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COVID-19 - England's lockdown vs. Sweden's herd immunity

A recent study published on the preprint server medRxiv in August 2020 shows that lockdown is an effective way to reduce the extent and speed of infections in a country.

17 Aug 2020

Remains of 17th century Bishop provide insights into the origins of tuberculosis

Bishop Peder Winstrup of Lund, Sweden passed away in the winter of 1679 at the age of 74 and was interred in a crypt at Lund Cathedral.

15 Aug 2020

COVID-19 virus acts as a 'sponge' to deplete specific host microRNAs

Why is the COVID-19 virus deadly, while many other coronaviruses are fairly innocuous and just cause colds?

15 Aug 2020

COVID-19 pandemic as severe as 1918 influenza pandemic

A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open reveals that the excess death toll observed during the initial period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City is comparable to that observed during the peak of the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 1918.

14 Aug 2020

TGen review: Postmenopausal women at higher risk for developing NALFD

A review article authored by a researcher at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, an affiliate of City of Hope, suggests that following menopause, women are at higher risk for developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a chronic condition caused by the build-up of excess fat in the liver not caused by alcohol.

14 Aug 2020

Cardiovascular risk factors may impact COVID-19 outcomes

COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular comorbidities or risk factors are more likely to develop cardiovascular complications while hospitalized, and more likely to die from COVID-19 infection, according to a new study published August 14, 2020 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jolanda Sabatino of Universita degli Studi Magna Graecia di Catanzaro, Italy, and colleagues.

14 Aug 2020

Preliminary Mayo Clinic results from convalescent plasma in 35,322 patients

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in August 2020 reports the preliminary results of the US Expanded Access Program (EAP) for CP. The EAP aimed to facilitate access to CP as well as to evaluate the safety of this therapy. However, the current study reports the results of an initial assessment of this agent.

14 Aug 2020

Radiation therapy delay for prostate cancer patients offers room for flexibility during the pandemic

For cancer patients receiving radiation treatment during a surge in COVID-19 cases, adhering to the stay-at-home orders of quarantine is not always an option.

13 Aug 2020

Critical questions remain about the role of microplastics in carrying pathogens

Key knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of how ocean microplastics transport bacteria and viruses - and whether this affects the health of humans and animals, researchers say.

13 Aug 2020

Study uses a statistical approach to reveal patterns of cancer incidence

QUT researchers have used nationwide cancer mapping statistics to develop a new mathematical model so health professionals can further question patterns relating to the disease.

13 Aug 2020

JAK inhibitors or type I interferon shown to reduce mortality in COVID-19

Now, a new study by researchers at Yale University and published on the preprint server medRxiv in August 2020 reports that the use of two drug categories, namely, JAK inhibitors and Type I interferons (IFNs), is associated with a dramatic improvement in mortality in COVID-19.

13 Aug 2020

Obese pregnant women have greater risk of early and late-onset hypertensive disorders

Pregnant obese women were more at risk of experiencing early and late-onset hypertensive disorders, and that risk progressively increased in women with higher body mass indexes (BMI), according to a study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

13 Aug 2020

Diversions in malaria prevention efforts during the pandemic may cost thousands of lives

As COVID-19 threatens to derail more than a decade’s worth of hard-won gains in the fight against malaria, Dr Benjamin Pretorius, managing director at ERADA Technology Alliance, warns that diversions of malaria resources and interruptions to prevention programmes may cost thousands of lives.

13 Aug 2020

Study: Screening women aged 40-49 reduces breast cancer mortality

Breast screening women aged 40-49 reduces breast cancer mortality, with minimal increased overdiagnosis, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London that looked at data from 160,000 women.

13 Aug 2020

Cardiovascular disease in COVID-19

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a primarily respiratory illness, manifesting with severe hypoxia and often progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. However, it is also known to be linked to a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) manifestations that are associated with a very poor prognosis.

13 Aug 2020

SARS-CoV-2 viral load predicts risk of death

As the coronavirus pandemic evolved, there have been many developments in testing for the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in patients. Now, a team of researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, has found that the SARS-CoV-2 viral load can predict mortality in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

13 Aug 2020

Mental stress and anger may worsen heart failure

Mental stress and anger may have clinical implications for patients with heart failure according to a new report published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.

12 Aug 2020

Study reveals the link between air pollution and COVID-19 death rate in England

A study by researchers from the Imperial College London provides specific evidence of an association between averaged exposure during 2014-2018 to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and COVID-19 mortality, while the role of atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) remains much more controversial. The paper is currently available on the medRxiv preprint server.

12 Aug 2020

UH researcher receives $2.2 million NIH grant to prevent obesity-induced cardiovascular diseases

In the early stages of obesity, endothelial cells - located in the inner layer of the arteries - become dysfunctional and lose their normal protective abilities.

12 Aug 2020

Study of 300 COVID-19 patients shows efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy

A preliminary analysis of an ongoing study of more than 300 COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma therapy at Houston Methodist suggests the treatment is safe and effective.

12 Aug 2020