The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Sociodemographic factors associated with a positive test for COVID-19 in primary care

Deprivation, living in a densely populated area, ethnicity, and chronic kidney disease associated with a positive test for COVID-19 in primary care Previous studies have focused on the risk of severe COVID-19 in hospital cases; this new study identifies risk factors for testing positive for COVID-19 using electronic health record data from GP practices Older…

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Impacts of different social distancing interventions detectable two weeks later, shows German modeling study

In Germany, growth of COVID-19 cases declined after a series of three social distancing interventions, detectable at a two-week delay following each intervention, but only after the third- a far-reaching contact ban – did cases decline significantly. These results – from a modeling study designed to better estimate the impact of various levels of social…

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If used with caution, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays can guide reintroduction of workforce

With several high-quality serological assays for SARS-CoV-2 now available, the key challenge in using them to help people return to “normal life,” write Florian Krammer and Viviana Simon in this Perspective, will be to apply them in a strategic manner – one that considers their unique sensitivity and specificity levels, acknowledges the questions they don’t…

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Viral infection: Early indicators of vaccine efficacy

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich researchers have shown that a specific class of immune cells in the blood induced by vaccination is an earlier indicator of vaccine efficacy than conventional tests for neutralizing antibodies. The current coronavirus pandemic, together with episodic outbreaks of infections caused by other pathogenic viruses, represent a growing threat to societies around…

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How do plants forget?

The study now published in Nature Cell Biology reveals more information on the capacity of plants, identified as ‘epigenetic memory,’ which allows recording important information to, for example, remember prolonged cold in the winter to ensure they flower at the right time during the spring. As soon as they produce seeds, this information is “erased”…

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Blood clotting abnormalities reveal COVID-19 patients at risk for thrombotic events

CHICAGO (May 15, 2020): When researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, used a combination of two specific blood-clotting tests, they found critically ill patients infected with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were at high risk for developing renal failure, venous blood clots, and other complications associated with blood clots, such as…

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Damon Runyon announces recipients of Physician-Scientist Training Award

New York, NY (May 15, 2020) The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named five physicians with novel approaches to fighting cancer as Damon Runyon Physician-Scientists. A scientific committee comprised of leading cancer researchers who are physician-scientists themselves has selected the awardees through a highly competitive and rigorous process. Recipients of this award are brilliant…

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COVID-19 trial finder provides simplified search process for COVID-related clinical trials

Researchers at Columbia University have developed COVID-19 Trial Finder, a simplified method for patients, clinicians and healthy volunteers to search for appropriate COVID-related clinical trials in their general location. This system also allows potential candidates to pre-screen their eligibility for such trials through a set of short medical questions. There are currently more than 1500…

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Indigenous protection

The global reach of COVID-19 is unquestionable. Every day, news reports highlight the disease’s increasing toll on countries and major cities around the world. However, little attention is paid to indigenous populations worldwide who may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19 but are largely excluded from most national or regional efforts to curb the spread of…

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