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.

Respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 decrease in the U.S., CDC report

In the report, published on Sept. 18, the CDC shows that indicators tracking COVID-19 activity continued to decline or remain stable. Still, two regions say a slight increase in the percentage of specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Meanwhile, four regions reported a slight increase in the percent of outpatient or emergency department visits for influenza-like illness (ILI).

22 Sep 2020

Over 20% of Americans suffer from food shortage, study reveals

More than 18 percent of U.S. adults do not know whether they will have enough to eat from day to day, and the numbers are worse for Hispanics, Blacks, people with obesity, and women, a new report shows

22 Sep 2020

Discovering a molecule that could interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Stepan Nersisyan about his discovery of a molecule that could replicate SARS-CoV-2.

22 Sep 2020

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 with antisense oligonucleotides

A part of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA is highly conserved. Researchers have used this as a target for designing antisense oligonucleotide gapmers to cleave the RNA and disrupt virus replication. Their research is published as a preprint on the online server bioRxiv in September 2020.

22 Sep 2020

Fertility treatment suspensions during COVID-19 has a negative impact on mental health

The suspension of fertility treatments due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a variety of psychological impacts on women whose treatments were cancelled, but there are several protective factors that can be fostered to help in the future, according to a new study by Jennifer Gordon and Ashley Balsom of University of Regina, Canada, published 18 September in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

22 Sep 2020

Children are disproportionally harmed by precautions involved with lockdowns, say experts

Children, who appear at a relatively lower risk from COVID-19, are disproportionally harmed by precautions involved with lockdowns, say Matthew Snape and Russell Viner in a Perspective.

22 Sep 2020

Study: AI can accelerate the development of 3D-printed bioscaffolds that help heal injuries

A dose of artificial intelligence can speed the development of 3D-printed bioscaffolds that help injuries heal, according to researchers at Rice University.

22 Sep 2020

BCG vaccine may offer protection against COVID-19, shows study

While scientists race to develop and test a vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, recent studies have indicated that countries with widespread BCG vaccination appear to be weathering the pandemic better than their counterparts.

22 Sep 2020

New data shows alarming surge in opioid-related overdoses during COVID-19

In a paper published Friday by the Journal of the American Medical Association, Virginia Commonwealth University researchers released data showing an alarming surge in opioid-related overdoses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Sep 2020

COVID-19 poses a unique threat during hurricane evacuations

The 2020 hurricane season is breaking records with 23 named storms, and more are projected to develop over the next few weeks.

22 Sep 2020

In spite of reduced emissions, atmospheric CO2 levels have not changed

Based on current data measured in the energy, industry, and mobility sectors, restrictions of social life during the corona pandemic can be predicted to lead to a reduction of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions by up to eight percent in 2020.

22 Sep 2020

Expanded screening of asymptomatic people could reduce COVID-19 infections and deaths

New research suggests when the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing, low-cost, recurring screening of asymptomatic people - at an expense of approximately $3 or less per test every two weeks - could decrease COVID-19 infections and deaths and be cost-effective.

22 Sep 2020

Belief in pandemic conspiracy theories is an obstacle to minimize the spread of COVID-19

Belief in conspiracy theories about the coronavirus pandemic is not only persistent but also is associated with reluctance to accept a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available and to engage in behaviors such as mask-wearing that can prevent its spread, according to researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

22 Sep 2020

Exploring how COVID-19 pandemic trajectory might unfold in the future

Researchers who adapted standard epidemiological models to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic trajectory might unfold in the next five years report diverse scenarios ranging from recurring severe epidemics to elimination.

22 Sep 2020

Strength, duration of immunity will shape the future trajectory of COVID-19

New research suggests that the impact of natural and vaccine-induced immunity will be key factors in shaping the future trajectory of the global coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19.

21 Sep 2020

People with severe dementia are unaware of COVID-19 outbreak, indicates study

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially affected patients with dementia and their caregivers.

21 Sep 2020

COVID-19 mitigation efforts significantly decrease influenza activity

The mitigation strategies implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 appears to reduce the transmission of influenza in the United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa. These strategies may augment influenza vaccines, especially for high-risk populations during the seasonal influenza transmission.

21 Sep 2020

Screening university students could reduce community COVID-19 burden

Researchers in Canada and the United States report that screening students for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as universities re-open this fall could reduce the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the broader community.

21 Sep 2020

COVID-19 lockdown measures reduced air pollution in Southeast Asia

In an attempt to contain the spread of the disease, many countries worldwide, including Malaysia and other Southeast Asian (SEA) countries, have enforced lockdowns of varying degrees, which has inadvertently caused some positive changes to the environment.

21 Sep 2020

Bioarchaeology research shows how infectious diseases may have spread 4000 years ago

New bioarchaeology research from a University of Otago PhD candidate has shown how infectious diseases may have spread 4000 years ago, while highlighting the dangers of letting such diseases run rife.

21 Sep 2020