Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Do prenatal antibiotics weaken breast milk immunity? A new study aims to find out

A new study will investigate whether prenatal antibiotic use impairs breast milk immune function and disrupts neonatal gut microbiota, potentially affecting infant health. Researchers aim to assess how prolonged antibiotic exposure in late pregnancy alters breast milk IgA and neonatal immune development.

19 Feb 2025

Unlocking the potential of double negative memory B cells in cancer treatment

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center scientists have discovered a novel subset of cancer-fighting immune cells that reside outside of their normal neighborhood – known as the tertiary lymphoid structure – where they become frustratingly dysfunctional when in close contact with tumors.

19 Feb 2025

New therapeutic cocktails show promise for long-lasting asthma relief

Current asthma treatments don't work in all patients, and they don't provide long-term relief from potentially deadly asthma attacks.

19 Feb 2025

Infant exposure to herpes virus may cause memory problems later in life

Very early exposure to even a very small dose of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in infant mice can lead to cognitive decline later in life, according to findings from a new Dartmouth-led study, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and published in the journal PLoS Pathogens.

19 Feb 2025

Vitamin E supplementation may reduce food allergy development in newborns

New research found that supplementing maternal diet with α-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, can reduce the development of food allergy and anaphylaxis in newborn mice.

19 Feb 2025

Lower vitamin B12 levels could impact brain function in older adults

Meeting the minimum requirement for vitamin B12, needed to make DNA, red blood cells and nerve tissue, may not actually be enough – particularly if you are older. It may even put you at risk for cognitive impairment.

18 Feb 2025

Researchers develop mouse model to study neutrophilic asthma

A better understanding of inflammation and lung immunity over the past two decades has led to new, innovative treatments for asthma, including biologic therapies.

18 Feb 2025

Fungal component may protect against flu-related lung damage

A component found in all fungi may provide a shield against flu-related lung damage, according to a new study.

18 Feb 2025

Gene therapy breakthrough offers hope for severe Dravet syndrome cases

AAV-Navβ1 gene therapy effectively reduces seizures and prolongs life in a mouse model of SCN1B-linked Dravet syndrome, paving the way for future treatments.

18 Feb 2025

Breakthrough technology enables mRNA delivery across the blood-brain barrier

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a lipid nanoparticle system capable of delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) to the brain via intravenous injection, a challenge that has long been limited by the protective nature of the blood-brain barrier.

17 Feb 2025

Innovative blood test shows potential to replace spinal tap for Alzheimer's diagnosis

Up to half of all people living with Alzheimer's Disease in Ireland remain undiagnosed. Now, a new blood test may have the potential to transform patient care, allowing for better diagnosis, earlier interventions and more targeted treatments.

14 Feb 2025

Infants with cystic fibrosis show stunted gut microbiome development

Findings from a new Dartmouth-led study, published in the journal mBio, highlight key differences in the gut microbiome (communities of bacteria) of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) compared to that of healthy infants, and how these alterations may adversely affect their health.

14 Feb 2025

Enzyme found in lymphatic cells enhances immune activity against tumors

When a tumor develops, it creates a structure around itself called the tumor stroma, within which blood and lymphatic vessels ensure nutritional and respiratory biological exchanges.

13 Feb 2025

Study explains why tecovirimat fails against some mpox strains

A virus originally found in animals, mpox – which causes the disease of the same name – is now circulating in humans.

13 Feb 2025

Immunocompromised individuals need regular boosters for Covid-19 protection

Vaccinations alone may not be enough to protect people with compromised immune systems from infection, even if the vaccine has generated the production of antibodies, new research from the University of Cambridge has shown.

13 Feb 2025

Vaccinations alone may not protect immunocompromised patients, Cambridge research shows

13 Feb 2025

Study uncovers how MAGE-4 and Pten loss promote aggressive tumor growth

A study published in Science Advances reveals a novel strategy that allows tumors to evade the body's immune response critical for their elimination.

12 Feb 2025

McMaster University researchers discover new blood clotting disorder

Researchers at McMaster University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of hematology, providing an explanation for spontaneous and unusual blood-clotting that continues to occur despite treatment with full-dose blood thinners.

12 Feb 2025

Diabetes plays key role in the emergence and expansion of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotics are powerful, fast-acting medications designed to eradicate bacterial infections. However, in recent years, their dependability has waned as antibiotic resistant bacteria continues to evolve and spread.

12 Feb 2025

New dual-target therapy offers hope for better breast cancer treatment

Researchers, led by the University of Melbourne's Professor Laura Mackay, a Laboratory Head and Immunology Theme Leader at the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), in collaboration with Pfizer, have discovered new insights into possible future treatments for breast cancer.

12 Feb 2025