An assessment of deaths attributable to police violence in the United States concludes that half of all such killings are misclassified or misreported. The analysis finds that Black people are the most likely of all racial and ethnic groups to die as a result of police violence. The study authors conclude that militarized policing and […]
In 2019, 409,000 people died from malaria. Cases of malaria have been falling but have recently stalled. The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine is the first and only vaccine that targets the parasite P. falciparum, which is particularly deadly and prevalent. The vaccine represents decades of work and is a major breakthrough. In an announcement, the World Health […]
Research has found a significant fall in levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, 6 months after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Clinical evidence also suggests that the risk of getting a “breakthrough” infection gradually increases in the months after vaccination. Despite declines in antibody levels, other branches of the […]
Scientists are studying how well COVID-19 vaccines work against the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. We discuss the latest findings. The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was first identified in India, is now the dominant form of the virus in the United Kingdom. In the United States, at least 10% of new cases are with this […]
The variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called delta continues to spread rapidly across many parts of the world. What do we know about this variant so far? The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 — scientifically known as the B.1.617.2 lineage — was first identified by scientists in December 2020 in India. In April 2021, the delta […]
A global survey has identified the bacteria, viruses, and archaea that live in the mass transit systems of 60 major cities. Each city has a distinct mix of microorganisms, which its unique climate and geography determine. The survey reveals that bacterial genes conferring resistance to antibiotics are widespread in the urban environment. Allied with microbial […]
A new study argues that the widespread stigmatization of people who contract the virus, marginalized racial and ethnic groups, healthcare workers, and police is making the COVID-19 pandemic in India even worse. People who are afraid of being attacked are going without medical treatment rather than choosing to expose themselves to the stigma. This is […]
A new survey from Oxford University finds 72% of people are willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, up from 50% just months earlier. Roughly 1 in 10 people did not intend to get vaccinated. The study investigates the messaging most likely to persuade people who are vaccine hesitant to get inoculated. According to the study, […]
According to a new editorial, vaccine hesitancy could seriously threaten efforts to stop the pandemic. The editorial blames vaccine hesitancy on the controversy, misinformation, a lack of confidence surrounding vaccine trial data, anxiety about vaccine safety, and historical mistrust of the medical establishment due to current or past negative treatment. They also state that there […]
Research suggests that a first infection with SARS-CoV-2 provides only 47% protection against a second infection for those aged 65 years and over, compared with 80% protection across all age groups. These findings underscore the importance of physical distancing and vaccinations, even among those who have already had COVID-19. The study found that the level […]
