immunity News and Research

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Disease tolerance is the key to treating TB, say experts

A new study from McGill University suggests it is the body’s ability to “tolerate” rather than “resist” TB infection that stops symptoms of the disease developing.

14 May 2018

Mass vaccinations are not realistic option to prevent Ebolavirus outbreaks, study shows

Prophylactic mass vaccination programs are not a realistic option in the battle to prevent new Ebolavirus outbreaks, a University of Kent-led research team has shown.

9 May 2018

Stimulant use may negatively affect health of HIV-positive persons

A researcher at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has found that the use of stimulants, such as methamphetamine, can negatively affect the health of HIV-positive persons even when they are adhering to medical treatment.

4 May 2018

Mother's milk found to have SWAT team of immune cells

Immune cells that are ready to take action against invaders like bacteria have been found in women's breast milk, researchers say.

3 May 2018

Hollings Cancer Center immunologist inducted into Association of American Physicians

Physician scientist and Hollings Cancer Center immunologist Zihai Li, M.D., Ph.D., was inducted into the Association of American Physicians.

28 Apr 2018

Study provides global view of how yellow fever virus can spread between the world's cities

The deadly yellow fever virus has the potential to spread into cities around the world where it previously hasn't been seen, according to a new study led by St. Michael's Hospital.

27 Apr 2018

Researchers uncover the mystery of B cell receptors

When a pathogen evades or overcomes our innate immune defenses, the adaptive immune system kicks into action. There are two types of adaptive immune responses: cell-mediated immunity mediated by T cells and humoral immunity mediated by antibodies produced by B cells.

27 Apr 2018

Researchers discover unique mechanism that drives spread of deadly infection

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have discovered a unique mechanism that drives the spread of a deadly infection.

26 Apr 2018

Alcohol damages microbiome in the mouth

A new study has shown that alcohol alters and damages the natural bacterial environment in the mouth. The study titled, “Drinking alcohol is associated with variation in the human oral microbiome in a large study of American adults,” published this week (24th April 2018) in the journal Microbiome explored the effects of alcohol on these bacterial compositions within the mouth.

25 Apr 2018

Study shows gene variations associated with malaria risk

Many people of African heritage are protected against malaria by inheriting a particular version of a gene, a large-scale study has shown.

25 Apr 2018

NF-κB1 gene known to drive cancer development is critical for preventing stomach cancers

Melbourne researchers have made the surprise discovery that the 'odd one out' in a family of proteins known to drive cancer development is instead critical for preventing stomach cancers.

24 Apr 2018

ECDC analysis highlights measles vaccination gaps in teenagers and young adults

ECDC data show that up to 80% of teenagers and young adults who contracted measles in 2017 had not been vaccinated. ECDC analysis of sub-national data indicates that even countries with high overall levels of vaccine coverage may have groups that are unvaccinated.

23 Apr 2018

Study debunks ‘myth’ that strenuous exercise dampens immunity

New research overturns a myth that has persisted for nearly four decades - that competing in endurance sports, like this weekend's London Marathon, suppresses the body's immune system and makes competitors more susceptible to infections.

20 Apr 2018

Scientists identify gene responsible for evolution of recombination rates

Genetics is a crapshoot. During sexual reproduction, genes from both the mother and the father mix and mingle to produce a genetic combination unique to each offspring. In most cases, the chromosomes line up properly and crossover. In some unlucky cases, however, "selfish DNA" enters the mix, causing abnormal crossovers with deletions or insertions in chromosomes, which can manifest as birth defects.

20 Apr 2018

New insight may allow researchers to design drugs that improve immune responses to vaccines

Memory T cells are a critical element of our immune system's historical archive. To prevent repeat infections, these cells retain a record of germs they've fought before.

19 Apr 2018

Nanodisc-delivered cancer treatment helps eliminate tumors

In the wrestling match with cancer, chemoimmunotherapy is the new strong arm, and it is building muscle with a nanodisc disguised as "good cholesterol."

18 Apr 2018

NYC mice carry deadly bacteria and viruses

Almost all types of housing and living facilities house mice. Researchers have found in their year-long study on New York City mice that many of these carry on them deadly bacteria and viruses. These bacteria could be resistant to antibiotics and thus they may cause life threatening infections in humans.

18 Apr 2018

Children with autism have gastrointestinal and immune system deregulation, research finds

Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute have found that children with autism spectrum disorder have reduced immune system regulation, as well as shifts in their gut microbiota.

17 Apr 2018

Deficiency of innate immune adaptor TRIF shortens survival time of ALS mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease damaging motor neurons in brain and spinal cords. ALS patients show progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, leading to a fatal respiratory muscle paralysis. There are no effective therapies for ALS.

16 Apr 2018

Anti-PD-1 treatment reduces tumor size and post-surgical relapse of lung cancer

A drug given to early stage lung cancer patients before they undergo surgery showed major tumor responses in the removed tumor and an increase in anti-tumor T-cells that remained after the tumor was removed, which resulted in fewer relapse cases in the patients.

16 Apr 2018