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Antibody Evolution: New tool aims to fight COVID-19, other diseases [VIDEO]

Antibody Evolution: New tool aims to fight COVID-19, other diseases [VIDEO]

Harvard University researchers are taking aim at COVID-19 and other diseases with a faster, simpler, cheaper technology for generating specialized antibodies.

Face Mask Can Test Your Breath for COVID-19 in 90 Minutes

Researchers at Harvard and MIT pioneered a biosensor that can test for COVID-19. Wearers breathe into their masks for 15 to 30 minutes, press a button on the sensor, and within 90 more minutes, their COVID test results show up on a readout strip similar to a pregnancy test. The invention is described in greater detail in … Continued

Mutation in Coronavirus Gamma Variant Linked to Increased Mortality, Greater Transmissibility: Study

A mutation in the Gamma variant (P1) of coronavirus is linked to increased mortality, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and MIT researchers said on Wednesday. The mutation also carries greater transmissibility, higher infection rates, and increased pathogenicity, showed the study detailed in the journal Genetic Epidemiology. The findings were based on genome-wide association … Continued

Children not yet vaccinated against COVID-19? What to do

Currently, only people 12 years and older can be vaccinated. While it’s looking hopeful that we will be able to vaccinate younger children sometime later in 2021 or early 2022, it’s not going to happen this summer. And while most of the time children don’t get seriously ill with COVID-19, it certainly can happen. This … Continued

Not-So-Happy-Birthdays: Parties Helped Spread COVID, Study Finds

Birthday celebrations raised the risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2 by 30% last year in U.S. counties with high rates of COVID-19, according to a new study. No such surge was seen in places with low rates of infection. For the study, researchers at Harvard Medical School and the RAND Corporation analyzed health insurance claims data from nearly … Continued

Methodology from genome-wide association studies accurately flags more deadly SARS-CoV-2 variant

Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) methodology to analyze whole-genome sequencing data of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and COVID-19 mortality data can identify highly pathogenic variants of the virus that should be flagged for containment, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and MIT researchers. Using this biostatistical methodology, the researchers pinpointed a mutation in the … Continued

Is it time for Americans to drop their infatuation with the PCR test and start using more rapid tests? That’s what this COVID-19 testing expert thinks

Read on to understand why Dr. Michael Mina thinks we should keep an over-the-counter COVID-19 test or five at home, what he means by ‘test to stay,’ and why putting too much emphasis on PCR tests rather than rapid antigen tests was a failure.

Uncovering COVID-19 Disparities: The role of structural, societal factors in the pandemic’s spread

A recent analysis offers a new perspective on the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has had on people of color, low-income populations, and other structurally disadvantaged groups. The research, conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, was published June 8 in a research letter to the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The findings emphasize … Continued

Eating disorders in teens skyrocketing during pandemic

Experts are concerned about a dramatic rise in eating disorders among teenagers over the past year. Possible explanations for the increase include teens’ loss of familiar routines and regular connections with friends, anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic, boredom, and food insecurity at home.

Study suggests new lessons on COVID-19 and mass incarceration

Results of a new study by Harvard researchers on the connections between a county jail in Chicago and the spread of COVID-19 in surrounding areas are offering lessons on pandemic preparedness and providing another argument against mass incarceration.