COVID-19 deaths in the US continue to be undercounted, research shows, despite claims of 'overcounts'

Taking into consideration the number of excess deaths caused by COVID-19 compared with pre-pandemic years is critical to getting an accurate accounting of the pandemic’s real toll.

Yea-Hung Chen, Research Data Specialist in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 • ~12 min

The Black Death may not have been spread by rats after all

Recent research suggests rats may not have played the critical role in keeping plague going in Europe.

Philip Slavin, Associate Professor of History, University of Stirling • conversation
Jan. 18, 2023 • ~8 min

Long COVID stemmed from mild cases of COVID-19 in most people, according to a new multicountry study

While there are still far more questions than answers about long COVID-19, researchers are beginning to get a clearer picture of the health and economic consequences of the condition.

Theo Vos, Professor of Health Metric Sciences, University of Washington • conversation
Jan. 5, 2023 • ~6 min

Can machine learning predict the next big disaster?

Researchers may have a way to forecast hard-to-predict events like earthquakes and pandemics with less data.

Brown University • futurity
Jan. 3, 2023 • ~7 min

Kick up your heels – ballroom dancing offers benefits to the aging brain and could help stave off dementia

Dancing requires physical, social and cognitive engagement and, as a result, it may bolster a wide network of brain regions.

Helena Blumen, Associate Professor of Medicine and Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine • conversation
Jan. 3, 2023 • ~5 min

Pandemic Changed American Life in Some Ways
VOA Learning English • voa
Dec. 21, 2022 • ~5 min

This course teaches students how to connect with older adults to forge intergenerational bonds and help alleviate loneliness and isolation

Social isolation and loneliness in aging adults have been linked to numerous physical and mental health ailments. Teaching students how to listen deeply to older people can lessen those effects.

Jeremy Holloway, Assistant Professor of Geriatric Education, University of North Dakota • conversation
Dec. 20, 2022 • ~7 min

1918 flu pandemic upended long-standing social inequalities – at least for a time, new study finds

During the 1918 flu pandemic, white people died at similar rates to Black Americans, according to a new study – a very different pattern than what occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Martin Eiermann, Postdoctoral Fellow in Sociology, Duke University • conversation
Dec. 16, 2022 • ~6 min

As viral infections skyrocket, masks are still a tried-and-true way to help keep yourself and others safe

Decades of research show that respiratory illnesses are dramatically reduced when people wear face masks.

Marisa Eisenberg, Associate Professor of Complex Systems, Epidemiology and Mathematics, University of Michigan • conversation
Dec. 14, 2022 • ~9 min

Nurses' attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination for their children are highly influenced by partisanship, a new study finds

Nurses who identify as Democrats have a significantly higher likelihood of having their children vaccinated against COVID-19 than those who identify as Republicans.

David Wiltse, Associate Professor of Political Science, South Dakota State University • conversation
Dec. 2, 2022 • ~6 min

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