Pandemic News and Research

RSS

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.

Researchers develop multi-channel recording device for lung sound analysis

A multi-channel recording device developed at TU Graz for pathological lung sounds and associated automatic lung sound analysis could support existing screening methods for early detection of, for example, Covid-19 infections. This now requires clinical data and interdisciplinary collaboration.

7 Dec 2020

No evidence for risk of vaccine-driven virulence evolution in SARS-CoV-2

Beyond the morbidity and mortality associated with the pandemic, COVID-19 has paralyzed the global economy.

7 Dec 2020

Molecular simulations reveal that remdesivir targets two SARS-CoV-2 enzymes

Remdesivir has been shown to target both RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and main protease of SARS-CoV-2 – resulting in a ‘double whammy’ effect.

7 Dec 2020

Associations between vaping and COVID-19: cross-sectional findings from the HEBECO study

Even though tobacco smoking is harmful to the lungs, some research suggests that smokers may be at reduced risk of COVID-19 infection.

7 Dec 2020

Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 proteome in 3D during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic

In a recent study, researchers report how the SARS-CoV-2 proteome in 3D has evolved during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

7 Dec 2020

High-performance ELISA for serology in mild-moderate non-hospitalized COVID-19

A new study describes an ELISA assay that combines the detection of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies against the SARS−CoV−2 trimeric spike glycoprotein.

7 Dec 2020

Failure to comply with COVID-19 containment measures penalizes the compliant as well

The COVID-19 pandemic is now in its second wave and deaths are surpassing the spring peak as winter sets in over much of the northern hemisphere.

7 Dec 2020

Topoisomerase 1 inhibition prevents SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation and death in animal models

A new study indicates that the topoisomerase 1 (Top1) is intimately related to the lethal inflammation associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large proportion of cases.

7 Dec 2020

Study finds binge drinking worsens with each week of lockdown

The results of a new study conducted during lockdown reveal that harmful drinking habits have increased during this time.

7 Dec 2020

Study shows how airflow inside a car may affect risk of COVID-19 transmission

If you find yourself in a car with someone outside your household during the COVID-19 pandemic, your instinct may be to roll down your window, whether you're the driver or a back-seat passenger.

7 Dec 2020

Study offers suggestions for reducing risk of COVID-19 transmission in car's ventilation system

A new study of airflow patterns inside a car's passenger cabin offers some suggestions for potentially reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission while sharing rides with others.

7 Dec 2020

Immunity passports may be valid based on how they are used, says UPV/EHU expert

According to the Chair in Law and the Human Genome at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), immunity passports may be valid, depending on how they are used.

6 Dec 2020

COVID-19 pandemic underscores racial inequalities in US: a Michigan case study

A team of researchers has explored how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately affected Black Americans.

6 Dec 2020

Crucial monitoring tools effective for assessment of patients with COVID-19

A combined research team from the Universities of Portsmouth and Bournemouth and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has shown that an assessment score used to measure a patient's severity of illness can be applied to patients with Covid-19 without modification.

5 Dec 2020

New study examines the increase in virtual doctor visits

When the COVID-19 lockdowns began in mid-March 2020, hospitals and clinics faced a new challenge: How could they continue to provide care to those who could not leave their homes?

5 Dec 2020

CRISPR-based test could provide rapid, low-cost testing to help control COVID-19 spread

Imagine swabbing your nostrils, putting the swab in a device, and getting a read-out on your phone in 15 to 30 minutes that tells you if you are infected with the COVID-19 virus.

5 Dec 2020

Researchers shed light on the role of antibodies and immune cells in protection against COVID-19

Since the novel coronavirus emerged at the end of last year, scientists around the world -- including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) immunologist Dan Barouch, MD, PhD -- have been developing vaccines to protect against COVID-19 and to put an end to the global pandemic.

5 Dec 2020

Biological diversity increases life satisfaction

Under the current pandemic conditions, activities out in nature are a popular pastime. The beneficial effects of a diverse nature on people's mental health have already been documented by studies on a smaller scale.

5 Dec 2020

COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decrease in hospital-wide HCV testing

New research from Boston Medical Center finds that the COVID-19 emergency systemic changes made to decrease in-person visits during the pandemic have led to a decrease in hospital-wide Hepatitis C (HCV) testing by 50 percent, and a reduction in new HCV diagnoses by more than 60 percent.

4 Dec 2020

Women with PTSD and depression have greater risk of early death

Women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have an almost fourfold greater risk of early death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, accidents, suicide, and other causes than women without trauma exposure or depression, according to a large long-term study conducted by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

4 Dec 2020