Featured·August 31, 2023·4 min readCOVID Pandemic Infants Show Reduced Gut Microbiome DiversityInfants who spent most of their first year during the COVID-19 pandemic have a less diverse gut microbiome compared to those born pre-pandemic. Researchers found lower levels of certain bacteria, like Pasteurellaceae and Haemophilus, and overall fewer types of bacteria in the gut.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 7, 2023·5 min readCOVID Variants Can Affect the Brain in Different WaysNew research found that variants of COVID-19 can affect the brain in different ways and that the blood-brain barrier can be impacted. Scientists exposed brain cells to multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2, including the original wild-type virus, alpha, beta, delta, eta and omicron.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 24, 2023·6 min readSchadenfreude or Sympathy? Exploring Public Sentiments on Anti-vaxxers’ COVID-19 FateA new study reveals that public reactions to the deaths of anti-vaxxers due to COVID-19 are multifaceted. The study found that while very few people celebrated these deaths, some individuals, primarily vaccinated individuals, considered anti-vaxxers who contracted COVID-19 deserving of their fate.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·July 21, 2023·5 min readLong-Term COVID-19 Symptoms Impact Mental Processes For YearsLong-term COVID-19 symptoms, including brain fog, can significantly impair mental processes. Over 3,000 participants underwent two rounds of online cognitive testing, focusing on memory, attention, reasoning, processing speed, and motor control.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·July 19, 2023·6 min readCOVID-19 Super Dodgers: The Genetic Secret to Asymptomatic Infectionertain individuals carry a unique gene variant that allows them to contract COVID-19 without displaying any symptoms. Dubbed as "super dodgers", these individuals are more than twice as likely to possess a mutation in a gene coding for human leukocyte antigen (HLA), a protein that aids virus-killing T cells to identify and annihilate SARS-CoV-2.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 17, 2023·6 min readSuper Sniffers: Scent Dogs Excel in COVID-19 DetectionNew research suggests that scent dogs may provide a faster and more efficient way to detect COVID-19, even outperforming conventional RT-PCR tests. In studies involving over 31,000 samples, dogs were able to identify COVID-19 in symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals, as well as detect new variants and long COVID.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 27, 2023·4 min readCOVID-19 Worries Influence Emotional Quality of DaydreamsA new study investigated the connection between COVID-19-related anxieties and the emotional content of daydreaming and nighttime dreaming. It found a significant correlation between daily COVID-19 worries and the emotional quality of daydreaming.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 14, 2023·4 min readUnmasking COVID-19’s Impact on the BrainA revolutionary MRI technique, known as Correlated Diffusion Imaging (CDI), has been utilized to uncover previously unseen changes in the brain caused by COVID-19. The study revealed distinct changes in the diffusion of water molecules within the brain's white matter. These findings not only reinforce the fact that COVID-19 affects the brain but also suggest the cerebellum might be particularly vulnerable.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 12, 2023·5 min readOne in Four COVID-19 Patients Struggle to Regain Sense of Taste and SmellA new study reveals a disturbing consequence of COVID-19 infection: around a quarter of American patients reported only partial or no recovery of taste or smell. The researchers analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey, focusing on those who had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·June 12, 2023·4 min readMicroRNA May Explain Individual Differences in COVID-19 SeverityResearchers uncovered an association between specific microRNAs and COVID-19 severity in a group of 259 unvaccinated patients. The team identified these microRNAs as crucial factors related to a weakened immune response and ICU admission.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 8, 2023·3 min readCOVID-19 Causes Brain Cell Fusion, Leading to Chronic Neurological SymptomsResearchers discovered viruses, including COVID-19, can induce the fusion of brain cells, resulting in malfunctions that contribute to chronic neurological symptoms. The study sheds light on how viruses alter the function of the nervous system.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 20, 2023·6 min readCOVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Students’ Decision-MakingThe COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced college students' decision-making abilities, according to new research. During the 2020 fall semester, students exhibited less consistency in their decision-making compared to peers from previous years.Read More
