General Interest
Meta-analysis of longitudinal studies: Frequent or dependent cannabis use in youth linked to decline IQ
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:02h | UTC
Covid-19: WHO warns against “vaccine nationalism” or face further virus mutations
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:30h | UTCCovid-19: WHO warns against “vaccine nationalism” or face further virus mutations – The BMJ
Perspective: Are we expecting too much from our COVID-19 vaccines?
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:26h | UTCAre We Expecting Too Much from Our COVID-19 Vaccines? – HIV and ID Observations
Covid: The devastating toll of the pandemic on children
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:22h | UTCCovid: The devastating toll of the pandemic on children – BBC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Longtime school closures cause major psychological harm to children. School closures also affect their education, future prospects in life and cause further inequality in society. The long-term economic harm of school closures will be felt by all.
1/https://t.co/n7yhUEfXmL— Prof Francois Balloux (@BallouxFrancois) January 30, 2021
COVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning?
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:20h | UTCCOVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning? – Nature
Study estimates vaccines against 10 pathogens prevented 37 million deaths in low- and middle-income countries in the last 20 years
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:44h | UTCCommentaries: Vaccines work: a reason for celebration and renewed commitment – The Lancet AND Study estimates that, without vaccination against 10 diseases, mortality in children under five would be 45% higher in low-income and middle-income countries – The Lancet AND Vaccines against 10 diseases prevented 37 million deaths in low- and middle-income countries in the last 20 years – London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—Study estimates from 2000-2030, #vaccination against 10 major pathogens will have prevented 69 million deaths in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). Without vaccination, mortality in children under 5 would be 45% higher in LMICS. Read: https://t.co/S4JXOqdctU pic.twitter.com/MF8W25nDJJ
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) January 28, 2021
Seven technologies to watch in 2021
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:42h | UTCSeven technologies to watch in 2021 – Nature
The most worrying mutations in five emerging coronavirus variants
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:50h | UTCThe Most Worrying Mutations in Five Emerging Coronavirus Variants – Scientific American
New coronavirus variants call for intensified surveillance, control, and vaccination efforts
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:56h | UTCNew coronavirus variants call for intensified surveillance, control, and vaccination efforts – STAT
Opinion: We need an equitable and coordinated global approach to covid-19 vaccination
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:57h | UTCWe need an equitable and coordinated global approach to covid-19 vaccination – The BMJ Opinion
Related: WHO chief warns against ‘catastrophic moral failure’ in COVID-19 vaccine access (commentaries on the subject)
“Until there is an international consensus and coordinated operational strategy, the virus will find new vulnerable populations and continue to spread.”
How Covid-19 mutations are changing the pandemic
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:55h | UTCHow Covid-19 mutations are changing the pandemic – BBC
Why you should still wear a mask and avoid crowds after getting the COVID-19 vaccine
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:48h | UTCWhy You Should Still Wear A Mask And Avoid Crowds After Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine – NPR
[Preprint] Efficacy of Colchicine in Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:49h | UTCEfficacy of Colchicine in Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 – medRxiv
Commentary on Twitter
The large colchicine RCT for covid is preprint published.
It shows some consistent directional benefit for major outcomeshttps://t.co/gxtyKnMqZ5
Since this is a pill, it's safe, cheap & an early intervention (as tested here, before hospital) these findings are very encouraging pic.twitter.com/uzTSkjftFp— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) January 27, 2021
Global analysis suggests COVID-19 is seasonal
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:45h | UTCGlobal analysis suggests COVID-19 is seasonal – University of Illinois
Original study: Temperature and Latitude Correlate with SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiological Variables but not with Genomic Change Worldwide – Evolutionary Bioinformatics
CDC Report: Low risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools with precautions in place
27 Jan, 2021 | 01:25h | UTCRelated viewpoint: Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection – JAMA
Commentary on Twitter
Important study:
While covid test + rates ranged from 7 to 40% in the community, K-12 schools were able to open with nearly no transmission linked to school.The harm of school closure will tear the fabric of society; these steps are worth it to reopen. https://t.co/q0SXpqJrqw pic.twitter.com/rsL7EkVsZZ
— Vinay Prasad MD MPH (@VPrasadMDMPH) January 26, 2021
Editorial: The world needs a single naming system for coronavirus variants (geographic associations risk stigma)
27 Jan, 2021 | 01:24h | UTCThe world needs a single naming system for coronavirus variants – Nature
Covid-19 vaccine tracker: The global race to vaccinate
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:59h | UTCCovid-19 vaccine tracker: the global race to vaccinate – Financial Times
See also: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations – Our World in Data
Commentary on Twitter
Israel appears to be the only country that was ready for the vaccines. https://t.co/MPCqNdzi97 pic.twitter.com/bTT8zDpDDF
— Julia Belluz (@juliaoftoronto) January 25, 2021
Report: UK variant of Coronavirus possibly more deadly
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:58h | UTCNERVTAG paper on COVID-19 variant of concern B.1.1.7
Commentaries: Coronavirus: UK variant ‘may be more deadly’ – BBC AND CDC reviewing new data that suggests coronavirus variant identified in UK could be more deadly – CNN
Why scientists are more worried about the Covid-19 variant discovered in South Africa
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:56h | UTCWhy scientists are more worried about the Covid-19 variant discovered in South Africa – Vox
Original study (preprint and commentaries): South African COVID-19 variant escapes neutralization by antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent plasma
See also: Fast-spreading COVID variant can elude immune responses – Nature
Commentary on Twitter
Hot off the preprint press: Another new study, from the excellent @rjlessells @Tuliodna, used live virus to show that South Africa #coronavirus 501Y.V2 can in vitro escape antibody response from prior infectionhttps://t.co/mrryWtnXUu
Context here: https://t.co/V6WVSbUQGk
— Julia Belluz (@juliaoftoronto) January 22, 2021
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective against variant found in South Africa
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:54h | UTCModerna Finds COVID-19 Vaccine Less Effective Against Variant Found In South Africa – NPR
Moderna Press release: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Retains Neutralizing Activity Against Emerging Variants First Identified in the U.K. and the Republic of South Africa
See also: Expert reaction to preprint from Moderna about neutralising activity of their vaccine against new variants and announcement of plans to trial a variant booster jab targeting the South African (B.1.351) variant – Science Media Centre AND Moderna Launches Trial For Covid-19 Vaccine Booster To Tackle South African Strain – Forbes
Commentary on Twitter
🔥Moderna preprint PUBLISHED🔥
A six-fold reduction in neutralizing titers was observed with B.1.351 variant relative to prior variants Despite this reduction, neutralizing titer levels with B.1.351 remain above levels that are expected to be protective https://t.co/pDfgRn6Ost pic.twitter.com/VLu3iOqAda— Antibiotic Steward Bassam Ghanem 🅱️C🆔🅿️🌟 (@ABsteward) January 25, 2021
New analysis does not support a major role of school reopening in the second COVID-19 wave in Israel
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:52h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Very interesting paper
Despite previous certainty about schools being the driving factor in the second wave in Israel, now looks unlikely
Easing restrictions of large gatherings in adults the predominant factor
Young adults, not children, as elsewherehttps://t.co/oWHbZynRpL
— Alasdair Munro (@apsmunro) January 25, 2021
UNICEF Executive Director Statement: “Children cannot afford another year of school disruption”
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:53h | UTCChildren cannot afford another year of school disruption – UNICEF
Commentary on Twitter
"Children cannot afford another year of school disruption."
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director @unicefchief Henrietta H. Fore
Find out more 👉https://t.co/DwuaHGub3B pic.twitter.com/jQbdLK2EE5
— UNICEF Rwanda (@unicefrw) January 13, 2021
WHO COVAX Announces new agreement, plans for first deliveries
26 Jan, 2021 | 00:49h | UTCCOVAX Announces new agreement, plans for first deliveries – World Health Organization
Commentary on Twitter
#COVAX has signed an agreement with Pfizer/BioNTech for up to 40M doses of its #COVID19 vaccine.
We also expect to distribute almost 150M doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in the 1/4 of 2021, once the vaccine is listed for emergency use by @WHO. https://t.co/yx3FFl9bv8— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 23, 2021
Randomized crossover study shows lower ad libitum energy intake with a plant-based, low-fat diet compared to an animal-based, ketogenic diet
25 Jan, 2021 | 01:25h | UTCCommentary: NIH study compares low-fat, plant-based diet to low-carb, animal-based diet – NIH News Releases
[Press Release – Not Published Yet] Colchicine reduces the risk of COVID-19-related complications: Positive results from COLCORONA trial show that colchicine is the only effective oral medication for treating non-hospitalized patients
25 Jan, 2021 | 01:43h | UTCStudy Protocol: Colchicine Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 Trial (COLCORONA) (COVID-19) – ClinicalTrials.gov
“Patients will receive study medication colchicine 0.5 mg per os (PO) twice daily for the first 3 days and then once daily for the last 27 days.”
Commentaries: ‘Major breakthrough’ | Large study shows effectiveness of colchicine to treat COVID-19 – The Canadian AND A gout drug shows promise for Covid-19, but skeptics worry about trusting science by press release – STAT
Commentary on Twitter
Press release 🔥 #colchicine decreased ⬇️
🏥 hospitalizations 25%
🤕 use of ventilation 50%
💀 mortality 44%
in multinational trial of >4,000 non-hospitalized #COVID patientsMore: https://t.co/htMRdParq3
Full report awaited…@EricTopol @DrEricDing @MartinLandray #EBM pic.twitter.com/iodiEJBtV1
— Kari Tikkinen (@KariTikkinen) January 23, 2021