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Microparticles show potential to deliver DNA-based vaccines and gene therapies in pill form

A microscopic corn-and-shrimp cocktail could eventually make DNA-based vaccinations and cancer-treating gene therapies an easier pill to swallow, according to new research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

12 Apr 2017

New transgenic mouse could help monitor potential dangers of emerging influenza viruses

Researchers in Germany have developed a transgenic mouse that could help scientists identify new influenza virus strains with the potential to cause a global pandemic.

10 Apr 2017

Novel point-of-care testing strategy can speed up treatment for respiratory illnesses

Doctors and researchers in Southampton have developed a novel way of using a swab test which can rapidly diagnose flu and other viral infections in patients with severe respiratory conditions - resulting in shorter courses of antibiotics and less time in hospital.

5 Apr 2017

Dose sparing could increase vaccine availability without compromising safety

The currently licensed seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines contain 15 micrograms of viral hemagglutinin protein per strain for adults, and up to 60 micrograms for elderly individuals; however, due to recent shortages, reducing these doses would be highly desirable.

5 Apr 2017

GHIT Fund invests in phase 3 clinical trial for pediatric formulation of ‘snail fever’ drug

The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, a unique Japanese public-private partnership formed to battle infectious diseases around the globe, today announced 11 new investments totaling US$23 million that could help deliver a range of new innovative therapies for a host of debilitating conditions.

31 Mar 2017

Novel Research Grants bring new insight to complexities of lupus

The Lupus Research Alliance announced today the Novel Research Grant Class of 2017. The Lupus Research Alliance Novel Research Grants, the proven platform for innovation, make discovery and scientific progress possible.

30 Mar 2017

New method for diagnosing flu virus from breath samples could provide faster results

A method for diagnosing flu virus from breath samples could soon replace invasive nasal swabs and deliver better results faster.

29 Mar 2017

Scientists reveal novel drug delivery approach to fight swine flu at gene level

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University together with their colleagues from St. Petersburg and London have elaborated a new approach to deliver anti-viral RNAi to target cells against H1N1 influenza virus infection.

28 Mar 2017

Simple behavioral economics technique may help increase flu vaccination rates

Currently, only 44 percent of adults in the United States receive an annual flu vaccination. Though the rate has increased in recent years, the change has been slow and marginal.

27 Mar 2017

One-shot vaccine passes key preclinical test in newborn monkey models

Newborns are highly vulnerable to infections and don't respond optimally to most vaccines because their young immune systems typically mount weak antibody responses.

24 Mar 2017

Artificial intelligence to help NHS save millions of pounds by creating virtual GPs

Orbital Media, digital and social specialists, and the University of Essex have today announced they are joining forces to use artificial intelligence to save the NHS millions of pounds per year by creating automated online GPs to revolutionise the way patients are treated.

23 Mar 2017

New gene-silencing drugs cut cholesterol levels by half in early research

The first in a new class of gene-silencing drugs, known as inclisiran, has been shown to halve cholesterol levels in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.

21 Mar 2017

Parents more confident in getting same-day phone advice than visiting doctor for sick kids, new poll finds

Parents often want medical advice when their child gets sick but only about half are very confident they can get a same day appointment with their child's provider, a new national poll finds.

20 Mar 2017

Study finds vaccines to be successful in preventing pandemic flu

Vaccines are successful in preventing pandemic flu and reducing the number of patients hospitalised as a result of the illness, a study led by academics at The University of Nottingham has found.

13 Mar 2017

Pre-existing immunity to dengue virus modulates T cell response to Zika infection

Although Zika and dengue are considered different virus "species," they are so closely related that the immune system treats Zika just like another version of dengue, report researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology.

13 Mar 2017

Patients more likely to get vaccinations when physicians make appointments, study finds

You're much more likely to get a flu shot if your doctor makes the appointment for you, Rutgers researchers have discovered.

10 Mar 2017

Study shows how risk perception of flu vaccine differs between white and African American adults

Fewer than half of American adults get vaccinated despite strong recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and widespread availability of free and low-cost vaccines.

10 Mar 2017

Flu can cause worse symptoms in people with asthma, research shows

People with asthma are likely to have worse symptoms when they get the flu because they have weaker immune systems, new Southampton research has shown.

9 Mar 2017

Parental concerns about safety, side effects may negatively influence uptake of child flu vaccine

The first study investigating parental attitudes towards the UK's child flu vaccine has found concerns about safety and side effects may negatively influence uptake, and recommends that public health messages need to be reinforced.

8 Mar 2017

Common cold virus can cause deadly pneumonia in transplant patients, study shows

The common cold is a major source of annoyance for most of us, but new research has found that the most prevalent respiratory infection can be far worse than a stuffy nose for one sector of the population — bone marrow transplant patients.