Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Feature Writer

B.Sc. Integrative Neuroscience, M.Sc. Psychology

Jocelyn Solis-Moreira graduated with a Bachelor's in Integrative Neuroscience, where she then pursued graduate research looking at the long-term effects of adolescent binge drinking on the brain's neurochemistry in adulthood. She is adept at translating and summarizing complex study findings in all medical fields with a particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer research, infectious diseases, and public health. As a freelance writer, her work spans from news articles and feature articles to evergreen explainers across many publications. Her overall goal is to make science accessible for all.

Articles from Jocelyn

MRI study suggests link between SARS-CoV-2 and brain lesions in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia

New research suggests pneumonia in COVID-19 patients is linked to viral-induced changes in the brain. MRI scans revealed 57.9% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients had recent brain lesions.

20 Oct 2021

Waning COVID vaccine efficacy especially against reinfection

A new study in American veterans posted to the medRxiv* preprint server suggests severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are less effective in preventing infection after six months. The decline was most significant with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with vaccine effectiveness plummeting from 88% to 3%.

19 Oct 2021

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected in breast milk of vaccinated mothers

Now, a new medRxiv* preprint study finds mothers vaccinated either one of the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines transferred neutralizing antibodies and cytokines, including interferon-gamma (IFNγ), to a breastfeeding child. Additionally, the humoral response in breastmilk was effective in neutralizing four variants of concern.

18 Oct 2021

Mix-and-match booster shots beneficial in boosting SARS-CoV-2 immunity

Should you get a second dose of the same vaccine if you’ve received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot? According to new clinical trial results published on the preprint medRxiv* server, a booster shot of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine may increase your chances of neutralizing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

17 Oct 2021

Researchers identify common side effects of three COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best tool in the pandemic toolbox against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). But they are not perfect; reports have surfaced of mild to severe side effects after vaccination. A new study from researchers in the Lampe & Company GmbH & Co. KG compared the severity of adverse events from each coronavirus vaccine.

17 Oct 2021

Anti-rheumatic drug as a potential candidate for treating COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) produces inflammatory cytokine storms. But an FDA-approved anti-rheumatic drug, Auranofin, used to treat autoimmune and infectious diseases, may also help serve as an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 infection.

13 Oct 2021

New study finds SARS-CoV-2 causes retinal infection

Can coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affect the eye? New research suggests the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can enter the eye and infect photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cells. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection increases the expression of several inflammatory genes, including the cytokine interleukin 33 (IL33), which is linked to COVID-19 disease and retinal degeneration.

13 Oct 2021

Novel vaccine demonstrates high efficacy for prevention of COVID-19

The clinical trial studied the efficacy of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, and found it highly effective in preventing mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 after full vaccination.

12 Oct 2021

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in New York state

A new preprint assessed vaccine effectiveness in 8.8 million people in New York six months after vaccination.

12 Oct 2021

Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant does not make kids sicker than Alpha, study finds

Children are not at risk for more severe COVID-19 disease with Delta compared to earlier severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, finds a new medRxiv* preprint study. In the first large-scale epidemiological study comparing SARS-CoV-2 infection between variants in children, researchers found children were more likely to be as sick from Delta as they would be if they were infected with the Alpha variant.

11 Oct 2021