Efficacy News and Research

RSS

Novel 'CopyCatcher' detects when precise copying of genetic information takes place in cells

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have laid the groundwork for a potential new type of gene therapy using novel CRISPR-based techniques.

11 May 2021

Experimental gene therapy successfully treats children born without an immune system

An experimental form of gene therapy developed by a team of researchers from UCLA and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London has successfully treated 48 of 50 children born with a rare and deadly inherited disorder that leaves them without an immune system.

11 May 2021

Natural products a rich source for novel antiviral compounds

In a recent review in the journal Viruses, researchers look at natural products that can be identified as potential alternative antiviral agents. The reviewers discussed the antiviral activities of several natural products towards DNA and RNA viruses with an analytical approach. The researchers detailed the cellular/viral targets of the active molecules and their impact on the infection and viral replication cycle.

10 May 2021

Lab reports 1st instance of SARS-CoV-2 variants affecting antigen test performance

Researchers from the US recently determined the sensitivity of the Quidel Sofia SARS Antigen FIA test (Sofia 2). They found a high viral load specimen that tested negative repeatedly while using this antigen test. The study is published on the preprint server, medRxiv.

10 May 2021

CDK inhibitors may boost the effectiveness of immune therapy in metastatic breast cancer

A class of drugs that inhibits breast cancer progression when used with hormonal therapy might also boost the effectiveness of immune therapy in cases of recurrent, metastatic breast cancer, according to a new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

10 May 2021

Study discovers harmful inflammatory protein in patients with symptomatic tuberculosis

A pioneering study by UCL scientists has discovered the presence of a harmful inflammatory protein in patients with symptomatic tuberculosis (TB).

10 May 2021

Esophageal cancers turn on ancient viral DNA hidden in our genome

Scientists have discovered that many esophageal cancers turn on ancient viral DNA that was embedded in our genome hundreds of millions of years ago.

10 May 2021

New vaccine shows potential to protect from a variety of coronavirus infections

A potential new vaccine developed by members of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute has proven effective in protecting monkeys and mice from a variety of coronavirus infections -- including SARS-CoV-2 as well as the original SARS-CoV-1 and related bat coronaviruses that could potentially cause the next pandemic.

10 May 2021

Microneedle patch delivers antibiotics to effectively reduce MRSA bacteria in the skin

MRSA skin infections are often treated with intravenous injection of antibiotics, which can cause significant side effects and promote the development of resistant bacterial strains.

10 May 2021

Researchers improve method to inhibit viruses that cause childhood respiratory infections

By engineering a short chunk of protein, or peptide, that can prevent the attachment of human parainfluenza viruses to cells, researchers have improved a method in rodent models intended to help keep children healthy.

10 May 2021

Research suggests Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reprograms innate immune responses

Researchers in The Netherlands have warned that Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine induces complex reprogramming of innate immune responses that should be considered in the development and use of mRNA-based vaccines.

10 May 2021

Scientists produce a universal flu vaccine using nanoparticles to induce long-lasting immunity

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)’s Vaccine Research Center (VRC) and the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Institute for Protein Design (IPD) developed a universal flu vaccine candidate using small particles (nanoparticles), which can induce a long-lasting immune response.

10 May 2021

New nanoimmunoassay can detect anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in ultralow-volume blood samples

In a recent study, researchers developed and validated a nanoimmunoassay (NIA) that analyzes 1,024 samples in parallel on a single microfluidic device the size of a USB stick. They detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, achieving a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 100% based on an analysis of 134 pre-pandemic sera (collected in 2013/2014 and 2018) and 155 sera from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive individuals.

10 May 2021

Combo COVID-flu vaccine protects against current and emerging variants in animal model

Now, in new research posted to the bioRxiv preprint server, scientists at Novavax, Inc. present a vaccine including recombinant influenza hemagglutinin (HA) antigen along with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with saponin Matrix-M adjuvant. Both have passed independent safety tests in phase 1 trials.

10 May 2021

Targeted methods to control spread of SARS-CoV-2 without resorting to lockdowns

Researchers at the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases and the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia revealed alternative ways to control the pandemic spread without resorting to these measures.

9 May 2021

Researchers identify anti-inflammatory prodrug Minnelide with potential against SARS-CoV-2

Using a transgenic mouse model of COVID-19, they have observed that treatment with Minnelide reduces viral load and inflammation in the lungs and improves survival. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

9 May 2021

Complementary medicines for weight loss cannot be justified based on current evidence, review suggests

The first global review of complementary medicines (herbal and dietary supplements) for weight loss in 16 years--combining 121 randomized placebo-controlled trials including nearly 10,000 adults--suggests that their use cannot be justified based on the current evidence.

8 May 2021

Efficacy News and Research

Novel 'CopyCatcher' detects when precise copying of genetic information takes place in cells

Experimental gene therapy successfully treats children born without an immune system

Natural products a rich source for novel antiviral compounds

Lab reports 1st instance of SARS-CoV-2 variants affecting antigen test performance

CDK inhibitors may boost the effectiveness of immune therapy in metastatic breast cancer

Study discovers harmful inflammatory protein in patients with symptomatic tuberculosis

Esophageal cancers turn on ancient viral DNA hidden in our genome

New vaccine shows potential to protect from a variety of coronavirus infections

Microneedle patch delivers antibiotics to effectively reduce MRSA bacteria in the skin

Researchers improve method to inhibit viruses that cause childhood respiratory infections

Research suggests Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reprograms innate immune responses

Scientists produce a universal flu vaccine using nanoparticles to induce long-lasting immunity

New nanoimmunoassay can detect anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in ultralow-volume blood samples

Combo COVID-flu vaccine protects against current and emerging variants in animal model

Targeted methods to control spread of SARS-CoV-2 without resorting to lockdowns

Researchers identify anti-inflammatory prodrug Minnelide with potential against SARS-CoV-2

Complementary medicines for weight loss cannot be justified based on current evidence, review suggests

CFTR modulator can be safe, well-tolerated for younger children with common form of cystic fibrosis

Brain-targeting drug delivery with nano-scaled apoptotic bodies

Learning health system approach can help reduce the risk of hospital-acquired pressure injuries

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News