COVID-19: Scientists identify human genes that fight infection

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified a set of human genes that fight SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus that causes COVID-19. Knowing which genes help control viral infection can greatly assist researchers’ understanding of factors that affect disease severity and also suggest possible therapeutic options. The genes in question are related to interferons, the body’s frontline virus fighters.

MAPPING COVID RISK IN URBAN AREAS: A WAY TO KEEP THE ECONOMY OPEN

As COVID-19 vaccines slowly roll out across the world, government officials in densely populated countries must still manage vulnerable communities at highest risk of an outbreak. In a new study published in the journal Risk Analysis, researchers in India propose a COVID Risk Assessment and Mapping (CRAM) framework that results in a zoned map that officials can use to place more targeted restrictions on high-risk communities. Successfully used by officials in Jaipur at the peak of the pandemic last spring, their framework could help other vulnerable countries avoid a shutdown of their regional economies.

More than 20% of Texans may have COVID-19 antibodies, serological assessment finds

Four months after launching the nation’s largest COVID-19 serological testing assessment, Texas CARES, researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) have compiled preliminary data estimating that 14% to 24% of Texans have COVID-19 antibodies.

Cancer Organizations Urge Priority Access to COVID-19 Vaccine for Cancer Patients, Survivors

130 cancer centers and other cancer organizations sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden, key members of his administration, and leading state public health officials to strongly encourage prioritizing patients with cancer and survivors of cancer when administering lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.

Study: Including Videos in College Teaching May Improve Student Learning

As higher education institutions worldwide transition to new methods of instruction, including the use of more pre-recorded videos, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many observers are concerned that student learning is suffering as a result. However, a new comprehensive review of research offers some positive news for college students. The authors found that, in many cases, replacing teaching methods with pre-recorded videos leads to small improvements in learning and that supplementing existing content with videos results in strong learning benefits.

Study: After COVID-19 Hit, Federal Financial Aid Applications Dropped Sharply among Potential First-Year Students

After the COVID-19 crisis hit last March, federal student aid applications among potential college freshmen in California dropped 14 percent between mid-March and mid-August, relative to prior years. While there were also initial declines in applications among current undergraduates and graduate students, these quickly recovered and ended 8 percent higher relative to prior years. The findings, published today in Educational Researcher, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Educational Research Association, are from the first academic study conducted on this topic.

AACI Partners With Federal Vaccine Panel to Promote Cancer Patient Health

AACI was invited last summer to join the Vaccine Consultation Panel (VCP) alongside other leading health and science organizations in the U.S. Through the VCP, AACI has received periodic updates on the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and participated in efforts to educate the cancer center community and the general public on the importance of widespread vaccine uptake.

UC San Diego Bolsters Aggressive Return to Learn Plan to Prevent Outbreaks on Campus

UC San Diego’s nationally recognized, evidence-based Return to Learn program employs a comprehensive suite of education, monitoring, testing, intervention and notification tools that no other university is using. And the program continues to expand—including a recent introduction of weekly self-administered student testing kits, growth of the campus’s wastewater viral monitoring program and widespread use of the cellphone-based CA COVID Notify exposure notification system.

Sex Hormones Contribute to Sex Differences in COVD-19

Article title: Sex steroids skew ACE2 expression in human airway: a contributing factor to sex differences in COVID-19? Authors: Rama Satyanarayana Raju Kalidhindi, Niyati A. Borkar, Nilesh Sudhakar Ambhore, Christina M. Pabelick, Y. S. Prakash, Venkatachalem Sathish From the authors:…

Stimulus Relief Funds Increase Social Distancing to Stop Spread of COVID-19

As case rates of COVID-19 reach new heights across the nation, many states and cities are tightening stay-at-home restrictions to stop the spread. New research suggests that that those suffering from economic hardships are less likely comply with new stay-at-home orders; however these same U.S. residents would be more likely to adhere to the new public health guidelines if their households received stimulus funds.

Just in time for children returning to school this fall, Baylor Scott & White Health has launched an at-home monitoring service for children diagnosed with COVID-19.

Just in time for children returning to school this fall, Baylor Scott & White Health has launched an at-home monitoring service for children diagnosed with COVID-19. The service has been offered for adults since April. If you are interested in…

Laerdal Medical and TruCorp Partner to Launch a COVID-19 Solution for Quick and Cost-effective Ventilation Training for Healthcare Providers

TruCorp, a provider of medical simulation training manikins, has partnered with world leading healthcare solutions provider, Laerdal Medical, to bring an easy-to-implement, cost-effective ventilation training solution to the market.

History of insightful HIV research inspires neutron scattering approach to studying COVID-19

What began as novel investigations into HIV, abruptly pivoted to the novel coronavirus as it began to spread across the globe. Now, ORNL researchers are using neutrons to learn more about the SARS-CoV-2 protease—a protein enzyme that enables the virus to replicate within the human body. Insights on the protein structure and its behaviors will be used to create more accurate models for simulations in aims of finding drug inhibitors to block the virus’s ability to reproduce.

Lung Transplant Performed on a COVID-19 Patient at Northwestern Medicine

For the first time, surgeons at Northwestern Medicine performed a double-lung transplant on a patient whose lungs were damaged by COVID-19. The patient, a Hispanic woman in her 20s, spent six weeks in the COVID ICU on a ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life support machine that does the work of the heart and lungs.

Increased focus on fitness during COVID-19 pandemic due to need for emotional security

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has closed most gyms throughout the country, this isn’t stopping people from working out. Many people have used their spare time during quarantine to get fit, but this may be due to their desire for emotional…

Why having a national health information technology infrastructure could help save lives

Real-time data about health and health care during the COVID-19 pandemic can help contain the virus but has been difficult to obtain. A new paper published in JAMA explores the concept of a national health information technology (IT) infrastructure to provide up-to-date patient information in public health emergencies, which can then be used in planning and containment efforts.

Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss How to Reduce Risk on Vacation During COVID-19 Pandemic

New Brunswick, N.J. (May 18, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Donald W. Schaffner is available for interviews on how to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection on vacation, at vacation rentals and while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Even though everyone in the…

SLAS Releases COVID-19 Infographics to Explain Research Terminology

SLAS has released the first two infographics in an ongoing series of tools to help the general public better understand the technical jargon being discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Official press conferences, news articles, statistical reports, social media posts and health organizations use technical research terms that often are misunderstood (or not understood at all) by a general audience.

Two Major COVID-19 Clinical Trials Launched to Determine Effectiveness and Safety of Drugs in Treating Coronavirus

Researchers from Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City have launched two vital clinical trials to test the effectiveness and safety of two drugs – hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin – to treat patients with COVID-19.

Rutgers Expert Discusses the Dangers of Homemade Cleaning and Disinfecting Products Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Robert Laumbach, a Rutgers occupational and an environmental medicine expert, and associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), discusses the dangers of DIY cleaning products and how the public can safely make their own.

Stricter, immediate intervention critical for keeping COVID-19 cases manageable for health care facilities, according to UTHealth modeling

Led by Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, and Momiao Xiong, PhD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) modeled the potential spread of COVID-19 based on whether the Greater Houston area began stringent interventions immediately or waited one week or two weeks. That data was presented Monday to city and county officials.

JNCCN: How to Manage Cancer Care during COVID-19 Pandemic

Experts from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance share lessons learned from early experiences treating people with cancer during COVID-19 outbreak via free online article in JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Coronavirus and the Workplace: Rutgers Experts Available for Interview

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (March 6, 2020) – The coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak is raising questions about internal communications, telecommuting, sick leave, and other policies. Workplace experts in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations are available for interview on an ongoing basis…

Coronavirus: What companies and the federal government should do to help: A Q&A with @MichiganRoss professor Ravi Anupindi

FACULTY Q&ARavi Anupindi.Ravi Anupindi is a professor of technology and operations and faculty director for the Center for Value Chain Innovation at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He discusses how companies can deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.Ravi Anupindi.What can companies do right now to deal with supply chain interruptions?Anupindi: It is important to recognize that virus outbreaks are different from other types of disruptions like fires, floods and earthquakes.