Despite all of the criticism of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research suggests there was a silver lining: more shut-eye for middle and high school students. “Without the required transportation time or time required to get ready for school in the morning, online students were able to wake later, and thus get more… read on > read on >
One-third of the U.S. population — about 103 million people — had been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the end of 2020, but more than three-quarters of the cases weren’t officially confirmed, according to a Columbia University study. “It is these undocumented cases, which are often mild or asymptomatic infectious, that allow the virus… read on > read on >
More than 171 million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States, but the highly infectious Delta variant has left some with “breakthrough” cases nonetheless. These cases were anticipated, because the COVID vaccines weren’t designed to eliminate all virus infections, but rather to lower a person’s risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Even… read on > read on >
Coronavirus cases and deaths in Florida are at record highs as the Delta variant ravages the state and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis holds firm on forbidding vaccine and mask mandates. As of Tuesday, Florida had reported a record average of 227 COVID-19 deaths a day this week, and the average number of new known cases… read on > read on >
The search for the source of the new coronavirus is at an impasse and the window of opportunity to identify the virus’ origins is “closing fast,” a World Health Organization-appointed team of experts said Wednesday. The investigation is at a “critical juncture” that requires urgent collaboration, but Chinese officials remain reluctant to share some raw… read on > read on >
Even before COVID-19, college could be a challenging experience, but a new study suggests those stresses are much higher for female students. Still, in the face of a continuing pandemic, all students may need interventions to develop healthy coping strategies, the study authors said. “They’re balancing work, classes, relationships and family — and then now… read on > read on >
Mink farms could be breeding grounds for future pandemics in humans, new research suggests. That’s because in mink and other carnivorous (meat-eating) animals, three key genes required to detect and respond to infection by pathogens have lost their function. If these genes were working, they would activate inflammatory responses to fight off these disease-causing organisms.… read on > read on >
The health impact of wildfires is already huge, and new research suggests it might also raise a mom-to-be’s risk for preterm birth, according to a new study. Wildfire smoke contains high levels of PM 2.5, the deadliest type of pollution from particles so fine they can embed deep in the lungs and pass into the… read on > read on >
When COVID-19 patients are discharged from the hospital, most are far from being well — even if their hospital stay was fairly short. That’s among the initial findings of a study that followed Americans hospitalized for COVID-19 during the pandemic’s “third wave” — the fall of 2020 through early 2021. Researchers found that of 253… read on > read on >
Two new government reports confirm that while the power of coronavirus vaccines wanes over time, they still protect strongly against severe disease, even as the highly contagious Delta variant overtakes America. One study that looked at Los Angeles County reaffirmed that fully vaccinated people are far less likely than unvaccinated people to be hospitalized, admitted… read on > read on >
