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New Omicron variants relearn immunity dodging tricks

Recent SARS-CoV-2 variants such as BA.4 and BA.5 developed abilities missing from the first Omicron variants that allowed them to overcome humans' innate immunity, according to research from UCL.

16 Jan 2024

Study finds that HIV populations in people with higher viral loads also have higher rates of viral recombination

Researchers investigated whether denser intrahost HIV populations had a higher incidence of coinfection and recombination.

15 Jan 2024

Ancient genomes reveal origins of multiple sclerosis risk in Europe

Researchers investigated the variables contributing to geographical heterogeneity in multiple sclerosis prevalence and the impact of genetic and environmental factors on the disease's development.

15 Jan 2024

Ancient DNA traces multiple sclerosis origins to 5,000-year-old migrations

Researchers create the world's largest ancient human gene bank, linking genes to multiple sclerosis risk and tracing its origins to migrations 5,000 years ago.

13 Jan 2024

Ancient DNA reveals first prehistoric cases of Turner and Jacob's syndromes

Ancient DNA reveals first prehistoric cases of Turner and Jacob's syndromes, with new technique enhancing chromosome analysis

13 Jan 2024

Planning prompts show promise in improving prescribing safety

Physicians who are notified that a patient has died of a drug overdose are more judicious in issuing controlled substances if the notification includes a plan for what to do during subsequent patient visits, according to a study published today in Nature Communications.

13 Jan 2024

Study explains why "being in love" makes us tunnel visioned

Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a world-first Australian study, we are now a step closer to understanding why.

13 Jan 2024

When mass spectrometry redefines the pharma industry

In this new episode of omg OMx, Kate Stumpo speaks to Bruker's Mike Greig about the incredible potential of mass spectrometry in pharma.

From Bruker Daltonics 12 Jan 2024

Study shows lasting T-cell immunity in healthcare workers against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Study reveals robust memory T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers over 1.5 years post-Omicron, suggesting durable immunity against highly mutated variants.

11 Jan 2024

Superbug spread is not just about antibiotics, new study shows

For the first time, researchers have analyzed the impact of antibiotic use on the rise of treatment-resistant bacteria over the last 20 years in the UK and Norway. They show that while the increase in drug use has amplified the spread of superbugs, it is not the only driver.

11 Jan 2024

Study shows engineered antibodies significantly boost Omicron neutralization

Researchers engineered IgA antibodies from IgG monoclonals, enhancing neutralization against Omicron by up to 75-fold and offering protection in mice models.

10 Jan 2024

Understanding unique characteristics of SARS-Cov-2 JN.1 variant and adapting public health strategies

Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. The relentless evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants remains a formidable challenge to global public health, thus prompting significant concern among health authorities due to emergent strains.

10 Jan 2024

Unearthing individual-level mutation risk patterns

Mutations, which occur continuously in every cell of our bodies, are a key contributor to cancer, ageing, and neurodegeneration.

10 Jan 2024

Plant-based diets pack an antiviral punch against COVID-19

A predominantly plant-based or vegetarian diet is linked to 39% lower odds of COVID-19 infection, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.

9 Jan 2024

New study sheds light on the biological properties of new COVID variant Pirola

Despite the end of the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to pose a serious health threat. Most individuals have established robust immune protection and do not develop severe disease but the infection can still lead to marked and sometimes long-lasting disease symptoms.

9 Jan 2024

Scientists unveil the hidden respiratory mechanisms of gut bacteria

Study explores the use of respiratory electron acceptors by diverse gut bacteria, revealing a novel type of anaerobic respiration linked to the gut metabolome and microbial energy metabolism.

8 Jan 2024

Does SARS-CoV-2's ability to infect humans stem from its evolutionary past?

Study challenges the hypothesis of genetic recombination in SARS-CoV-2's evolution, suggesting its ancestral virus already possessed human-infecting traits, based on analyses of over 100 viral genomes.

7 Jan 2024

Fruit fly research solves human disease and fuels new cancer immunotherapy approach

Scientists have solved a cellular murder mystery nearly 25 years after the case went cold. Following a trail of evidence from fruit flies to mice to humans revealed that cannibalistic cells likely cause a rare human immunodeficiency.

5 Jan 2024

Stapled lipopeptides show promise as broad-spectrum antiviral agents

Compounds that obstruct the "landing gear" of a range of harmful viruses can successfully protect against infection by the virus that causes COVID-19, a study published today and led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists shows.

5 Jan 2024

New method illuminates intricate interactions of the synaptonemal complex in nematodes

We have two copies of each chromosome in every cell in our bodies except in our reproductive cells. Sperm and egg cells contain a single copy of each chromosome with a unique mix of genes from our parents, an evolutionary trick to give our offspring genetic variability.

3 Jan 2024