French study warns COVID outbreaks still possible in nursing homes
Researchers studied a COVID outbreak in a nursing home in the country. Seventy-five percent of the residents and 52% of the staff were fully vaccinated. Blood tests showed all but one of the fully vaccinated residents had antibodies against COVID-19.
Pfizer vaccine safe, effective for young teens, company says
DETROIT โ New information suggests the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12. Pfizer said the data from a late-stage trial shows the vaccine is highly effective in adolescents. The company said there were 18 COVID cases in the placebo group and zero cases in the vaccine group and no significant side effects -- an efficacy rate of 100%. Infectious disease experts believe vaccinating children will ultimately be necessary to stop the pandemic. โBy the fall, I think thereโs a good possibility weโll be vaccinating teenagers 12 and up,โ said Dr. Peter Hotez.
University of Michigan: More Detroiters say theyโre now โvery likelyโ to get COVID-19 vaccine
FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2021, file photo, Yvonne Gibbs, 72, receives Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, at the TCF Center in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)DETROIT, Mich. โ The number of Detroiters who say theyโre โvery likelyโ to get the COVID-19 vaccine when theyโre eligible has more than doubled since fall 2020, according to a new University of Michigan survey. The least important factors are where the vaccine was manufactured and whether people they know are getting the vaccine. โDMACS allows us to track how Detroitersโ attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine have changed over time. AdAccording to a U-M news release, other findings from the newest DMACS survey include:
University of Michigan study suggests COVID-19 won't completely disappear
ANN ARBOR โ New research from the University of Michigan shows that reinfections of seasonal coronaviruses are common, suggesting that the virus behind COVID-19 could be endemic. โThe frequency of reinfections with the different seasonal coronaviruses suggests that SARS-COV-2 is not going to completely disappear.โAdThe researchers used data on 3,418 individuals from the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation from the years 2010-2018. Upon evaluating the data, the team found 1,004 seasonal coronavirus infections. Additionally, 27 percent of the reinfections occurred within one year of the initial infection, which researchers say is a relatively short period of time given the virusโ seasonal nature. โIn our study, participants had high levels of anti-spike protein binding antibody to seasonal coronaviruses, but these antibodies did not correlate with protection from infection,โ Petrie said in a release.
U-M: Parent depression, stress caused by pandemic had negative impact on kidsโ schooling
Most of the parents said that their children learned online from home, using school-provided electronic resources, educational apps and social media. Roughly 35% of parents reported that their childrenโs behavior changed since the pandemic began, including feelings of sadness, loneliness and depression. Daily schedule disruptions and a lack of access to free and reduced-price meals from school were significant stressors, parents reported. โResearch suggests that, unfortunately, the high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among parents remained high through the summer and early fall. Co-authors on the study are U-M doctoral student in psychology and social work, Kaitlin Ward and U-M undergraduate research assistants Kasey Downing and Olivia Chang.
5 tips for successful virtual learning, according to a local academic
Dress nicely, turn your camera on, have pen and paper ready, and sit up straight,โ Laverick suggests. Start a reviewing routineDr. Laverick suggests building a daily habit of reading through your notes from class. If youโre indifferent to the notetaking method you use, sometimes switching up your method can help you stay more engaged in the content. Protect your eyesHas virtual learning bothered your eyes? Whether your learning is 100% virtual or a hybrid model, remembering these tips will set you up to do your best, even when the circumstances are not ideal.
U-M researchers develop screening tool that predicts teen suicide risk
ANN ARBOR โ Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a universal screening tool that accurately predicts the suicide risk of a teenagers during emergency care visits. According to the researchers, their suicidal risk level is determined using a combination of risk factors. AdWhile other suicide screening tools exist, King said many high risk young people slip through the cracks, and in some cases, some adolescents rank as โfalse positivesโ for suicide risk. The computerized screening tool predicted suicide risk with 88% accuracy when tested on two cohorts of adolescents ages 12-17 who visited emergency departments. Additionally, emergency departments recently reported that visits related to youth suicide risk and self-harm have doubled.
Ridesharing services linked to increase in binge drinking, study says
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Ridesharing services are believed to decrease drunk driving crashes and deaths but they also are associated with an increase in binge drinking, according to a new study. Then they compared that data with information about alcohol consumption and population density from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems Annual Survey. Binge drinking is defined as having at least four drinks if youโre female and at least five drinks if youโre male. Researchers found that binge drinking increased by 4 percent in high-density markets after Uber became available. โClearly there are health benefits in the reduction of drunk driving, but we are also getting an increase in binge drinking,โ McCullough said.
Black COVID-19 survivors in Michigan suffer worse outcomes than white counterparts, U-M study says
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)ANN ARBOR โ Researchers at the University of Michigan studying the impact of COVID-19 on Michiganders have found that Black survivors of the virus experience worse socioeconomic and health outcomes than their white counterparts. The joint research is being conducted by the University of Michigan School of Public Health and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study. Researchers hope the studyโs data will inform future health equity and response efforts during the coronavirus pandemic and other public health emergencies that arise. More Black respondents reported increased social stressors since the start of the pandemic, with 26% being unable to pay important bills like mortgage, rent or utilities (versus 10% of white respondents). More Black respondents (23%) were afraid to disclose their COVID-19 status to their friends or family than white respondents (10%).
U-M researchers: Parent visitation should not be restricted at pediatric hospitals
Vance: The majority of hospitals changed policies to limit visitation to one parent/caregiver at the bedside. Several hospitals restricted all parents, caregivers and others required that only one parent be designated as the โvisitorโ for the duration of the hospitalization. I am hopeful that with this statement and the attention it may garner, that hospital administrators review visitation policies to ensure they arenโt overreaching. Vance: The term โessential careโ came directly from parents who stated this is how they wanted to be viewed. The specific phrasing of โessential careโ is new in this context, but for a long time, there have been many advocates for family-centered care which integrates family involvement.
U-M receives nearly $20M to equip Ann Arbor with โsmart intersectionsโ
ANN ARBOR โ A University of Michigan effort focused on the safety of automated and connected vehicles will be bringing more than 20 โsmart intersectionsโ to the city of Ann Arbor. These intersections will be capable of collecting and sending information to connected cars in real time. This information will be transmitted to nearby connected vehicles, prompting onboard alarms when cars are in hazardous situations. At its peak, it became the largest connected vehicle deployment in the world, with nearly 3,000 vehicles on the road. Through these projects, researchers were able to provide evidence that connected vehicles can reduce unimpaired collisions by 90%.
First 10 days after COVID patients leave hospital carry high risk, study says
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - DECEMBER 19: Doctor walks through the COVID-19 area in front of a wheelchair at the hospital of the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosรญo Villegas on December 19, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR โ A growing number of studies have shown that in the first months after being discharged from the hospital, COVID-19 patients faced a high risk of returning for treatment, ongoing health problems and death. The overall risk of readmission or death for COVID patients was lower than that for patients with the other two conditions after 60 days. โFor many patients, COVID-19 seems to set off cascades of problems that are every bit as serious as those we see in other diseases. Half of the patients in the study were Black and 95% of the patients were male -- both high risk groups.
U-M: โPeecyclingโ good for environment when used at city scale
The researchers found that recycling and diverting urine led to significant reductions in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater consumptions and instances of fueling algal blooms in bodies of water. Recently, studies have been focusing on urine recycling as a way to produce renewable fertilizers while decreasing the amount of chemicals and energy needed for wastewater treatment. While no urine recycling and diversion systems exist on a city scale, several projects are underway -- including one at U-M -- that demonstrate small-scale impact. Hilton also studied wastewater treatment using data from treatment plants in Michigan, Vermont and Virginia. The one downside to processing urine into fertilizer was that one method led to an increase in acidification.
Survey: Nearly two thirds of Detroit residents say theyโre unlikely to get COVID vaccine
DETROIT โ A new study from the University of Michigan is raising an alarm after it found a majority of Detroit residents donโt think theyโll choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Those from Hispanic or Latinx communities were twice as likely to say they wouldnโt get the vaccine compared to white responders. Health experts who authored the study say the results are due to high levels of distrust in the government, doctors and news throughout those communities. May is joining health officialsโ in their plea to Detroiters to receive a coronavirus vaccine once one becomes available. โThis is a deadly, deadly, deadly virus.โAlfonsoโs family was affected numerous times by COVID-19.
New study renews concerns about role of restaurants, bars in spread of COVID-19
DETROIT โ Rapidly climbing case counts of COVID-19 have led to cities and counties in several states to issue new restrictions on restaurants and bars. READ: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 244,741; Death toll now at 7,929A new study is renewing concerns about the role restaurants and bars may play in helping to spread COVID-19. Researchers from Stanford University studied cell phone data from 10 U.S. cities collected from March to May of this year. They found full-service restaurants were the riskiest place for new infections, about four times riskier than gyms and coffee shops. READ: Top Henry Ford Health doctor worried about Michigan COVID-19 deaths rising in near future
U-M study explores ways to increase COVID-19 testing in Michigan
ANN ARBOR โ As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Michigan, experts say the need for efficient and rapid testing remains critical. According to a new University of Michigan study, promoting incentives to quicken turnaround, having public health officials monitor testing operations in real-time and coordinate testing across state lines could prevent more deaths. Although diagnostic testing has increased in Michigan, many experts say that compulsory testing capacity and turnaround times to keep the spread at bay is lacking. The studyโs lead author, Ravi Anupindi, said that although Michigan outperforms many states in testing, more needs to be done. For the study, researchers interviewed more than 20 public health experts, state leaders, epidemiologists and laboratory directors.
Washtenaw County Health Department updates U-M undergrad stay-in-place order
ANN ARBOR โ The Washtenaw County Health Department has announced two updates to its stay-in-place order for undergraduates at the University of Michigan. The Health Department and U-M leadership announced the emergency order on Tuesday due to rising cases of COVID-19 on campus. (1/2) https://t.co/okVBqcXUcj โ Washtenaw County Health Department (@wcpublichealth) October 23, 2020โ Like what youโre reading? The Health Department urged students to observe strict social distancing, continue to wear masks in public spaces and wash hands frequently. According to the departmentโs website, violators of these orders could face fines from $500-$1000.
Study looks into how, why COVID-19 impacts brain, memory
DETROIT โ Brain fog is one of the many potential complications of COVID-19. A new study is underway to find out why -- and how -- the coronavirus can impact survivors' cognitive abilities. The brain fog is being documented, but the changes arenโt usually visible on brain scans. Nataliaโs mother and brother did not experience any brain fog. A different study, by UCLA, has suggested that lingering brain fog in some survivors may be a type of PTSD.
Study looks at how mothers are feeling during COVID-19 pandemic
DETROIT โ The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on how we live, how we work and also on our mental health. A recent study found many mothers in particular are feeling overwhelmed due to the pandemic. Cera Flynn has always tried to make mental health a priority, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder to manager her anxiety and depression. Mothers working from home report more anxiety, depression and loneliness than fathers working from home. Spending time outdoors and talking to family, friends or a mental health professional also helps.
Study indicates that exercise can reduce risk of breast cancer returning
DETROIT โ October is breast cancer awareness month, a disease that one in eight women will develop in their lifetime. Researchers are looking for an effective way to both reduce the risk of getting breast cancer and up the odds of survival. There is good news when it comes to exercise and breast cancer. READ: U-M develops app that calculates risk of delaying cancer treatments during COVID-19HPV vaccine and risk of cervical cancerA new study confirms the HPV vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Those who were vaccinated before age 17 were 88 percent less likely to develop cervical cancer than their unvaccinated peers.
New U-M study to examine COVID-19 reinfection risks
ANN ARBOR โ A new study at the University of Michigan hopes to learn how much protection is afforded by natural infection with the coronavirus. Researchers leading the Immunity Associated with SARS-CoV-2 study are looking to enroll 5,000 U-M employees, including essential workers, first responders and those who work regularly on campus. The study hopes to examine the immunological response and risk factors to infection. โMaybe you can get infected again, but you donโt really get sick and you donโt shed virus. Results will be sent to participants throughout the study since it will use U-M pathology labs for the majority of serological testing.
New study suggests wearing glasses may reduce risk of catching COVID-19
The study found that 31 percent of people in the region wore glasses regularly, but only 6 percent of those in the hospital needed to wear glasses every day. If wearing glasses was not related to being hospitalized for COVID-19, youโd expect to find 31 percent of the patients to be people who wore glasses, but the researchers found only 6 percent of the patients wore glasses more than 8 hours a day -- far fewer than expected. Incidentally, none of the patients wore contact lenses or had refractive surgery. The study was purely observational and doesnโt state wearing glasses decreases the chance of being hospitalized with COVID-19, but itโs plausible glasses could be protective in decreasing the amount of virus a person is exposed to. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
University of Michigan study: Virtual school has overwhelmed parents, students
Researchers at the University of Michigan are sharing results from a survey that supports what many of us already know: Virtual learning early in the coronavirus pandemic placed a serious hardship on American students and parents. About 24% of parents indicated that their child was fearful or anxious and 30% of parents indicated their child was nervous, high strung or tense. However, the pandemic continues as of this writing with students at home enrolled in virtual school. As stated, virtual learning for the fall semester is now well underway in many Michigan school districts. Here at ClickOnDetroit, we want to hear from parents and students about their experiences with this unprecedented situation.
University of Michigan Museum of Art invites students to study in museum apse
ANN ARBOR โ Talk about an inspiring space. The University of Michigan Museum of Art is inviting students to reserve physically distanced study spaces in its iconic Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Apse. The impressive two-story space features a soaring 40-foot skylight, marble floors and an art installation. The spaces are free and open to all U-M students and can be reserved here. Sign up for our email newsletter here!
U-M poll: Loneliness among older adults doubled in early months of pandemic
ANN ARBOR โ According to a recent poll by the University of Michigan, 56 percent of adults over the age of 50 reported feeling isolated from others in June. Thatโs more than double the 27% who reported feeling lonely in a similar 2018 poll. Additionally, a third of respondents reported having less companionship than before the pandemic. Meanwhile, seventy five percent of respondents reported engaging in healthy behaviors by getting outdoors or interacting with nature while 62% reported exercising multiple times a week. Both polls on loneliness in older adults from 2020 and 2018 drew from a national sample of more than 2,000 respondents between the ages of 50 and 80 and were conducted online.
Doctors studying why obesity may be tied to serious COVID-19
NEW YORK In the early days of the pandemic, doctors noticed something about the people severely ill from COVID-19: Many were obese. But there's some evidence that obesity itself can increase the likelihood of serious complications from a coronavirus infection. The increased risk for serious COVID-19 illness appears more pronounced with extreme obesity, or a BMI of 40 or higher. One study found an increased risk for death from COVID-19 for people with severe obesity, but only among men. They need a machine to help just do the work, said Dr. David Kass of Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University, who has co-authored a study on obesity and severe COVID-19 illness.
4 study tips for students stuck at home
Even with the new rules, the library can be a great place for students looking for a quiet place to study. Outdoor study spaces:If the library isnt for you, or if there just arent any spaces when you need them, UofM has also set up outdoor study spaces with tables and wifi. Setting up your own outdoor study space can also allow you to study together with roommates. Zoom study sessions with friends:It may not be ideal, but there are still options for students who like to study in a social group. Getting away from your study space for a bit can help prevent burnout.
Gene sleuths suggests wide virus spread from Boston meeting in February
NEW YORK A meeting at a hotel in Boston last February may have ignited the spread of the pandemic virus to some 19,000 people in the area, a new study suggests. Health authorities had previously linked the meeting to more than 90 cases among people at the meeting and their contacts. But researchers found that a specific mutation in the virus from people associated with the meeting also showed up in hundreds of other cases, which allowed them to estimate the broader extent of the spread. She and co-authors began their analysis by deciphering the genetic makeup of the new coronavirus that was recovered from people sampled mostly in the Boston area between January and May. But the conference occurred before people in in the Boston area were taking steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19, she said.
Scientists say Hong Kong man got coronavirus a second time
University of Hong Kong scientists claim to have the first evidence of someone being reinfected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The man had mild symptoms the first time and none the second time; his more recent infection was detected through screening and testing at the Hong Kong airport. It shows that some people do not have lifelong immunity to the virus if they've already had it, To said. If there is a reinfection, it suggests the possibility there was residual immunity ... that helped protect the patient from getting sick again, Goodman said. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education.
Study finds thunderstorms linked to respiratory illnesses
Harvard researchers wanted to see if increases in emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses among older adults happened in the days surrounding thunderstorms because vulnerable groups and those with common chronic respiratory disease may be able to take steps to prevent worsening. The study in JAMA Internal Medicine found thunderstorms are linked with an average of 3,700 emergency department visits annually in the U.S. among seniors with respiratory illnesses, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They collected the data from 1999 through 2012 in more than 3,000 counties and looked at emergency department visits due to respiratory conditions in older patient populations in the days before and after thunderstorms. They found an uptick of ER visits of those with asthma and COPD on the day before thunderstorms. You can find the full study here.
New tool helps calculate risk factors for developing severe illness from COVID-19
DETROIT Since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, weve learned so much about the risk factors for developing severe illness from COVID-19. READ: State of Michigan updates COVID-19 hospitalization dataTheres a new online tool to help anyone figure out it -- and its free. The tool was built to calculate a persons risk of requiring hospitalization after they were diagnosed with COVID-19. READ: Vaping might increase risk of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) in teens, young adultsThe study identified several risk factors that have not been seen in other models. The online tool was designed for doctors, but anyone can use it.
Study suggests colleges would need to frequently test all students for COVID-19 to reopen safely
DETROIT A new study is looking at what it would take for colleges to reopen safely. The findings suggest frequently testing all of the students would be necessary to keep classes on campus and the coronavirus (COVID-19) under control. In the hypothetical study, all were living on campus and none had immunity to COVID-19. Testing students every two days would cost about $470 per student, per semester. Testing every two days, even with a lower-quality test, still prevented more hypothetical infections than weekly testing with a more expensive test.