Lockdown-related stress led to more severe brain changes in girls, raising concerns about long-term mental health impacts, say scientists. Study: COVID-19 lockdown effects on adolescent brain structure suggest accelerated maturation that is more pronounced in females than in males. Image Credit: DOERS / Shutterstock In a study published in the journal Proceedings…

Persistent symptoms and long-term health impacts more common after COVID-19, with age and preexisting conditions driving higher risks. Study: Antecedent and persistent symptoms in COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses: insights from prospectively collected data in the BRACE trial. Image Credit: ktsdesign / Shutterstock A recent study published in the Journal of Infection…

Study shows that antibody levels stabilize across populations, offering a new lens for pandemic strategy and vaccine deployment. Study: Convergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels to a population immune setpoint. Image Credit: Juan Gaertner / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal eBioMedicine, researchers conducted a two-stage anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein…

Facing anxiety and boredom, young men and women turned to cannabis during lockdowns, revealing surprising differences in how they coped. Study: A qualitative study of experiences among young adults who increased their cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image Credit: fizkes / Shutterstock In a qualitative study published in the journal BMC Public…

Hidden reservoirs: Mink, raccoon dogs, and other fur animals may be breeding grounds for the next pandemic, with newly discovered viruses posing a serious threat to global health. Study: Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential. Image Credit: chinahbzyg / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Nature, researchers conducted…

Discover how persistent symptoms and unexpected autoimmune risks are reshaping our understanding of COVID-19’s long-term impact on the youngest patients. Study: Characteristics and predictors of Long Covid in children: a 3-year prospective cohort study. Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, researchers examined the predictors…