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Patients suffering from long COVID have distinct immune and hormone imbalances compared to those without, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Nature. More than three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the breakthrough offers concrete scientific evidence of a complex condition that scientists have struggled to understand. (Saric, 9/25)

Scientists have found clear differences in the blood of people with long Covid — a key first step in the development of a test to diagnose the illness. The findings, published Monday in the journal Nature, also offer clues into what could be causing the elusive condition that has perplexed doctors worldwide and left millions with ongoing fatigue, trouble with memory and other debilitating symptoms. (Edwards, 9/25)

A large study from Singapore suggests that COVID-19 infection increased the risk of new-onset cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications during the Delta variant era and that vaccination lowered the risk. For the study, published today in Clinical Infectious Diseases, a team led by National Centre for Infectious Diseases researchers used national testing and healthcare claims databases to evaluate the risk and rates of incident cardiovascular (eg, abnormal heart rhythms), cerebrovascular (eg, stroke), and other thrombotic (blood clot–related) complications among adults. (Van Beusekom, 9/25)

The United Kingdom's Heath Security Agency (HSA) recently posted a technical briefing on the highly mutated Omicron BA.2.86 variant, which said that, based on moderate confidence, the level of antibody escape is probably similar to XBB.1.5. In addition, data from two labs suggests it may have slightly higher ACE2 binding affinity, a factor that might play a role in transmissibility. So far, there's no sign that infections involving BA.2.86 are more severe. (Schnirring, 9/25)

Health system leaders are viewing generative artificial intelligence as a way to cut costs and pare relationships with certain third-party vendors. Excitement is palpable for AI in healthcare. A survey released last week by the Center for Connected Medicine at UPMC and market research firm KLAS Research showed AI was “dominating the thoughts of many executives at health systems.” AI was identified as the most exciting emerging technology by nearly 80% of health system respondents. (Turner, 9/25)

A new report by an international team of experts is calling for a "grand bargain" to improve the antibiotic development market. The report, released last week by the Center for Global Development, calls for governments and drug makers to negotiate and come to a political understanding that would help fix the antibiotic development market. Such an agreement is needed because the current market, the report argues, is failing to spur antibiotic research and development (R&D), ensure equitable access to new antibiotics, and protect antibiotics from overuse. (Dall, 9/25)

New research at the University of New Hampshire will focus on finding out more about the gut health of New Hampshire’s hispanic community and particularly those at risk of food insecurity. ... Diabetes affects Hispanic or Latino people more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US adults have a 40 percent chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, while Hispanic or Latino adults have more than a 50 percent chance of developing the disease and it’s likely to occur at a younger age. (Gokee, 9/25)