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.

Simple blood test can predict which COVID-19 patients are at high risk of severe disease

One of the most vexing aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is doctors' inability to predict which newly hospitalized patients will go on to develop severe disease, including complications that require the insertion of a breathing tube, kidney dialysis or other intensive care.

15 Jan 2021

Study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on students' diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior

A University of Saskatchewan study has found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant worsening of already poor dietary habits, low activity levels, sedentary behavior, and high alcohol consumption among university students.

15 Jan 2021

Early-career scientists awarded microgrants to initiate civic outreach activities in local communities

Research!America and the Rita Allen Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Civic Engagement Microgrant Initiative. Now

15 Jan 2021

Many older adults lack patient portal access, which could affect COVID-19 vaccine scheduling

As the vaccination of older adults against COVID-19 begins across the country, new poll data suggests that many of them don't yet have access to the "patient portal" online systems that could make it much easier for them to schedule a vaccination appointment.

15 Jan 2021

Severe COVID-19 linked to genetic make-up of both host and virus, say researchers

A recent study conducted by a team of international scientists has revealed that the infectivity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 strongly depend on the genetic background of both the virus and the host.

15 Jan 2021

White-tailed deer susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, study finds

A team of scientists recently demonstrated that white-tailed deer are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the infected animals are capable of transmitting the virus to their non-infected counterparts via indirect contact.

15 Jan 2021

CVS and Walgreens under fire for slow pace of vaccination in nursing homes

The effort to vaccinate some of the country's most vulnerable residents against covid-19 has been slowed by a federal program that sends retail pharmacists into nursing homes — accompanied by layers of bureaucracy and logistical snafus.

15 Jan 2021

When covid deaths aren’t counted, families pay the price

On Sundays, Bishop Bruce Davis preached love. Through his Pentecostal ministry, he organized youth parades and gave computers, bicycles and food to families in need.

15 Jan 2021

Image-based deep learning haplotype-guided study maps the global adaptation of SARS-CoV-2

A new study used deep learning with image recognition technology to trace the emergence of variants with increased viral fitness. Higher fitness leads to rapid expansion of these lineages in the areas where they are introduced. This type of study could facilitate the development of more effective antibodies and vaccines to help contain the pandemic.

15 Jan 2021

What are the SARS-CoV-2 exposure risks for workers on mink farms?

A new study reports on the risk of COVID-19 among workers on these farms, and in the communities living around such farms.

15 Jan 2021

Concern develops over Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variant

Concern is being expressed over a variant of SARS-CoV-2 that shows similar mutations to the South African and UK variants of the disease.

15 Jan 2021

New antiviral repurposing study finds peptides that could prevent SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 binding

A new study reports the antiviral potential of peptides against SARS-CoV-2's spike protein.

15 Jan 2021

Can cloth masks protect healthcare professionals from SARS-CoV-2?

Given the global scarcity of surgical masks, a recent review study examines this issue - dealing with the potential use of cloth masks in healthcare scenarios.

15 Jan 2021

Study reports promising new monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein

An encouraging new study describes a promising new therapeutic antibody that shows potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.

15 Jan 2021

5 reasons to wear a mask even after you’re vaccinated

As an emergency physician, Dr. Eugenia South was in the first group of people to receive a covid vaccine. She received her second dose last week — even before President-elect Joe Biden.

15 Jan 2021

New DNA test quickly identifies secondary infections in COVID-19 patients

Researchers have developed a DNA test to quickly identify secondary infections in COVID-19 patients, who have double the risk of developing pneumonia while on ventilation than non-COVID-19 patients.

15 Jan 2021

Metformin drug decreases mortality rate in COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes

Use of the diabetes drug metformin -- before a diagnosis of COVID-19 -- is associated with a threefold decrease in mortality in COVID-19 patients with Type 2 diabetes, according to a racially diverse study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

15 Jan 2021

Public education messaging can slow the spread of COVID-19

A novel new study suggests that the behavior public officials are now mandating or recommending unequivocally to slow the spread of surging COVID-19--wearing a face covering--should come with a caveat. If not accompanied by proper public education, the practice could lead to more infections.

15 Jan 2021

Males are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, indicates study

Males are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, more likely to have complications and more likely to die from the virus than females, independent of age, according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Farhaan Vahidy of Houston Methodist Research Institute, US, and colleagues.

15 Jan 2021

Lab study reveals effective treatment for COVID-19

A new potential therapy for COVID-19 developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center has shown success in preventing the disease's symptoms in mice.

14 Jan 2021

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

Simple blood test can predict which COVID-19 patients are at high risk of severe disease

Study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on students' diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior

Early-career scientists awarded microgrants to initiate civic outreach activities in local communities

Many older adults lack patient portal access, which could affect COVID-19 vaccine scheduling

Severe COVID-19 linked to genetic make-up of both host and virus, say researchers

White-tailed deer susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, study finds

CVS and Walgreens under fire for slow pace of vaccination in nursing homes

When covid deaths aren’t counted, families pay the price

Image-based deep learning haplotype-guided study maps the global adaptation of SARS-CoV-2

What are the SARS-CoV-2 exposure risks for workers on mink farms?

Concern develops over Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variant

New antiviral repurposing study finds peptides that could prevent SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 binding

Can cloth masks protect healthcare professionals from SARS-CoV-2?

Study reports promising new monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein

5 reasons to wear a mask even after you’re vaccinated

New DNA test quickly identifies secondary infections in COVID-19 patients

Metformin drug decreases mortality rate in COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes

Public education messaging can slow the spread of COVID-19

Males are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, indicates study

Lab study reveals effective treatment for COVID-19

Best practices - optimize qPCR processes for pathogen detection eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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