Rabies News and Research

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Study reveals how a key spinal circuit shapes the choreography of sex

For decades, it was thought that while the brain orchestrated male sexual behaviour – arousal, courtship, and copulation – the spinal cord merely executed the final act: ejaculation.

23 Sep 2025

ISSCR expresses concern over NIH decision on fetal tissue research funding

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), the largest professional organization of stem cell researchers from around the world, is concerned about a recent statement attributed to NIH that the agency will not renew research grants involving human fetal tissue (HFT), and that research with HFT is not conducted responsibly or transparently.

13 Sep 2025

Scientists uncover brain circuit that turns cravings into eating behavior

Researchers found that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis integrates pleasure signals from central amygdala prodynorphin neurons and hunger signals from agouti-related peptide neurons to drive consumption. Manipulating this bed nucleus of the stria terminalis circuit bidirectionally altered food intake and body weight in mice.

11 Sep 2025

Global Virus Network committed to the continued development of mRNA vaccines

The Global Virus Network (GVN), a coalition of leading human and animal virologists from 80+ Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in more than 40 countries dedicated to advancing pandemic preparedness, is unequivocally committed to the continued development and deployment of mRNA vaccines and the global scientific collaboration that makes such innovation possible.

12 Aug 2025

Sugarcoating hides cellular RNA from the immune system

To our immune system, naked RNA is a sign of a viral or bacterial invasion and must be attacked. But our own cells also have RNA.

6 Aug 2025

A tourist ended up with a wild bat in her mouth — and nearly $21,000 in medical bills

In retrospect, Erica Kahn realizes she made two big mistakes. The first was choosing to temporarily forgo health insurance when she was laid off from her job.

31 Jul 2025

Healthy glial cell transplants slow Huntington’s disease progression

Huntington's disease has long defied attempts to rescue suffering neurons. A new study in Cell Reports shows that transplanting healthy human glial progenitor cells into the brains of adult animal models of the disease not only slowed motor and cognitive decline but also extended lifespan.

17 Jun 2025

Clinical trial of vaccine candidate to prevent Lassa fever begins enrollment

A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored clinical trial of a candidate vaccine to prevent Lassa fever has begun enrolling participants at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.

17 Mar 2025

How immune cells and neurons secretly shape brain health, behavior, and disease

Scientists explore how the immune and nervous systems constantly communicate, influencing brain diseases, behavior, and repair while shaping responses to environmental factors like sleep, diet, and pollution.

13 Feb 2025

House cats with bird flu could pose a risk to public health

More than 80 domestic cats, among many other types of mammals, have been confirmed to have had bird flu since 2022 — generally barn cats that lived on dairy farms, as well as feral cats and pets that spend time outdoors and likely caught it by hunting diseased rodents or wild birds.

10 Feb 2025

AIM Vaccine submits mRNA RSV vaccine for FDA clinical trials

AIM Vaccine Co., Ltd., a leading PRC vaccine company, announced today that its independently developed mRNA RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine has recently been submitted for clinical trials to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

10 Feb 2025

Groundbreaking brain atlas sheds light on neural pathways for movement

Signals relayed to motor neurons from the brain enable muscle movement, but these signals typically pass through spinal interneurons before they reach their destination.

23 Dec 2024

Modified lipid nanoparticles for targeted mRNA delivery to the brain

Penn Engineers have modified lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) - the revolutionary technology behind the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines - to not only cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also to target specific types of cells, including neurons.

18 Dec 2024

The brain’s hunger switch: TRH neurons hold the key to obesity therapies

Scientists uncover how TRH neurons suppress hunger by inhibiting AgRP neurons, advancing our understanding of GLP-1-based obesity treatments.

9 Dec 2024

Hypothalamic deep brain stimulation restores walking after spinal cord injury

Scientists have identified neurons in the lateral hypothalamus that can be targeted through deep brain stimulation to improve walking after spinal cord injury (SCI). This innovative approach shows promise in both animal models and initial human trials, paving the way for groundbreaking treatments.

2 Dec 2024

Advanced brain mapping reveals neuronal subtypes and their connections

Scientists at the Salk Institute are unveiling a new brain-mapping neurotechnology called Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START). The cutting-edge tool combines two advanced technologies - monosynaptic rabies virus tracing and single-cell transcriptomics - to map the brain's intricate neuronal connections with unparalleled precision.

30 Sep 2024

Japanese bats found carrying high levels of novel viruses, raising concerns about zoonotic outbreaks

Researchers identified over 60% of bats in Japan's Yamaguchi prefecture carrying multiple zoonotic viruses, including 10 novel herpesviruses, highlighting rapid viral evolution and migration risks.

26 Sep 2024

New vaccine candidate shows promise for protecting against Lassa fever

Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Maryland Baltimore, in collaboration with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and the Geneva Foundation, have developed a promising new vaccine candidate that protects against Lassa fever.

12 Sep 2024

GPePV neurons identified as key players in controlling cocaine addiction behaviors

Researchers examine how GPePV cells regulate cocaine-induced behaviors through interactions with ventral tegmental area dopamine cells.

25 Aug 2024

Unveiling the zoonotic web: Understanding complex interactions involved in zoonoses

Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have dissected the complex interactions involved in zoonoses, which affect worldwide over two billion people annually.

15 Jul 2024