immunity News and Research

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Review identifies future research directions for the study of a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in PASC

Researchers reviewed the evidence for SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

6 Sep 2023

Early viral exposure in mice weakens vaccine response, raising questions for human studies

Researchers at Washington University have demonstrated that early life exposure to multiple viruses in house mice dampens the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations later in life. The study raises concerns about the applicability of common mouse models in immunological research, suggesting that prior pathogen exposure could be a significant variable in predicting vaccine efficacy.

5 Sep 2023

Monovalent vaccine outperforms bivalent in fighting new Omicron variants

New U.S. study finds mRNA-1273.815, a monovalent vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant, generates higher neutralizing antibody titers compared to its bivalent counterpart. The study supports updating to an XBB.1.5-based monovalent vaccine for the 2023-24 campaign to combat emerging variants.

5 Sep 2023

Novavax's updated XBB.1.5 vaccine shows promising cross-neutralizing antibodies against new COVID-19 variants

The study reveals that Novavax's updated XBB.1.5 vaccine effectively induces cross-neutralizing antibodies against multiple Omicron XBB sub-variants in both mice and non-human primates.

5 Sep 2023

Can SARS-CoV-2 infect poultry?

New research in the Virology Journal suggests that chickens could become intermediate hosts for newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants, posing a potential threat to public health. The study identifies AXL and ACE2 receptors in chickens as likely binding sites for the virus, highlighting the need for further research and preventive measures.

5 Sep 2023

Gut feeling: How your microbiome could be shaping your mental health

Researchers in Biological Psychiatry delve into the complex relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. The study explores how not just gut bacteria, but also lesser-known gut microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, and parasites, play a pivotal role in mood disorders.

5 Sep 2023

SARS-CoV-2 Eris variant spreads faster and dodges immunity

Study investigates the characteristics of the EG.5.1 "Eris" variant of SARS-CoV-2, finding it more transmissible among hamsters and slightly better at evading immunity compared to the XBB.1.5 variant. The results suggest that these properties could be driving the variant's increasing prevalence in human populations.

5 Sep 2023

Study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 subvariants to inform development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers characterized two novel SARS-CoV-2 XBB variants, EG.5.1 and XBB.2.3.

4 Sep 2023

Intensive fasting boosts red blood cells' immune powers against COVID-19, study finds

Researchers found that short-term intensive fasting enhances the immune function of red blood cells, including their ability to combat SARS-CoV-2, without affecting their oxygen-carrying capacity. The study reveals that this fasting regimen popular in Asia could offer a multifaceted benefit by amplifying the body's defenses without compromising essential functions.

4 Sep 2023

Weighted lottery helps ensure equitable allocation of scarce COVID-19 medication

A program designed to ensure fairness and that people living in the most disadvantaged U.S. neighborhoods would be offered a scarce, potentially life-saving medication proved feasible in a large health system.

1 Sep 2023

Scientists delve deeper into how vaccines work against leishmaniasis

Scientists have established the effectiveness of vaccines they developed to prevent the disfiguring skin disease leishmaniasis in animal studies, and Phase 1 human trial planning is in motion for the most promising candidate.

31 Aug 2023

Boosters slow antibody waning but hit a ceiling: Long-term COVID study reveals limits of immunity

The study tracks the long-term kinetics of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination and infections in New York healthcare workers from 2020 to 2023. It reveals that antibody waning is slower after booster shots, but there's an upper limit to antibody levels, which gradually lowers with repeated SARS-CoV-2 exposures and vaccinations.

31 Aug 2023

Is the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer complicating our fight against the pandemic?

New study reveals rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Ohio's white-tailed deer population, with a 25% seroprevalence rate. The findings suggest a significant risk of animal-to-human transmission and indicate the virus evolves faster in deer than in humans.

31 Aug 2023

Mediterranean diet with a dairy twist shows promise in lowering heart disease risk

An 8-week study found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with dairy foods altered specific gut bacteria and positively impacted systolic blood pressure in Australians at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that this MedDairy diet could be an effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular risks.

31 Aug 2023

Study detects significant levels of metals in the blood and urine among marijuana users

Research conducted at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health detected significant levels of metals in the blood and urine among marijuana users, concluding that marijuana may be an important and under-recognized source of lead and cadmium exposure.

30 Aug 2023

Study finds potential HIV cure using existing cancer drug

An existing blood cancer drug has shown promise in killing 'silent' HIV cells and delaying reinfections – a significant pre-clinical discovery that could lead to a future cure for the disease.

30 Aug 2023

Flu and COVID-19 vaccine programs to start earlier than planned in England

This year's autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes will start earlier than planned in England as a precautionary measure following the identification of a new COVID-19 variant.

30 Aug 2023

Unlocking tumor immune evasion: IL1RL1+ Treg cells and CAFs collaborate for immunotherapy resistance

Researchers demonstrated that the crosstalk between IL1RL1+ regulatory T-cells (Treg) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) drives the tissue repairing.

30 Aug 2023

A rise in all-cause mortality in China following termination of the Zero COVID Policy

After China abandoned its zero COVID policy in December 2022, a significant surge in excess deaths occurred, totaling an estimated 1.87 million within two months. The figures starkly surpassed China's official estimate of 60,000 COVID-19 deaths, pointing to the potential impact of limited immunity in the population.

29 Aug 2023

Higher dose and shorter treatment of key antibiotic proven to be safe for TB patients

A higher dose and shorter treatment time of a cornerstone tuberculosis (TB) drug has proven to be safe for patients, according to a clinical trial led by researchers at St George's, University of London and results published in NEJM Evidence.

29 Aug 2023

immunity News and Research

Review identifies future research directions for the study of a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in PASC

Early viral exposure in mice weakens vaccine response, raising questions for human studies

Monovalent vaccine outperforms bivalent in fighting new Omicron variants

Novavax's updated XBB.1.5 vaccine shows promising cross-neutralizing antibodies against new COVID-19 variants

Can SARS-CoV-2 infect poultry?

Gut feeling: How your microbiome could be shaping your mental health

SARS-CoV-2 Eris variant spreads faster and dodges immunity

Study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 subvariants to inform development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines

Intensive fasting boosts red blood cells' immune powers against COVID-19, study finds

Weighted lottery helps ensure equitable allocation of scarce COVID-19 medication

Scientists delve deeper into how vaccines work against leishmaniasis

Boosters slow antibody waning but hit a ceiling: Long-term COVID study reveals limits of immunity

Is the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer complicating our fight against the pandemic?

Mediterranean diet with a dairy twist shows promise in lowering heart disease risk

Study detects significant levels of metals in the blood and urine among marijuana users

Study finds potential HIV cure using existing cancer drug

Flu and COVID-19 vaccine programs to start earlier than planned in England

Unlocking tumor immune evasion: IL1RL1+ Treg cells and CAFs collaborate for immunotherapy resistance

A rise in all-cause mortality in China following termination of the Zero COVID Policy

Higher dose and shorter treatment of key antibiotic proven to be safe for TB patients

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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