Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Scientists are testing the effectiveness of a new type of flu vaccine

The experimental vaccine instead relies on a cell line drawn from insects known as silk moths, which are better known for their role as pests attacking crops such as corn, cotton, barley and alfalfa.

25 Oct 2004

New oral vaccine treatment is effective in reducing Alzheimer's disease pathology

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function due to amyloid-beta (Aß) deposits in the central nervous system. If these deposits could be stopped or slowed, Alzheimer's disease might become more manageable.

25 Oct 2004

Researchers investigate whether simian foamy virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion

Using an animal model, researchers demonstrated that simian foamy virus can be transmitted through blood from one non-human primate to another. Although this virus is not known to cause disease or health conditions in people or animals, this new research identifies an emerging issue related to the safety and adequacy of Canada's blood supply.

25 Oct 2004

Three additional human cases of West Nile virus in Mississippi

Today the Mississippi Department of Health confirmed three additional human cases of West Nile virus - one in Clay County, one in DeSoto County, and one in Grenada County residents. Health officials also report one additional death that occurred in a previously reported human case from Hinds County.

25 Oct 2004

Infectious diseases physicians call for financial incentives for industry

In the midst of the current national shortage of influenza vaccine, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has renewed its call for Congress and the Administration to implement innovative public policy geared toward removing financial disincentives that have caused pharmaceutical companies to leave the vaccine market.

25 Oct 2004

BMA report hopes to raise awareness about the threat of biological weapons

A new report released today (25 October 2004) by the BMA paints a bleak picture of the global community's ability to cope with advances in biological and genetic weapons technology.

25 Oct 2004

New understanding of how poxviruses jump from species to species

A Canadian study conducted at Robarts Research Institute sheds new light on how poxviruses can jump from species to species -- and will lead to further exploration of another potential candidate in the emerging field of “oncolytic viruses” to fight cancer.

25 Oct 2004

MedImmune bumps up production of FluMist vaccine

MedImmune has announced that it is increasing its planned delivery of FluMist (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal) up to a total of three million doses. Originally the company had completed production of 1.1 million doses.

22 Oct 2004

MedImmune initiates clinical trial comparing intranasal influenza vaccine with injectable flu vaccine

MedImmune announced that it has initiated a pivotal head-to-head Phase 3 clinical trial designed to compare its next-generation, refrigerator- stable intranasal influenza vaccine (CAIV-T: cold adapted intranasal influenza vaccine, trivalent) with the injectable flu shot (TIV: trivalent influenza vaccine).

22 Oct 2004

Organic molecules spontaneously organize themselves into large spherical structures

A critical step in the emergence of life was the spontaneous self-organization of identical small units into large symmetrical structures.

21 Oct 2004

New antibody to prevent respiratory syncytial virus in premature babies

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers are studying the effectiveness of introducing a new antibody in premature infants to manage the most common form of lower respiratory tract infections in children worldwide.

21 Oct 2004

Chiron responds to FDA announcement

Chiron Corporation last Friday provided the following statement in response to an announcement by U.S. health officials on the current influenza vaccine situation.

18 Oct 2004

Hepatitis C infection increases likelihood of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma significantly

Patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are six times as likely to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) than individuals that are virus free, according to research presented at the Third Annual Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting.

18 Oct 2004

Cranberries for the treatment of herpes

Alpine cranberries have significant biological activity that can help to combat herpes virus type II (HSV-2) infection, one of the most common viral infections in humans, writes Emma Dorey in Chemistry & Industry.

18 Oct 2004

Highly concentrated solution of chemical messengers could block male to female HIV transmission

Researchers in the U.S have shown that it may be possible to block the transmission of the HIV virus from a man to a woman by using a highly concentrated solution of chemical messengers that attract white blood cells to the site of infection.

16 Oct 2004

Laboratory test of evolutionary theory confirms the importance of connections between populations

Researchers studying the evolutionary dynamics of bacteria and viruses in bubbling glass tubes have confirmed an evolutionary theory of central importance to ecologists studying more familiar flora and fauna in the wild.

13 Oct 2004

Wisconsin has identified its first laboratory confirmed case of influenza this season

Public health officials in the department said the case, confirmed by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene to be influenza type A (H3 subtype), involves an adult female from Waupaca County.

13 Oct 2004

MedImmune progresses development of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Parainfluenza Virus Type-3 vaccines

MedImmune has announced that data from a preclinical study for its lead vaccine candidate to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus type-3 (PIV-3) has shown a protective immune response against both viruses in animals.

13 Oct 2004

Influenza expert is beginning a three-year direct comparison of flu shots versus nasal spray flu vaccine

Flu shots have been around since World War II, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long recommended shots as a way to prevent influenza in the elderly. The approval of a new nasal spray vaccine begs the question whether those looking to stave off the flu should stick with the tried and true injection or switch to the nasal spray.

13 Oct 2004

Technique for genetically modifying blood stem cells brings cure for blood diseases closer

The condition of mice with a genetic blood disease called beta-thalassemia improved significantly following treatment of their blood forming cells with a gene that enabled them to produce the type of hemoglobin normally found only in the fetus.

12 Oct 2004

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Scientists are testing the effectiveness of a new type of flu vaccine

New oral vaccine treatment is effective in reducing Alzheimer's disease pathology

Researchers investigate whether simian foamy virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion

Three additional human cases of West Nile virus in Mississippi

Infectious diseases physicians call for financial incentives for industry

BMA report hopes to raise awareness about the threat of biological weapons

New understanding of how poxviruses jump from species to species

MedImmune bumps up production of FluMist vaccine

MedImmune initiates clinical trial comparing intranasal influenza vaccine with injectable flu vaccine

Organic molecules spontaneously organize themselves into large spherical structures

New antibody to prevent respiratory syncytial virus in premature babies

Chiron responds to FDA announcement

Hepatitis C infection increases likelihood of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma significantly

Cranberries for the treatment of herpes

Highly concentrated solution of chemical messengers could block male to female HIV transmission

Laboratory test of evolutionary theory confirms the importance of connections between populations

Wisconsin has identified its first laboratory confirmed case of influenza this season

MedImmune progresses development of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Parainfluenza Virus Type-3 vaccines

Influenza expert is beginning a three-year direct comparison of flu shots versus nasal spray flu vaccine

Technique for genetically modifying blood stem cells brings cure for blood diseases closer

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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