COVID-19

The greatest brain aging was seen in older people, men, and those from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds.

Report: Severe COVID can catalyze arterial plaque growth, sparking deadly heart problems

Plaque growth can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening cardiovascular events for as long as 1 year.

Study shows for most, long-COVID symptoms persist into second year

Post-exertional malaise, or exercise intolerance, was seen in 36% of those with long COVID.

News briefs

SARS-CoV-2 detections in wastewater accurately predict illnesses within one week

US COVID levels rise a bit in West, South

COVID hospitalization linked to cognitive impairment 2 years later

Common-sense COVID nursing-home visitor policies not tied to higher risk of resident cases

Quick takes: More H5N1 in dairy cattle, US COVID wastewater uptick, polio in Pakistan

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WHO elevates XBB.1.16 to variant of interest as levels rise in US and other countries

The subvariant could spread globally and fuel increased cases, due its growth advantage and immune escape properties.

Researchers detect 2 new SARS-CoV-2 strains on Polish mink farms

The strains are most closely related to variants circulating in humans more than 2 years earlier, the possible result of undetected circulation in the animals.

New data show safety of Pfizer COVID vaccine for teens ages 12 to 17

Very few serious adverse events were reported, and instances of myocarditis were lower than initially reported.

US racial minorities less likely to get COVID vaccine after bad healthcare experiences

A total of 3.5% of respondents said they had worse healthcare experiences than people of other races due to discrimination.

Canadian study shows more hospitalizations—but fewer severe outcomes—during recent COVID waves

The study was based on patients with lab-confirmed COVID-19 seen at 155 Canadian hospitals.

CDC finalizes COVID vaccine changes, paving way for extra bivalent doses for vulnerable groups

The move supports a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration.

A third of US households used government-supplied at-home COVID tests

Among test users, nearly 1 in 4 said they wouldn't have tested if they didn't have the free tests.

US prison population dropped early in pandemic, but not for Black inmates

A study shows how the COVID-19 pandemic revealed longstanding racial dynamics in prison sentencing.

Quick takes: Perceptions on childhood vaccines and low uptake in Africa, African mRNA vaccine hub

Reports from UNICEF and the WHO highlight COVID-19's impact on the public perception and distribution of childhood vaccines.

Preprint COVID-19 studies subject to more 'spin' during pandemic

Two thirds (65.3%) of preprints had spin in the conclusion section, compared with 41.3% in published preprint abstracts and 34.7% in published abstracts.