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SARS-CoV-2 unique deletion variants found in clinical specimens

While participating in the SPHERES Consortium project, US researchers sequenced 2,726 clinical patient specimens gathered in March 2020 and identified eight unique ORF7a deletion variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Their results are currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

15 Dec 2020

Reports of drinking bleach to prevent COVID-19 skewed by "problematic" claims

Researchers in the United States have conducted studies suggesting that reports of people ingesting household cleaning agents as a way of protecting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are skewed by "problematic" responses to surveys.

15 Dec 2020

AI-based study of social media maps SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy across the US

Researchers from the University of Rochester, USA, has produced an AI-based study that analyzes the social media platform Twitter to gauge public opinions in the US surrounding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to shed greater light on this issue.

15 Dec 2020

Could wastewater surveillance help track SARS-COV-2 community outbreaks?

A team of US-based researchers recently conducted an illuminating study that explores this method and its potential uses. In doing so, they have underscored the potential utility of wastewater surveillance in managing SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.

15 Dec 2020

Study finds gaps in opioid use disorder treatment during COVID shutdowns

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to the doctor declined dramatically. One group of patients that appears to have weathered this trend are those who were already being treated for opioid use disorder.

15 Dec 2020

FDA issues emergency use authorization for first fully at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic test

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first over-the-counter (OTC) fully at-home diagnostic test for COVID-19.

15 Dec 2020

Trump’s wrong. 15% ‘herd immunity’ is not on par with strength of a vaccine

During a Dec. 8 press conference about Operation Warp Speed, President Donald Trump likened the spread of the coronavirus throughout the population — which experts agree bestows some immunity on the people who became ill — to having a COVID-19 vaccine.

15 Dec 2020

Hazardous chemicals in plastics threaten human health

Plastics contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that threaten human health.

15 Dec 2020

Electrical impulses may help reduce the complications of arterial hypertension

Electrical impulses applied to a particular branch of the vagus nerve could be used in the future to reduce complications of arterial hypertension.

15 Dec 2020

Researchers use HACCP framework to assess COVID-19 transmission risks in universities

Using the Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) framework, researchers assessed the risk and mitigation strategies for universities with students returning to campus. The methodology allowed a rapid response to curb disease transmission with continuing education.

15 Dec 2020

Structural inequalities in Brazil linked to higher COVID-19-related mortality in low-income areas

A team of researchers aimed to determine the differential health effects of COVID-19 on disadvantaged population groups. They found that low-income and Black and Pardo communities in the country are more likely to die from COVID-19.

15 Dec 2020

Pediatricians want kids to be part of COVID vaccine trials

If clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines aren't expanded soon to include children, it's unlikely that even kids in their teens will be vaccinated in time for the next school year.

15 Dec 2020

High-poverty neighborhoods bear the brunt of COVID’s scourge

Over the course of the pandemic, COVID-19 infections have battered high-poverty neighborhoods in California on a staggeringly different scale than more affluent areas, a trend that underscores the heightened risks for low-wage workers as the state endures a deadly late-autumn surge.

15 Dec 2020

Not all masks protect the same: Research suggests no mask better than an old mask

In a new study, a team of scientists explains how not all masks protect the same from COVID-19 transmission.

15 Dec 2020

Study: Structural racism has material impact on health of ethnic minorities, immigrants

Structural racism can lead to discrimination in many aspects of life including criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, political power, and education.

15 Dec 2020

Pandemic backlash jeopardizes public health powers, leaders

A series examining how the U.S. public health front lines have been left understaffed and ill-prepared to save us from the coronavirus pandemic.

15 Dec 2020

Study: Flavoring chemicals of e-cigarette vapor alone can measurably damage the lungs

Known for their appetizing flavors, such as bubblegum, banana and strawberry, e-cigarettes continue to grow in popularity around the world. Promoted by makers as a "healthy" alternative to regular tobacco cigarettes, researchers are finding e-cigarettes, or vaping, still result in injury to the lungs.

15 Dec 2020

Republicans are less likely to follow social distancing guidelines that prevent COVID- 19 transmission

Young Californians who identify themselves as Republicans are less likely to follow social distancing guidelines that prevent coronavirus transmission than those who identify as Democrats or Independents, according to a new USC study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine.

15 Dec 2020

FDA approves first IGA in GalSafe pigs for human food, promising therapeutic uses

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a first-of-its-kind intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in a line of domestic pigs, referred to as GalSafe pigs, which may be used for food or human therapeutics.

15 Dec 2020

Study reveals onchocerciasis can be eliminated by adapting new measures and tools

A report on onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness) shows continued global progress towards achieving interruption of transmission of the disease.

15 Dec 2020

Public Health News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 unique deletion variants found in clinical specimens

Reports of drinking bleach to prevent COVID-19 skewed by "problematic" claims

AI-based study of social media maps SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy across the US

Could wastewater surveillance help track SARS-COV-2 community outbreaks?

Study finds gaps in opioid use disorder treatment during COVID shutdowns

FDA issues emergency use authorization for first fully at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic test

Trump’s wrong. 15% ‘herd immunity’ is not on par with strength of a vaccine

Hazardous chemicals in plastics threaten human health

Electrical impulses may help reduce the complications of arterial hypertension

Researchers use HACCP framework to assess COVID-19 transmission risks in universities

Structural inequalities in Brazil linked to higher COVID-19-related mortality in low-income areas

Pediatricians want kids to be part of COVID vaccine trials

High-poverty neighborhoods bear the brunt of COVID’s scourge

Not all masks protect the same: Research suggests no mask better than an old mask

Study: Structural racism has material impact on health of ethnic minorities, immigrants

Pandemic backlash jeopardizes public health powers, leaders

Study: Flavoring chemicals of e-cigarette vapor alone can measurably damage the lungs

Republicans are less likely to follow social distancing guidelines that prevent COVID- 19 transmission

FDA approves first IGA in GalSafe pigs for human food, promising therapeutic uses

Study reveals onchocerciasis can be eliminated by adapting new measures and tools

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