Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

Unveiling the role of EBV in the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis

Recent evidence strongly implicates infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as the trigger for development of multiple sclerosis (MS). An international research team is now gathering to unveil the role of EBV in the onset and progression of the MS disease.

20 Sep 2023

Scientists develop Australia’s first-of-its-kind next-gen mpox diagnostic tool

In a collaborative study published in The Lancet Microbe, the team of scientists, led by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) and WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), revealed MPXV-CRISPR – a powerful diagnostic tool capable of detecting MPXV in clinical samples with acute precision and at a faster rate than any other method, thanks to the power of CRISPR technology.

20 Sep 2023

Early treatment with convalescent plasma may reduce risk of long COVID

Findings from a nationwide, multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggest that patients with COVID-19 have less chance of developing post-COVID conditions - commonly known as long COVID - if they receive early treatment with plasma from convalescent (recovered) COVID patients that contain antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

20 Sep 2023

Scientists identify new virus in deepest part of the ocean

The Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth, plunges nearly 11,000 meters at its lowest point on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Life persists in the deep and cold darkness, and "wherever there's life, you can bet there are regulators at work," said marine virologist Min Wang, Ph.D, at the Ocean University of China, in Qingdao. "Viruses, in this case."

20 Sep 2023

Study identifies a molecule that may be behind COVID-19 brain fog

A study identifies a molecule that may be behind cognitive symptoms, including "brain fog," experienced by those infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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

Game-changing point-of-care assay could revolutionize Mpox detection worldwide

Researchers developed a point-of-care assay for the rapid detection of mpox virus.

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

New NIH plan outlines HSV research framework with four strategic priorities

In response to the persistent health challenges of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2, today the National Institutes of Health released the Strategic Plan for Herpes Simplex Virus Research.

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 assesses duration of protection offered by smallpox infection and possible cross-reaction with Mpox virus

More than 43 years ago, many Chinese residents were vaccinated with the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain (VTT) to protect them from smallpox infection.

19 Sep 2023

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine elicits persistent immunity for up to 10 years

The neutralizing antibodies persistence of the Sabin strain-derived inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

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

Cancer drug could play a role in limiting the damaging effects of lung disease in COVID-19 patients

A cancer drug could play an important role in limiting the damaging effects of lung disease in COVID-19 patients, thanks to new research at Hudson Institute of Medical Research.

19 Sep 2023

Is the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine the booster we've been waiting for?

The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine developed by GSK and Sanofi shows promising results with a 64.7% overall effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19, according to a phase 3 trial. The vaccine performs especially well as a booster, achieving 75.9% efficacy in non-naïve subjects.

17 Sep 2023

How well do current vaccines hold up against new SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and FLip?

The study explores the efficacy of three-dose monovalent or bivalent vaccinations in neutralizing newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and FLip. While BA.2.86 showed lower immune evasion abilities compared to recent XBB variants, it was less effectively neutralized by the monoclonal antibody S309, raising questions about vaccine efficacy against evolving strains.

17 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

Imported case of monkeypox leads to local transmission in China

Monkeypox (mpox) is a zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus (MPXV) that has been primarily limited to Central and West African nations since its discovery.

15 Sep 2023

Moderna’s adapted COVID-19 vaccine that targets Omicron XBB.1.5 approved by MHRA

An adapted COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna (Spikevax) that targets the Omicron XBB 1.5 subvariant, has today been authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after it was found to meet the UK regulator's standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

15 Sep 2023

A comprehensive analysis of first monkeypox outbreak in Shenzhen, China

This paper comprehensively analyses the first-ever monkeypox outbreak in Shenzhen, China encompassing clinical symptomatology, therapeutic approaches, epidemiological research, and comprehensive laboratory tests, aiming to establish a robust reference for future mitigation and management strategies for monkeypox.

15 Sep 2023