Check out your fortnightly summary of some of the latest news and research surrounding COVID-19.
Statistics
At the time of writing, there have been:
- 266,845,122 cases
- 5,281,008 deaths
- 240,476,992 recoveries
Research
- Researchers have developed a statistical model that can use a blood biomarker to identify infected patients who are most at risk of dying of COVID-19. (Brunet-Ratnasingham et al, 2021)
- Scientists have found a new marker in the blood of COVID-19 patients that could predict the severity of disease. (Rausch et al, 2021)
- A new computational tool is able to predict where SARS-CoV-2 binds to human proteins. (Wierbowski et al, 2021)
- New research has shown that the first SARS-CoV-2 spike protein a person encounters shapes their subsequent immune response against current and future variants. (Reynolds et al, 2021)
- A recent study has revealed the wide spectrum of COVID-19 brain complications, including stroke and haemorrhage. (RSNA, 2021)
- Scientists believe that they have found the trigger that leads to extremely rare blood clots following the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Baker et al, 2021)
- A new study has suggested that damaged telomeres in the elderly may increase their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. (Sepe et al, 2021)
- Researchers have reported that the combination of COVID-19 infection and vaccination yields better antibodies against COVID-19 variants. (Ibarrondo et al, 2021)
- A group of scientists performed a systematic review to assess the scope of diagnosis, treatment, and management of COVID-19 in pediatric patients. (Jackson et al, 2021)
- Researchers have discussed both the successes and failures of COVID-19 research activities that offer valuable learning opportunities for the scientific community to consider. (Lee et al, 2021)
Other news
- A group of 11 institutions is set to explore the very rare, but very serious, condition of blood clotting in the general population following COVID-19 infection and vaccination. (University of Bristol, 2021)
- Mount Sinai have been named a lead site for enrollment in a nationwide study that is set to explore the long-term effects of COVID-19. (Mount Sinai, 2021)
- A lecture by Dr. Roberta Hines, Nicholas M. Greene Professor of Anesthesiology and Department Chair and Chief of Anesthesiology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, titled “The impact of COVID-19 on trainees: lessons learned and unanticipated opportunities,” took place at Columbia University’s Papper Symposium (a virtual event). (Jaconia et al, 2021)
Image credit: canva