Chikungunya News and Research

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Study finds FDA-approved drug has potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern

A new study aimed to examine the antiviral potential of atovaquone against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and other variants of concern.

25 Oct 2021

Anti-rheumatic drug as a potential candidate for treating COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) produces inflammatory cytokine storms. But an FDA-approved anti-rheumatic drug, Auranofin, used to treat autoimmune and infectious diseases, may also help serve as an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 infection.

13 Oct 2021

New high-throughput assay could help development of anti-COVID-19 drugs

In a recent study, researchers develop a new high-throughput assay that allows for rapid screening of potential inhibitors.

13 Oct 2021

New eco-friendly solution to fight against malaria

Mosquitoes can and do feed on HMBPP-supplemented beetroot juice. This is the findings of a study at Stockholm University.

12 Oct 2021

Research reveals components of Sinbis virus ribonucleoproteins

To address this gap in research regarding the understanding of post-replicative alphavirus RNPs, scientists have created a novel proteome-wide approach known as viral RNA interactome capture (vRIC). This study is available in the bioRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

11 Oct 2021

Evolved SARS-CoV-2 viruses gain higher infectivity and cause more rapid infection spread

Viruses accumulate mutations as they replicate in infected cells. Repeated replication can lead to viral strains that show attenuated virulence. Such strains may act as vaccines if the attenuated virus can produce immunity without serious disease.

16 Sep 2021

Pew announces support for the 2021 class of Innovation Fund investigators

The Pew Charitable Trusts announced today the six pairs of researchers who will make up its 2021 class of Innovation Fund investigators.

15 Sep 2021

New precision-guided sterile insect technique designed to control disease-spreading mosquitoes

Leveraging advancements in CRISPR-based genetic engineering, researchers at the University of California San Diego have created a new system that restrains populations of mosquitoes that infect millions each year with debilitating diseases.

11 Sep 2021

The tale of mRNA vaccines: Turning calamity into opportunity

In a review paper published in the journal Nature Reviews, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania have described the underlying technologies for mRNA vaccines and their future prospects with improved delivery systems and applications in diseases beyond the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

31 Aug 2021

Nanotechnology provides novel solutions against zoonotic viruses

Therefore, scientists functionalize nanoparticles to act against these pathogenic viruses in a clinical strategy. In a recent review published in the journal Microbial Pathogenesis, researchers look at the novel solutions against zoonotic viruses provided by nanotechnology.

23 Aug 2021

Researchers identify antibodies that could protect against alphaviruses

Alphaviruses - mosquito-borne viruses that can trigger brain infections and arthritis -; may have met their match.

19 Aug 2021

Higher temperatures could limit the spread of dengue infection

Infection with dengue virus makes mosquitoes more sensitive to warmer temperatures, according to new research led by Penn State researchers.

27 Jul 2021

CEPI and IVI announce new research program to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in Africa

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the International Vaccine Institute today announced a new programme of clinical research which aims to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.

20 Jul 2021

Mapping dengue fever hot spots can predict future outbreaks of Zika and chikungunya

Data from nine cities in Mexico confirms that identifying dengue fever “hot spots” can provide a predictive map for future outbreaks of Zika and chikungunya. All three of these viral diseases are spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

7 Jul 2021

Mother-to-baby SARS-CoV-2 transmission in pregnancy possible but rare, says study

A new meta-analysis, released on the medRxiv* preprint server, suggests that, though possible, the virus is rarely transmitted to the newborn in real life. A scientific brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2021 describes three mechanisms by which the virus might be transmitted from the mother to the fetus or newborn.

7 Jul 2021

Role of traditional medicine against SARS-CoV-2

A group of researchers at Kannur University reviewed selected papers and in silico work on potential drug leads that could be used to manage COVID-19.

13 Jun 2021

Are women more likely to develop long COVID?

Researchers found different groups of symptoms persisting after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with fatigue and higher IL-6 levels common in women. About 75% of the patients they treated were women, indicating a link between sex hormones and immune response.

8 Jun 2021

WHO releases new guidance for deployment of genetically modified mosquitoes

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance for the deployment of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to combat vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.

28 May 2021

Zoonotic and vector-borne emerging tropical diseases pose a constant threat

A recent article published in the journal Frontiers in Tropical Diseases assessed the threat of emerging zoonotic and vector-borne tropical diseases.

26 May 2021

Could 6′,6′-difluoro-aristeromycin (DFA) have broad-spectrum antiviral potential against coronaviruses?

Researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center demonstrated that low-micromolar concentrations of 6′,6′-difluoro24 aristeromycin (DFA), an adenosine nucleoside analog, strongly inhibits the replication of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in a cell-based infection assay.

25 May 2021