Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

UKHSA agrees a deal to produce life-saving vaccines in the UK

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has agreed a deal for millions of life-saving vaccines to be produced in the UK if a future influenza pandemic is ever declared.

26 Sep 2023

COVID drug molnupiravir appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve

Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat patients with COVID-19, appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve, with some of these new viruses being transmitted onwards, a new study has shown. It is not clear, however, whether these mutated viruses pose an increased risk to patients or are able to evade the vaccine.

25 Sep 2023

Future-proof vaccine candidate protects against wide range of coronaviruses

Studies of a 'future-proof' vaccine candidate have shown that just one antigen can be modified to provide a broadly protective immune response in animals.

25 Sep 2023

Killer T cells in older adults resemble those found in newborns, but fall short in virus detection

A world-first discovery has revealed special immune cells called 'killer T cells' in older adults, directed against influenza viruses, closely resemble those found in newborns and children, but struggle to recognize infected cells – a finding that unlocks the potential for the development of better vaccines and therapies tailored to different age groups.

25 Sep 2023

Unlocking the power of mRNA vaccines: From COVID-19 to cancer and beyond

A comprehensive review in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy delves into the versatility and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, from their game-changing role in COVID-19 to potential applications in cancer and rare diseases. Despite drawbacks like stability and high immunogenicity, advancements in vaccine technology have poised mRNA platforms as a robust tool for both preventive and therapeutic interventions.

21 Sep 2023

American Thoracic Society partners with five new health systems to improve vaccination rates

As cities brace for a confluence of flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, and RSV infections this fall, the American Thoracic Society announced that five new health systems have partnered with the Society to improve vaccination rates.

20 Sep 2023

Innovations in baculovirus–insect cell expression systems

The baculovirus–insect cell expression system—insect cells used in conjunction with the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS)— remains a crucial technology for manufacturing large and complex proteins. This eukaryotic expression system offers inherent safety, ease of scale-up, flexible product design, and versatility for a broad range of proteins.

From Sino Biological Inc. 20 Sep 2023

Age and underlying conditions increase risk of critical outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Whether vaccinated or not, having at least four disease risk factors put adults hospitalized due to COVID-19 at higher risk for critical outcomes, according to a 10-state study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) VISION Network.

19 Sep 2023

CDC awards $17.5M to UC San Diego-led coalition to develop innovative outbreak response tools

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $17.5 million to a coalition led by researchers at UC San Diego to develop innovative tools and networks to respond rapidly to emerging disease outbreaks.

19 Sep 2023

Study finds risk factors linked to lower flu vaccine uptake in people with kidney disease

Among adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC), young age, Black race, and low levels of education and income were associated with lower likelihood of getting an annual flu shot.

19 Sep 2023

Does a high-dose influenza vaccine reduce cardiovascular disease risk?

Whether a high-dose influenza vaccine is associated with a benefit in reducing CP events.

19 Sep 2023

Health workers warn loosening mask advice in hospitals would harm patients and providers

Nurses, researchers, and workplace safety officers worry new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might reduce protection against the coronavirus and other airborne pathogens in hospitals.

18 Sep 2023

NIH launches Phase 1 trial of new investigational universal influenza vaccine

Enrollment in a Phase 1 trial of a new investigational universal influenza vaccine candidate has begun at the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

15 Sep 2023

Novel amino acid mutations suggest local monkeypox transmission in Guangzhou, China

The monkeypox (mpox) virus has caused worldwide transmission since its initial report in England in early May 2022.

15 Sep 2023

Past infections may shape your COVID booster's punch against Omicron

This in-depth study examines how previous immunity impacts the effectiveness of COVID-19 booster vaccinations and susceptibility to Omicron breakthrough infections. The research highlights the significant role of individual immune histories in shaping both humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2, urging for more tailored vaccine strategies.

14 Sep 2023

UKHSA's flagship SIREN study enters new phase to continue surveillance of respiratory pathogens

The next phase of the study will be known as SIREN 2.0 and began in September 2023.

14 Sep 2023

Oral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shows promise in monkeys

A new paper in Biology Methods and Protocols, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that researchers studying SARS-CoV-2 may have developed new methods to administer vaccines orally, which would be both easier to administer and more effective at combatting illnesses.

13 Sep 2023

COVID-19 doubles risk of early type 1 diabetes signs in high-risk children

New research in JAMA finds a temporal association between SARS-CoV-2 infections and the onset of islet autoimmunity, a precursor to type 1 diabetes, in genetically predisposed infants. The study underscores COVID-19 as a potential risk factor for the development of this form of diabetes in young children.

13 Sep 2023

New Omicron subvariant BA.2.86: A master of immune escape but not taking over yet

Researchers have isolated a new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant, BA.2.86, revealing its ability to escape neutralizing antibodies five-fold greater than its ancestor strain. Despite its enhanced immune evasion capabilities, BA.2.86 has not shown a significant difference in spread compared to other current variants.

13 Sep 2023

Interferon-gamma essential for lung-resident memory B cell development after influenza infection

During a bout of influenza, B cells interact with other immune cells and then take different paths to defend the body.

13 Sep 2023

Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

UKHSA agrees a deal to produce life-saving vaccines in the UK

COVID drug molnupiravir appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve

Future-proof vaccine candidate protects against wide range of coronaviruses

Killer T cells in older adults resemble those found in newborns, but fall short in virus detection

Unlocking the power of mRNA vaccines: From COVID-19 to cancer and beyond

American Thoracic Society partners with five new health systems to improve vaccination rates

Innovations in baculovirus–insect cell expression systems

Age and underlying conditions increase risk of critical outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients

CDC awards $17.5M to UC San Diego-led coalition to develop innovative outbreak response tools

Study finds risk factors linked to lower flu vaccine uptake in people with kidney disease

Does a high-dose influenza vaccine reduce cardiovascular disease risk?

Health workers warn loosening mask advice in hospitals would harm patients and providers

NIH launches Phase 1 trial of new investigational universal influenza vaccine

Novel amino acid mutations suggest local monkeypox transmission in Guangzhou, China

Past infections may shape your COVID booster's punch against Omicron

UKHSA's flagship SIREN study enters new phase to continue surveillance of respiratory pathogens

Oral SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shows promise in monkeys

COVID-19 doubles risk of early type 1 diabetes signs in high-risk children

New Omicron subvariant BA.2.86: A master of immune escape but not taking over yet

Interferon-gamma essential for lung-resident memory B cell development after influenza infection

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

Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

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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