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.

Research suggests toothpaste and mouthwash ingredients could help prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection

Now, new research published on the bioRxiv preprint server focuses on the effect of some typical ingredients present in commercially available mouthwashes and toothpaste on the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.

24 Mar 2021

Glycans play a key role in COVID-19 infection, shows study

A research group at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) has found that glycans—sugar molecules—play an important role in the structural changes that take place when the virus which causes COVID-19 invades human cells.

24 Mar 2021

COVID-19 sets back TB progress by a decade, shows WHO report

More than half a million people may have died last year as a result of reductions in TB diagnosis and care, setting back progress towards ending the disease by a decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

24 Mar 2021

Pandemic fear is killing patients suffering from other serious diseases

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joseph S. Alpert, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Medicine, published by Elsevier, has observed that although non-COVID inpatients suffered from the usual mix of conditions such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, the Internal Medicine inpatient population was distinctly different from what he had seen over the past decades.

24 Mar 2021

New guidance can help identify communities at highest risk of tuberculosis

An estimated 1.4 million fewer people received care for tuberculosis (TB) in 2020 than in 2019, according to preliminary data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) from over 80 countries- a reduction of 21% from 2019.

24 Mar 2021

New campaign launched to ensure safe, healthy streets for vulnerable people

Low speed streets save lives and are the heart of any community. 30 km/h (20 mph) speed limits where people and traffic mix make for streets that are safe, healthy, green and liveable, in other words, streets for life.

24 Mar 2021

Potent nanobody binds SARS-CoV-2 spike in an extraordinary manner

In a new study, published recently on the bioRxiv preprint server, researchers isolated a nanobody that potently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, including the B.1.351 variant, and cross-neutralizes SARS-CoV. They demonstrated the therapeutic potential of the nanobody in a human ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme) transgenic mouse model.

24 Mar 2021

People who received flu shot last season had fewer complication of COVID-19

People who received a flu shot last flu season were significantly less likely to test positive for a COVID-19 infection when the pandemic hit, according to a new study.

23 Mar 2021

CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine protects mice against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

The CVnCoV mRNA vaccine showed neutralizing antibody levels and completely protected mice infected with the B.1.351 variant. No viral genomes were seen in oral swabs, lungs, or brain.

23 Mar 2021

Survey findings reveals persistence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Daily national surveys by Carnegie Mellon University show that while COVID-19 vaccine uptake has increased, the proportion of vaccine-hesitant adults has remained unchanged. The concerns about a side effect remain high, especially among females, Black adults and those with an eligible health condition.

23 Mar 2021

Study shows single dose of mRNA vaccine may suffice for those with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

A recent study by researchers from Philadelphia, currently available on the medRxiv preprint server, shows that individuals with prior infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibit substantial immune memory and develop a robust response to the first dose of an mRNA vaccine.

23 Mar 2021

New guidelines outline key new actions to improve delivery of HIV testing, treatment and care

These guidelines provide new and updated recommendations on the use of point-of-care testing in children under 18 months of age and point-of-care tests to monitor treatment in people living with HIV; the treatment monitoring algorithm; and timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV who are being treated for tuberculosis.

23 Mar 2021

COVID-19 prevention strategies may have led to a decrease in common respiratory infections

Wearing masks and physical distancing - two key infection prevention strategies implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19 - may have led to the dramatic decrease in rates of common respiratory viral infections, such as influenza.

23 Mar 2021

Computational analysis reveals why new SARS-CoV-2 variants bind better to human cells

All viruses mutate as they make copies of themselves to spread and thrive. SARS-CoV-2, the virus the causes COVID-19, is proving to be no different. There are currently more than 4,000 variants of COVID-19, which has already killed more than 2.7 million people worldwide during the pandemic.

23 Mar 2021

Online mindfulness practices may alleviate fear, anxiety and stress associated with COVID-19

The fear, anxiety and stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on mental health. But a new study suggests these symptoms may be alleviated through safe and convenient online mindfulness practices.

23 Mar 2021

Study examines the impact of dental coverage offered through Michigan’s Medicaid expansion

As the pandemic's economic effects drive more people to enroll in Medicaid as safety-net health insurance, a new study suggests that the program's dental coverage can improve their oral health in ways that help them seek a new job or do better at the one they have.

23 Mar 2021

New 'care bundle' can reduce PPE-related facial injuries in frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers

A study has found that a new 'care bundle' can reduce the incidence of facial pressure injuries in frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers caused by the prolonged wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

23 Mar 2021

Correlation of antibody titers with COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

In a new study the relationship between virus-neutralizing antibody and spike protein-binding IgG antibody levels is explored following vaccination by one of seven currently deployed vaccines. The findings support the use of antibody titers as correlates of protection for COVID-19 vaccines.

23 Mar 2021

Immunoassay heterogeneity and implications for SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance

In a recent study, scientists have quantified anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels up to 9 months after infection.

23 Mar 2021

Socioeconomic deprivation linked to large proportion of dementia deaths in England, Wales

A large proportion of dementia deaths in England and Wales may be due to socioeconomic deprivation, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London.

23 Mar 2021

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

Research suggests toothpaste and mouthwash ingredients could help prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection

Glycans play a key role in COVID-19 infection, shows study

COVID-19 sets back TB progress by a decade, shows WHO report

Pandemic fear is killing patients suffering from other serious diseases

New guidance can help identify communities at highest risk of tuberculosis

New campaign launched to ensure safe, healthy streets for vulnerable people

Potent nanobody binds SARS-CoV-2 spike in an extraordinary manner

People who received flu shot last season had fewer complication of COVID-19

CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine protects mice against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

Survey findings reveals persistence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Study shows single dose of mRNA vaccine may suffice for those with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

New guidelines outline key new actions to improve delivery of HIV testing, treatment and care

COVID-19 prevention strategies may have led to a decrease in common respiratory infections

Computational analysis reveals why new SARS-CoV-2 variants bind better to human cells

Online mindfulness practices may alleviate fear, anxiety and stress associated with COVID-19

Study examines the impact of dental coverage offered through Michigan’s Medicaid expansion

New 'care bundle' can reduce PPE-related facial injuries in frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers

Correlation of antibody titers with COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Immunoassay heterogeneity and implications for SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance

Socioeconomic deprivation linked to large proportion of dementia deaths in England, Wales

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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