal bacteria reduces the likelihood of severe pneumonia in children by 35%. The research also highlights the importance of vaccinating children to protect the whole community and reduce the spread of pneumococcus. By evaluating the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines in Asia, the stu...

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·DateNov 12, 2019