Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Researchers discover the second possible effective mechanism of remdesivir

The virostatic agent remdesivir was developed to disrupt an important step in the propagation of RNA viruses, to which SARS-CoV-2 also belongs: the reproduction of the virus's own genetic material. This is present as RNA matrices with which the host cell directly produces virus proteins.

11 May 2021

Experts discuss the role of hormones in everyday life, highlight policy measures to address challenges

Today, EU policymakers, experts, patient representatives and other stakeholders gathered online to discuss the role of hormones in our everyday life, its interlinkage with prevalent non-communicable diseases and the policy measures required to address the many challenges in this rapidly growing area of human health.

11 May 2021

New approach targeting viral RNA could lead to broad spectrum anti-viral drugs

A new approach to tackling viruses by targeting the 'control center' in viral RNA could lead to broad spectrum anti-viral drugs and provide a first line of defense against future pandemics, according to new research at the University of Birmingham.

11 May 2021

Anxiety, stress, and depression cause people to blame government for COVID-19 transmission

In a time of a global crisis such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is easy to note how people move through different phases to buckle up for such unprecedented and arduous times.

11 May 2021

The travel-related origin and spread of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.620 strain

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server describes a new variant B.1.620, which appeared in Lithuania, and is now prevalent in several countries in Europe, as well as in central Africa.

11 May 2021

FDA expands emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.

10 May 2021

Natural products a rich source for novel antiviral compounds

In a recent review in the journal Viruses, researchers look at natural products that can be identified as potential alternative antiviral agents. The reviewers discussed the antiviral activities of several natural products towards DNA and RNA viruses with an analytical approach. The researchers detailed the cellular/viral targets of the active molecules and their impact on the infection and viral replication cycle.

10 May 2021

Lab reports 1st instance of SARS-CoV-2 variants affecting antigen test performance

Researchers from the US recently determined the sensitivity of the Quidel Sofia SARS Antigen FIA test (Sofia 2). They found a high viral load specimen that tested negative repeatedly while using this antigen test. The study is published on the preprint server, medRxiv.

10 May 2021

3D printing technique extends the possibilities of lateral flow tests

Researchers at KU Leuven (Belgium) have developed a 3D printing technique that extends the possibilities of lateral flow testing.

10 May 2021

New spray protocol improves delivery of nasal antiseptic to reduce COVID-19 infection

A trip to visit family in Kolkata, India, put South Dakota State University assistant professor Saikat Basu in the middle of that country's second wave of COVID-19 infections.

10 May 2021

New vaccine shows potential to protect from a variety of coronavirus infections

A potential new vaccine developed by members of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute has proven effective in protecting monkeys and mice from a variety of coronavirus infections -- including SARS-CoV-2 as well as the original SARS-CoV-1 and related bat coronaviruses that could potentially cause the next pandemic.

10 May 2021

Researchers improve method to inhibit viruses that cause childhood respiratory infections

By engineering a short chunk of protein, or peptide, that can prevent the attachment of human parainfluenza viruses to cells, researchers have improved a method in rodent models intended to help keep children healthy.

10 May 2021

Research suggests Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reprograms innate immune responses

Researchers in The Netherlands have warned that Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine induces complex reprogramming of innate immune responses that should be considered in the development and use of mRNA-based vaccines.

10 May 2021

Scientists produce a universal flu vaccine using nanoparticles to induce long-lasting immunity

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)’s Vaccine Research Center (VRC) and the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Institute for Protein Design (IPD) developed a universal flu vaccine candidate using small particles (nanoparticles), which can induce a long-lasting immune response.

10 May 2021

Cardiac complications found to be rare in college athletes who contracted COVID-19

In a small study, researchers found college athletes who contracted COVID-19 rarely had cardiac complications. Most had mild COVID symptoms that did not require treatment, and in a small percentage of those with abnormal cardiac testing, there was no evidence of heart damage on special imaging tests.

10 May 2021

Researchers show SARS-CoV-2 genes can be integrated into the human genome

Researchers in the United States have shown that genes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – can be integrated into the genome of infected human cells.

10 May 2021

Preclinical study finds sex differences in neurological response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Neurological problems during and after COVID-19 are persistent and frequent. However, research is still ongoing as to why certain people exhibit specific symptoms. Research led by Yi-Ping Hsueh from the Institute of Molecular Biology in Taiwan suggests SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain could be sex-dependent.

10 May 2021

New nanoimmunoassay can detect anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in ultralow-volume blood samples

In a recent study, researchers developed and validated a nanoimmunoassay (NIA) that analyzes 1,024 samples in parallel on a single microfluidic device the size of a USB stick. They detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, achieving a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 100% based on an analysis of 134 pre-pandemic sera (collected in 2013/2014 and 2018) and 155 sera from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive individuals.

10 May 2021

How schools can help kids heal after the pandemic’s uncertainty

Kai Humphrey, 9, has been learning from home for more than a year. He badly misses his Washington, D.C., elementary school, along with his friends and the bustle of the classroom.

10 May 2021

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Germany

Seroprevalence studies have proved their worth in estimating the size and directionality of an outbreak of infectious disease, especially the current pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A new study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server describes the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in five representative regions of Germany.

10 May 2021

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Researchers discover the second possible effective mechanism of remdesivir

Experts discuss the role of hormones in everyday life, highlight policy measures to address challenges

New approach targeting viral RNA could lead to broad spectrum anti-viral drugs

Anxiety, stress, and depression cause people to blame government for COVID-19 transmission

The travel-related origin and spread of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.620 strain

FDA expands emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

Natural products a rich source for novel antiviral compounds

Lab reports 1st instance of SARS-CoV-2 variants affecting antigen test performance

3D printing technique extends the possibilities of lateral flow tests

New spray protocol improves delivery of nasal antiseptic to reduce COVID-19 infection

New vaccine shows potential to protect from a variety of coronavirus infections

Researchers improve method to inhibit viruses that cause childhood respiratory infections

Research suggests Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reprograms innate immune responses

Scientists produce a universal flu vaccine using nanoparticles to induce long-lasting immunity

Cardiac complications found to be rare in college athletes who contracted COVID-19

Researchers show SARS-CoV-2 genes can be integrated into the human genome

Preclinical study finds sex differences in neurological response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

New nanoimmunoassay can detect anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in ultralow-volume blood samples

How schools can help kids heal after the pandemic’s uncertainty

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Germany

Industry Focus eBook - Infectious Diseases (3rd Edition) eBook

Voltammetry and machine learning for real-time neurotransmitter detection

How real-time off-gas analysis improves fermentation process control

Advancing Drug Safety Assessment With AI, Predictive Modeling, and Human-Relevant Data

Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Industry Focus eBook - Infectious Diseases (3rd Edition) eBook

Voltammetry and machine learning for real-time neurotransmitter detection

How real-time off-gas analysis improves fermentation process control

Advancing Drug Safety Assessment With AI, Predictive Modeling, and Human-Relevant Data

Newsletters you may be interested in