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New study shows fewer people die from covid-19 in better vaccinated communities

A large US study found that counties with high vaccination coverage had a more than 80% reduction in death rates from COVID-19 compared to largely unvaccinated counties. The study, based on data from over 30 million cases and 400,000 deaths, suggests that increasing vaccination coverage can reduce COVID-19 related mortality and cases.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateApr 27, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study examines COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake in autism community

A new study examines factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake in the autism community, revealing that early skepticism waned over time. The majority of caregivers eventually received the vaccine following FDA approval. Firmly held vaccine-hesitant beliefs influenced a minority of autism spectrum disorder caregivers.

SourcePediatric Academic Societies·DateApr 22, 2022
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.

COVID-19: Vaccination greatly reduces infectious viral load

Researchers found that vaccination greatly reduces the infectious viral load caused by COVID-19 variants Delta and Omicron. However, boosted individuals showed a significant reduction in viral load compared to unvaccinated people. The study highlights the importance of updated knowledge for combating new variants.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Medicine·TypeNews article·DateApr 14, 2022

Vax now or vax later – what do parents think of mandatory vaccination?

A study of 1001 parents found that financial incentives and penalties were the most influential factors in their decisions. Parents preferred schemes offering direct financial rewards, compensation schemes, and mandated vaccinations for children over two years old.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateApr 14, 2022

COVID-19 household transmission is high, with children being a significant source of spread: study

A recent study found that COVID-19 spreads extensively in households, with approximately 50% of household members infected from the first-infected individual. Children were less likely to spread the virus but equally likely to become infected as adults, highlighting their potential role in transmission.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeSurvey·DateApr 12, 2022

Current measles vaccination targets may not be enough to achieve elimination

A systematic review of 35 observational studies found that current immunisation coverage target of 95% may only be the minimum requirement for elimination. The analysis estimated average MCV2 vaccine effectiveness was 96.4%, indicating that a vaccination level of 95% should be considered a minimum requirement, not a goal.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·DateApr 6, 2022
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.

In-hospital deaths in STEMI patients with COVID-19 drop in 2021

Researchers found a significant decline in in-hospital mortality and secondary endpoints for STEMI patients with COVID-19 in 2021 compared to 2020. Vaccination status showed zero hospital deaths among vaccinated patients, while unvaccinated patients experienced high death rates.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 4, 2022
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.

COVID vaccination of children age 5-11 cut Omicron hospitalizations by 68%

A national study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that COVID vaccination reduced hospitalizations with Omicron and Delta viruses in children aged 12-18. Vaccination also prevented severe illness in this age group, as well as critical illness in younger children.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 30, 2022

Prior COVID-19 infection linked to robust, accelerated immune response after first vaccine dose, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University report

Researchers at Temple University found that individuals with prior COVID-19 infection experienced rapid antibody production after the first vaccine dose, but showed little increase after the second dose. This contrasts with those without a history of infection, who exhibited massive responses after the second dose.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJCI Insight·DateMar 29, 2022

True and false claims: online behaviors behind COVID-19 vaccine uptake

Researchers analyzed over 4 million Twitter posts to find that fact-related users were negatively associated with vaccination rates, while fake-news users showed no significant impact. Exclusive fact-based users were more likely to be verified accounts with higher online influence.

SourceHealth Data Science·JournalHealth Data Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2022
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.

No increase in pregnancy complications after COVID-19 vaccination

A large-scale registry study found no association between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and increased risk of preterm birth, growth retardation, or neonatal care. Vaccination was associated with a slightly lower risk of neonatal care and provided protection against COVID-19 for the newborn.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Improved cell response seen with hybrid immunity

Researchers found that people who had COVID-19 and then got vaccinated generated an immune response more specific to fighting viral infections, producing a broader antibody response. This hybrid immunity also produced a cellular immune response called Th1 response, which is antiviral.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Research Brief: Healthcare worker perspectives of COVID-19 vaccines

A recent study published in Vaccine found that nearly 90% of healthcare workers accepted COVID-19 vaccines, particularly those serving immigrant communities. The researchers highlight the importance of education and interpersonal communication in influencing vaccine decisions.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalVaccine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022

Model shows how antibodies navigate pathogen surfaces like a child at play

A new model suggests that antibodies select antigens based on their surface characteristics, similar to a child playing on stepping stones. The researchers used DNA origami to simulate the behavior of antibodies and found that they tend to favor closer antigen distances.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2022
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.

Journal of Hepatology COVID-19 news brief

Research in the Journal of Hepatology suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to cause liver injury, but liver transplant patients may experience delayed care due to the pandemic. The study found that vaccinated patients with liver disease had a lower antibody response compared to healthy patients.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2022
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.

mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines are safe for high-risk patients, shows study

A new study published in Frontiers in Oncology has shown that mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines are well-tolerated by high-risk patients with impaired immunity. The trial enrolled 566 patients and found no evidence of increased adverse events or interference with treatment, reassuring vaccine-hesitant immunocompromised individuals.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 17, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Mandatory vaccinations not the answer to boosting uptake among NHS staff

A recent survey of over 3,200 NHS healthcare workers found that most preferred education and support as a solution to boost vaccination uptake. The study suggests that mandatory vaccinations may actually worsen trust and lead to thousands of staff leaving the profession.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeSurvey·DateMar 15, 2022

Machine learning may predict where need for COVID tests is greatest

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...

SourceWest Virginia University·DateMar 9, 2022

Are medicines affecting our response to infections like COVID-19?

Researchers found that some painkillers and fever medications may help fight infection, while others can weaken the immune system. The review highlights the need for more studies on the impact of these medicines on infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 1, 2022
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.

Booster critical as COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibodies wane in 6 months, don’t protect against omicron

Researchers found that two-dose mRNA vaccines against the original and early variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus offer little to no protection against the omicron variant. A third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine booster shot, however, enhances immune response and provides comparable protection to the delta variant.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Study looks at Moderna COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

A Kaiser Permanente study published in Nature Medicine found that three doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were highly effective against hospitalization caused by infection from either the omicron or delta variant. The research suggests that third doses may be needed sooner than previously thought to protect against omicron infectio...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2022

U of M-led study finds COVID-19 boosters reduce infection and hospitalizations

A University of Minnesota-led study found that COVID-19 boosters significantly reduce infections and hospitalizations. The research showed that booster doses are particularly effective in reducing hospitalizations among the elderly and those with comorbidities.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

UH sociologist finds disparities in initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution

A new study by University of Houston sociologist Kathryn Freeman Anderson reveals significant disparities in the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout in five urban Texas counties. The research found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to receive vaccines due to existing healthcare resource shortages.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 15, 2022

3 doses of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID vaccine better than 2

A Kaiser Permanente study found that a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine significantly improved protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The study's results suggest that three doses of the vaccine provide greater benefit than two doses in preventing these outcomes.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateFeb 14, 2022
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.

Most people with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination have T cell immune responses against Omicron variant despite low antibody responses

A recent study published in Cell found that T cell responses are still robust against the Omicron variant in most individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, offering protection against severe disease. Booster vaccines can enhance T cell responses, substantially increasing immunity against severe COVID-19.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCell·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 9, 2022

Omicron has mutations detected in previous variants, which explains vaccine effectiveness, scientists say

Researchers attribute vaccine effectiveness to mutations shared with previous variants, resulting in relatively small severe cases and deaths among vaccinated patients. The study analyzed over 200,000 genomes and found identical mutations that could serve as targets for future vaccines.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateFeb 8, 2022
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.

Health care innovations are the path to addressing pandemic challenges

The IEEE forum identified four major challenges to address during the pandemic: healthcare, screening, tracing, and treatment. The panel highlighted socioeconomic and education status as critical factors impacting mortality rates and hospital admission lengths.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·DateFeb 7, 2022

SARS-CoV-2 tracking, mitigation during in-person learning at a university

A study at a midwestern university examined the relationship between vaccine coverage and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants during in-person learning. The results showed a correlation between higher vaccination rates and reduced spread of variants, highlighting the effectiveness of vaccines in mitigating COVID-19 transmission.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 3, 2022

Dose-finding trial paves way for new rotavirus vaccine to prevent a deadly diarrheal disease from birth

A phase 2 clinical trial found that the Australian-developed neonatal rotavirus vaccine RV3-BB was safe and produced a robust immune response in African babies. The reduced dose of the vaccine generated an equivalent immune response as the highest dose, offering opportunities to reduce vaccine manufacturing costs.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 3, 2022

First U.S. peer-reviewed study on omicron patient outcomes reveals rapid spread and significant differences in infection behavior

The first US peer-reviewed study on omicron patient outcomes found significant differences in infection behavior. Ominron patients are significantly younger, have increased vaccine breakthrough rates, and are less likely to be hospitalized compared to patients with alpha or delta variants.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2022
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.

Current vaccines teach T cells to fight Omicron

Four COVID-19 vaccines prompt the body to make effective, long-lasting T cells against SARS-CoV-2. These T cells can recognize variants of concern, including Delta and Omicron. Fully vaccinated people have fewer memory B cells and neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022

These scientists are racing to beat Omicron

Researchers are working tirelessly to develop vaccines against the Omicron variant, a crucial step in combating the pandemic. By understanding the biology of Omicron, scientists hope to create effective treatments and boosters to protect against future pandemics.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJan 21, 2022

Vaccine hesitance dropped faster among Blacks, study finds

A new study found that Black Americans who were initially hesitant about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine warmed up to the idea as the pandemic wore on and viewed vaccines as necessary for protection. The research highlights the importance of addressing access barriers, not just distrust or skepticism.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

MU study identifies mutations specific to Omicron variant

Researchers at the University of Missouri identified 46 specific mutations in the Omicron variant that enable it to evade pre-existing antibodies. These mutations are particularly prevalent in the region where antibodies bind to the virus, making them a key target for future antiviral treatments.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Autoimmunity·DateJan 21, 2022

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

Vaccine used in much of the world no match for Omicron variant

A new study by Yale researchers found that the Sinovac vaccine, widely used in 48 countries, offers little protection against the Omicron variant. Booster shots are necessary to combat the dominant circulating virus, which has shown to produce no neutralizing antibodies among those who received two doses of the Sinovac vaccine.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 20, 2022