Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Philippines faces scrutiny over rollout of unproven African swine fever vaccine

The Philippines is under global scrutiny as it proceeds with the controlled rollout of an unproven African swine fever (ASF) vaccine from Vietnam amid doubts from experts about its safety and efficacy.

30 Aug 2024

Biodegradable diagnostic tests offer sustainable solution to plastic pollution

The global plastic pollution crisis and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic – where billions of single-use diagnostic tests were discarded – is prompting businesses and researchers to develop new and more sustainable rapid diagnostic tests.

30 Aug 2024

New consensus on assessing carcinogenic risks of gene therapies

A new article in the peer-reviewed journal Human Gene Therapy describes the consensus reached by invited experts who participated in a meeting to evaluate the potential carcinogenicity of gene therapies.

30 Aug 2024

Obesity increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 34%

Obesity is linked to a 34% higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection upon exposure, highlighting the importance of weight management in COVID-19 prevention.

30 Aug 2024

Mpox persists in England: Strong vaccine effectiveness, stay vigilant

Study found that mpox cases in England remained low but steady in 2023, with the MVA-BN vaccine showing 82% effectiveness in preventing severe disease, particularly among GBMSM.

29 Aug 2024

CDC identifies new Oropouche virus cases in U.S. travelers, raising public health concerns

The CDC reports 21 new cases of Oropouche virus among U.S. travelers from Brazil and Cuba, highlighting potential health risks and the need for vigilant monitoring and preventive measures.

29 Aug 2024

WHO calls for manufacturers to submit mpox diagnostic tests for Emergency Use Listing

WHO has asked manufacturers of mpox in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) to submit an expression of interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

29 Aug 2024

Study reveals the role of blood clotting in COVID-19

In a study that reshapes what we know about COVID-19 and its most perplexing symptoms, scientists have discovered that the blood coagulation protein fibrin causes the unusual clotting and inflammation that have become hallmarks of the disease, while also suppressing the body's ability to clear the virus.

29 Aug 2024

COVID-19 linked to increased risk of hearing loss in young adults, study finds

Researchers in South Korea found that young adults who recovered from COVID-19 are at significantly higher risk of experiencing hearing loss and sudden sensorineural hearing loss compared to those who never had the virus.

28 Aug 2024

Unraveling the mystery of viral evolution

All organisms - from fungi to mammals - have the capacity to evolve and adapt to their environments. But viruses are master shapeshifters with the ability to mutate greater than any other organism. As a result, they can evade treatments or acquire resistance to once-effective antiviral medications.

28 Aug 2024

CNRS scientists uncover activation mechanism of bemnifosbuvir

CNRS Scientists have deciphered the activation pathway of bemnifosbuvir, a drug candidate initially in development to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV). The findings of the research team, led by CNRS scientists, unlock new opportunities to boost the efficacy of this type of drug against other RNA viruses, such as the ones that cause Covid-19 and dengue fever.

28 Aug 2024

Analysis reveals viral shift behind COVID-19 pandemic end

New analysis suggests that a dramatic drop in deaths from COVID-19 between 2022 and 2023 could be attributed to an abrupt phase transition in the molecular structure of the virus' spike protein.

28 Aug 2024

Artificial intelligence differentiates cancer cells and detects early viral infections

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) and the Fundación Biofisica Bizkaia (FBB, located in Biofisika Institute) have developed an artificial intelligence which can differentiate cancer cells from normal cells, as well as detect the very early stages of viral infection inside cells.

27 Aug 2024

SARS-CoV-2 evolves differently in the brain, revealing critical insights into viral tropism

Study investigates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 within the central nervous system (CNS) compared to the lungs in mice, revealing higher viral divergence in the CNS and highlighting the critical role of the furin cleavage site (FCS) in viral tropism and compartmentalization.

27 Aug 2024

An Arm and a Leg: Don’t get ‘bullied’ into paying what you don’t owe

Caitlyn Mai thought she did everything right. She called ahead to make sure her insurer would cover her cochlear implant surgery.

27 Aug 2024

With only gloves to protect them, farmworkers say they tend sick cows amid bird flu

In early August, farmworkers gathered under a pavilion at a park here for a picnic to celebrate Farmworker Appreciation Day. One sign that this year was different from the others was the menu: Beef fajitas, tortillas, pico de gallo, chips, beans — but no chicken.

27 Aug 2024

The role of HPV in male fertility: New data on sperm quality and oxidative stress

Findings indicate HR-HPV infections affect sperm health, increasing oxidative stress and altering cytokine levels, emphasizing HPV's impact on male fertility.

27 Aug 2024

Gut microbiota plays a critical role in rotavirus vaccine efficacy

Certain types of gut bacteria can hinder the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine, according to researchers at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University.

27 Aug 2024

Computational tools reveal 3D structures of viral proteins

These rapid shifts mean that researchers are still trying to understand a multitude of viral proteins and precisely how they increase viruses' infecting abilities - knowledge that could be crucial for developing new or better virus-fighting treatments.

27 Aug 2024

New intranasal COVID-19 vaccine promises broad protection and accessibility

A next-generation COVID-19 mucosal vaccine is set to be a gamechanger not only when delivering the vaccine itself, but also for people who are needle-phobic.

27 Aug 2024