General Interest
Why remote consultation with a doctor is difficult – and how it can be improved.
22 Aug, 2021 | 23:00h | UTCWhy remote consultation with a doctor is difficult – and how it can be improved – The Conversation
Original article: Planning and Evaluating Remote Consultation Services: A New Conceptual Framework Incorporating Complexity and Practical Ethics – Frontiers in Digital Health
Commentary on Twitter
My new piece for @ConversationUK on why setting up doctor-in-your-pocket video consultation services for the young and healthy is as easy as putting up a lemonade stall – but making remote consulting work for a wider demographic is much more challenging. https://t.co/SQZHozFTtg
— Trisha Greenhalgh (@trishgreenhalgh) August 20, 2021
Survey: Workplace mistreatment reported frequently by emergency medicine residents.
22 Aug, 2021 | 22:18h | UTCWorkplace Mistreatment Reported Frequently by Emergency Medicine Residents – HealthDay
Original study: Prevalence of Discrimination, Abuse, and Harassment in Emergency Medicine Residency Training in the US – JAMA Network Open
Commentary on Twitter
In this study, 45.1% of emergency medicine residents reported exposure to workplace mistreatment. Interventions should be developed to ensure resident wellness and career satisfaction. @ABEMCert @EmoryMedicine @NUFeinbergMed @Rutgers_NJMS @UWMedicine https://t.co/dTrUH14NxB
— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) August 20, 2021
[Preprint] Pfizer vaccine effectiveness against Delta declines faster than AstraZeneca, both offering the same protection after 4 months.
20 Aug, 2021 | 10:03h | UTCCommentaries:
Pfizer vaccine effectiveness declines faster than AstraZeneca – study – Evening Standard
Commentary on Twitter
New large UK study confirms attrition of @Pfizer vaccine effectiveness vs Delta infections over time https://t.co/K6YRyAQq4o "By roughly 4 1/2 months after the 2nd dose, Pfizer’s shot will probably be about on par with Astra’s at preventing infections with a high viral burden" pic.twitter.com/x1Nl2BkWfn
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) August 19, 2021
Covid-19: How many variants are there, and what do we know about them?
20 Aug, 2021 | 10:00h | UTCCovid-19: How many variants are there, and what do we know about them? – The BMJ
Commentary on Twitter
Eight notable variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been found since September 2020. @emahase_ reviews the line-up so far https://t.co/jmzfnbudoL
Watch this video showing how the variants have spread around the globe: pic.twitter.com/KwBl6B48Dy
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) August 19, 2021
New SARS-CoV-2 variants have changed the pandemic. What will the virus do next?
20 Aug, 2021 | 09:58h | UTCNew SARS-CoV-2 variants have changed the pandemic. What will the virus do next? – Science
Commentary on Twitter
I really, really wish Covid deniers and minimizers would read this outstanding @ScienceMagazine piece by @kakape on the delta variant and how it has completely changed this pandemic – FOR THE WORSEhttps://t.co/liIC9NpGOJ pic.twitter.com/UkCieUUCpK
— Madhu Pai, MD, PhD (@paimadhu) August 19, 2021
The Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review.
20 Aug, 2021 | 09:52h | UTCThe Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review – Cell
Related:
Fauci says natural origins theory of coronavirus is still the most likely.
A grim warning from Israel: Vaccination blunts, but does not defeat Delta.
20 Aug, 2021 | 09:56h | UTCA grim warning from Israel: Vaccination blunts, but does not defeat Delta – Science
Delta’s rise is fuelled by rampant spread from people who feel fine.
20 Aug, 2021 | 09:54h | UTCDelta’s rise is fuelled by rampant spread from people who feel fine – Nature
Original study: Transmission dynamics and epidemiological characteristics of Delta variant infections in China – medRxiv
IDSA response to plan for supplemental vaccine doses for vaccinated individuals.
19 Aug, 2021 | 09:02h | UTC
Viewpoint: Confronting the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.
19 Aug, 2021 | 09:03h | UTCConfronting the Delta Variant of SARS-CoV-2, Summer 2021 – JAMA
Studies: COVID vaccine protection waning against infection but not hospitalization.
19 Aug, 2021 | 09:05h | UTCStudies: COVID vaccine protection waning against infection but not hospitalization – CIDRAP
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Very excited to share our most recent publication about #CovidVaccine effectiveness, just published today by the IVY network. Especially relevant in light of today’s news about #boosters (spoiler – I’m skeptical about the need for boosters for all). ?https://t.co/GbAxgzpo7R
— Nida Qadir, MD (@NidaQadirMD) August 18, 2021
Vaccine stockpiling by nations could lead to increase in COVID-19 cases, novel variant emergence.
19 Aug, 2021 | 08:58h | UTCVaccine nationalism and the dynamics and control of SARS-CoV-2 – Science
Commentary on Twitter
Published at @sciencemagazine, a new @PrincetonEnviro study shows that stockpiling driven by vaccine 'nationalism' could increase #COVID19 cases and the potential emergence of novel variants, stressing the importance of rapid global vaccine equity. https://t.co/ziN5fX0u2X
— Princeton University (@Princeton) August 18, 2021
U.S. officials’ decision on Covid-19 booster shots baffles — and upsets — some scientists.
19 Aug, 2021 | 09:00h | UTCU.S. officials’ decision on Covid-19 booster shots baffles — and upsets — some scientists – STAT
Commentary on Twitter
Scientists I spoke to today had a lot of questions about the administration's decision to start giving Americans 3rd doses of the mRNA vaccines next month. “I’m not sure we had enough [data] to pull the trigger right now," one said. https://t.co/eHUndOrQL4
— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) August 18, 2021
As use of widely prescribed stimulants increases, experts see troubling parallels to opioid crisis.
19 Aug, 2021 | 08:46h | UTC
ANALYSIS- Here’s why there may be no need for boosters for everyone just yet.
18 Aug, 2021 | 09:00h | UTCANALYSIS- Here’s why there may be no need for boosters for everyone just yet – CNN
Lab study shows heterologous AstraZeneca/Pfizer vaccination produces strong immune response against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.
18 Aug, 2021 | 09:04h | UTCRelated:
Another study shows increased immune response with heterologous Oxford-AstraZeneca/mRNA vaccination (several articles on the subject)
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Mix and match vaccines, AZ then mRNA (@BioNTech_Group) achieves a very strong immune response against the Delta variant.
This is the 1st report to look at mix vs Delta, specifically.https://t.co/6N46cUh8HW @TheLancet pic.twitter.com/cvlHp2XtXJ— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) August 17, 2021
U.S. to recommend COVID vaccine boosters at 8 months.
18 Aug, 2021 | 09:02h | UTCSources: US to recommend COVID vaccine boosters at 8 months – Associated Press
See also: Biden administration expected to advise Covid booster shots for most Americans – CNN AND US experts expected to recommend Covid booster shots for all – The Guardian
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
This decision seems to reflect a common fallacy; trying to reason about whether we "need X" just based on what things are like without X, rather than how much X will do to help.
It's surprising to see it at play in a decision of such consequence.
— Wes Pegden (@WesPegden) August 17, 2021
Editorial: COVID-19 vaccine equity and booster doses – “by Aug 9, only 12·6 million of the 4·46 billion doses administered globally were in low-income countries”.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:58h | UTCCOVID-19 vaccine equity and booster doses – The Lancet Infectious Diseases
See also: New waves, new variants, old inequity: a continuing COVID-19 crisis – BMJ Global Health
Has COVID taught us anything about pandemic preparedness?
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:55h | UTCHas COVID taught us anything about pandemic preparedness? – Nature
Commentary on Twitter
Pandemic preparedness needs good surveillance in all countries, rapid and transparent data sharing, consistent implementation of public health measures, attention to Equity & global Solidarity https://t.co/GlouOA4Om3
— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) August 14, 2021
Editorial: The WHO is right to call a temporary halt to COVID vaccine boosters.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:56h | UTCThe WHO is right to call a temporary halt to COVID vaccine boosters – Nature
The animal origin of SARS-CoV-2 – “Trading of animals susceptible to bat coronaviruses is the likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:53h | UTCThe animal origin of SARS-CoV-2 – Science
Video: Evolutionary Origins of SARS-CoV-2
Related: Fauci says natural origins theory of coronavirus is still the most likely.
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Big news! Our perspective on the origins of SARS-CoV-2 is now out at @ScienceMagazine❗❗ https://t.co/lrCQHgARdB
— Spyros Lytras (@SpyrosLytras) August 17, 2021
Opinion | Go Ahead. Vaccinate the Kids. The risk of vaccinating children will never be zero, but the alternative is so much worse.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:50h | UTCGo Ahead. Vaccinate the Kids. – The Atlantic
U.S. Study: Nearly half of surveyed female surgeons experienced major pregnancy complications.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:42h | UTCNews release: Nearly half of surveyed female surgeons experienced major pregnancy complications – Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Original study: Incidence of Infertility and Pregnancy Complications in US Female Surgeons – JAMA Surgery
Commentary on Twitter
Challenges of pregnancy as a surgeon: Compared to male surgeons & their partners, female surgeons
•More likely to delay children & need assisted reproduction
•Have 1.7X ↑ risk pregnancy complications;long OR hrs ↑risk by 1.6x
•↑ risk postpart https://t.co/tJhz93newO— JAMA Surgery (@JAMASurgery) July 29, 2021
Dementia risk in former professional footballers is related to player position and career length.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:39h | UTCNews release: Dementia risk in former professional footballers is related to player position and career length – University of Glasgow
Commentaries:
Dementia risk greatest for defenders, says new research – BBC
Commentary on Twitter
"Field Position, Career Length, and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disease in Male Former Professional #Soccer…" https://t.co/EI2rzZH72W
via @JAMANeuro part of @JAMANetwork #CTE #dementia #football pic.twitter.com/VJz91y3OUc
— Dr Willie Stewart (@WillStewNeuro) August 2, 2021
Professional rugby may be associated with changes in brain structure.
18 Aug, 2021 | 08:38h | UTCNews release: Professional rugby may be associated with changes in brain structure
Original study: White matter abnormalities in active elite adult rugby players – Brain Communications
Commentary on Twitter
1/ Almost a quarter of elite adult rugby players have brain structure abnormalities as a result of repeated head impacts, research finds pic.twitter.com/HnkGeRZq0c
— Sciencebeta (@sciencebeta) July 26, 2021