High COVID-19 risk among health care workers, especially those from minority backgrounds

New research indicates that at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and the U.K., frontline healthcare workers—particularly those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds—faced much higher risks of testing positive for COVID-19 than individuals in the general community. The study, which was conducted by a team led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), is published in The Lancet Public Health.

Trial finds drug safe and effective in treating hepatitis C during pregnancy

Critics of the new recommendation to screen all pregnant women for hepatitis C—a lifelong infection that attacks the liver—argue that it's wasteful to test for a disease among a population that can't be treated, but results of a small phase I clinical trial at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) suggest otherwise: pregnancy could be an excellent time to diagnose and cure hepatitis C infection.

Higher fruit, vegetable and whole grain intake linked to lower risk of diabetes

Higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to two studies published by The BMJ today.

Animals who try to sound 'bigger' are good at learning sounds

Some animals fake their body size by sounding bigger than they actually are. Maxime Garcia from the University of Zurich and Andrea Ravignani from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics studied 164 different mammals and found that animals that lower their voices to sound bigger are often skilled vocalists. Both strategies—sounding bigger and learning sounds—are likely driven by sexual selection, and may play a role in explaining the origins of human speech evolution.

Increase in delirium, rare brain inflammation and stroke linked to COVID-19

Neurological complications of Covid-19 can include delirium, brain inflammation, stroke and nerve damage, finds a new UCL and UCLH-led study.

How long to play dead in order to stay alive?

Many animals remain motionless or play dead after being attacked by a predator in the hope that it will give up and move onto some other unfortunate prey.

Clean energy grids and electric vehicles key to beating climate change and air pollution

Any uptake in electric vehicle use must be mirrored by the development of clean energy grids to mitigate both climate change and air pollution.

Growing numbers of alcohol related hospital admissions linked to local spending cuts

According to the researchers, the study shows that spending cuts to alcohol services represent a false economy since decreases in expenditure are linked to increased hospital admissions which inevitably are costly to society and the economy.

Leading academics call for statutory levy on gambling firms to reduce harm

Leading UK academic scientists are urging the government to introduce a statutory levy on gambling firms to deliver reductions in gambling harms.

Review finds major weaknesses in evidence base for COVID-19 antibody tests

Major weaknesses exist in the evidence base for COVID-19 antibody tests, finds a review of the latest research published by The BMJ today.

Individuals physically distanced before state mandates, slowing COVID-19 spread

Residents in all 25 of the U.S. counties hardest hit by COVID-19 began to limit their public movements six to 29 days before states implemented stay-at-home orders, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.

Meeting recommended weekly physical activity levels linked to lower risk of death

Adults who meet recommended weekly physical activity levels have a lower risk of death, finds a US study published by The BMJ today.

Why are patient and public voices absent in COVID-19 policy-making?

Patient and public voices were "regrettably" absent in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but must now move centre stage, argue experts in The BMJ today.