A large team of researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other institutions performed a new analysis of serologic studies from 19 countries in order to estimate the infection rate of the 2009 H1N1 influenza during the first year of the pandemic. The study, published in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, showed that about 24% of the population were infected with the H1N1 virus during the first wave of the pandemic. Of these infected, approximately 0.02% died.These results are slightly higher than the official estimates made by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the period immediately following the outbreak of the virus, and confirm the age-related distribution of H1N1 incidence, with the children being the most affected when compared to the over 65. One of the possible limitations of the study, as highlighted by the authors themselves, is that the vaccine might had little impact on their results, due to conflicting results and low vaccine coverage in most countries.
Evaluation of 2009 infection rate
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University Admissions and Talent in China: What Can Italy Learn?
Every year, millions of Chinese students take the Gaokao, an extremely tough exam that can change the course of a life. But what can this system teach us? Between intense pressure and paths to excellence, it offers a chance to reflect on the idea of merit in Italy as well.
Each year, over 12 million Chinese students sit for the Gaokao (高考), one of the most difficult and decisive university entrance exams in the world. This three-day test includes Chinese, Mathematics, English, and one elective subject from either the sciences or humanities. The maximum score varies by province, typically between 750 and 900, with the admission threshold for top universities exceeding 680–700 points. On average, fewer than 2% of students manage to get into elite institutions such as Peking University or Tsinghua University.