Health and Science

The Dangers of Covid Variants and How Mutations Fuel Them

By Emily Tian

Around the world, Covid-19 has been affecting millions of people with its deadly symptoms. Although cases throughout the US have been declining, the rise of several other dangerous variants emerged. Most variants have similar Covid-19 symptoms and some, such as the Alpha and Delta variants, may cause even more severe conditions. To monitor these variants, scientists are keeping records based on how easily they spread, how they are treated, and the severity of their symptoms. Most variants tend to spread more quickly than others. This may lead to more cases of Covid, more strain on healthcare resources, more hospitalization, and potentially more deaths. Like any other virus, COVID-19 has been constantly mutating. Since its first appearance in China in 2019, it has gone through several minor variations that have made the virus more infectious and contagious. This was first seen through the Alpha variant that spread globally, before it was mutated further into the even more infective Delta variant. In addition, a newly discovered mutation of the Delta has been investigated in the UK. Many scientists are worried that this could make the virus even more transmissible and undermine the Covid-19 vaccine further. However, there is still much unknown about this subtype of the Delta, which some people are even calling the new Delta Plus. More so, Stuart Ray, vice chair of medicine for data integrity and analytics, even stated, “There is evidence from laboratory studies that some immune responses driven by current vaccines could be less effective against some of these variants.” He warns everyone to watch for changes from the CDC and to continue with safety precautions, such as mask wearing and social distancing. The pandemic’s trajectory in 2020 was fairly predictable, however “I think we’re going into an unpredictable phase now,” says Jeremy Farrar, an infectious disease expert. Many other scientists agree with Farrar and want to use this time as an early alarm bell, and as a chance to get ahead of the variant. Scientists even hypothesize that more genetic changes could result in a more contagious mutation. These mutations are formed when the infection attaches to your cells, making copies of their RNA. If there’s a copying mistake, the RNA gets changed, and a mutation forms. In particular the Covid-19 variants are cre ated when they first affect the virus’s spike protein. These proteins help the virus attach to human cells such as the nose and lungs, causing these new variants to bind more tightly onto our bodies. As more researchers keep up with these new versions of the virus’s genetic sequencing and evolution, they encourage people to stand by the safety regulations set out by the CDC. Discoveries like these are just beginning and in the meantime, scientists are continuing their efforts to prevent viral transmissions and to vaccinate as many people as possible.

Photo Courtesy of Misha Friedman/Getty Images

Permanent Damage of Contact Sports

By Andrew Margolis

Photo Courtesy of Erin Locascio It is a common misconception that there are no longterm repercussions of injuries after they have healed. However, it has been proven that some types of brain damage don’t disappear even after the patient feels back to normal. This idea is crucial to all those who play contact sports. Sports are the leading cause of death from brain injury, and are responsible for nearly 21% of all traumatic brain injuries in general. So why do parents continuously let their children play contact sports if these sports are charged with statistics illustrating their capability to cause serious damage? Well the answer is quite simple: parents, and even children, are unaware of how injuries impact individuals even after they are treated Most brain damage sticks with a person even after treatment. The culprit behind this occurrence is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly referred to as CTE. According to university professors, CTE is caused by repeated head injuries, which lead to a progressive loss in memory and other brain skills. This has been a recurring issue that is mostly due to a lack of proper skull protection. The primary sports associated with CTE are football, hockey, boxing, and basketball. When the brain forcefully hits the skull, CTE can transpire. This is because specific proteins in the brain, called tau proteins, are more likely to malfunction after head trauma, leading to damaging alterations in behavior, thinking, and mood. While the recovery process helps to minimize CTE, it can still have long-term if not permanent effects. While CTE isn’t extremely common, traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs much more frequently. TBI is caused when the brain is injured once, while CTE occurs after repetitive brain injuries. The level of impact intensity on the brain also helps determine how quickly the brain begins to deteriorate. For example, CTE can develop from one large hit or many small ones, but not everyone is affected the same way. Genetics, diet, even alcohol and drug consumption plays a role in how CTE emerges. While CTE has become a growing problem for athletes in contact sports, it is very difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis is mostly based on prediction, for example if the person has been playing sports for 10-15 years and suddenly begins to act differently or exhibit abnormal emotions. Due to the diagnosis difficulty, scientists normally identify CTE after death when they can fully examine tau clusters. Researchers, however, are working to find innovative and efficient methods to diagnose CTE. Lucas Montesano, a 16 year-old student attending Blind Brook High School has his own experience with the dangers of contact sports. Lucas plays for the Blind Brook football team and was recently diagnosed with a concussion after suffering a devastating blow from his opponents. While this injury wasn’t enough to end Lucas’ football career, it definitely helped shed light on the growing issue of brain injury and the threat of CTE. After recovering Lucas stated, “While my concussion was very unexpected, I just don’t see myself giving up the sport I love even if it means risking my health every time I step onto that field. However, this event shocked me, and while I refuse to give up football, I’ll definitely keep the danger in the back

Social Distancing vs. Social Development

By Zoey Possick

Covid-19 has had devastating effects on all aspects of life, and adolescents especially have faced the harsh realities that the pandemic has created. At this time in their lives, adolescents are focused on finding their own identities and distinguishing themselves from their parents. This includes exploring gender identity, religion, political standpoints, values, and self-esteem. The pandemic, and the multiple lockdowns, has forced teens to be cooped up in their houses, creating an unideal environment for establishing independence. Social deprivation due to the lockdown is predicted to have extensive effects on adolescent brains and behavior. However, the extent of detrimental effects may be mitigated due to widespread access to social media and technology. Teens have been able to interact with their peers, even if it is not face-to-face. Social development has also been hindered through an increased hypersensitivity to social stimuli. The social brain structure develops substantially during adolescence, where teens are faced with increased hormones, including serotonin and dopamine, that intensify emotions and responses to events in their lives. This causes all reactions to the lockdown to be intensified in teens, in contrast with all other age groups. The lack of interaction has caused adolescents to be especially susceptible to peer pressure and exclusion, because they are not well adapted to social situations. This also correlates with increased anxiety in social situations. It has become increasingly difficult for teens to understand social cues and interact with peers when at their most crucial time of development, they have not been able to do so. The environments teens have been locked in has further intensified the effects of the pandemic. LumenLearning quotes, “Even within the same country, adolescents’ gender, ethnicity, immigrant status, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and personality can shape both how adolescents behave and how others respond to them, creating diverse developmental contexts for different adolescents.” Without exposure to diversity of peer groups and opportunities to meet new people, adolescents will not get the exposure they need in order to shape who they will be in the future. Marginalized communities have faced even harsher circumstances. Stress levels, food insecurity, housing instability, loss of family income, and rates of illness have all increased in these communities, making it especially difficult for adolescents. Also, a lack of internet access cut teens off from their peers completely. Positive versus negative familial environments can also greatly impact a teen’s development. Adolescents in lockdown in a negative family environment can be especially traumatized, and their mental health and wellbeing can be affected greatly. While the long term developmental effects of the pandemic on social development cannot be determined now, rodent studies have shown that rodents that were isolated were seen to have hindered neurobiological development, increased anxiety, hyperactivity, and heightened sensitivity to rewards. The applicability of these studies to teens today may not be proportional, but the data suggests that teens will suffer similar consequences. Senior neuropsychologist Brittany LeMonda states, “Teenage years are filled with physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. There are also hormonal shifts, Returning to school has been difficult for teens across the globe. They not only are burdened with educational setbacks, but mental setbacks, as well. It is therefore crucial to recognize how adolescents have struggled due to the pandemic, but continue to struggle with readapting to their new normals in school.

Photo Courtesy of Michael S. Helfenbein

more independence and responsibility, and peer challenges. It is therefore not surprising that teens have been more susceptible to declines in psychological health over the last year.” LeMonda reports that one in three girls and one in five boys have experienced new or worsening anxiety as a result of the lockdowns

Photo Courtesy of Nick Laterza

Permanent Damage of Contact Sports

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of my mind and be a little more cautious next time.” While Lucas won’t develop CTE as a result of this injury, any more brain damage could be detrimental to his health. Based on scientific data and Lucas’ response, it is evident that brain injury is a huge issue that looms over all those who participate in contact sports. While not many are aware of this matter, it is important that parents and administrators learn more about this growing concern in order to establish a safe environment for athletes.