NEW research demonstrates that an existing drug, called Ebselen, has the potential to disrupt SARS-CoV-2. This is the virus responsible for Covid-19.
The recent study could help develop Ebselen as a new treatment for Covid-19. The study also provides clues as to which other existing drugs scientists should prioritize in the hunt for effective therapies.
The sudden emergence and rapid spread of Covid-19 has catalyzed a significant amount of research into possible treatments and therapies.
SARS-CoV-2 bears many similarities to other corona viruses, such as SARS-CoV, which is responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). However, “repurposing SARS drugs for Covid-19 may not be effective,” according to the authors of the new study.
PHYSICIAN SURVEY REVEALS WIDESPREAD BURNOUT
A recent survey of physicians in the United States finds high levels of occupational burnout with white physicians more likely to report burnout than those from marginalized ethnic or racial groups.
Feeling emotionally exhausted and unable to cope are common signs of burnout, a response to a prolonged period of stress.
The issue is often occupational; the World Health Organization (WHO)define burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
Burnout is particularly common among physicians, who regularly face long hours and high-pressure situations. In the U.S., levels of burnout are consistently higher in this group than in the general population of employed people.
Yet there is limited understanding of how burnout varies among physicians, particularly among people who are marginalized due to race or ethnicity, and who therefore face the additional challenges of exclusion and discrimination.
CONFIDING IN OTHERS MAY PROTECT AGAINST DEPRESSION
A study suggests confiding in others is one of the best ways to stave off depression, while daytime napping and spending lots of time watching television appear to increase the risk of developing the condition.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) say depression is a leading cause of disability, and estimate more than 264 million people suffer from the condition. Therefore, a major priority is to identify environmental and lifestyle factors that people can change to reduce their risk of developing the condition.
