Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute discovered a polymer hidden within the Ebola virus that can be targeted by llama antibodies, enabling the creation of highly sensitive test kits using a single antibody. This breakthrough may revolutionize emerging viral diagnostics and offer a promising tool for detecting other deadly pathogens.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a new chemical class of compounds that can block genetically diverse viruses from replicating. These indoline alkaloid-type compounds effectively inhibited a number of viruses, including Ebola, by limiting RNA production in cell culture.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a natural protein called cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (CH25H) that can block the entry of HIV and other deadly viruses into cells. The protein, which is activated by interferon, produces an oxysterol that can permeate cell walls and inhibit viral growth.
A recent study by EcoHealth Alliance found Ebola virus antibodies in approximately 4% of the bats screened in Bangladesh, indicating that Rousettus fruit bats may be a natural reservoir for Ebola virus. The study extends the known range of Ebola to mainland Asia.
A new study found that malaria and typhoid fever are the biggest health threats for travelers to tropics, affecting 4% of returned travelers. The study analyzed over 82,000 ill travelers and found no cases of Ebola or other feared diseases.
Researchers at NIH and OHSU found that an experimental Ebola vaccine elicits antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from Ebola virus infection. The study's results showed that antibodies induced by the vaccine appeared to be critical to protecting the animals, while immune cells had a minimal role.
Researchers sequenced bat genomes to find similarities with human genes, potentially leading to disease prevention strategies. The study found novel genes in bats that help deal with toxins produced by flight, which may also influence ageing and cancer.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of two bat species to understand genetic mechanisms underlying flight and immunity. The study found unique changes in genes related to DNA damage repair and innate immune system, which may have evolved to minimize negative effects of reactive oxygen species generated during flight.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which Ebola virus alters and evades the immune response of its infected host. The secreted protein can selectively drive induction of antibody responses to itself while competing for antibodies to the viral surface protein, enabling repeated or sustained infection.
A new paper by Stephen S. Morse and colleagues proposes a series of research and surveillance opportunities to bridge gaps in understanding zoonoses and improve pandemic prediction. The authors emphasize the need for a global early warning system to prevent emerging infections at their source.
The Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa viruses have been around for thousands of years, not emerging as life-threatening diseases. Designating them as emerging diagnoses would aid in diagnosis and prevention by understanding their ecological niches and geographical distribution.
A new Ebola virus study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for using monoclonal antibodies to prevent lethal disease in rhesus macaques. The plant-based production method offers potential for an economical and effective medical countermeasure.
A new viral outbreak in Africa has been linked to the Bas-Congo virus, a previously unknown microbe that causes deadly acute hemorrhagic fever. Genetic analysis reveals the virus is distinct from other rhabdoviruses, including those causing rabies.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of a critical protein from the Marburg virus, which blocks the human immune system. The breakthrough provides a major step forward in understanding how the deadly virus works and may be useful in developing potential treatments for those infected.
Scientists have identified biomarkers that predict rapid onset of liver damage in hepatitis C patients after a liver transplant. These markers appear soon after the transplant and before clinical evidence of liver damage, offering new hope for personalized monitoring and treatment options.
Researchers developed a targeted antisense approach to treat toxoplasmosis, reducing viable parasites by over 90% in mice. The therapy combines short nucleic acid strands with peptides to disrupt genetic signals, with potential applications in non-parasitic diseases.
Einstein researchers will investigate NPC1's role in infection within different species, including bats and rodents. The study aims to pinpoint possible targets for antiviral drugs designed to combat Ebola.
A recent study recommends focusing on collecting animal samples from carcasses during Ebola outbreaks, with a 50% success rate compared to less than 6% when sampling live animals. This approach is crucial for early detection and learning more about the virus.
University of Missouri veterinarian Leah Cohn has discovered an effective treatment for cytauxzoonosis, a deadly feline disease spread by Lone Star ticks. The treatment has been shown to save about 60 percent of infected cats, offering new hope for cat owners nationwide.
US Army researchers have successfully tested antibody-based therapies in monkeys infected with Ebola and Marburg viruses, demonstrating full protection even when treatment was delayed until two days post-infection. This breakthrough provides proof-of-concept for developing filovirus therapies for human use.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a plant-derived vaccine for Ebola that provided strong immunological protection in a mouse model. The vaccine uses a DNA blueprint to convert tobacco plants into living pharmaceutical factories, producing a vaccine molecule that can be easily purified and administered.
Researchers have identified an antibody that neutralizes Sudan virus, one of the most deadly human pathogens caused by ebolavirus. The new findings suggest a key spot for neutralizing ebolaviruses, which could lead to the development of effective vaccines and antibody-based therapies.
Researchers have discovered a new Ebola-like virus, Lloviu, in bats from northern Spain, which is the first filovirus native to Europe. The study reveals that Lloviu may be a cause for concern as it was detected in deceased bats with signs of an immune response, but not in healthy bats.
A team of researchers from Boston University's School of Medicine and College of Engineering have been awarded a $4.8 million NIH grant to develop a low-cost, multiplexed virus detection platform capable of rapidly detecting viral pathogens such as Ebola, Lassa Fever, and Marburg. The resulting diagnostic platform should be able to det...
Scientists identify genetic differences between mild and deadly Plague bacteria, revealing the role of small non-coding RNAs in disease severity. The study provides new insights into the evolution of pathogens and potential therapeutic targets for deadly diseases like the Plague.
Scientists have successfully tested a bivalent vaccine that protects against both rabies and Ebola in mice, offering a promising solution for Africa's healthcare challenges. The vaccine is built on the same platform as the approved rabies vaccine and has several advantages over existing Ebola candidates.
Researchers have identified a protein used by Ebola virus to gain entry into cells and begin replicating, providing a new target for antiviral drugs. This discovery may lead to the development of more stable and effective treatments for Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), currently caused by one of the deadliest known viruses affecting humans.
Researchers identified Niemann-Pick C1 as a critical cellular protein for Ebola virus entry, allowing scientists to develop antiviral drugs. The discovery offers a promising strategy to combat the deadly virus.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified a novel small molecule that inhibits Ebola virus entry into cells by more than 99 percent. The target of the inhibitor is the cell protein Niemann-Pick C1, which is critical for EboV infection.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a key cellular protein, Niemann-Pick C1, that is essential for the Ebola virus to infect cells. The finding suggests a possible strategy for blocking infection due to Ebola virus, which has killed up to 90% of those infected in some outbreaks.
Researchers identify Niemann-Pick C1 as critical protein for Ebola virus entry, paving the way for potential antiviral treatments. The discovery improves chances of developing drugs that directly combat Ebola infections.
Deborah Anderson is leading a research study on plant-based antibodies to prevent HSV and HIV infections in women. The project aims to create affordable and large-capacity manufacturing systems for biopharmaceuticals, ensuring access to treatments for at-risk populations worldwide.
Researchers found that Zaire ebolavirus replicates in pigs, causing disease and transmitting the virus to unexposed animals. Pigs with respiratory symptoms shed high viral loads, posing a risk of transmission to humans.
A team of researchers identified TIM-1 as the cellular protein that acts as a receptor for Ebola and Marburg viruses. An antibody targeting TIM-1 blocks infection by both viruses, potentially providing a way to prevent initial infection and limit outbreak spread.
The US is expanding its 20-year-old program to secure and destroy Cold War-era nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in East Africa. The Cooperative Threat Reduction Program aims to counter the threat of bioterrorism in volatile regions where deadly diseases like Ebola and Marburg viruses occur naturally.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a family of small molecules that bind to the Ebola virus's outer protein coat and inhibit its entry into human cells. The findings demonstrate a potential breakthrough in preventing Ebola infection, with further studies planned to confirm efficacy.
Stephanie Willerth's research on HIV has significantly advanced understanding of the virus and its resistance to medications. Her study of over 15,000 different versions of the virus has led to the identification of specific genes resistant to drugs, paving the way for more effective treatments.
Boston University researchers developed a simple diagnostic tool that can quickly identify Ebola and Marburg viruses in blood samples. The biosensor is ultra-portable, fast, and can detect viruses with little to no sample preparation.
Researchers found fragments of viruses, including hepatitis B and Ebola, integrated into the genomes of insects and animals. The discovery could provide insights into the evolutionary history of viruses and inform approaches for controlling disease.
A purified form of a modified sugar chain called COAM is shown to enhance early-stage immune defenses in mice against deadly virus infections. The compound speeds the response of white blood cells at the early stage of infection, almost completely blocking the killer virus.
Researchers investigate White pox disease, a human strain of Serratia marcescens transmitted to elkhorn corals, which may indicate a new phenomenon of diseases jumping from humans to wildlife. The study aims to understand transmission mechanisms and develop control strategies.
Researchers developed novel antisense therapies that protected monkeys infected with deadly Ebola or Marburg viruses, with survival rates over 90%. The treatments were administered up to one hour after exposure and showed promise for treating accidental infections in laboratory or hospital settings.
A UT professor has made a groundbreaking discovery on how viruses jump from host to host. The study found that cross-species transmission may be driven more by host similarity than virus mutation and contact rates.
A recent study found that human and other vertebrate genomes contain ancient sequences from deadly virus families, Ebola/Marburgviruses and Bornaviruses. These integrations were likely mediated by movable elements and may provide a selective advantage to the host species, potentially protecting against future infections.
Researchers at University at Buffalo discover that wallabies and bats carry 'fossil' copies of filovirus genes, suggesting a genetic defense mechanism. This finding has important implications for developing human vaccines and understanding disease outbreaks.
In a study of rhesus macaques, the experimental Marburg vaccine showed 100% protection when administered 24 hours after lethal exposure, and 66.7% survival rate when treated 48 hours post-infection. The vaccine works by activating the immune system to fight off the target virus.
Scientists have successfully prevented monkeys exposed to the deadly Ebola virus from dying of hemorrhagic fever using a genetic material-based treatment. The study suggests that such protection could also be possible in humans, offering new hope for combating the highly contagious and lethal disease.
A groundbreaking study has shown that a novel treatment using small interfering RNAs can protect monkeys from lethal Ebola virus infection after exposure. The treatment was found to be well-tolerated and offered complete protection in some cases, paving the way for further research and potential human trials.
Researchers at UB and CDC develop gold nanorod delivery system for immune-boosting RNA molecule that targets influenza virus, promoting interferon production and inhibiting viral replication. The therapy has potential to treat a range of infectious diseases, including H1N1, avian flu and Ebola.
A newly developed experimental Ebola vaccine has shown protection in monkeys against a newer Ebola virus species identified in 2007. The vaccine induces a robust T-cell response that can cross-react with other Ebola virus species.
The Field Museum and University of Chicago launched the Emerging Pathogens Project to study emerging diseases in animals, such as bird flu, malaria, and AIDS. By analyzing DNA data from collected specimens, scientists aim to understand how diseases evolve and spread between animal species.
Researchers have discovered exactly how one type of New World hemorrhagic fever virus latches onto and infects human cells, offering a much-needed lead toward new treatments. The finding identifies the apical domain of the transferrin receptor as an attractive target for drugs.
Researchers have developed a broad-spectrum antiviral compound that can stop a wide range of highly dangerous viruses, including those causing HIV, Ebola, and hepatitis C. The compound works by altering the lipid envelope of enveloped viruses, making them unable to fuse with host cells.
Researchers have identified a broad-spectrum antiviral compound effective against HIV-1, influenza A, filoviruses, poxviruses, and other deadly diseases. The compound, LJ001, targets enveloped viruses by exploiting their biogenic reparative ability, resulting in permanent and irreversible damage.
Researchers discovered that the Ebola virus uses a protein called VP35 to mask its RNA, evading the host cell's immune response. This unique mechanism makes Ebola highly deadly and difficult to treat.
Scripps Research scientists have determined the structure of the Ebola virus's critical protein VP35, which blocks the human immune system. The discovery may lead to new drug therapies and vaccines for Ebola infection.
UC Davis launches PREDICT initiative to detect disease-causing organisms in wildlife before they spill over into people. The team aims to minimize pandemic impact by being ready for early detection and rapid response.
A study published in Virology demonstrates that the ancient pathogen cowpox still has much to teach us about developing novel vaccines. Researchers identified 9 new protective components of the virus, which offered superior protection in a mouse model compared to existing vaccines.
Microbiologists at the University of Texas Health Science Center have discovered a cellular molecule called NOD2 that recognizes two common respiratory viruses and directs cells to mount a defense. The finding holds promise for new therapies against human RSV and influenza A, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The grants are worth a total of $7.7 million, with 19 awards from the National Science Foundation and four from the National Institutes of Health. Researchers will use the funding to build their research programs, work with students, and advance their projects.