Fefferman Lab

Check out our article, "Influence of Lived Experiences on Public Responses to Future Diseases via (De)Sensitization of Concern." How does our COVID-19 experience shape reactions to new outbreaks? Our study uses dynamic network modeling to reveal surprising insights into sensitization and desensitization. Discover why this matters for future public health strategies!  CMP Link: https://lnkd.in/eJmj25d9  #PublicHealth #COVID19 #HealthCommunication #FutureOutbreaks #Epidemics @Nimbiosscience

Discover the delicate balance animals maintain between resource access and health in our latest study, “Trade-offs in resource access and health by avoidance of self-fouling, motivated via disgust.” Using the "landscape of disgust" framework, we explore how animals avoid self-fouling to reduce disease risk, despite the increased energy expenditure from traveling. Our computer model, exemplified by buffaloes, demonstrates that disgust-driven behavior lowers disease risk at waterholes but requires more movement, leading to fatigue. https://lnkd.in/e-CXbg_T  #LandscapeOfDisgust #Self-fouling #DiseaseRisk #FeffermanLab @Nimbiosscience

Our article, “Mathematical Model of Basal Sprout Production in Vector-Borne Tree Disease,” explores how some trees react to infections. Our new model examines basal sprouting in tree diseases spread by insects, like laurel wilt. Sprouts might not affect short-term spread, but they’re crucial for long-term recovery. Discover why this matters for disease management! https://lnkd.in/eiHprRdk  #LaurelWilt #ForestPathology #MathematicalModeling #DiseaseEcology #FeffermanLab @Nimbiosscience

We collaborated with colleagues to write our study, "Community vulnerability is the key determinant of diverse energy burdens in the United States," uncovers insights into energy struggles across the nation. We found that factors like income, household size, and even COVID rates impact energy costs differently in various regions. See the link to read the full paper for further insights! https://lnkd.in/eNU9ErNX  #EnergyBurden #CommunityVulnerability #EnergyPoverty #FeffermanLab @Nimbiosscience

“A ‘Portfolio of Model Approximations’ approach to understanding invasion success with vector-borne disease,” explores the balance between abstraction and accuracy in mathematical epidemiology with our article introducing the 'Portfolio of Model Approximations' approach. We analyzed a modified Susceptible–Infected–Recovered model for a vector-borne pathogen affecting annually reproducing hosts. Through simulations and analytical approximations, we uncover hypotheses about the model's behavior.  https://lnkd.in/eRntCGjE  #MathematicalModeling #Epidemiology #VectorBorneDisease #FeffermanLab @Nimbiosscience

Dive into Evolutionary Game Theory with our article, "Epidemiology, Game Theory, and Evolutionary Rescue: Understanding How Outbreaks Impact Population Viability."   Our study delves into the dynamics of evolutionary rescue during infectious outbreaks, shedding light on how populations withstand rapid shifts in selective pressures. Using evolutionary game theory coupled with epidemiology, we explore the intricate balance between competing strategies in the face of novel pathogen introductions. Our findings reveal fascinating insights: higher wild-type fecundity and boosted mutant immunity play pivotal roles in prolonging evolutionary rescue timescales. https://lnkd.in/ejXGCWbg  #Epidemiology #EvolutionaryGameTheory #FeffermanLab #EvolutionaryRescue @Nimbiosscience

Discover how food availability, food type, and group size influence social interactions in ant colonies. Our latest research reveals that as group size increases, ants interact with more partners, leading to more compartmentalized networks. This compartmentalization is heightened with limited and storable food sources. These findings offer valuable insights into how biological systems adjust their interaction networks, providing potential solutions for designing robust and resilient supply chains. Explore the full study to learn more about the impact of resource dynamics on social structures. Biol Open: https://lnkd.in/egvacEaq #FoodSharing #NetworkDynamics #SocialNetworkAnalysis #SupplyChains #Ants @Nimbiosscience

Join us in exploring groundbreaking research on alleviating food deserts! Our article, "Connecting People to Food: A network approach to alleviating food deserts," sheds light on the crucial role of public transit in ensuring equitable access to nutritious groceries. Learn how we used #NetworkModels to analyze public transportation's impact on food access in diverse US locations. Centrality measure analyses reveal disparities and provide actionable policy suggestions for city leaders. Public transit systems hold the potential to make incremental changes in mitigating food deserts. Check out the full article to learn more! JTH Link: https://lnkd.in/e3FRXEiP Preprint: https://lnkd.in/em5pecfq  #FoodAccess #PublicTransit #FoodDesert #FeffermanLab

Our article "The Interplay of Social Constraints and Individual Variation in Risk Tolerance in the Emergence of Superspreaders.", looks into how individual behaviors impact infection spread, especially during outbreaks. We found that even non-conforming individuals, who might not directly spread the infection to many people, can play a big role in connecting different groups and facilitating the spread. Our findings shed light on the importance of considering all types of behavior when planning interventions to stop infections from spreading. Check out the full article to learn more about the interplay of social constraints and individual risk tolerance in the emergence of superspreaders! Preprint: https://lnkd.in/e5WmNjWk RSIF link: https://lnkd.in/e_bxSThd #HealthResearch #InfectiousDisease #Epidemiology #FeffermanLab

Based on our collaborations, our colleagues in the Romero Lab at Tufts studied how varying chronic stress levels in house sparrows affect weight and blood metabolites, “Varying intensities of chronic stress induce inconsistent responses in weight and plasma metabolites in house sparrows (Passer domesticus)”. We found significant differences across groups after six months of stress exposure, with the high-stress group showing the most changes. Check out the full article to learn more! https://lnkd.in/eriTkhFT  #StressPhysiology #HouseSparrows #Metabolites #FeffermanLab