covid 19 News and Research

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Organ-on-chip model sheds light on lymphedema

In a new PNAS study co-authored by Boston University biomedical engineer Dr. Chris Chen, researchers say they're getting closer to understanding the mysteries of lymphedema - a condition characterized by the buildup of fluid in the body due to a malfunctioning lymphatic system.

4 Oct 2023

Study demonstrates the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on young people’s mental health

Young people's mental health deteriorated during COVID-19, with higher levels of depression and social, emotional and behavioral difficulties than before the pandemic hit, a comprehensive new study has shown.

4 Oct 2023

What mobile clinics in dollar general parking lots say about health care in rural America

On a hot July morning, customers at the Dollar General along a two-lane highway northwest of Nashville didn't seem to notice signs of the chain store’s foray into mobile health care, particularly in rural America.

4 Oct 2023

Walking and Mediterranean diet may be the ticket to reducing dementia risk

The study explores the MedWalk intervention, promoting a Mediterranean-style diet and regular walking, to potentially slow cognitive decline in older adults without existing impairments. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, progress with 157 participants suggests this approach, rooted in psychosocial techniques, could offer a lifestyle-based deterrent against dementia and cognitive deterioration.

4 Oct 2023

Can viruses in our gut be a game changer for health?

Bryan Hsu, funded by a $1.9 million award, aims to explore the role of lytic bacteriophages in mammalian guts, specifically focusing on their interaction with gut bacteria. Through innovative models, the study seeks to elucidate whether phages, known to infect bacteria, could significantly impact gut health or be leveraged to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

3 Oct 2023

Record uptake of HIV testing among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

2022 saw the highest ever uptake of HIV testing among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), with diagnoses in this group continuing to fall, according to the latest HIV surveillance update for the UK.

3 Oct 2023

New model can calculate the probability of COVID-19 cluster occurrence

A research group has created a new model to calculate the probability of the occurrence of localized clusters caused by novel coronavirus infections.

3 Oct 2023

Eating disorder emergency room visits and hospitalizations increased during COVID-19 pandemic

Emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions for eating disorders increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescents aged 10–17 years, as did ED visits among young adults and older adults, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.221318.

3 Oct 2023

Could a Poria cocos extract be the key to conquering insomnia?

The study reveals that Poria cocos extract significantly improves sleep quality in insomniacs, increasing total sleep time and enhancing REM sleep duration. While promising, further investigations are needed to validate these findings and explore the effects of other active compounds within P. cocos.

3 Oct 2023

Could infants' robust immune responses reshape future vaccination strategies?

Utilizing next-gen sequencing techniques, researchers analyzed infants' immune responses to infections, uncovering a predominant innate immune activation unlike adults and older children. This insight could steer child vaccination research and pediatric infection management strategies, potentially revolutionizing infant healthcare.

3 Oct 2023

New meningitis vaccine safe and effective for infants in Africa

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers, as part of the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC), provided an interim analysis showing that the pentavalent (NmCV-5) meningitis vaccine is safe for use in 9-month-old infants in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa.

3 Oct 2023

Pharmacists can play key role in boosting HPV vaccination rates

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is also the leading cause of cervical cancer.

3 Oct 2023

SARS-CoV-2 infection in coronary vessels linked to cardiovascular complications

Researchers reported that the increased long-term risk of acute cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19 is linked to SARS-CoV-2 infecting coronary vessels and inducing the formation of plaques.

3 Oct 2023

How lifestyle tweaks could be the new shield against memory loss: U.S. POINTER study dives in

The U.S. POINTER study aims to explore if lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, and social activities can help preserve cognitive function in older Americans at risk for dementia. Modeled after Finland's successful FINGER study and set to complete in 2025, this extensive research will involve 2,000 participants and focus on diverse and culturally informed strategies.

2 Oct 2023

GPT-4 beats human doctors in medical soft skills

Researchers evaluated how well AI models GPT-4 and ChatGPT perform on the US Medical Licensing Examination questions focused on soft skills like judgment and empathy. GPT-4 outperformed both ChatGPT and human test-takers, answering 90% of questions correctly, while ChatGPT had a 62.5% accuracy rate.

2 Oct 2023

Could seaweeds be the superfood and medicine of the future?

Researchers consolidate the diverse nutritional and medicinal benefits of seaweeds, touting their potential in food, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. The study also highlights challenges and opportunities in industrial applications, calling for more research to optimize extraction and refinement processes.

2 Oct 2023

Long COVID unmasked: Patients share varied physical, mental, and social challenges

Patient experiences of the post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or long COVID.

2 Oct 2023

New study reveals BA.2.86 subvariant's surprising dance with antibodies

Researchers examined the antigenicity of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 subvariant BA.2.86, finding that it is not resistant to neutralizing antibodies from previously infected or vaccinated individuals, although it does show increased binding affinity to the ACE-2 receptor. The study highlights the subvariant's sensitivity and resistance to different classes of monoclonal antibodies, offering insights for future treatment and vaccine development.

2 Oct 2023

Ginger shows promise as a natural defense against autoimmune diseases

Comprehensive study reveals that whole ginger extracts have a significant impact on inhibiting neutrophil hyperactivity, a key factor in autoimmune diseases like APS and lupus. Consuming ginger for just a week showed promising results in both animal models and human trials, positioning it as a natural and affordable treatment option for a range of autoimmune disorders.

2 Oct 2023

Maternal COVID-19 shots significantly lowered infant hospitalizations during Omicron wave

Study found that maternal COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalizations in infants under six months, particularly boosting protection during the first three months of life. With 78% of the hospitalized infants born to unvaccinated mothers, the research emphasizes the crucial role of maternal vaccination in safeguarding infants too young for vaccination.

2 Oct 2023