Damian McNamara is a journalist for Medscape Medical News and MDedge. He worked full-time for MDedge as the Miami Bureau covering a dozen medical specialties during 2001-2012, then as a freelancer for Medscape and MDedge, before being hired on staff by Medscape in 2018. Now the two companies are one. He uses what he learned in school – Damian has a BS in chemistry and an MS in science, health and environmental reporting/journalism. He works out of a home office in Miami, with a 100-pound chocolate lab known to snore under his desk during work hours.
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‘Profound human toll’ in excess deaths from COVID-19 calculated in two studies
The number of deaths caused by the pandemic exceeds publicly reported COVID-19 death counts by 20%.
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Three major COVID vaccine developers release detailed trial protocols
Typically, manufacturers guard the specifics of preclinical vaccine trials. This rare move follows calls for greater transparency.
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Infectious COVID-19 can persist in gut for weeks
“We found active and prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in the stool of patients with COVID-19, even after recovery, suggesting that coronavirus could...
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Unexpected results in new COVID-19 ‘cytokine storm’ data
Circulating cytokine concentrations are lower in patients with COVID-19, compared with other diseases.
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High mortality rates reported in large COVID-19 study
“What I found most illuminating was this whole concept of comorbid conditions. This provides suggestive data about who we need to worry about most...
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Two PR employees at FDA fired after plasma therapy controversy
The warnings by two public relations experts at the FDA against overpromoting convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19 reportedly led to...
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FDA approves point-of-care COVID-19 antigen test
“This new COVID-19 antigen test is an important addition to available tests because the results can be read in minutes, right off the testing card...
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Cutaneous clues linked to COVID-19 coagulation risk
These skin signs could augment coagulation assays in this patient population.
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Low vitamin D linked to increased COVID-19 risk
A large study evaluates associations between low serum vitamin D levels and risks for acquiring COVID-19 and hospitalization.
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Combination therapy quells COVID-19 cytokine storm
“While not a randomized clinical trial, and thus susceptible to unmeasured bias, the study adds to mounting evidence that supports targeting the...
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About one-third of older Americans receive shingles vaccine
“People over age 50 who have had chickenpox have a one third chance over...
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FDA approves oral therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes, CMML
Under a priority review, the FDA approved a combination tablet for treatment of people with myelodysplastic syndromes or chronic myelomonocytic...
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WHO plans to address airborne COVID-19 transmission
“The possibility of airborne transmission in public settings – especially closed, poorly ventilated settings – cannot be ruled out.”
