Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Hemp compounds show ability to prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells

Hemp compounds identified by Oregon State University research via a chemical screening technique invented at OSU show the ability to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering human cells.

11 Jan 2022

International study offers a clearer picture of COVID-19's impact on children

A new international study offers a clearer picture of the impact of COVID-19 infection and the risk of severe outcomes on young people around the world.

11 Jan 2022

Having children at home may help adults feel less distressed during the pandemic

Kids have struggled throughout the pandemic—from attending school by Zoom video conferencing to quarantining from family and friends—but surprisingly having children at home may help adults feel less distressed.

11 Jan 2022

Exploring the kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Marseille-4 variant

In a new study, researchers determined the nature and dynamics of mutations associated with the SARS-CoV-2 French Marseille-4 variant during 10 months from its onset, and concluded that the heterogenicity associated with a SARS-CoV-2 lineage can possibly predict the end of an outbreak.

11 Jan 2022

Researchers identify specific factors that influence attitudes about vaccines

Worldwide, vaccine hesitancy is proving to be a stumbling block to securing much needed protection against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

11 Jan 2022

International approaches to tackling food fraud

In this interview, we spoke to key members of the Food Authenticity Network to find out more about the increasing problem of food adulteration and the collaborations being made to address it.

From Bruker BioSpin Group 11 Jan 2022

Analyzing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase in humans

In a new study, researchers examined the impact of mutations on the structural thermodynamic stability (structural stability) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) through free energy computation.

11 Jan 2022

Single-step RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant detection in respiratory samples

A new preprint describes a single-step molecular diagnostic test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant that is behind the unprecedented rise in cases over the last few weeks.

11 Jan 2022

Ketamine plus psychological therapy can help people stay off alcohol for longer time

People with severe alcohol disorder were able to stay off alcohol for longer when they were treated with low doses of ketamine combined with psychological therapy in a clinical trial.

11 Jan 2022

The effect of COVID-19 on routine immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases

A new study has focussed on determining the impact of COVID-19 associated interferences with different recovery scenarios for ten vaccine-preventable diseases.

11 Jan 2022

Dynamics of infectious diseases and restrictions on the size of social gatherings

A new study has been published that used epidemiological theory to elucidate the association between gathering size and general disease dynamics.

11 Jan 2022

Fire closes hospital and displaces staff as Colorado battles omicron

The Colorado wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes last month has forced the temporary closure of a hospital and upended the lives of health care workers as the state's already strained health care system braces for another surge in covid-19 hospitalizations.

11 Jan 2022

App attempts to break barriers to bankruptcy for those in medical debt

An unplanned and complicated pregnancy pushed Carlazjion Constant of Smyrna, Tennessee, to the financial brink.

11 Jan 2022

Providing recombinant antibody services and more within Europe

In this interview, News-Medical talks to Dr. Zhang Linlin, Technical Specialist at Sino Biological Europe, about their recombinant antibody services and more that they can provide within Europe. Image credit: Corona Borealis Studio/Shutterstock.com

From Sino Biological Inc. 11 Jan 2022

What are the predictors of inpatient COVID-19 mortality rates?

A new study, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts, examined the relationship between baseline staffing levels of registered nurses (RNs), hospitalists, emergency medicine physicians, and intensivists (staff) and hospital-level COVID-19 mortality rates. The research builds on and extends earlier research that examined a subset of hospital-level characteristics over a shorter time period.

11 Jan 2022

Long-term exposure to air pollutants may increase the incidence of COVID-19

Long term exposure to ambient air pollution may heighten the risk of COVID-19 infection, suggests research published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

11 Jan 2022

New insights into reforming the actions that hindered Seattle researchers from community testing for COVID-19

As the two-year anniversary of the pandemic approaches, a new commentary provides insights into reforming the "labyrinth of conflicting and uncoordinated actions among state and federal regulators" that in early 2020 hampered Seattle researchers from community testing for COVID-19.

11 Jan 2022

Latest tools for COVID-19 Omicron variant research

AMSBIO has announced new additions to its portfolio of tools for COVID-19 research - two monoclonal antibodies that recognize the Spike RBD (B.1.1.529, Omicron Variant) protein and neutralizes its interaction with ACE2.

From AMS Biotechnology 11 Jan 2022

An algorithmic method to identify epidemic waves of COVID-19

In this research paper, a team of scientists from various institutions across the UK and Poland provides contributions aimed at resolving this issue. First, the authors clarify the multiple ways researchers use the word 'epidemic wave.' Their technique divides epidemic time series (of confirmed cases and deaths) into non-overlapping 'observed waves.'

11 Jan 2022

Optimal monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers screen different monoclonal antibodies to identify an optimal mAb with higher binding affinity to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2.

10 Jan 2022