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.

Topical antiseptic Acriflavine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses

A new study, published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, has reported the discovery of acriflavine (ACF), an effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. This drug is a mixture of trypaflavines (3,6-diamino-10-methylacridinium chloride and 3,6-diamino-3-methylacridinium chloride) and proflavine (3,6-diaminoacridine).

16 Jan 2022

Cannabidiol may improve innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study shows evidence that cannabidiol, an important active ingredient in the Cannabis sativa plant, can augment the antiviral innate immune response and prophylactically prime the innate antiviral response of cells – enabling in turn improved response against viruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

16 Jan 2022

UK donates COVID-19 vaccines to Uganda to help tackle the pandemic

Five million of these doses are being offered to the COVAX Facility to ensure equitable, global access to COVID-19 vaccines.

16 Jan 2022

UV-C light prevents airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers demonstrate that ultraviolet light-C (UV-C) effectively prevents airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

16 Jan 2022

Research shows fewer deaths related to COVID-19 in Cape Town during fourth wave

Researchers observe changes in COVID-19-related deaths during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

16 Jan 2022

Naïve T cells suggested as critical to low mortality of children with COVID-19

A new study discusses how naïve T cells may contribute to lower mortality rates seen in children with COVID-19.

14 Jan 2022

Exploring waning vaccine effectiveness over time

New research provides strong evidence against waning protection against symptomatic disease from both ChAdOx1-S and BNT162b2, but points out that protection against hospitalization and death remains at much higher levels for at least 20 weeks post-vaccination.

14 Jan 2022

How has COVID-19 Impacted our Economy?

In this interview, News-Medical talks to Professor Adam Rose and his research team about how direct behavioral responses to COVID-19 have impacted the US economy.

14 Jan 2022

Study shows possible reverse zoonoses of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals

A new study describes an instance of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in a puma during the first wave and three lions during the third wave in a private zoo in South Africa in at least three transmission events from their handlers.

14 Jan 2022

Synthetic antibody demonstrates Omicron detection along with all other variants of concern

MIP Diagnostics Ltd. has today announced that its synthetic SARS-CoV-2 antibody (COVID-19 nanoMIPTM) can detect the Omicron variant as well as previously proven Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma variants of the COVID-19 virus.

14 Jan 2022

BNT162b2 COVID vaccine 94% effective against adolescent hospitalization

A recent study revealed the effectiveness of 93% for the BNT162b2 vaccine against COVID-19 hospitalization among adolescents (12 to 18 years). This study included 179 patients at 19 sites in 16 states. The same group of researchers have extended their analysis to 31 locations in 23 states across the U.S. and recruited 266 more patients who had been hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

13 Jan 2022

Specific immunoresponse to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs housed with COVID-19 patients

Researchers conducted a detailed epitope mapping of Np and developed an experimental double antigen-based ELISA.

13 Jan 2022

Feeling low in social status linked to worse health outcomes for new mothers

When it comes to the link between socioeconomic status and health, perception can be as important as reality. A study published by the American Psychological Association finds that new mothers who see themselves as lower on the socioeconomic ladder have worse health outcomes one year after their child's birth than new mothers who see themselves as higher status.

13 Jan 2022

Insignificant homology of SARS-CoV-2 spike sequences to myocarditis-associated antigens

Researchers determine whether sequences within SARS-CoV-2 could lead to an immune response to autoantigens associated with autoimmune myocarditis.

13 Jan 2022

Hollow fiber membranes efficiently remove synthetic SARS-CoV-2 from the air

Researchers re-design HFM filters for removing/deactivating viral aerosols.

13 Jan 2022

Researchers identify gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19

An international metastudy led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection.

13 Jan 2022

Analysis of COVID vaccine breakthrough infections in highly vaccinated Israel

Researchers evaluated and modeled age-structured cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination coverage, and breakthrough infections.

13 Jan 2022

Government funding supports national effort to vaccinate vulnerable communities

Community Vaccine Champions from Bradford to Brighton will be tapping into their local networks and encouraging people in their community to come forward and get vaccinated.

13 Jan 2022

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Dealing with drug prices

Medicare officials have preliminarily decided to restrict reimbursement for Aduhelm, the controversial Alzheimer's drug, to only patients participating in approved clinical trials.

13 Jan 2022

Justices block broad worker vaccine requirement, allow health worker mandate to proceed

The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a key Biden administration covid-19 initiative — putting a stop, for now, to a rule requiring businesses with more than 100 workers to either mandate that employees be vaccinated against covid or wear masks and undergo weekly testing.

13 Jan 2022