science

Finding an accepted Long COVID biomarker will be complicated. This blood test could give us answers.

Science

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By

Miles W. Griffis

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January 21, 2025

Last year, immunologist Johan Van Weyenbergh published a study in The Lancet: Microbe that identified a potential blood-based biomarker for Long COVID with 94% sensitivity. Van Weyenbergh’s team discovered SARS-CoV-2 RNA transcripts in the blood cells of people with Long COVID. They also found a specific type of RNA, called ORF1ab RNA, which suggested there…
Immune system damage from COVID-19 is different from HIV/AIDS — but the advocacy has parallels

Commentary, Policy & Advocacy, Science

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By

Emily Benedict

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January 14, 2025

Lymphopenia is a health condition in which people have low white blood cell count in their blood. Without these cells, the body is unable to defend itself effectively against pathogens. Lymphopenia is one type of way your body can be immunocompromised; it can be caused by many things, including infections, inherited conditions, autoimmune disorders, and…
With no approved treatments and little support, people with Long COVID turn to online drug markets

Health, International, Investigations, Science

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By

Hannah Buttle

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December 12, 2024

With no approved treatments, lack of support, and stigma against the disease, many people with Long COVID are using overseas pharmacies to source medications. Some of these treatments are widely used for other conditions, such as HIV and hepatitis C, but are not approved for use in Long COVID.
Why are there almost no clinical trials for kids with Long COVID?

Science

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By

Simon Spichak

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November 19, 2024

Experts who spoke with The Sick Times brought up many different reasons why developing new drugs for children with Long COVID has moved at such a glacial pace. Many pharmaceutical companies might not see Long COVID as profitable. And running trials in children is complex and expensive, as they can have different symptoms and underlying…
Clinical trials explore how Low-Dose Naltrexone could help people with Long COVID

International, Science

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By

Meg Mundell

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October 18, 2024

Observational studies suggest Low-Dose Naltrexone may benefit some people with Long COVID and ME. People with these diseases have shared their experiences with LDN in online communities, reflecting the value of patient knowledge. Now, LDN is attracting growing interest from researchers. Current clinical trials include a Long COVID study in Australia, a Spanish study focused…
New Long COVID and complex disease center at Mount Sinai set to be a leader in research, clinical care

Health, Science

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By

Betsy Ladyzhets

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October 15, 2024

Last week, a new center serving people with Long COVID and related complex chronic diseases opened at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. Led by Dr. David Putrino, the center will be a hub for diagnosing these diseases, helping patients manage their symptoms, and running clinical trials of novel treatments. The Cohen Center…
Grappling with Long COVID as an elite athlete

Health, Science

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By

Joanna Thompson

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August 16, 2024

Scientists are working to unravel the mechanisms behind Long COVID and some have turned to studying sports competitors to better understand how it affects intense physical performance. Now, their efforts are beginning to shed light on why Long COVID hits some athletes — especially those in endurance sports — so hard.
New NASEM reports offer broad definition, highlight the seriousness of Long Covid

Policy & Advocacy, Science

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By

Betsy Ladyzhets

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June 18, 2024

The field of Long Covid research reached a major milestone last week with the release of a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) outlining a working definition of the disease.
‘They bungled it:’ NIH documents reveal how $1.6 billion Long Covid initiative has failed so far to meet its goals

Investigations, Policy & Advocacy, Science

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By

Betsy Ladyzhets

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May 31, 2024

In February 2021, the National Institutes of Health launched a new $1 billion initiative to study Long Covid, a chronic disease that has changed the lives of millions of Americans. Three years later, the NIH initiative, called RECOVER, has not met these goals, according to a detailed review of budget and planning documents obtained through…
Research updates, February 20

Science

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By

Miles W. Griffis

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February 20, 2024

Research updates for the week of February 20 include new funding for the NIH RECOVER initiative, research about hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and brain damage from Covid-19.