October 2, 2020 - IU Research Impact: COVID-19 update

IUPUI scientists determine COVID-19 death rate in general population

NIAID

Using results of the first U.S. statewide random sample study of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, IUPUI researchers have calculated the first generalizable infection fatality rate for COVID-19 by age, race, ethnicity and sex. The study is the first to determine the probability of death from the novel coronavirus among people not living in institutions such as nursing homes or prisons.

Read more on the COVID-19 infection fatality rate

New app allows citizens to help with effort to contain COVID-19

In the fight against COVID-19, mask usage has been difficult to measure. A new app, "MaskCountTM," lets users document mask usage or non-usage without identifying anyone, data that will be combined with other COVID-19 data to better understand outbreaks. The app is from Regenstrief Institute, a key IU research partner.

Read more about a new app helping fight COVID-19

Creating a COVID CV to show pandemic impact on academic work

As the pandemic persists, parents from academia have taken on roles as daycare providers, tutors, home health care aides, and more. Academic CVs, used for review and promotion, don't show this work. But what if CVs better reflected reality, even documenting disruptions?

Read more about COVID CVs

Energy insecurity exacerbated by pandemic continues to hit vulnerable populations hardest

Households of color continue to be affected at disproportionate rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a second wave of data from IU's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Read more about the exacerbated energy insecurity crisis

Volunteers receiving government aid while unemployed face bias from public

With the spike in unemployment caused by the pandemic, many people may volunteer in their newly found free time. But new research from IU's Kelley School of Business suggests volunteers who also receive government aid are judged negatively as wasting time that could be used to find employment.

Read more about the public bias against government aided volunteers

Featured Expert

An expert on the intersections of racial inequities and social policies, Breanca Merritt has commented widely on how systemic racism has led to greater health disparities for Blacks during the pandemic crisis. She's also offered analysis of the impact of institutionalized racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the widespread protest movement that followed. Merritt is a clinical assistant professor at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI and the founding director of the Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy at the IU Public Policy Institute.

Breanca Merritt

COVID-19 Funding Opportunities

The Foundation for a Smoke-free World is offering support for COVID-19, Smoking, and Nicotine Research to better understand the associations between smoking and/or nicotine use and COVID-19 infection and outcomes. Recipients will implement projects relevant to the global pandemic, including pre-clinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies. Funding amounts up to $500,000. Deadline is December 15, 2020.

Resources

  • The 2020 Indiana Life Sciences Summit takes place virtually on October 7. The event includes leaders from Indiana life sciences companies, the state's three research universities, and companies new to Indiana this year. Discussions will include the impact of COVID-19 on the state and the critical role that Indiana’s life sciences industry has had on the global health crisis.
  • The 5th Annual IUPUI TRIP Showcase takes place virtually October 12,  celebrating the scholarship and creative work of the IUPUI research community. It is immediately preceded by a virtual Community Dialogue event featuring IUPUI Bantz Community Fellows.
  • Access the latest IU research news from your smart speaker or other smart device. Audio news briefings are now available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on a variety of channels.
  • Did you know you can follow IU Research on Facebook and Twitter?
  • Learn about changes to IU's 2020-2021 academic calendar, what life on campus will be like, and how the university is working to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff on IU's Fall 2020 website. FAQs and latest news updates available.