Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Gut microbiota impacts pneumococcal vaccine response in immunodeficient individuals

Gut microbiota may be the key factor explaining why certain individuals do not respond well to the pneumococcal vaccine-a bacterium that can cause various diseases, such as pneumonia.

13 Mar 2025

Night shifts and sleep debt linked to higher infection risk in nurses

Researchers determine how sleep duration, sleep debt, and shift work impact the risk of infections among Norwegian nurses.

13 Mar 2025

Study reveals key insights for preventing cytomegalovirus spread to fetuses

A new Weill Cornell Medicine and Oregon Health & Science University co-authored study provides critical insight for the development of a vaccine that can more effectively block the spread of cytomegalovirus, or CMV, across the placenta to babies before they are born.

12 Mar 2025

Researchers identify cause of post-COVID inflammatory shock in children

MIS-C is a serious inflammatory shock that affects children. It can occur several weeks after a COVID infection and can be life-threatening.

12 Mar 2025

Updates on influenza vaccine strain recommended by WHO (2025-2026 northern hemisphere)

To maintain vaccine efficacy, WHO regularly updates influenza vaccine strains based on global epidemiological, virological, and serological analyses.

From Sino Biological Inc. 12 Mar 2025

Could a keto diet replace diabetes meds? New research explores the possibilities

A review published in Nutrients finds that ketogenic diets (KD) may offer superior benefits for weight loss, blood sugar control, and inflammation compared to other diets. Researchers also highlight potential mental health improvements but call for more clinical trials.

11 Mar 2025

Measles cases surge in Europe amid vaccine gaps

Data presented in the monthly measles and rubella update by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicate ongoing transmission of measles across a number of countries in EU/EEA, with a steep rise in cases reported during 2024.

11 Mar 2025

Many parents uncertain about bird flu information and risks, poll suggests

With soaring egg prices and ongoing bird flu headlines, many parents are uncertain about the risks and facts surrounding the virus, a national poll suggests.

10 Mar 2025

Canary in the coalmine: Study warns 21 million children missed measles shots in 2022

Researchers found that 21 million children missed measles vaccination in 2022, far exceeding those missing other vaccines, and 96% were in low- and middle-income countries. The study urges adding measles vaccination rates to global definitions of under-immunized children to better prevent deadly outbreaks.

10 Mar 2025

How falling measles vaccination rates put millions of children at risk

Two-dose measles vaccination coverage has fallen by 3.7% globally since 2019, leaving most WHO regions off track to meet Immunization Agenda 2030 targets. The study highlights a worrying rise in zero-dose children, especially in Africa, threatening global herd immunity against measles.

10 Mar 2025

Study reveals genes critical for tuberculosis survival during transmission

Tuberculosis bacteria rely on a family of genes that help them survive the challenging journey from one person's lungs to another person's during coughing, sneezing or talking, according to researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

10 Mar 2025

Shift work and sleep debt increase infection risk in nurses

A new study examining the effects of sleep patterns and shift work on the immune system has found that sleep debt and night shifts increase the risk of several common infections in nurses.

10 Mar 2025

MRNA vaccines, once a Trump boast, now face attacks from some in GOP

Researchers racing to develop bird flu vaccines for humans have turned to a cutting-edge technology that enabled the rapid development of lifesaving covid shots.

10 Mar 2025

Vanderbilt researchers aim to use AI to develop antibody therapies for any target

An ambitious project led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators aims to use artificial intelligence technologies to generate antibody therapies against any antigen target of interest.

8 Mar 2025

New sensor offers rapid detection of airborne bird flu virus

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (also known as bird flu) have created a need for rapid and sensitive detection methods to mitigate its spread.

7 Mar 2025

Eradivir begins Phase 2 challenge study for antiviral therapeutic EV25

Eradivir, a clinical-stage small molecule immunotherapy biotech company, announced it has begun a Phase 2 challenge study with its antiviral therapeutic, EV25. The study will provide safety and efficacy data gathered from otherwise healthy participants infected with influenza then later treated with EV25.

7 Mar 2025

Insilico Medicine's AI-driven drug Rentosertib receives official generic name

Insilico Medicine("Insilico"), a clinical stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology company, recently announced that its breakthrough drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – Rentosertib (formerly known as ISM001-055) – has been granted an official generic name by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council.

7 Mar 2025