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.

CZI commits $13.6 million for large-scale research collaboration on COVID-19

Today, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative committed $13.6 million to stand up a large-scale research collaboration between UC San Francisco, Stanford University, and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub that aims to better understand the spread of COVID-19 across the San Francisco Bay Area.

29 Apr 2020

Food crisis and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 in the hungriest countries

The number of people battling acute hunger and suffering from malnutrition is on the rise again. The upheaval set in motion by the COVID-19 pandemic may push even more families and communities into deeper distress.

29 Apr 2020

Further evidence 'pooling of samples' for SARS-CoV-2 helps boost testing capacity

One of the problems faced by health officials today is the vast number of asymptomatic carriers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as they can still transmit the virus. Therefore the testing of as many people as possible is crucial for immediate isolation of cases to prevent the virus from spreading further.

29 Apr 2020

Australian COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows protective response in pre-clinical trials

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, scientists race to develop a vaccine that can help contain the spread of the virus. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has so far infected more than 3.18 million people across the globe. Now, early tests of a potential coronavirus vaccine have shown promise in pre-clinical trials.

29 Apr 2020

Coronaviruses represent a source of pandemic viruses

In a new paper published on the preprint journal bioRxiv in April 2020, researcher T. Konishi argues that the coronavirus family is a constellation of pandemic pathogens, that includes the currently spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

29 Apr 2020

What is the incubation period of COVID-19?

Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for over four months the world over, the incubation period has not been reliably estimated. A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv reviews the various attempts made so far to arrive at a more accurate estimate.

29 Apr 2020

Low levels of vitamin D may be linked to severe COVID-19

A new observational study from the United States indicates that vitamin D insufficiency may play a significant role in the progression of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The research titled 'Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe COVID-19' is available on the preprint server medRxiv.Study shows that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to severe COVID-19

29 Apr 2020

ACE inhibitors appear to be safe and beneficial for COVID-19, say researchers

Researchers in India have conducted a meta-analysis investigating the effects of using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) on outcomes among patients with COVID-19.

29 Apr 2020

COVERED study aims to reduce risk of COVID-19 among emergency department staff

A $3.7 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been awarded to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA to study ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection among frontline health care workers in hospital emergency departments.

29 Apr 2020

Tobacco use may explain why more men die of coronavirus than women in Spain

Whether or not you are a smoker could condition how the coronavirus affects you. At least that is what numerous researchers are saying, insisting that tobacco use is to blame for the weakened cardiovascular systems which are at greatest risk from COVID-19.

29 Apr 2020

Yale researchers develop new model to track spread of COVID-19

Yale University researchers and colleagues in Hong Kong and China have developed an approach for rapidly tracking population flows that could help policymakers worldwide more effectively assess risk of disease spread and allocate limited resources as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

29 Apr 2020

Researchers develop a gentler and safer hair dye based on synthetic melanin

With the coronavirus pandemic temporarily shuttering hair salons, many clients are appreciating, and missing, the ability of hair dye to cover up grays or touch up roots.

29 Apr 2020

Researchers test existing anti-inflammatory drug in COVID-19 patients

An anti-inflammatory drug developed at Scripps Research 25 years ago is now being tested as a way to prevent acute respiratory distress in patients with COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

29 Apr 2020

COVID tests are free, except when they’re not

Even before a novel virus swept around the world, Anna Davis Abel wore a mask to protect herself from getting sick.

29 Apr 2020

The challenges of keeping young adults safe during the pandemic

Last month, after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered most of the state's residents to stay home, I found myself under virtual house arrest with an uncomfortably large number of Gen Zers.

29 Apr 2020

BIOTECON Diagnostics releases microproof SARS-CoV-2 Screening/Identification Kits

BIOTECON Diagnostics has developed and launched its own microproof SARS-CoV-2 Screening/Identification Kits, which are available immediately for purchase and can be distributed globally.

29 Apr 2020

Critical Care experts share roadmap for meeting challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic

Hospitals facing a growing population of COVID-19 cases need a coordinated approach with a multidisciplinary team to increase efficiency, conserve PPE and protect staff.

29 Apr 2020

UEA Health Sciences students and staff respond to the fight against COVID-19

Following a nationwide call for support for the NHS workforce, UEA students and staff have responded in their numbers, from undertaking placements to training former healthcare professionals who are re-joining the service at this time of national emergency.

29 Apr 2020

Tips to make safe transitions between nursing home and emergency departments during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted nursing home residents, and many have been hospitalized.

29 Apr 2020

Study examines temperature increases in U.S. counties and their impact on crop yield

The global pandemic has put a focus on essential workers, those we rely on for basic services. Workers who pick crops, from strawberries to apples to nuts, already face harsh conditions harvesting in fields during summer harvest months.

29 Apr 2020