immunity News and Research

RSS

Study uncovers immune trigger behind vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis

A global research collaboration of scientists from McMaster University (Canada), Flinders University (Australia) and Universitätsmedizin Greifswald (Germany) uncovered why a small number of people developed dangerous blood clots after either receiving certain COVID‑19 vaccines or experiencing a natural adenovirus infection, and the answer lies in an unexpected case of misdirected targeting by the immune system.

11 Feb 2026

New strategy harnesses pre-existing antiviral immunity to boost anti-tumor responses

Because many different types of cancer cells overexpress programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), this cell surface protein is a major target of cancer immunotherapy.

11 Feb 2026

Safety perceptions of major vaccines show significant drop over the past three years

In a winter marked by flu outbreaks, the persistence of Covid-19, and surges of measles cases across the United States, an Annenberg survey finds that a sizable majority of Americans think the three vaccines that combat these potentially deadly illnesses are safe to take, although perceptions of the safety of all three vaccines showed a statistically significant drop over the past three years.

10 Feb 2026

Stress hormones rewire immune system during periods of food scarcity

When food is scarce, stress hormones direct the immune system to operate in "low power" mode to preserve immune function while conserving energy, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

10 Feb 2026

Engineered wax moths offer ethical alternative to rodents used in research

A scientific breakthrough not only promises faster testing for antimicrobial resistance, but also an ethical solution to the controversial issue of using rodents in research.

10 Feb 2026

Preexisting flu immunity may offer baseline protection against avian influenza

Are seasonal flu antibodies also effective against avian flu? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has shown that a specific type of antibody associated with the former virus—already present throughout the population—may offer baseline protection against the latter.

10 Feb 2026

AI model accelerates antibody production and clone selection

As instigators of immunity, monoclonal antibodies are marvels of modern medicine, lab-made proteins that can treat cancers, autoimmune diseases, and many other conditions.

9 Feb 2026

Influenza viruses can directly impair heart function

Mount Sinai researchers have identified a cellular mechanism linking infections from influenza A viruses (IAVs) to cardiovascular disease, providing critical insights on how influenza can damage the heart and increase the risk of a heart attack or other major cardiovascular event.

9 Feb 2026

Binghamton University receives $2.5 million to develop a next-generation avian flu vaccine

Outbreaks of avian flu at U.S. poultry farms led to more than $1.5 billion in losses over the last two years and drove egg prices to all-time highs in 2025.

6 Feb 2026

European collaboration transforms immune cell data into cancer biomarkers

World Cancer Day, marked on 4 February, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of cancer, and to encouraging its prevention, detection and treatment.

6 Feb 2026

Griffith researchers on the cusp of new vaccine to prevent chikungunya

Griffith University researchers are on the cusp of a new vaccine to prevent chikungunya, a global health threat which attacks human joint tissue.

6 Feb 2026

11th Innate Killer Summit returns to San Diego, showcasing clinical data that signals renewed momentum in NK cell therapy

The 11th Innate Killer Summit returns, bringing together global leaders advancing natural killer (NK) cell–based immunotherapies.

From Hanson Wade Group - 11th Innate Killer Summit 6 Feb 2026

Computational method clarifies microbial signals in tumor sequencing

When scientists sequence tumor DNA, they typically find small amounts of genetic code from bacteria, viruses and fungi – microorganisms that, if actually present in tumor tissues, could influence how they grow, evade immunity or respond to treatment.

5 Feb 2026

Study reveals evidence of silent mpox exposure in healthy Nigerians

New evidence suggests that mpox may be circulating quietly among healthy Nigerians, with some infections occurring without the symptoms that typically trigger detection by health authorities.

5 Feb 2026

Influenza D virus and canine coronavirus pose human risks

Two emerging pathogens with animal origins - influenza D virus and canine coronavirus - have so far been quietly flying under the radar, but researchers warn conditions are ripe for the viruses to spread more widely among humans.

5 Feb 2026

Gut microbial butyrate enhances mucosal vaccine antibody responses

A research team from POSTECH and ImmunoBiome in Korea, led by Professor Sin-Hyeog Im, has uncovered a new mechanism showing how butyrate-a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut commensal bacteria-enhances T follicular helper (Tfh) cell activity to promote antibody production and strengthen mucosal vaccine efficacy.

4 Feb 2026

Five mutation patterns shape how cancers evade immunity

Cancer cells carry thousands of mutations, but not all mutations are created equal. Some make tumors highly visible to the immune system, while others help cancers hide.

4 Feb 2026

Why did influenza fail to spread in a crowded indoor setting?

The EMIT-2 trial shows zero influenza transmission despite ideal conditions, suggesting a perfect storm is needed for the virus to spread effectively.

4 Feb 2026

Australian researchers develop a new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria

Australian researchers have developed a powerful new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria by designing antibodies that recognize a sugar found only on bacterial cells – an advance that could underpin a new generation of immunotherapies for multidrug resistant hospital-acquired infections.

4 Feb 2026

A common diabetes drug may prevent long COVID when taken early

Research supports metformin's efficacy in reducing long COVID symptoms, suggesting its use in acute COVID-19 cases could alleviate long-term health impacts.

3 Feb 2026