Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

New research shows how testosterone may shield against severe Covid-19

A new study has revealed important information about how a patient's testosterone level can help protect them from severe Covid-19.

9 Aug 2024

Inflammation during pregnancy impacts child neurodevelopment

When a person experiences an injury or infection, the body's immune system responds with inflammation to start the healing process. However, inflammation can occur in much less helpful circumstances – for example, when a person experiences psychological stress or consistently eats a poor diet high in sugars, fats, and processed foods.

9 Aug 2024

Columbia study reveals bacteria create free-floating genes, challenging genetic code norms

Since the genetic code was first deciphered in the 1960s, our genes seemed like an open book. By reading and decoding our chromosomes as linear strings of letters, like sentences in a novel, we can identify the genes in our genome and learn why changes in a gene's code affect health.

9 Aug 2024

Renewed mpox threat finds public unprepared

It has been two years since the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over an outbreak of mpox, a disease endemic to Africa that had spread to scores of countries. Now, in the summer of 2024, a deadlier version of the infectious disease has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to other African nations, the strain that originally hit the United States has shown signs of a resurgence, and this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new alert on mpox to health care providers.

9 Aug 2024

Korean researchers accelerate race for respiratory disease cures

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted our lives, claiming nearly 7.1 million lives globally. Scientists and medical professionals have been working tirelessly to understand the virus, its transmission pathways, and effective treatments. The urgency of developing vaccines and treatments has never been greater, prompting calls for Korea to expedite its drug development efforts to match those of developed countries. Recently, a team of Korean researchers has made a breakthrough that will greatly enhance the efficiency of respiratory disease research, garnering attention.

9 Aug 2024

Cross-reactive T cells link SARS-CoV-2 to autoimmune triggers in MIS-C

Research identifies cross-reactive T cells targeting both SARS-CoV-2 and human SNX8 protein, providing insights into the autoimmune mechanisms driving MIS-C in children.

8 Aug 2024

ProDOL revolutionizes protein quantification in living cells

Scientists have developed a new way of counting labeled proteins in living cells that could become a standard and valuable tool in the field of biomedical research.

8 Aug 2024

Saliva test outperforms blood test in indicating the severity of recurrent respiratory infections in children

A saliva test can more accurately indicate the severity of recurrent respiratory infections in children than the standard blood test.

8 Aug 2024

Recombinant shingles vaccine linked to lower dementia risk, especially in women

Study published in Nature Medicine found that the recombinant shingles vaccine is linked to a reduced risk of dementia. This protective effect was particularly notable in females, suggesting a potential advantage of the recombinant vaccine over the live vaccine.

7 Aug 2024

SARS-CoV-2 protein linked to onset of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a link between a SARS-CoV-2 protein and the onset of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

7 Aug 2024

New treatment boosts pluripotent stem cell production in mice

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have discovered a treatment which accelerates the production and quality of pluripotent stem cells in mice.

7 Aug 2024

Cornell study links pollen blooms to spike in asthma-related ER visits

A new Cornell University study that tracks how many asthma-related emergency room visits result from pollen in metropolitan areas highlights the importance of knowing local plants and the need for developing science-based pollen forecasts.

7 Aug 2024

Olympic games could fuel spread of tropical diseases, warn health experts

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya could spread via the Olympics to countries where they are not normally prevalent, warn global health experts, as authorities step up disease monitoring in the French capital.

7 Aug 2024

Research reveals autoimmune mechanism behind multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Study reveals a mechanism behind multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

7 Aug 2024

Study reveals distinct genetic risk factors for influenza and COVID-19

A recent study in Nature Genetics reports that genetic risk factors for influenza and COVID-19 are distinct, highlighting their unique genetic architectures.

6 Aug 2024

Innovative nasal spray and vaccine for respiratory virus protection

A team of researchers, led by the University of Houston, has discovered two new ways of preventing and treating respiratory viruses.

6 Aug 2024

Mini intestines uncover mechanisms behind COVID-19-related diarrhea and potential treatments

Working with human stem cells that form a kind of "mini intestine-in-a-dish," Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have found several molecular mechanisms for COVID-19-related diarrhea, suggesting potential ways to control it.

6 Aug 2024

Harnessing oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy to improve treatment outcomes

Oncolytic virus (OV)-based immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment, offering a unique potential to selectively target malignant cells while sparing normal tissues.

6 Aug 2024

MIP Discovery rebrands as Tozaro as it completes transition to supporting cell and gene therapy viral vector analytics and purification

Tozaro’s rationally designed smart polymer affinity reagents offer novel analytics and purification solutions to enhance the development and manufacture of viral vectors in cell and gene therapy.

6 Aug 2024

Valproic acid shows promise in reducing COVID-19 severity and hospitalization

Researchers found that valproic acid (VPA), especially when combined with DHA, significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and severity, potentially activating antiviral mechanisms. Epidemiologic data support VPA's role in reducing COVID-19 severity and hospitalization rates.

6 Aug 2024