Journal of Phylogenetics & Evolutionary Biology

The University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

Publications

• Research   
  Bat evolution, demographic data, and pre-existing conditions solve mystery of COVID-19 infection severity
  Author(s): Felice L Bedford*
  
  It is hypothesized that the reason behind coronavirus severity stems from the unique adaptations in bats, where the virus co-evolved, to accommodate flight which generates large amounts of oxygen free radicals. Oxidative stress, particularly through excess endogenous Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase production of superoxide, is the single unifying framework for explaining the large range of risk factors for severe coronavirus infection including aging, male gender, African- American race, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Evidence is presented that death rate as a function of age better resembles the near-exponential rise seen in cancer, where oxidative stress is high, rather than the historical W or U-shaped functions of pandemic or seasonal flu. In addition, consideration of more than 10,000 Center for Disease Control and Montgomery C.. Read More»
  

  Abstract PDF