The risks of thromboembolism—blood clots blocking blood flow to organs—following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) remain uncertain. In a new study, researchers from Korea University College of Medicine assessed thrombo-embolic event rates post-vaccination. Notably, in AF/AFL patients who are already on anticoagulation therapy, a COVID-19 vaccination does not increase thromboembolic risk. However, in those not taking oral anticoagulants, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a significantly higher risk of thromboembolism.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all the importance of educating the public about viral infections. Besides educating the general public, we need to equip the next generation of scientists by bringing viral education into the classroom. Now, researchers from the Tokyo University of Science have filmed the ‘giant’ virus Mimivirus in the process of infecting a cell, creating a fascinating film that can help educators teach biology in a more engaging manner.

Time spent sedentary beyond six hours per day during growth from childhood through young adulthood may cause an excess increase of 4 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, a new study shows. Continuously engaging in light physical activity (LPA) significantly mitigated the rise in blood pressure. The study was conducted in collaboration between the Universities of Bristol and Exeter in the UK, and the University of Eastern Finland, and the results were published in the prestigious Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle.

Dr. Natalia Acosta-Baena, physician-scientist at the University of Antioquia's Neurosciences Group, has discovered a novel syndrome connecting neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration through the SPAG9 gene. This finding challenges traditional understanding of brain disorders and opens new avenues for personalized medicine approaches in both early development and age-related conditions.

WISH 2024 – the seventh edition of a biennial global gathering of healthcare expertise hosted by Qatar Foundation’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) – opened with an emphasis on the importance of innovative solutions to ensure equitable health access for all.