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BU study: COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health investigators finds that COVID-19 vaccination in either partner does not impair fertility. In contrast, males who test positive for COVID within 60 days of a cycle have reduced fertility compared to uninfected men.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Additional antibodies may protect against COVID

Researchers at Lund University discovered that non-neutralising antibodies can also protect against Covid-19 by facilitating phagocytosis. The findings suggest that broader protection from antibodies may be more effective in combating mutations of the virus.

SourceLund University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateJan 17, 2022

New research sheds light on COVID-19 vaccine inequities in California

A new study from USC researchers sheds light on COVID-19 vaccine inequities in California, revealing disparities in vaccination rates among vulnerable populations. The study suggests that targeted community outreach and improved vaccine access can help reduce these disparities.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study shows COVID-19 vaccines offer lasting protection

A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that COVID-19 vaccines maintain protection from severe disease nine months after the first shot. Boosters are crucial for older adults, according to lead author Danyu Lin, PhD.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2022

Unique Irish study sheds new light on long-term SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses in older nursing home residents

A unique Irish study found that previous COVID-19 infection and age are associated with lower antibody levels six months after vaccination. The research highlights the importance of boosting vaccinations for vulnerable populations like nursing home residents.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2022

Vaccinated women pass COVID-19 antibodies to breastfeeding babies

A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that vaccinated women transfer SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to their breastfed infants, potentially giving them passive immunity against the coronavirus. The research also showed a correlation between vaccine side effects and antibody levels in infant stool.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New vaccine allocation model focuses on fairness and diversity

Researchers developed a fair-diverse allocation optimization framework to optimize the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and testing supplies. The model aims to get limited resources to the most vulnerable subgroups while ensuring fairness and diversity, independent of demographic background.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalSocio-Economic Planning Sciences·DateDec 22, 2021

mRNA vaccines highly effective at preventing death from COVID-19, less effective at preventing infection

Researchers found that mRNA vaccines were highly effective (86%) in preventing SARS-CoV-2-related deaths among vaccinated individuals, especially in the elderly population. However, vaccine effectiveness against infection was lower (69%) and decreased with increasing age and comorbidity burden.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 20, 2021

Study compares COVID-19 vaccines’ ability to stimulate immune protection against the coronavirus

The study found that two doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines produced higher antibody concentrations than a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with levels more than 10 times higher for recovered COVID-19 patients. The analysis also showed that the Moderna vaccine had the lowest risk for breakthrough infections.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2021

Scientists find new details about how immune system builds long-term memory

Researchers have discovered a fundamental role of the TBK1 enzyme in deciding B cell fate, crucial for developing effective vaccines for diseases like COVID-19 and malaria. The study reveals that TBK1 is necessary for germinal center formation and high-quality antibody production.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 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.

New liquid biopsy detects local immune activity

A new blood test developed at Hebrew University of Jerusalem detects immune and inflammatory activity in tissues by monitoring circulating DNA fragments. This method provides accurate information about immune processes in remote tissues, removing the need for invasive measures.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

Year in pharma: COVID-19 and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic drove significant advancements in pharmaceutical technology, with mRNA-based vaccines proving highly effective. Oral antiviral pills, such as Merck's molnupiravir and Pfizer's PF-0732133, showed promise in reducing hospitalization and death rates among unvaccinated individuals.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 8, 2021

The paradox of big data spoils vaccination surveys

Researchers from Harvard University and others have found that large-scale COVID-19 vaccination surveys were off by up to 17 percentage points due to systematic biases in the data. The 'Big Data Paradox' highlights how big data sets can minimize one type of error while magnifying another, leading to misleading results.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateDec 8, 2021

THE LANCET: Six different COVID-19 boosters are safe and increase immunity when given after two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech, with large variations in immune responses, UK trial shows

A UK trial shows six different COVID-19 boosters are safe and stimulate strong immune responses in people who have previously received a two-dose course of ChAdOx1-nCov19 or BNT162b2, according to the first randomised trial of boosters given after two doses. The study found varying levels of protection against COVID-19 infection and ho...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 2, 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.

Study on over a million people shows breakthrough COVID-19 infections occur more often and are more severe in immunocompromised

A large-scale study of over 1.2 million people found breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but more frequent and severe in those with weakened immune systems. The study supports the introduction of a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals to increase protection.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Medical Economics·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Children with poorly controlled asthma at higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and should be prioritized for vaccination

A national analysis found that children with poorly controlled asthma are more likely to require hospitalisation than those with well-controlled asthma or without asthma. Vaccinating this group can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and associated illness.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine effective 5 months after 2nd dose

A Kaiser Permanente study found the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be 87% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and 96% effective in preventing hospitalization. The vaccine's effectiveness persisted even among those with underlying conditions, providing reassurance about its durability.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateNov 29, 2021
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.

Do you need a COVID-19 booster shot?

A new study from the University of Georgia found that vaccination results in a more robust immune response than natural infection. Even with waning antibodies, vaccinated individuals still have protective immunity against severe disease and hospitalization.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateNov 16, 2021
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.

Scientists build on AI modelling to understand more about protein-sugar structures

Scientists have developed a software that adds missing sugar components to protein models created with AlphaFold, enabling more accurate structural predictions. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize workflows in biology, allowing scientists to understand proteins and their mutations faster than ever.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 2, 2021

Long-term immune response to Sputnik-V COVID vaccine

A study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that the Sputnik-V COVID vaccine elicits both robust antibody and T-cell responses. The research suggests that long-term immunity is possible, supporting the effectiveness of the vaccine against local virus variants.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 26, 2021
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 vaccine gets strong response in some with weak immunity

A recent study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induced detectable antibodies in 99% of patients with bowel disease, regardless of their immunocompromising therapies. Researchers also noted a correlation between the antibody response and effective immunity in the community.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Mandates likely work to increase vaccine uptake

Research from University of Pennsylvania team shows that vaccine mandates have positive effects on vaccination intentions, particularly for those who oppose forced behavior. Mandates strengthen vaccination intentions, regardless of racial or ethnic group, and for individuals with a disposition towards psychological reactance.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 21, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New study finds no risk of pregnancy loss from COVID-19 vaccination

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found no correlation between COVID-19 vaccinations and risk of first-trimester miscarriages. Vaccination during pregnancy is safe and provides protection to the newborn infant against COVID-19 infection.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCase study·DateOct 21, 2021

Two vaccine doses boost antibody levels in the airways after COVID-19

A new study from Karolinska Institutet finds that two vaccine doses increase antibody levels in the airways after COVID-19, while a second dose after recovery also boosts levels. The results highlight the importance of completing vaccination with a second dose to achieve optimal immune responses and reduce transmission.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJCI Insight·DateOct 20, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in adolescents

The study shows that COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness is substantial in adolescents, with a 93% decrease in symptomatic cases and a 90% decrease in documented infections after the second dose. Vaccine effectiveness was lower but still significant before the second dose.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 20, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

COVID-19 vaccination strategies: When is one dose better than two?

Researchers found that vaccinating more people with a single dose can be beneficial when the vaccine waning rate is low, slowing the spread of the virus. The 'prime first' strategy prioritizes speed over double doses under supply constraints, offering an alternative to traditional vaccination protocols.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·DateOct 19, 2021

Mother-to-child HIV transmission lower in infants with high antibody function levels

A new study found that infants with high levels of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against their mother's strain of HIV are less likely to get infected through breastfeeding. The study also showed that ADCC is more effective than neutralizing antibodies in protecting infants against HIV transmission and improving outcomes.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateOct 19, 2021

High effectiveness of mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccines

A nationwide study in Sweden found that receiving a mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccine schedule reduced the risk of infection by up to 79%. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, showed greater risk reduction for people who received an mRNA vaccine after having received a first dose of a vector-based vaccine.

SourceUmea University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Adverse complications for covid positive pregnant women and their newborns adds further weight to vaccination calls

A new study found a significant increase in adverse outcomes for COVID-19 positive pregnant women, including gestational diabetes, low white blood cell counts, and heavier bleeding during delivery. Respiratory complications were also witnessed in their babies, highlighting the importance of vaccinating all pregnant women against COVID-19.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·DateOct 10, 2021

Study questions popular COVID test, proposes new marker of disease severity

Researchers found that asymptomatic patients may not produce significant IgG antibodies, but rather a different kind of antibody count that can indicate disease severity. The study suggests using the ratio of these two counts as a marker to determine if a person has had COVID-19.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalViruses·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Gladstone investigators win NIH Director’s Awards

Two Gladstone scientists, Leor Weinberger and Vijay Ramani, received NIH Director's Awards to fund groundbreaking research on a single-administration antiviral for COVID-19 and a molecular strategy to fight cancer. Their work has implications for treating various diseases, including cancers.

SourceGladstone Institutes·DateOct 6, 2021

More memory B cells exist in those fully vaccinated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, study says

A study by University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found that fully vaccinated individuals with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection have a stronger immune response, producing more memory B cells. This increased immune response may reduce the risk of breakthrough infections and potentially fewer doses needed for booster shots.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 4, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Second vaccine dose needed for individuals infected with COVID-19 shortly after the first dose

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University found that individuals previously infected with COVID-19 require a second dose of the vaccine to achieve optimal protection. This is because infection after the first dose did not increase IgG antibody levels, and those infected post-vaccination had lower antibody levels than never infected individuals.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalEpidemiology and Infection·DateOct 4, 2021

New research reveals that our choices may be making us more individualistic

A recent study by Shilpa Madan found that the salience of choice fuels independence and makes individuals more self-interested. This can lead to a range of positive consequences, including increased tolerance for harassment and discrimination, but also negative consequences for collective action.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2021

Hopkins Med news update

Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateSep 23, 2021

Contact-tracing apps could improve vaccination strategies

Mathematical modeling suggests that contact-tracing apps can help achieve herd immunity by identifying individuals with greater exposure to others and targeting them for vaccination. The approach, known as 'hot-spotting,' could reduce the number of vaccine doses needed by up to half.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Grow and eat your own vaccines?

Researchers aim to produce enough mRNA vaccines from spinach and lettuce to rival traditional shots. They're exploring chloroplasts as a key to making plant-based mRNA vaccines that can be stored at room temperature.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateSep 16, 2021