Wednesday Edition Scientists identify long-sought marker for COVID vaccine success (Nature) Researchers developing the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have identified biomarkers that can help to predict whether someone will be protected by the jab they receive. The team at the University of Oxford, UK, identified a ‘correlate of protection’ from the immune responses of trial participants — the first found by any COVID-19 vaccine developer. Identifying such blood markers, scientists say, will improve existing vaccines and speed the development of new ones by reducing the need for costly large-scale efficacy trials. More... Navigating the evidence on essential care partners during COVID-19 and beyond (HQC) Masks, social distancing, personal protective equipment, hand-hygiene, vaccines: Navigating the evidence on these topics and more during the COVID-19 pandemic can be an overwhelming task. In 2020, when the pandemic was first announced hospitals, long-term care homes, and personal care homes shut their doors to the public across much of the world. When it came time to reopen, provinces varied with regards to if and how visiting restrictions were lifted. More... SHRF announces $720,000 in funding support for USask early-career researchers to address health challenges (U of S) Six University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers will tackle a wide variety of health challenges—from developing new therapeutics for cancer to creating a culturally responsive research framework that supports Indigenous people in navigating their healing and wellness journeys—thanks to an investment of $720,000. The Establishment Grant funding from SHRF is intended to attract and retain those with the knowledge and expertise needed to build careers in the province, create effective collaborations, and work to improve health outcomes for the people of Saskatchewan. More... How Everyday People Can Become Extraordinary Leaders (Forbes) Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders. They set out to make a difference. Yes, I know. That sounds like one of those high testosterone posters in the employee cafeteria. But it’s absolutely true. And it could serve as a guide for anyone who’s less interested in personal plaudits than in exercising influence for good. Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner understand this better than most. They are esteemed academics (Jim at Rice University, Barry at Santa Clara University), but as leadership consultants and coaches they’ve also earned high praise in the real world of real work. More... Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19A Meta-analysis (JAMA) Excessive systemic inflammation and raised IL-6 levels resulting from dysregulated host immune responses are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This led to the design of several randomized clinical trials assessing the efficacy of IL-6 antagonists in patients with COVID-19. The IL-6 antagonists commonly investigated were monoclonal antibodies that bind either to membrane-bound and soluble IL-6 receptors (eg, tocilizumab and sarilumab) or directly to IL-6 (eg, siltuximab). More...
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