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Hypertension-related maternal mortality rates continue to increase in the United States

Chronic hypertension is contributing substantially to maternal deaths in the United States, with particular risk among Black women, according to new research from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

3 Jan 2022

Study reveals how online misinformation 'ticks' and suggests new strategy to stop it

Parenting communities on Facebook were subject to a powerful misinformation campaign early in the COVID-19 pandemic that pulled them closer to extreme communities and their misinformation, according to a new study published by researchers at the George Washington University.

3 Jan 2022

New systematic review finds low-quality evidence on the effectiveness of hangover remedies

A new systematic review has found only very low-quality evidence that substances claiming to treat or prevent alcohol-induced hangover work.

3 Jan 2022

WHO lists the Comirnaty COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use

The World Health Organization today listed the Comirnaty COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use, making the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the first to receive emergency validation from WHO since the outbreak began a year ago.

2 Jan 2022

Exploring the increase in hACE2 binding affinity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

A new study provides detailed information about the molecular level binding interaction pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and wt variant with the hACE2 receptor

31 Dec 2021

Researchers warn about the dangers of vitamin B12 deficiency in people following plant-based diets

In the run up to Veganuary leading researchers are warning of the dangers of a quiet epidemic of vitamin B12deficiencyin people who follow increasingly popular plant-based diets.

30 Dec 2021

A reliable assessment of COVID-19 vaccine protection duration

Researchers from the University of North Carolina, University of Washington, and the US Food and Drug Administration propose fitting a Cox model with two time indexes, the event times measured from the start of the study in calendar time and the log hazard for the vaccine effect.

30 Dec 2021

How much do mutations reduce vaccine effectiveness in the Omicron variant?

In new research, scientists from Adaptive Biotechnologies have been investigating the impact of spike protein mutations on vaccine efficiency for the Omicron variant. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

30 Dec 2021

New test-to-stay approach enables kids and staffs to stay in school after COVID exposures

Children and staff who repeatedly test negative for COVID-19 after contact with someone who has the illness can safely remain in school if universal masking programs are in place, according to a new "test-to-stay" study report from the ABC Science Collaborative.

30 Dec 2021

Orphanhood decreases with the availability of antiretroviral therapy and male circumcision

Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found marked decreases in orphanhood particularly double orphanhood, among adolescents in Rakai, Uganda, corresponding with the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) beginning in 2004 and of male medical circumcision in 2007.

30 Dec 2021

Higher rates of preeclampsia found among Black women born in the U.S. than foreign-born counterparts

A novel analysis of medical records for a racially diverse group of more than 6,000 women has added to evidence that some combination of biological, social and cultural factors — and not race alone — is likely responsible for higher rates of preeclampsia among Black women born in the United States compared with Black women who immigrated to the country.

30 Dec 2021

Successful weight-loss intervention helps lower risk of severe complications from COVID-19

A Cleveland Clinic study shows that among patients with obesity, prior weight loss achieved with bariatric surgery was associated with a 60% lower risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19 infection. The research was published in the journal JAMA Surgery.

30 Dec 2021

Rapid antigen tests show lower sensitivity for Omicron than for earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers carried out an analytical susceptibility test with cultured SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in seven antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic (Ag-RDTs).

29 Dec 2021

Researchers suggest hybrid convalescent plasma therapy neutralizes the omicron variant

New research suggests convalescent plasma from unvaccinated donors is not effective against the Omicron variant, however, “hybrid” convalescent plasma from donors who recovered from COVID-19 infection and are vaccinated provides considerable antibody protection.

29 Dec 2021

New biodegradable smart food packaging material helps kill harmful microbes

A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a 'smart' food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.

29 Dec 2021

Estimating the epidemic potential of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in South Korea

Researchers in South Korea and France have conducted an analysis on individuals infected with Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to estimate the epidemic potential and long-term prospects of this virus in circulation. They have found that the basic reproduction number (R0) for this variant is 1.90, while the mean serial interval is 2.22 days.

28 Dec 2021

Researchers investigate the effect of emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations on ACE2 binding

Now in new research, scientists from the University of Leicester have been investigating how these mutations alter the affinities of RBDs to ACE2.

28 Dec 2021

New report on 1.23 million breakthrough symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections by vaccine

A new research letter evaluates whether the estimated vaccine effectiveness changes against infection over time.

28 Dec 2021

New thesis highlights challenges for doctors while certifying sickness for patients with mental disorders

Nearly nine out of ten doctors in primary care think a decision on sickness absence is improved if they are in touch with the patient's employer - but only four out of ten are. A University of Gothenburg thesis highlights several challenges for doctors when certifying sickness for patients with common mental disorders.

28 Dec 2021

Laws shield hospitals from families who believe loved ones contracted covid as patients

After Amanda Wilson lost her son, Braden, 15, to covid-19 in early 2021, she tried to honor his memory. She put up a lending library box in his name. She plans to give the money she saved for his college education to other teens who love the arts and technology.

24 Dec 2021

Public Health News and Research

Hypertension-related maternal mortality rates continue to increase in the United States

Study reveals how online misinformation 'ticks' and suggests new strategy to stop it

New systematic review finds low-quality evidence on the effectiveness of hangover remedies

WHO lists the Comirnaty COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use

Exploring the increase in hACE2 binding affinity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Researchers warn about the dangers of vitamin B12 deficiency in people following plant-based diets

A reliable assessment of COVID-19 vaccine protection duration

How much do mutations reduce vaccine effectiveness in the Omicron variant?

New test-to-stay approach enables kids and staffs to stay in school after COVID exposures

Orphanhood decreases with the availability of antiretroviral therapy and male circumcision

Higher rates of preeclampsia found among Black women born in the U.S. than foreign-born counterparts

Successful weight-loss intervention helps lower risk of severe complications from COVID-19

Rapid antigen tests show lower sensitivity for Omicron than for earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers suggest hybrid convalescent plasma therapy neutralizes the omicron variant

New biodegradable smart food packaging material helps kill harmful microbes

Estimating the epidemic potential of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in South Korea

Researchers investigate the effect of emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations on ACE2 binding

New report on 1.23 million breakthrough symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections by vaccine

New thesis highlights challenges for doctors while certifying sickness for patients with mental disorders

Laws shield hospitals from families who believe loved ones contracted covid as patients

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