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Researchers construct models to predict SARS-CoV-2 mutable and constrained positions

In a study published in PNAS, researchers have attempted to create a model that can successfully predict which positions are likely to mutate in the future.

17 Jan 2022

Study suggests vaccinated Omicron cases are unlikely to shed infectious virus 10 days after diagnosis or symptom onset

Researchers have been investigating the Omicron epidemic in Japan and have recently released an early report on the infectious period of the disease.

17 Jan 2022

Study reveals aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via floor drains

A new study investigated COVID-19 cases in an apartment complex in South Korea and explored the possibility of aerosol transmission without direct contact between infected individuals with the help of molecular phylogenetic analysis and epidemiological surveillance.

17 Jan 2022

Study investigates whether immune responses to BNT162b2 vaccine differ in subjects with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new paper published in the journal JCI Insight reports on the differential levels of immunity achieved in those with and without a history of prior infection with the virus following one and two doses of the earliest vaccines to be approved for emergency use.

17 Jan 2022

Study identifies cellular receptors for alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School has identified a set of cellular receptors for at least three related alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals that host the virus.

17 Jan 2022

Rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 have low overall rate of false-positive results

A timely new study investigated the incidence of false-positive results in a large sample of rapid antigen tests used to serially screen asymptomatic workers throughout Canada.

17 Jan 2022

Study analyzes the impact of global trust in government due to the COVID-19 pandemic

In a week when the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted to breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules, a new study has found that impartial, transparent and truthful government communications are fundamental for achieving and maintaining government trust during public health emergencies.

17 Jan 2022

Study reveals long-term mental impacts of repeated exposure to major disasters

Repeated exposure to major disasters does not make people mentally stronger, a recent study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found: individuals who have been repeatedly exposed to major disasters show a reduction in mental health scores.

16 Jan 2022

Cannabidiol may improve innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study shows evidence that cannabidiol, an important active ingredient in the Cannabis sativa plant, can augment the antiviral innate immune response and prophylactically prime the innate antiviral response of cells – enabling in turn improved response against viruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

16 Jan 2022

CDC updates consumer webpage describing masks, respirators used to prevent COVID-19

CDC has updated our consumer webpage describing the types of masks and respirators used to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masking is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.

16 Jan 2022

Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 proves to be highly accurate for pediatric populations

In a large prospective study of just over 1,000 patients ages 17 and younger who were seen at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) testing site during a seven-month period last year, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and collaborating institutions report that a rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — proved highly accurate when compared to the established standard virus detection method: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

16 Jan 2022

With no end in sight to pandemic life, parents find disruption is the new normal

As my kindergartner fumbled with his shoes, I stood at our door sifting through the mental parenting checklist newly lodged in my brain: backpack. Sweatshirt. Snacks. Sunscreen. Water bottle. KN95 mask. Vaccination card.

15 Jan 2022

As omicron surges, effort to vaccinate young children stalls

Two months after Pfizer's covid vaccine was authorized for children ages 5 to 11, just 27% have received at least one shot, according to Jan. 12 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only 18%, or 5 million kids, have both doses.

15 Jan 2022

Exploring waning vaccine effectiveness over time

New research provides strong evidence against waning protection against symptomatic disease from both ChAdOx1-S and BNT162b2, but points out that protection against hospitalization and death remains at much higher levels for at least 20 weeks post-vaccination.

14 Jan 2022

Multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disease that affects 2.8 million people worldwide and for which there is no definitive cure, is likely caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers.

13 Jan 2022

Higher olive oil intake may reduce the risk of premature death

People who consume higher amounts of olive oil may lower their risk of premature death overall and from specific causes including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease, compared to people who never or almost never consume olive oil, according to a new study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

13 Jan 2022

People with COVID-19 can end self-isolation after 5 days following 2 consecutive negative LFD tests

From Monday, 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.

13 Jan 2022

Study confirms waning immunity in adolescents following two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers test the durability of antibodies produced by a vaccine-induced full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and receptor-binding domain.

13 Jan 2022

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Dealing with drug prices

Medicare officials have preliminarily decided to restrict reimbursement for Aduhelm, the controversial Alzheimer's drug, to only patients participating in approved clinical trials.

13 Jan 2022

Justices block broad worker vaccine requirement, allow health worker mandate to proceed

The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a key Biden administration covid-19 initiative — putting a stop, for now, to a rule requiring businesses with more than 100 workers to either mandate that employees be vaccinated against covid or wear masks and undergo weekly testing.

13 Jan 2022

Public Health News and Research

Researchers construct models to predict SARS-CoV-2 mutable and constrained positions

Study suggests vaccinated Omicron cases are unlikely to shed infectious virus 10 days after diagnosis or symptom onset

Study reveals aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via floor drains

Study investigates whether immune responses to BNT162b2 vaccine differ in subjects with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

Study identifies cellular receptors for alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals

Rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 have low overall rate of false-positive results

Study analyzes the impact of global trust in government due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Study reveals long-term mental impacts of repeated exposure to major disasters

Cannabidiol may improve innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2

CDC updates consumer webpage describing masks, respirators used to prevent COVID-19

Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 proves to be highly accurate for pediatric populations

With no end in sight to pandemic life, parents find disruption is the new normal

As omicron surges, effort to vaccinate young children stalls

Exploring waning vaccine effectiveness over time

Multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus

Higher olive oil intake may reduce the risk of premature death

People with COVID-19 can end self-isolation after 5 days following 2 consecutive negative LFD tests

Study confirms waning immunity in adolescents following two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Dealing with drug prices

Justices block broad worker vaccine requirement, allow health worker mandate to proceed

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