science
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False hope: In Sub-Saharan Africa, wars damage Long COVID research and surveillance
In summer 2023, clinical nurse Rino Da Costa was well into recruiting participants for a study to monitor Long COVID cases in Naquitengue, a village in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique. It was a promising research endeavor until a flaring of gunfighting sunk her efforts.
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We won’t avoid the next pandemic. But we can still prepare.
When a pandemic begins, so does the blame game. Early days of COVID-19 pointed fingers at wild meat markets and debunked lab leak conspiracies, and that crystallized a long-running narrative that outbreaks are generally humans’ fault; roll the dice enough times with wildlife and you’re bound to land on a plague. Problem is, generalizing that…
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“Really pissed off”: Cochrane receives backlash from advocates and experts after abandoning ME/CFS review
For decades, Cochrane — formerly called the Cochrane Collaboration — has been known internationally for its systematic reviews of medical treatments and interventions. Now the U.K.-based charity is under fire for its clumsy handling of a thorny issue: the status of a flawed 2019 review of exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
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Finding an accepted Long COVID biomarker will be complicated. This blood test could give us answers.
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…
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Immune system damage from COVID-19 is different from HIV/AIDS — but the advocacy has parallels
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…
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With no approved treatments and little support, people with Long COVID turn to online drug markets
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.
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Why are there almost no clinical trials for kids with Long COVID?
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…
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Clinical trials explore how Low-Dose Naltrexone could help people with Long COVID
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…
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New Long COVID and complex disease center at Mount Sinai set to be a leader in research, clinical care
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…
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Grappling with Long COVID as an elite athlete
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.
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