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.

The comparative effectiveness of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

A study investigated the comparative efficacy of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

13 Sep 2021

An oral COVID-19 vaccine induces mucosal and protective immunity

Researchers have collaborated to resolve the aforementioned problems associated with injection vaccines to create a thermostable vaccine that can be taken orally.

13 Sep 2021

Health care unions defending Newsom from recall will want single-payer payback

Should Gavin Newsom survive the Republican-driven attempt to oust him from office, the Democratic governor will face the prospect of paying back supporters who coalesced behind him.

13 Sep 2021

The rate of vaccine-induced heart inflammation in children

In a paper uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv*, a risk-benefit analysis was undertaken utilizing data collected from VAERS relating to adolescents having received an mRNA vaccine before June 18th 2021.

13 Sep 2021

Australia's response to COVID-19 pandemic

In a recent paper, Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is described, identifying the factors that contributed most to the countries success.

13 Sep 2021

Discovery of diverse sarbecovirus broadly neutralizing antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 “infected-vaccinated” humans

Scientists were inspired by the robust serum nAb responses in people who recovered from natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and were later vaccinated using mRNA vaccine. They isolated and characterized bnAbs from two COVID-19 convalescent donors who were recently vaccinated. These isolated bnAbs were found to be highly potent against sarbecoviruses. This research is available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

13 Sep 2021

Research suggests current smokers not at excess risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Now, a new study published on the bioRxiv* preprint server investigates this relationship further and suggests that current smoking is not associated with a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

13 Sep 2021

As COVID restrictions were removed, Texas saw an increase in seasonal respiratory virus infections

Like many US states, Texas introduced many different measures to reduce the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as masking, social distancing, and the closure of public services and businesses likely to aid the spread of disease.

13 Sep 2021

Study examines a new form of crisis information exchange that has emerged during the pandemic

Crisis communications during a natural or man-made disaster often focus on sharing local information in a single geographic area.

13 Sep 2021

An investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infections among Australian passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship

The Diamond Princess Cruise ship left Yokohama (Japan) on 20 January 2020, for a fourteen-day tour with shore excursions in Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Unfortunately, one of the passengers who complained of mild dry cough was later confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive. In due course, 19% of the passengers were infected with the virus, and thirteen people died.

13 Sep 2021

Acid pH enhances SARS-CoV-2 infection by up-regulating ACE2 receptor

A new study published in the journal Frontiers of Medicine indicated that Barrett's esophagus (BE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may represent novel comorbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2 disease. A previous study had estimated that in the United States, 5.6% of adults have BE, a disease where esophageal squamous mucosa gets damaged by GERD.

12 Sep 2021

Researchers find a way to turn SARS-CoV-2’s virulence mechanism against itself

A recent study, currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, reveals that a specific region of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be targeted by antisense oligonucleotides to potently inhibit viral replication, and consequently the development of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

12 Sep 2021

Lessons from COVID-19 response during first three waves in New South Wales

Scientists from Australia have recently analyzed the public health measures adopted by the authorities during the three waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New South Wales, Australia.

12 Sep 2021

Scientists develop a novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 RBD-homodimer vaccine

A recent report published in the journal Cell Discovery has described the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subunit vaccine candidate. The vaccine induces robust immune responses in rodents and non-human primates and protects the animals against severe disease.

12 Sep 2021

COVID-19 vaccines effective at preventing hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalizations and emergency department visits caused by the Delta variant, according to data from a national study.

12 Sep 2021

BU researchers win NIH grant to examine the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation

The National Institutes of Health has awarded one-year supplemental grants totaling $1.67 million to five institutions, including Boston University School of Public Health, to explore potential links between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual changes.

12 Sep 2021

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

The comparative effectiveness of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

An oral COVID-19 vaccine induces mucosal and protective immunity

Health care unions defending Newsom from recall will want single-payer payback

The rate of vaccine-induced heart inflammation in children

Australia's response to COVID-19 pandemic

Discovery of diverse sarbecovirus broadly neutralizing antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 “infected-vaccinated” humans

Research suggests current smokers not at excess risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection

As COVID restrictions were removed, Texas saw an increase in seasonal respiratory virus infections

Study examines a new form of crisis information exchange that has emerged during the pandemic

An investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infections among Australian passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship

Acid pH enhances SARS-CoV-2 infection by up-regulating ACE2 receptor

Researchers find a way to turn SARS-CoV-2’s virulence mechanism against itself

Lessons from COVID-19 response during first three waves in New South Wales

Scientists develop a novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 RBD-homodimer vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines effective at preventing hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant

BU researchers win NIH grant to examine the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation

Demographic analysis of patients affected by COVID-19 in the USA

Survey: Nearly two-thirds of thoracic oncologists used telehealth for the first time during pandemic

Lung cancer patients report high anxiety levels and experience treatment delays due to the pandemic

Microscopy paired with AI leads to a fast, accurate, and cost-effective COVID-19 test

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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