(2022-04-10). What experts know about COVID-19 omicron subvariant BA.2. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — The World Health Organization designated COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, named omicron, a "variant of concern" on Nov. 26, 2021, and the first confirmed case in the U.S. was on Dec. 1, 2021. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified two subvariants, BA.1.1 and BA.2. All omicron subvariants are classified as variants of concern, the third highest of four classifications. (For more on variants of concern and other classifications,…
(2022-04-10). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: COVID-19 metrics improve, expert still urges caution. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 continue to decline, leading to some optimism about the way forward from pandemic to endemic. But experts still urge caution as the omicron subvariant, named BA.2, has quickly become the dominant strain in the U.S. "When you look around the nation, all of the metrics, with the exception of BA.2, have fallen precipitously," explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "But we need to be very cautious about…
(2022-04-10). Why calling the highly contagious COVID-19 omicron BA.2 a 'stealth variant' is a misnomer. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org BA.2, the newest subvariant of omicron, is highly transmissible and accounts for 55% of COVID-19 infections in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It has been classified as a variant of concern, and it's causing the majority of cases of COVID worldwide and here in the United States. The studies that have been done on this variant have shown that it has what we call a 'growth advantage,'" says Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director…
(2022-04-10). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Diagnostic testing, precision medicine and what it means for patients. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Precision medicine aims to customize health care by tailoring medications and treatments to each patient. An important step in being able to personalize treatments is diagnostic testing. Mayo Clinic BioPharma Diagnostics collaborates with biopharmaceutical, diagnostic, and other biotech companies to enable precision medicine through advanced diagnostics. Diagnostic testing can help find the right answers for each individual patient. "A laboratory test can either help in making a diagnosis for a disease, or it can help…
(2022-04-10). U.S. likely to see COVID-19 surge in fall: expert. ecns.cn There will be an uptick in cases of COVID-19 over the next few weeks in the United States and it is likely there could be a surge in the fall, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said.
(2022-04-10). New computational model proposed for Alzheimer's disease. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have proposed a new model for mapping the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease to brain anatomy. This model was developed by applying machine learning to patient brain imaging data. It uses the entire function of the brain rather than specific brain regions or networks to explain the relationship between brain anatomy and mental processing. The findings are reported in Nature Communications. "This new model can advance our understanding of how…
(2022-04-10). Arizona couple donates Collaborative Research Building to Mayo Clinic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Scottsdale, Ariz. — Thomas R. and Ruth Ann Hornaday of Paradise Valley, Arizona, have donated the Collaborative Research Building to Mayo Clinic. The 110,000-square-foot biomedical research facility, which opened on Mayo Clinic's Scottsdale campus in 2005, is valued at $64.4 million. The Collaborative Research Building houses laboratory-based research activity at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Mayo Clinic researchers, physicians and other investigators are leading the scientific discovery of the mechanisms of human disease, as well as…
(2022-04-10). Consumer Health: Are there 'Alzheimer's disease genes?'. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away and die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily function. As many as 5.8 million people in the U.S. were living with Alzheimer's disease in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the…
(2022-04-10). Lack of sleep increases unhealthy abdominal fat. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — New research from Mayo Clinic shows that lack of sufficient sleep combined with free access to food increases calorie consumption and consequently fat accumulation, especially unhealthy fat inside the belly. Findings from a randomized controlled crossover study led by Naima Covassin, Ph.D., a cardiovascular medicine researcher at Mayo Clinic, show that lack of sufficient sleep led to a 9% increase in total abdominal fat area and an 11% increase in abdominal visceral…
(2022-04-10). New COVID team sent to HK. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland has sent a fifth group of medical experts to Hong Kong to assist in the fight against its recent COVID-19 outbreak, the National Health Commission said on Friday.
(2022-04-10). Third Cohort of Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University MedTech Accelerator Commences. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Next-generation medical technology and service startups take part in a boot camp designed to increase product quality, efficiency and speed to market TEMPE, Ariz. — More than two years into a global pandemic, the clear need for innovative medical breakthroughs has never been more obvious. The Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University (ASU) MedTech Accelerator, a flagship program of the Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care, was designed to help empower medical startups to…
(2022-04-10). Sharing Mayo Clinic: Thankful for Tygh. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Arriving full-term amidst a flurry of excitement, Tygh Derossett's birth at a Kentucky hospital in 2016 mimicked that of most newborns. He cried, he received Apgar scoring, and he got a bath. On his second day of life, Tygh's health care team took a few drops of his blood and sent it to Kentucky's newborn screening lab. A few days later, Tygh left the hospital with his parents, Amanda and Aarron, and the new family…
(2022-04-10). Role identifier badges can assist patients, reduce perceptions of bias in health care setting, Mayo Clinic study finds. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Patients see a wide variety of medical professionals during a hospital stay, and it can be challenging for them to remember the titles and roles of everyone involved in their care. Many hospitals use name tags and other visual cues to help patients know who's providing their care, but misidentification remains an issue. Resident physicians are often misidentified by patients and colleagues in hospitals, and it's especially common for female residents, according…
(2022-04-10). Imperial expert's book uses scientific evidence to help people lose weight. imperial.ac.uk An Imperial researcher specialising in obesity has published a new book aiming to help people reach a healthy body weight.
(2022-04-10). Imperial expert's book uses scientific evidence to help people lose weight. imperial.ac.uk An Imperial researcher specialising in obesity has published a new book aiming to help people reach a healthy body weight.
(2022-04-10). Lack of sleep increases unhealthy abdominal fat. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — New research from Mayo Clinic shows that lack of sufficient sleep combined with free access to food increases calorie consumption and consequently fat accumulation, especially unhealthy fat inside the belly. Findings from a randomized controlled crossover study led by Naima Covassin, Ph.D., a cardiovascular medicine researcher at Mayo Clinic, show that lack of sufficient sleep led to a 9% increase in total abdominal fat area and an 11% increase in abdominal visceral…
(2022-04-10). Mayo Clinic earns highest score on LGBTQ Health Equality Index survey. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Rochester earned 100 —the highest score possible —on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Health Equality Index survey. These locations have been recognized as "Leaders in LGBTQ+ Healthcare" for 2022. With numerous different locations as a factor, Mayo Clinic Health System did not participate. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the largest civil rights organization in the U.S., working to achieve equality for LGBTQ people. The Foundation uses its…
(2022-04-10). [Articles] Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike RBD protein vaccine: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1-2 clinical trial (ABDALA Study). thelancet.com The Abdala vaccine was safe, well tolerated, and induced humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. These results, in the context of the emergency COVID-19 pandemic, support the 50 μg dose, applied in a 0-14-28 days schedule, for further clinical trials to confirm vaccine efficacy.
(2022-04-10). Cuba reporta 603 nuevos casos de COVID-19, un fallecido y 584 altas médicas. cubadebate.cu Al cierre de este sábado 9 de abril, se encuentran ingresados 6 889 pacientes, sospechosos 4 067, en vigilancia 52 y confirmados activos 2 770. Para la COVID-19 se realizaron 10 589 muestras para la vigilancia en el día, resultando positivas 603. Se atienden en las terapias intensivas 33 pacientes confirmados, de ellos ocho críticos y 25 graves.
(2022-04-10). Perú supera las 69 millones de dosis aplicadas contra la Covid. telesurtv.net De acuerdo a los reportes de la autoridad sanitaria, se contabilizan 13.969.445 peruanos inmunizados con la tercera dosis.
(2022-04-10). Dilemma of the poor and minorities contradicts U.S. claim of anti-Covid success. ecns.cn A Poor People's Pandemic Report jointly produced by the Poor People's Campaign and economists at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network has revealed the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor and low-income communities across the U.S.
(2022-04-10). Children return to classrooms in Peru. america.cgtn.com 
Children are back in school in Peru after two years out of classrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country was one of the hardest-hit in the world by the coronavirus, and children were no exception. Thousands lost parents or grandparents and despite innovative …
(2022-04-10). Trade between China, Mekong countries nears 400 bln USD in 2021. ecns.cn Trade between China and countries along the Mekong River has continued to surge despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sluggish global economic recovery.
(2022-04-10). Shanghai to open more temporary hospitals for COVID-19 treatment. ecns.cn Shanghai has opened and will continue to construct more temporary hospitals to enhance the city's treatment capacity for COVID-19 infections in its latest COVID-19 resurgence, authorities said Friday.
(2022-04-10). Trade-off between death and wealth disproved by China's COVID measures. ecns.cn "Nothing is ending, neither the COVID-19 nor the pandemic," said Debora MacKenzie, a leading science journalist who currently lives in France. She addressed the false narratives about COVID-19 during an interview with GDToday, saying, "Lots of governments in the west use slogans such as 'living with COVID' to make their citizens happy but we need to make sure that people have access to the truth."
(2022-04-09). Obama Reminds Us That Democrats Remain The More Effective Evil. popularresistance.org On April 5th, Barack Obama visited the White House to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democratic Party loyalists expressed great enthusiasm for Obama's return to the White House over social media. Congressional Democrats flocked around the former President and took full advantage of the photo opportunity. President Joe Biden also used the occasion to announce an Executive Order that will allow about 200,000 people to gain access to the ACA marketplace beginning in 2023. An atmosphere of confidence surrounded the White House despite Biden's recent polling numbers which suggest th…
(2022-04-09). Video: David Berger, a remote area general practioner in northern Australia, endorses Global Inquest into COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org Berger denounces the failure of governments to protect the population from COVID-19 and calls for an "information war" to refute the unscientific material and lies about the disease from the government and mainstream media.
(2022-04-09). WWP Prisoners Solidarity Committee demands Ban shackling! workers.org 
Members of the Prisoners Solidarity Committee of Workers World Party investigated the use of shackles on prisoners while hospitalized and concluded this inhumane practice is widespread in hospitals across the United States. The PSC of WWP is calling on health care workers to support a ban on this practice, as . . . |
(2022-04-09). Omkoi People File Lawsuit To Revoke Environmental Impact Assessment. popularresistance.org Chiang Mai, Thailand — Fifty representatives of the residents of Omkoi filed a lawsuit at the Chiang Mai Administrative Court against the Expert Committee on EIA Consideration in the mining and extracting industry as the first defendant, and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning as the second defendant. The lawsuit aims to ensure that the flawed environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Omkoi coal mine project developed by the 99 Thuwanon Company is revoked. If implemented, the coal mine project will cause long-term health impacts and loss of livelihoods of the Omkoi resid…
(2022-04-09). WWP Prisoners Solidarity Committee demands: ban shackling! workers.org Members of the Prisoners Solidarity Committee of Workers World Party investigated the use of shackles on prisoners while hospitalized and concluded this inhumane practice is widespread in hospitals across the United States. The PSC of WWP is calling on health care workers to support a ban on this practice, as . . . |
(2022-04-09). Prison 'health care' system is broken. workers.org 
By Sam Smith Note: This writer is incarcerated at Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. I feel like in today's society, where we are all supposed to be more focused and open to new ideas, creativity and innovative expansions within science and medicine, we could and would see that . . . |
(2022-04-09). [Perspectives] The roots of social medicine: a story of relationships. thelancet.com As the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out began in the USA in December, 2020 and health experts strategised about how to get vaccines to the underserved, H Jack Geiger, a legend in social medicine, died aged 95 years. Geiger was the visionary behind the community health centre programme at the heart of US President Lyndon B Johnson's Great Society programme, which constituted the largest expansion of the social safety net in the USA in the second half of the 20th century. Today, these health centres provide care to more than 30 million medically underserved people in 13‚Äà000 communities across the USA.
(2022-04-09). [Editorial] The Ockenden review and women's health in the UK. thelancet.com "I had a terrible experience…I felt frightened and not listened to…"
(2022-04-09). [World Report] The Canada Gairdner Awards 2022. thelancet.com This year's Gairdner prizes have been earned for work on mRNA vaccines, fetal haemoglobin, leukaemia, critical care medicine, and newborn, child, and maternal health. Talha Burki reports.
(2022-04-09). [Comment] Offline: Ukraine—difficult lessons for global health. thelancet.com It is easy to condemn Russia for its criminal war against Ukraine. For its attacks on health workers and hospitals. For its violations of international humanitarian law. For its acts of murderous cruelty against civilians. For increasing the risks of a nuclear conflagration. It is right to call for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. To accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid. To provide safe haven for refugees. To document atrocities and to counter disinformation.
(2022-04-09). [Correspondence] COVID-19 vaccination and HIV-1 acquisition — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We appreciate Denis Y Logunov and colleagues' response to our Correspondence,1 in which we raise concerns about the use of adenovirus type-5 (Ad5) vectors for COVID-19 vaccines in populations at risk for HIV-1 acquisition. They nicely outline some of the hypothetical mechanisms of increased HIV-1 acquisition seen in men in the Step and Phambili trials. Although the exact mechanism has not been determined, the increased HIV-1 acquisition risk seen in both trials, which used an Ad5-vector vaccine without HIV envelope in uncircumcised men, was a robust finding.
(2022-04-09). [Correspondence] COVID-19 vaccination and HIV-1 acquisition. thelancet.com Susan P Buchbinder and colleagues1 express concern that COVID-19 vaccines utilising replication-defective adenovirus vectors of human serotype 5 (HAdV-5) might increase the risk of HIV-1 acquisition. Such concern has prompted hesitancy to deploy available, safe, and efficacious adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines in countries with high HIV-1 incidence.
(2022-04-09). Global Displacement of COVID Orphans: The Pandemic's Hidden Consequence. projectcensored.org In the United States alone, over 167,000 children grieved the loss of at least one parent or caregiver during the pandemic. The term 'COVID orphans' was first used by Harvard…
(2022-04-09). Homeless Students Further Marginalized by COVID-19. projectcensored.org According to a joint study conducted by School House Connection and the University of Michigan's Poverty Solutions initiative, approximately 420,000 fewer children and youth experiencing homelessness were identified and enrolled…
(2022-04-09). Black Political Distraction. popularresistance.org The Black political class and the democratic party are once again infantilizing Black voters instead of giving them what they need and want. They pass useless legislation and stage political performances because they have lost the trust of the people. Biden's poll numbers continue to drop. He now has a lackluster 40 percent approval rating for the simple reason that he hasn't done what he promised during his 2020 presidential campaign. | Biden said he would provide student loan debt relief, raise the minimum wage, and improve the government response to the covid crisis. His friends in corporate media covered for…
(2022-04-09). Capitalism normalizes death: From COVID-19 to the threat of nuclear war. wsws.org The utter casualness and recklessness with which the US political establishment is treating the prospect of a war that threatens to escalate into a full-scale nuclear exchange must be seen in the context of the ruling elite's indifference to mass death in the pandemic.
(2022-04-09). PSOE-Podemos ends COVID-19 mitigations forcing Spanish workers to stay on the job sick. wsws.org Madrid is ending even the most basic monitoring, setting the stage for a new surge whose full extent will not be known until hospitalizations and deaths begin to rise.
(2022-04-09). Cuba confirma 609 casos de COVID-19. cubadebate.cu El Ministerio de Salu Pública informa que al cierre del día de ayer, 8 de abril, se encuentran ingresados un total de 7 026 pacientes, sospechosos 4 241, en vigilancia 33 y confirmados activos 2 752. Para la COVID-19 se realizaron un total de 11 291 muestras para la vigilancia en el día, resultando positivas 609. El país acumula 13 544 161 muestras realizadas y 1 096 234 positivas.
(2022-04-09). Oakland Unified approves expansion of charters amid school closures. wsws.org The school closures come on the heels of union efforts to isolate and demobilize teachers and students fighting for COVID safety.
(2022-04-09). Sixth wave of pandemic underway in Canada as governments dismantle COVID reporting and last protective measures. wsws.org All signs point to Canada being in the midst of a new wave of the pandemic, triggered by the emergence of the BA.2 subvariant and fueled by government let-it-rip policies at the federal and provincial level.
(2022-04-09). Shanghai lockdown extended indefinitely as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. wsws.org The lockdown in Shanghai has been extended indefinitely as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, prompting denunciations in the corporate press of the Zero-COVID policy that has saved millions of lives.
(2022-04-09). Temporadas más que de covid: Del brote a la pancrisis øy vuelta otra vez? cubadebate.cu "La cosa es que nosotros realmente lo teníamos todo, øno?", dice el doctor Mindy en la escena final de Don ¥t Look Up (No mires arriba). Realmente, hay quienes lo tienen todo o casi todo, hay quienes tienen poco, hay quienes tienen casi nada. Pero, como civilización, este es todo el mundo que tenemos. Necesitamos mantener ese verbo en presente y en futuro.
(2022-04-09). French elections too close to call, far right calls for national unity government. wsws.org The campaign was widely unpopular, as all candidates advocated similar policies of austerity, mass COVID infection and military threats against Russia.