Network Science Institute Archives

Your Google searches and Tweets might help forecast the next disease outbreak

People leave a trail of breadcrumbs when they navigate the digital world, offering clues about what is happening in their lives—including their health. Northeastern’s Mauricio Santillana is using machine learning algorithms to turn those clues into an early warning system for disease outbreaks.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki May 17, 2022

Public health experts say that COVID-19 is likely to become an

For COVID-19, ‘endemic’ does not mean ‘the end’

Public-health experts have said that COVID-19 is likely to become an “endemic” disease. But the general public is unfamiliar with the term. Northeastern epidemiologist Alessandro Vespignani explains what the term “endemic” means to scientists—and how you can understand what happens next.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki February 18, 2022

A strong majority favor keeping indoor mask requirements even as several states are ending the requirement, according to a new survey by researchers from Northeastern and partner universities. The findings suggest many people will continue to wear masks in bars, restaurants, and other indoor venues. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Is indoor mask-wearing still popular?

Wearing masks indoors is strongly supported nationwide, including in several blue states that plan to ditch the requirement soon, according to a new U.S. survey by researchers at Northeastern and partner universities. See which parts of the country are in favor of and opposed to wearing masks inside.

by Peter Ramjug February 17, 2022

COVID-19 cases are dropping in the US. What comes after the omicron wave?

Coronavirus cases have been halved since the peak of the omicron surge in mid-January, and they continue to decline. If we can make it to the summer with no new major disruptive variants, says Alessandro Vespignani, director of the Network Science Institute at Northeastern, “We might have a considerable break from COVID-19.”

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki February 9, 2022

Breakthrough infections over the winter may have raised doubts about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, causing the childhood vaccination rate to stall, according to a newly released survey from Northeastern and partner universities. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Omicron wave didn’t spur parents to get their kids vaccinated

Children’s COVID-19 vaccination rates slowed during the winter wave of omicron infections. A new survey by researchers at Northeastern and partner universities explains why.

by Peter Ramjug February 8, 2022

A survey taken after the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted takeover of the U.S. Capitol finds that 23 percent of the U.S. believe that violent protest against the government is justifiable. The feeling was shared almost equally between liberals and conservatives. AP Photo/John Minchillo

Is political violence against the government ever justified?

Nearly a quarter of the United States believes violent protests against the government—such as the Capitol insurrection—are sometimes justifiable, according to a new survey. And they might not vote the way you think they do.

by Peter Ramjug January 31, 2022

Quick-result home COVID-19 tests are more popular with young people, the wealthy, and highly educated, according to a new survey by Northeastern and other partner universities. Photo illustration by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Should I report my at-home COVID-19 test results?

Millions of rapid COVID-19 tests are being mailed out to homes across the country. Who’s using them, who isn’t, and how reliable are they? A survey by researchers from Northeastern and partner universities answers those questions.

by Peter Ramjug January 25, 2022

Social media sites, especially Facebook, were the top conduits for vaccine misinformation, according to a U.S. survey of health care workers who treated unvaccinated patients. The findings point to an 'urgent' misinformation problem. Photo Illustration by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Vaccine misinformation on social media can be a life-or-death problem

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals say that COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on social media channels is an “urgent” problem that may be negatively influencing people’s decisions to get inoculated, according to a survey by researchers from Northeastern and partner institutions.

by Peter Ramjug January 20, 2022

Omicron has set records. How much do case counts matter now?

COVID-19 cases are high, but it’s not 2020 anymore: Being nearly two years into the pandemic may make all the difference. “If we were seeing these numbers back in September of 2020, it would be a different story,” says Northeastern public health expert Neil Maniar.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki January 11, 2022

People wait in line to test for COVID-19 in Long Beach, Calif. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

When will the omicron surge be over? Very soon.

The omicron variant is driving a record-setting surge of COVID-19 cases across the nation. But coronavirus numbers are expected to plummet just as quickly as they soared, says Alessandro Vespignani, director of the Network Science Institute at Northeastern. And that may happen fast.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki January 6, 2022