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New approaches for getting and maximizing usable DNA from decades-old pickled specimens

Two levels underground, Chicago's Field Museum has a secret bunker. The sub-basement Collections Resource Center houses millions of biological specimens for scientists around the world to use in their research, including countless bottles and jars containing pickled fish, lizards, and snakes, arranged like a library.

30 Jun 2022

Researchers perform MRI scans on bearded dragons to generate first-of-its-kind brain atlas

They're not too cuddly, but bearded dragons are working their way into the hearts and homes of American families. And now, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are ensuring that these scaly companion animals receive the same medical care as Fluffy, Stripes, and Snowball.

29 Jun 2022

Cost-effective ovine antibody-based therapy against SARS-CoV-2 infection

A recent study published in the journal Antiviral Research explored alternative sources of polyclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which would be more cost-effective, amendable to regulatory approval, and widespread use.

12 May 2022

Protein found in rattlesnake venom used for making a drug candidate to modulate blood clotting

Researchers in Brazil and Belgium have developed a molecule of pharmaceutical interest from collinein-1, a protein found in rattlesnake venom.

1 Dec 2021

Study suggests rattlesnake venom peptide inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and transcription

New research suggests a small cationic peptide known as crotamine may inhibit the replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2.

12 Nov 2021

Hyperimmune antibody produced in horses may be an efficient approach to combat covid-19

A study conducted by a consortium of Brazilian researchers has demonstrated that a hyperimmune serum consisting of purified antibody fragments produced in horses may be an efficient approach to combat covid-19.

26 Oct 2021

Study highlights the usefulness of organoids for basic research into coronaviruses

Researchers from the group of Hans Clevers in collaboration with the group of Bart Haagmans (Erasmus MC) established an organoid biobank to search for the genes that are essential for the spreading of a SARS-CoV2 infection.

20 Sep 2021

Enzyme related to rattlesnake neurotoxin linked with COVID-19 infection severity

Study shows that an enzyme may be a key mechanism driving COVID-19 severity and could provide a new therapeutic target.

25 Aug 2021

Study could provide a new therapeutic target to reduce COVID-19 mortality

An enzyme with an elusive role in severe inflammation may be a key mechanism driving COVID-19 severity and could provide a new therapeutic target to reduce COVID-19 mortality, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

25 Aug 2021

Study identifies a key molecular mechanism driving COVID-19 mortality

An enzyme with an elusive role in severe inflammation may be a key mechanism driving COVID-19 severity and could provide a new therapeutic target to reduce COVID-19 mortality.

24 Aug 2021

'Super glue' from snake venom can stop life-threatening bleeding in seconds

Indiana Jones hates snakes. And he's certainly not alone. The fear of snakes is so common it even has its own name: ophidiophobia.

15 Jul 2021

Varenicline blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells and animal models

A new paper released on the bioRxiv* preprint server suggests that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nACHR) agonist, varenicline tartrate, has antiviral activity against the virus.

5 Jul 2021

Virtual reality can help boost brain rhythms linked to learning and memory

A new discovery in rats shows that the brain responds differently in immersive virtual reality environments versus the real world.

28 Jun 2021

Caterpillar’s venom shows promise for use in medicines, pest control

The venom of a caterpillar, native to South East Queensland, shows promise for use in medicines and pest control, Institute for Molecular Bioscience researchers say. The Doratifera vulnerans is common to large parts of Queensland's south-east and is routinely found in Toohey Forest Park on Brisbane's southside.

23 Jun 2021

Centivax and US Naval Medical Research Center to begin Phase I clinical trial of antibody therapeutics

Centivax Inc. announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) for Phase I clinical development of Centi-B9, Centivax's SARS-CoV-2 broad-spectrum injectable antibody therapeutic and prophylactic.

3 Jun 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

Scientists unveil new Ebola virus vaccine design

Scientists at Scripps Research have unveiled a new Ebola virus vaccine design, which they say has several advantages over standard vaccine approaches for Ebola and related viruses that continue to threaten global health.

13 May 2021

Host protein mimicry of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding motif

In a new study, structural bioinformatics approaches are employed to investigate the potential mimicry of the receptor-binding motif (RBM) of these three coronaviruses, finding that several proteins from both human and non-human sources were similar to each, with implications regarding the mechanism of infection and tropism of SARS-CoV-2.

29 Apr 2021

A new hydrogel for treatment and recovery of muscle injuries

A team from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the CIBER Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) has designed and tested, at a preclinical level, a new biomaterial for the treatment and recovery of muscle injuries.

31 Mar 2021

Report: Most hospitalizations related to venomous bites, stings are caused by bees

Over 3,500 Australians were hospitalised due to contact with a venomous animal or plant in 2017–18, according to a new report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

8 Mar 2021