Negative Economic Impact Research Articles

Exploring Disease Management and Control through Pathogen Diagnostics and One Health Initiative: A Concise Review.

The "One Health" initiative is a critical strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health in the spread and containment of infectious pathogens. With the ease of global transportation, transboundary disease outbreaks pose a significant threat to food safety and security, endangering public health and having a negative economic impact. Traditional diagnostic techniques based on genotypic and phenotypic analyses are expensive, time-consuming, and cannot be translated into point-of-care tools, hindering effective disease management and control. However, with advancements in molecular methods, biosensors, and new generation sequencing, rapid and reliable diagnostics are now available. This review provides a comprehensive insight into emergent viral and bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the importance of "One Health" in connecting detection and effective treatment. By emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between human and animal health, this paper underscores the critical role of "One Health" initiatives in preventing and controlling infectious diseases.

Efficiency analysis of thermoelectric generators

The negative environmental and economic impact, derived from the use of fossil fuels – oil, coal, gas, and other non-renewable sources of energy – has stimulated scientific research on clean and economically viable sources. Photovoltaics and wind power are intermittent sources which stimulates the quest for other energy sources. In this sense, a promising source of energy is made up of Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs), which have the property of converting thermal energy into electrical energy, through the well-known Seebeck Effect. A new methodology for the characterization of these devices is presented in this work. For a robust analysis of the measures, the extraction of parameters is done through the meta-heuristic Self-Adaptive differential evolution method. This is made possible by simultaneous fitting of three equations and five parameters in a consistent autonomous fashion. Besides a robust experimental setup which allows the generation and precise control of the temperature variable as electrical measurements, in a controlled environment, and a thorough statistical analysis is carried for eight TEGs, model SP-184827145 which gives the mean performance of the manufactured devices. The results obtained with low uncertainties indicates that this methodology is a reliable and low-cost option for the characterization of thermoelectric devices.

The capsid protein of citrus leprosis virus C shows a nuclear distribution and interacts with the nucleolar fibrillarin protein

Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses (BTVs) have a significant negative economic impact on the citrus industry in Central and South America. Until now, only a few studies have explored the intracellular distribution and interaction of BTVs-encoded proteins with host factors, particularly for cileviruses, the main BTV responsible for the Citrus Leprosis (CL) disease. This study describes the nuclear localization of citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) capsid protein (p29) and its interaction with the fibrillarin (Fib2) within the nucleolar compartment and cell cytoplasm. Our results, obtained by computer predictions and laser scanning confocal microscopy analyses, including colocalization and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) approaches, revealed that a fraction of the p29 is localized in the nucleus and colocalizes with the Fib2 in both the nucleolus and cytosol. The nuclear localization of p29 correlated with a smaller nucleus size. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays confirmed the interactions between p29 and Fib2. The implications of these findings for the functionalities of the cilevirus capsid protein are discussed.

Actions and perceived impact of African swine fever control measures along the smallholder pig value chain in Uganda

Pig production in Uganda is constrained by African swine fever (ASF) which is endemic in the country. Current measures taken by the Government of Uganda in controlling ASF outbreaks include trade and livestock movement restrictions, called “quarantine.” Little is known about the actions of, and impact of value chain actors in response to ASF quarantines. This study describes actions that different stakeholders in the smallholder pig value chain took, and the perceived economic impact, during ASF quarantines. Data was collected in ten focus group discussions (FGD) using participatory epidemiology tools and two key informants’ (KIs) interviews with District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) of Kisoro and Moyo districts in Uganda. The results show that during ASF quarantine, pig value chain actors shifted their activities from formal places such as livestock markets, slaughter slabs, pork butcheries and pork joints to informal places such as farmers’ homesteads. Farmers were perceived the most economically affected stakeholder group with forgone income due to unsold pigs, costs for implementing biosecurity measures and extra costs for feeding unsold pigs being the major perceived causes of the losses. The continued trade in pigs and pig products in informal marketplaces suggests that quarantine might not be effective for hindering activities that might spread ASF in these settings. The perceived economic losses provide an insight into the negative economic impact of the quarantine for the different stakeholders.

Bank social fund distribution and cost of profit-sharing investment account: evidence from Indonesia

Purpose - This study aims to prove the impact of the distribution of social funds (qardhul hasan-QH and zakah funds) on the cost of a Profit-Sharing Investment Account (PSIA) immediately and for a long period in Islamic banks.Method - The research is based on panel data from 11 Islamic commercial banks (IB) in Indonesia from 2009 to 2021. Data were analyzed using the generalized least squares (GLS) random-effects method with robust standard error.Result - This research proves that the distribution of social funds (the distribution of QH and zakah funds) has a positive economic impact in the short period but the distribution of social funds has a negative economic impact in the long period.Implication - This study contributes to bank directors in considering the social activities of banks funded by QH funds by considering the effectiveness of social fund distribution, hence having positive economic consequences for bank performance.Originality - This research contributes to the development of previous literature in two ways. First, we use CSR performance proxies that are different from previous studies, namely the distribution of QH and zakah funds. The distribution of these funds is a proof of the bank's legitimacy to care about social, economic, and environmental issues. Second, we use the cost of PSIA as an economic consequence of CSR performance.

The Economic Impact of Canada's Aging Population

Canada is a country with an aging population, especially in cities with small populations, such as Winnipeg and Yukon. The aging population trend is a double-edged sword, as it has both benefits and drawbacks. The downside is that it leads to a number of economic problems, including a reduced workforce and increased health care costs, while the upside is that it can boost demand for specific services, such as nursing homes and hospitals. Specifically, the paper aims to examine the factors that contribute to Canada's aging population trend and its effect on the workforce in these cities, including the retirement of baby boomers and declining birth rates. Also, it investigated the economic implications of an aging population, such as reduced labor supply and increased healthcare and insurance costs. Additionally, assessing the impact of population aging on these urban emerging industries and identifying potential policy solutions to mitigate the negative economic impact of population aging are presented in detail to provide readers with a clear framework. It can be inferred that the aging population trend in Canada is a complex issue that has both benefits and drawbacks. While it may boost demand for specific services, such as nursing homes and hospitals, it can also lead to a decline in the labor supply, increased healthcare costs, and challenges for emerging industries in smaller cities. It is important to study the impact of Canada's aging population trends on the economy to inform policy decisions aimed at promoting economic growth and stability in the face of demographic change.

New oxindole carboxamides as inhibitors of DENV NS5 RdRp: Design, synthesis, docking and Biochemical characterization

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus belonging to family flaviviridae and has grown to be a major global public health issue. Despite decades of effort, the global comeback of dengue is evidence of the inadequacy of present management techniques. Due to the loss of healthy lives and the depletion of scarce medical resources, dengue has a significant negative economic impact in underdeveloped countries. In recent years, research for tackling the incidences of dengue infection has increased. The structure of the viral genome has been deciphered with the non-structural protein, known as NS5 serving as a potential target. NS5 consisting of an MTase domain involved in RNA capping and an RdRp domain involved in viral replication. In the presented work, a series of new Oxindoline Carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized for inhibiting the viral RNA dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) activity of DENV. The novel compounds were put through tests including molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding analysis to evaluate their affinity for the viral protein and their potential as novel inhibitors of the virus. From a total of 12 derivative compounds, four compounds OCA-10c, OCA-10f, OCA-10j &OCA-10i, were found to exhibit high affinity for NS5 RdRp, the KD values being 1.376 μM, 1.63 μM, 7.08 μM & 9.32 μM respectively. Overall, we report novel inhibitors of DENV RdRp activity with potential to be utilized against DENV for treating humans after further optimization.

43 Impact of Pregnancy Status on the Transcriptome of Peripheral White Blood Cells

Abstract Most embryo losses occur in the first trimester of pregnancy in cows, resulting in negative economic impact for dairy production systems. The current scientific paradigm implies the conceptus evades rejection by the maternal immune system. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the maternal immune response to the growing embryo have not been fully characterized. Hence, this study examined gene expression profiles of peripheral white blood cells (PWBC) from pregnant cows at 21 days after an embryo was transferred, (Bos taurus taurus), and cows that were treated equally but lost the embryo. We investigated the effect of pregnancy status on differential gene expression in PBMCs. We obtained and compared the total transcripts of PWBC from heifers that became pregnant at day 21 (N = 5) or failed to become pregnant after the embryo transfer (N = 5t). The total RNA transcripts, where an average of 96 % of the total reads were successfully mapped to the bovine reference genome. Each sample generates between 32 to 43 million reads. Sequencing data can be accessed by GEO with the accession number GSE210665. There was no need to remove samples in this study. Based on the length and abundance of the reads that cover the bovine genomic, we conclude that deep sequencing is suitable for the experiment outcome. A total of 13.167 genes were tested for differential expression by controlling the false discovery rate (FDR). A positive fold change denotes an overexpression and a negative fold change value a downregulation gene between treatments. After statistical analysis, 682 of these genes present a P-value smaller than 0.01, a total of 302 genes were upregulated, and 382 downregulated. The top 7 expression fold change top upregulated (logFC > 2) genes were COL1A2, LOC100337213, H2AC18, HTRA1, MMP14, CD5L, and LOC100297044. The top 4 downregulated (logFC< − 2) were ADAMDEC1, MYO1A, RPL39, and Histone H4. These data show differentially expressed genes associated with pregnancy status were both upregulated and downregulated as a response to early pregnancy, or a failure to become pregnant after embryo transfer. Our results show that these are key maternal genes for promoting tolerance allowing developing of the embryo. In summary, this study presented the genes related to positive regulation of inflammatory chemokine activity and immune defense response in the maternal PWBC.

Pandemics and economic turmoil in the short‐run: The role of fiscal space

AbstractWe estimate, by means of the local projection method, the short to medium‐term economic impact of previous pandemics in a sample of 170 countries during the 2000–2018 period. We find that the output effect has been significant (reaching over −2 percent after 5 years) and persistent. The impact has varied across income groups, with pandemics affecting more developed countries through a big negative impact on investment. Moreover, we explored the relevance of fiscal space in affecting the negative economic impact of pandemics. To this end, we constructed new aggregate fiscal space variables based on a principal component analysis that combined several indicators. Results suggest that the initial fiscal landscape of countries was a key ingredient in softening the economic impact of past pandemics. We believe that this paper's findings are useful to inform policymakers about what can be expected in the new normal that is following the recent COVID‐19 pandemic, particularly in a context of increasingly constrained fiscal space.

Is the counterfeit currency mechanism strictly enforced by banks and regulatory authorities?

PurposeCounterfeit currency ranges from a low-quality colour scanner/printer notes to high-quality counterfeits produced by hostile powers. Detecting counterfeit money notes is a national priority due to its huge negative economic impact. However, no automatic mechanism exists for identifying the source of counterfeit notes, which is a more sophisticated and critical problem. This paper aims to evaluate the procedure or mechanism which are followed by banks for fake not reporting and the effectiveness of this mechanism.Design/methodology/approachFor doing this research, primary data has been collected from bank staff (particularly front desk staff like cashier/teller). A very simple and short questionnaire has been prepared where the researcher just wants to explore that up to what extent bank staff is aware about the clauses of the counterfeit currency note (CCN).FindingsThe result shows that in approximately 38% of cases, bank staff return the fake notes to the customer without reporting, and approximately 57%–58% are unaware of the fake currency notes reporting to the nodal bank office and police.Practical implicationsBanks themselves have to take stringent actions to ensure that none of the CCNs circulate again in the economy if caught by bank officials. All the flaws in a system should be effectively monitored along with covering the loopholes in the system like lack of training, time-to-time sensitisation of front desk employees, providing protection to employees in case of any kind of threat from customer and reducing the burden of retaining the customer if a customer is at guilty.Originality/valueThis is the original work done by the researchers; in fact, the researchers were able to find only a couple of studies related to this kind of in-depth analysis in the literature. This study is done to provide feedback to the authorities on how the system is manipulated for organisational and self-interest.

Newsprint representation of the alcohol sales bans during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: A mixed methods analysis

Aims: Content analysis of newspapers covering the alcohol sales bans during Covid-19 in South Africa.
 Methods: Mixed method content analysis of the highest circulated, paid for, English language newspapers published by four newspaper outlets in South Africa, between 26 February to 26 September 2020 (seven months).
 Setting: South African Bibliographic Information Network (Sabinet) and Arena Holdings Media databases were used.
 Participants: 317 newspaper articles were identified for analysis from four newspapers: Sunday Times (Arena Holdings), Daily Sun (Naspers), The Star (Independent Media) and the Mail and Guardian (Media Development Investment Fund).
 Measures: Qualitative data: a structured coding frame was used to identify themes. Quantitative data: date, agency, placement/page number in the newspaper, number of graphics, words in heading and in article and whether the article was based on opinion or fact. The media vectors: framing, responsibility and newspaper media exposure were calculated.
 Findings: Articles were predominantly unfavourable toward the alcohol sales bans, indicated that government should take responsibility for prevention of harmful alcohol use, and focused mainly on the negative economic impact of the alcohol sales bans.
 Conclusions: News agencies should make a concerted effort to ensure balanced reporting on matters of health and put measures in place to prevent undue influence on journalists by large corporations, such as the alcohol industry.

A mitigation strategy for productivity impairment in sandstone reservoirs with varying clay mineralogy

The interaction between drilling fluids and oil and gas reservoir formations can result in the reduction or blockage of the micropore structural network, leading to a consequent decrease in permeability. Due to the negative economic impact of formation damage on hydrocarbon production, formulating drilling fluids with characteristics that minimise formation damage has been a major focus of the petroleum industry and researchers since the 1970s–1980s. Formation damage can significantly affect the ultimate productivity in hydrocarbon-bearing formations, especially in sandstone reservoirs with varying clay mineralogy such as kaolinite, smectite, illite, and mixed layer (illite + smectite) clay mineralogy in the micropore structural networks. These clay minerals are highly unstable/reactive and often appear as pore lining, pore bridging, and pore-filling along the walls of the micropore structural, inevitably coming into contact with drilling fluids (both solids and filtrates) that have invaded the micropore structure. Existing studies on the understanding of the relationship between drilling fluid formulation and formation damage mechanisms have not adequately addressed the role of individual species of clay minerals and their varying physicochemical properties during the formulation of drilling fluids for sandstone reservoirs with varying clay minerals. Instead, clay minerals are often treated as a whole or a single group. The work presented in this paper aims to examine and quantifies the impact of three drilling fluids (PAC-UL water-based, potassium formate, and halide drilling fluids) on productivity impairment in kaolinitic sandstone reservoirs and in kaolinitic and mixed-layer (illitic + smectitic) sandstone reservoirs. To achieve this, a high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) formation damage testing facility was designed and built to determine the initial and return permeability of selected hydrocarbon reservoirs using core samples. The formation damage mechanisms resulting from the interaction of the reservoir rocks with different formulations of drilling fluids are fully characterized using a combination of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and micro-computed tomography. For all three drilling fluid formulations, the results showed an enhanced return permeability of the kaolinitic sandstone after interaction with the specially formulated halide drilling fluid.

The impact of COVID-19-pandemic-related adversity on mental health: longitudinal study in Dutch populations with and without mental health disorders.

Despite growing concerns about mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in people with pre-existing mental health disorders, research has shown that symptoms of depression and anxiety were generally quite stable, with modest changes in certain subgroups. However, individual differences in cumulative exposure to COVID-19 stressors have not been yet considered. We aimed to quantify and investigate the impact of individual-level cumulative exposure to COVID-19-pandemic-related adversity on changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms and loneliness. In addition, we examined whether the impact differed among individuals with various levels of pre-pandemic chronicity of mental health disorders. Between April 2020 and July 2021, 15 successive online questionnaires were distributed among three psychiatric case-control cohorts that started in the 2000s (N = 1377). Outcomes included depressive and anxiety symptoms and loneliness. We developed a COVID-19 Adversity Index (CAI) summarising up to 15 repeated measures of COVID-19-pandemic-related exposures (e.g. exposure to COVID-19 infection, negative economic impact and quarantine). We used linear mixed linear models to estimate the effects of COVID-19-related adversity on mental health and its interaction with pre-pandemic chronicity of mental health disorders and CAI. Higher CAI scores were positively associated with higher increases in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and loneliness. Associations were not statistically significantly different between groups with and without (chronic) pre-pandemic mental health disorders. Individual differences in cumulative exposure to COVID-19-pandemic-related adversity are important predictors of mental health, but we found no evidence for higher vulnerability among people with (chronic) pre-pandemic mental health disorders.

The Connection Between Chronic Illness and Physical Activity

Chronic diseases have become a focal point of public health worldwide with estimates of trillions of dollars in annual health care cost and causing more than 36 million deaths a year. Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity are heavily correlated with the development of many chronic diseases. New strategies for primary and secondary disease prevention are desperately needed to aid in blunting the negative economic and social impact of these diseases. Physical activity (PA) and exercise are now considered principal interventions for use in primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases. Currently, more emphasis in primary prevention of disease is necessary to reduce disease risk in youth and adults; however with chronic disease prevalence so high, similar emphasis is also necessary for secondary prevention in those children and adults already inflicted with chronic diseases. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cancer are drastically improved when PA and exercise are part of a medical management plan. In addition, the national PA guidelines in conjunction with PA promotion tools like Exercise is Medicine™ are needed to promote increased PA and exercise levels worldwide

Examining the Role and Strategies of Advocacy Coalitions in California's Statewide Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Debate (2001-2018).

California's failed attempts to enact a statewide sugary beverage tax presents an opportunity to advance understanding of advocacy coalition behavior. We investigate the participation of advocacy coalitions in California's statewide sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax policy debate. Document analysis of legislative bills and newspaper articles collected in 2019. California. A total of 11 SSB tax-related bills were introduced in California's legislature between 2001-2018 according to the state's legislative website. Data sources include legislative bill documents (n = 94) and newspaper articles (n = 138). Guided by the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), we identify advocacy coalitions involved in California's SSB tax debate and explore strategies and arguments used to advance each coalitions' position. Two coalitions (public health, food/beverage industry) were involved in California's statewide SSB tax policy debate. The public health coalition had higher member participation and referred to scientific research evidence while the industry coalition used preemption and financial resources as primary advocacy strategies. The public health coalition frequently presented messaging on the health consequences and financial benefits of SSB taxes. The industry coalition responded by focusing on the potential negative economic impact of a tax. Multiple attempts to enact a statewide SSB tax in California have failed. Our findings add insight into the challenges of enacting an SSB tax considering industry interference. Results can inform future efforts to pass evidence-based nutrition policies.

Estimating the impact of fishery industry on marine pollution: New insights from Method of Moments Quantile Regression

Indeed, waste from marine may have a significant negative economic impact on coastal towns, tourism, shipping, and fisheries. Given its accumulation and spread, waste from marine may be one of the most urgent dangers to the sustainability of marine life and the health of the EU's waters. By considering the role of production in fisheries, fossil fuel use, economic development, and governance from 1990 to 2022, this research seeks to explore the dynamic influence of the fisheries sector on marine hazardous waste in 27 European nations. At higher quantiles, the findings showed a strong positive association between fisheries capacity production and marine hazardous waste at a 1% statistical level using the new Method of Moments Quantile Regression with fixed effects. From the fifth through the ninth quantiles (≈0.250), fishery output considerably increases marine waste, with a more substantial influence at the highest (≈0.239) and a lower impact at the lowest quantile (≈0.056). The findings also show that affluent countries in the EU14 have more significant at a 1% statistical level beneficial effect on marine waste than developing nations in the EU13. Using fossil fuels increased marine waste across all quantiles at a 1% statistical level. Still, economic development in EU14 developed and EU13 developing countries causes marine waste to decrease, at 1% and 10% statistical levels, respectively, supporting the growth theory for nations that produce fisheries. From the first through the ninth quantiles (≈−6.677) in EU27 nations, the influence of governance was adversely significant at a 1% statistical level. The findings suggest that the developed EU14 countries are more affected negatively by governance on marine waste. Using effective and environmentally friendly technology, policymakers may reduce marine waste in the EU14 and the EU13 nations while achieving sustainable development objectives.

Pork organs as a potential source of flavour-related substances

The increase in world population has generated a higher demand for quality proteins, increasing the production in meat industry but also the generation of thousands of tons of by-products, with a negative economic and environmental impact. The valorisation of slaughterhouse by-products by giving by-products a new use as food ingredient is one of the best strategies to add value while reducing environmental damage. Flavour is one of the most influential parameters in the purchasing decision of consumers, and in meat products it is mostly influenced by the content in free amino acids and nucleotides. In this study, the potential of 4 pork organs (liver, kidney, lung, and brain) as a source of flavour-related substances was investigated. Liver proved to be the organ showing the highest content of free and total amino acids related to taste, while kidney was the organ with the highest content of umami nucleotides. The results of the Taste Activity Value indicated that umami, sweet, and bittersweet amino acids are main responsible for the taste of the organs. On the other hand, the synergy between amino acids and nucleotides in relation with umami taste was determined, showing liver and kidney the best values in Equivalent Umami Content. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the organs was determined, and liver and kidney showed the highest antioxidant activity in all assays (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pork organs, especially liver and kidney, may be good candidates to be used as raw materials to produce functional flavouring ingredients.

Comparison of metabolomic reconfiguration between Columbia and Landsberg ecotypes subjected to the combination of high salinity and increased irradiance

BackgroundPlants growing in the field are subjected to combinations of abiotic stresses. These conditions pose a devastating threat to crops, decreasing their yield and causing a negative economic impact on agricultural production. Metabolic responses play a key role in plant acclimation to stress and natural variation for these metabolic changes could be key for plant adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.ResultsHere we studied the metabolomic response of two Arabidopsis ecotypes (Columbia-0 [Col] and Landsberg erecta-0 [Ler]), widely used as genetic background for Arabidopsis mutant collections, subjected to the combination of high salinity and increased irradiance. Our findings demonstrate that this stress combination results in a specific metabolic response, different than that of the individual stresses. Although both ecotypes displayed reduced growth and quantum yield of photosystem II, as well as increased foliar damage and malondialdehyde accumulation, different mechanisms to tolerate the stress combination were observed. These included a relocation of amino acids and sugars to act as potential osmoprotectants, and the accumulation of different stress-protective compounds such as polyamines or secondary metabolites.ConclusionsOur findings reflect an initial identification of metabolic pathways that differentially change under stress combination that could be considered in studies of stress combination of Arabidopsis mutants that include Col or Ler as genetic backgrounds.

Correlation of endemicity between monogenean trematode, Microcotyle sebastis, and parasitic copepods in Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, from a fish farm in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.

Infestations of parasites, particularly those caused by copepods and monogeneans, are a major hindrance to aquaculture and have a big negative economic impact. Sebastes schlegelii, a farmed Korean rockfish, is particularly prone to copepods and monogeneans. This study comprehended how parasitic copepods and rockfish from a farm in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, are related to the monogenean trematode Microcotyle sebastis. Our research revealed that monogeneans predominated, with a rate of 98.4% and an average infection intensity of 7 per infected fish. With an average infection intensity of 4 per sick fish, the infection rate for parasitic copepods was equally considerable, coming in at 91.7%. The high co-infection rate of both parasite families, at 90.8%, is noteworthy. Furthermore, Lepeophtheirus elegans and Peniculus truncatus, 2 parasitic copepod species, were discovered to have M. sebastis eggs attached to their bodies. This demonstrates a connection between parasitic copepod infestations in farmed Korean rockfish and the monogenean trematode M. sebastis. These discoveries highlight the necessity for creating more potent parasite control methods for the aquaculture sector and shed light on the intricate relationships between various parasite species.

A topic models analysis of the news coverage of the Omicron variant in the United Kingdom press

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous casualties, overloaded hospitals, reduced the wellbeing of many and had a substantial negative economic impact globally. As the population of the United Kingdom was preparing for recovery, the uncertainty relating to the discovery of the new Omicron variant on November 24 2021 threatened those plans. There was thus an important need for sensemaking, which could be provided, partly, through diffusion of information in the press, which we here examine.MethodWe used topic modeling, to extract 50 topics from close to 1,500 UK press articles published during a period of approximately one month from the appearance of Omicron. We performed ANOVAs in order to compare topics between full weeks, starting on week 48 of 2021.ResultsThe three topics documenting the new variant (Omicron origins, Virus mutations, News of a new variant) as well as mentions of vaccination excluding booster, Scotlands First minister statement (Communications) travel bans and mask wearing (Restrictions) and the impact of market and investing (Domains and events) decreased through time (all ps < .01). Some topics featured lower representation at week two or three with higher values before and after: Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies recommendations (Communications), Situation in the US, Situation in Europe (Other countries and regions), all ps < .01. Several topics referring to symptoms and cases—e.g., rises of infections, hospitalisations, the pandemic the holidays, mild symptoms and care; restrictions and measures—e.g., financial help, Christmas and Plan B, restrictions and New Year; and domains of consequences and events—e.g., such as politics, NHS and patients, retail sales and airlines, featured increasing representation, (all ps < .01). Other topics featured less regular or non-significant patterns. Conclusion. Changes in sensemaking in the press closely matched the changes in the official discourse relating to Omicron and reflects the trajectory of the infection and its local consequences.