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.

New vaccine candidate shows promise for protecting against Lassa fever

Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Maryland Baltimore, in collaboration with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and the Geneva Foundation, have developed a promising new vaccine candidate that protects against Lassa fever.

12 Sep 2024

High-dose amphetamine use linked to increased risk of psychosis or mania

Prescribing rates for stimulants that treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have increased significantly over the past decade, with some of the largest increases reported during the COVID-19 pandemic.

12 Sep 2024

Pet ownership did not improve mental health symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers assess the relationship between pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health outcomes.

12 Sep 2024

COVID-19 reduces male fertility by affecting semen quality and hormone levels

Study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 significantly impairs male fertility by reducing semen quality and altering reproductive hormone levels, with partial recovery post-treatment.

11 Sep 2024

Long radiotherapy course shows better organ preservation in rectal cancer

The COVID-19 pandemic has enabled researchers to show that a long course of radiotherapy given before surgery may be a better treatment for avoiding surgery, preserving the rectum and anus, and preventing regrowth of the primary tumor than a short course of radiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer – a type of bowel cancer.

11 Sep 2024

New algorithm unveils key genetic mutations across multiple cancers

A computer algorithm can efficiently find genetic mutations that work together to drive cancer as well as other important genetic clues that researchers might someday use to develop new treatments for a variety of cancers.

11 Sep 2024

Stress-induced changes in sperm motility occur after a stressful event, study shows

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveals that stress-induced changes in sperm motility occur after a stressful event, rather than during it and improves sperm performance.

11 Sep 2024

Fearing the worst, schools deploy armed police to thwart gun violence

A false alarm that a gunman was roaming one Catholic high school and then another in March 2023 touched off frightening evacuations and a robust police response in the city. It also prompted the diocese to rethink what constitutes a model learning environment.

11 Sep 2024

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine linked to myocardial scarring in adolescents and young adults

The study investigates COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis in adolescents, revealing clinical characteristics and risks of myocardial injury in young adults.

11 Sep 2024

Obesity increases risk of contracting COVID-19 after exposure to SARS-CoV-2

Researchers reveal that obesity also increases the risk of contracting COVID-19 following exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

11 Sep 2024

COVID-19 lockdowns accelerated brain aging in adolescent girls, researchers find

Researchers discovered that COVID-19 lockdowns accelerated cortical thinning in adolescent brains, with females experiencing more significant and widespread changes than males, indicating a higher developmental impact on female brains.

10 Sep 2024

US uninsured rate was stable in 2023, even as states’ Medicaid purge began

The proportion of Americans without health insurance remained stable in 2023, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday, close to the record low the Biden administration achieved in 2022 through expansions of public programs, including the Affordable Care Act.

10 Sep 2024

New screening tool assesses digital health readiness in diverse patient populations

In a new study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a novel screening tool to measure digital health readiness, which will be critical in addressing barriers to telehealth adoption among diverse patient populations.

10 Sep 2024

Study reveals population-wide immune setpoint for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in the Dominican Republic converge to a population-wide immune setpoint, regardless of individual vaccination or infection history.

10 Sep 2024

Pandemic stress drove young adults to turn to cannabis

Study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced increased cannabis use among young adults, highlighting key gender differences in coping mechanisms.

9 Sep 2024

Cell-free RNA analysis enhances early detection of pediatric inflammatory conditions

RNA is expelled from cells via cell death or active release, and can then find its way into blood plasma. A Cornell University-led collaboration has developed machine learning models that use these cell-free molecular RNA dregs to diagnose pediatric inflammatory conditions that are difficult to differentiate.

9 Sep 2024