Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine researchers have created a toolkit of transgenic flies expressing all ten Zika virus proteins. The study found that these protein expressions induced diverse effects on the developing nervous system, including lethality, reduced brain size, and functional defects. This new experi...
A study by researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles found that climate change is a significant driver of West Nile virus emergence in Europe. The virus can now be transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, posing a public health threat. Climate change is also linked to an increase in population density and the spread of the virus.
Scientists are studying the replication mechanism of Zika virus and its ability to transmit from an infected mother to her unborn child. They aim to understand how the virus creates connections called tunneling nanotubes that allow it to replicate and infect cells.
Researchers found that ferrets infected with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus were more susceptible to lethal pneumonia when later infected with a measles-like virus. Experimental treatment with GHP-88309 prevented this outcome, suggesting a potential therapeutic option.
A European study links agricultural activities with West Nile virus emergence and spread, as well as urbanization and migratory bird patterns. The study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance in Central Europe.
A new vaccine design has been developed by a UC Riverside-led research team, which uses preexisting immunity to the influenza virus to help kickstart the production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine aims to speed up the immune response and provide better protection for people who still lack immunity to the coronavirus.
Researchers at Nemours Children's Health discovered that injecting neuroblastoma tumors with Zika virus shrank or eliminated those tumors in mice, suggesting a potential new therapy. The study showed promising results, with complete tumor elimination and no recurrence after four weeks of follow-up.
Mayo Clinic researchers used genetic sequencing to study the measles virus's spread in a human brain. The study found that the virus acquired distinct mutations that drove its spread from the frontal cortex outward. This knowledge may help develop effective antiviral drugs to combat SSPE, a rare and lethal brain disease caused by measles.
Researchers found that Ebola virus creates tunneling nanotubes to transfer particles to new cells, evading treatments and spreading infection. The discovery suggests a new route of dissemination for the deadly virus.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have mapped the high-resolution structure of a little-known cyanophage virus, shedding light on its role in controlling marine biogeochemical cycles. The study provides new insights into how viral proteins interact to make the virus stable and infect cells.
A new vaccine patch has delivered an effective immune response to Zika virus in mice, providing rapid protection against the disease. The patch, which uses a high-density microarray platform, targets a specific protein crucial to the virus's survival and evokes T-cell responses up to 270% higher than traditional vaccines.
Researchers discovered a less deadly strain of deformed wing virus in wild honey bees from a US forest. The finding suggests the virus can evolve to be milder and could inform strategies to prevent or treat DWV in managed honey bee colonies.
A recent study led by Duke-NUS Medical School found that prior maternal dengue immunity substantially increases the risk of severe birth defects induced by Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Pregnant mothers with pre-existing dengue antibodies are more likely to experience microcephaly and brain damage in their foetuses after Zika ...
A study by Lund University researchers mapped the effects of temperature on a virus particle's genetic material, revealing its rapid injection into cells at elevated temperatures. The findings suggest that higher body temperature may increase the risk of infection spread.
Researchers have developed a lab-grown human skin model that effectively replicates mpox virus infections, providing insights into the virus's mechanisms of attack on skin cells. The study reveals how the virus causes disease and identifies potential therapeutic targets, including an antiviral drug called tecovirimat.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a potential treatment for Zika-associated fetal abnormalities using microRNA. They found that the antibiotic enoxacin can abolish placental Zika virus persistence and rescue associated microcephaly in mouse models.
Researchers discovered a subtype of avian flu virus is undergoing mutational changes that could increase its risk of being passed on to humans. The study found the virus can cause severe animal infections and be transmitted through airborne droplets.
RSV virus remains infectious on surfaces for up to seven days, emphasizing the need for regular disinfection. Effective hand sanitizers with at least 30% alcohol content can inactivate the virus.
A team of researchers at the University of Johannesburg has made a groundbreaking discovery about how tomato plants defend themselves against the devastating ToCSV virus. By studying the molecular genetics of infected tomato varieties, they found that viral DNA methylation plays a crucial role in resistance to ToCSV.
Chikungunya virus has found a way to evade the immune system by hijacking host cells' cytoskeleton, allowing it to spread directly from cell to cell. This discovery could lead to the development of effective vaccines or treatments for this debilitating mosquito-borne disease.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have solved the mystery of how the Hepatitis C virus evades the human immune system. The virus uses a molecule called FAD as a 'mask', cloaking itself in a form that is already present in cells, making it invisible to the immune system.
Researchers have developed an experimental decoy that provides long-term protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice by binding to the virus's spike protein. The treatment was found to be highly effective, with 100% protection against lethal doses of the virus and a significant reduction in viral load.
Scientists at Scripps Research have determined the structure of the critical protein complex that lets Lassa virus infect human cells, identifying new antibodies and vaccine targets. The research also found a high level of conservation across different lineages of the virus, paving the way for more effective vaccines and treatments.
A gene-edited calf demonstrates reduced susceptibility to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) after intentionally altering the CD46 receptor with CRISPR/Cas9. The healthy calf showed no measurable infectious virus in its blood, despite both calves developing antibodies to the virus.
A new study at Umeå University reveals that tick-borne encephalitis virus infects distinct brain cell types and regions depending on the immune system's activation status. The researchers mapped the virus's behavior in the brain, identifying specific areas and cells infected by TBE virus.
A Yale study found that the tick-borne Powassan virus is being transmitted in concentrated community clusters throughout New England. The research reconstructed the history of Powassan in the region and estimated when branches of the virus's 'family tree' diverged, piecing together its evolution and spread.
Researchers at the University of Bern have determined the structure of the canine distemper virus docking protein, enabling the development of tailor-made active substances to prevent virus entry into host cells. This breakthrough paves the way for novel therapies and antiviral drugs against this highly contagious viral disease.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered the detailed mechanism of action of Inmazeb, a three-antibody cocktail designed to combat Ebola virus infection. The study reveals new information about how the drug interacts with the virus and its potential effectiveness against additional species of Ebolavirus.
Researchers found that measles virus mutations in its fusion protein allow it to infect nerve cells, leading to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The team's discovery sheds light on the evolutionary mechanisms of viruses like coronaviruses and herpesviruses.
Researchers have developed a simple mechanical model to understand how viruses replicate inside cells, highlighting the crucial role of virus size in this process. The optimal size range for efficient viral replication is suggested to be between 60nm and 100nm in diameter.
Researchers have developed a new approach to stopping viral infections using a live-attenuated DNA virus vaccine. The method employs centanamycin to generate an altered virus that can't reproduce inside cells, stimulating the host's immune system to recognize and eliminate the invading virus particles.
Researchers identified specific monkeypox mutations that contribute to its continued infectiousness. The virus is accumulating mutations where drugs and antibodies from vaccines are supposed to bind, making it smarter and more infectious.
Scientists have detected monkeypox virus in the testes of macaques during acute infection and found preliminary evidence of persistent infection in two convalescent animals. The study highlights the potential for sexual transmission of the virus in humans, particularly in convalescent male patients.
A new study found that SARS-CoV-2 causes significant neuron damage and inflammation within a week of infection in rhesus macaque monkeys. Aged animals with Type 2 diabetes experienced worse virus-induced neurological damage, raising concerns about potential spikes in neurodegenerative diseases.
Research reveals myxoma virus in rabbits has regained its deadly nature, sparking concerns about human viruses like SARS-CoV-2. The study suggests that viruses don't always evolve to become milder, and monitoring is crucial to stay ahead of emerging variants.
Researchers used nematode worms to investigate factors influencing virus spillover events. They found that host species susceptibility affects whether a virus takes off in a new population. The study reveals different outcomes depending on the species, with some becoming infected and others remaining uninfected.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered how Zika virus forces dendritic cells to churn out lipid molecules, allowing the virus to build copies of itself. This study provides a major step forward in developing antiviral therapies against multiple flavivirus infections.
A new study by NC State University found that total formulation impacts surface sanitizer efficacy against norovirus, with only alcohol-based products showing significant reduction. Additionally, paper towels used to clean up messes can be a source of cross-contamination.
Using human stem cells, researchers investigated how the Ebola virus infects and damages the liver. The study found that major liver cell functions are compromised by Ebola virus infection and that the virus evades an early antiviral response, allowing it to replicate and cause damage.
Researchers have created a stem cell-based model of the human liver, allowing for the study of how Ebola virus infects liver cells. The infected cultures showed that viral infection directly disrupts liver function, while immune cells can transfer the virus to other cells.
Researchers discovered a mutated form of the hepatitis E virus that produces non-infectious particles but can bind antibodies, potentially giving the virus an advantage. The study found that one mutation affects the capsid protein and leads to smaller, non-infectious particles that are correctly recognized by the immune system.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified a critical protein, GSPT1, that facilitates Lassa virus infection. Targeting this protein with an existing drug candidate, CC-90009, shows promise in reducing Lassa virus growth without cell toxicity.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch in flavivirus that controls virus assembly, maturation, and entry into new cells. This switch is triggered by pH-dependent conformational changes in viral envelope proteins.
A study analyzed the exposure to Hepatitis E Virus in Iberian lynxes, finding a higher risk of infection in captive animals compared to those in the wild. The study found seroprevalence rates of 33% in captive populations and 7% in free-ranging populations.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating an mRNA-based vaccine against Nipah virus, which causes severe respiratory and brain swelling. The trial aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and immune response of the investigational vaccine in healthy adults.
A study by University of Illinois researchers reveals that a vaccine and virus can infect the same cells in living animals, sharing molecular tools to spread. The findings should inform vaccine design to eliminate potential attributes that help viruses spread.
Researchers developed an antibody cocktail effective against a Hendra virus variant, neutralizing its ability to mutate and evade recognition. The combination of four antibodies leaves the virus with minimal ability to further evolve, providing significant protection against this global biosecurity threat.
Researchers developed a fluorogenic probe that binds to the promoter region of influenza A virus RNA, creating a significant light-up response to identify its presence. This technique has shown promise for detecting influenza A more easily and may lead to the development of new antiviral drugs.
A team of researchers has found a way to block the replication of one strain of the influenza virus in human cells by inhibiting a specific protein modification process called SUMOylation. This breakthrough could lead to highly effective treatments for the flu and other respiratory viruses.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that blocking the enzyme polymerase reduces the virus's ability to multiply. This discovery exposes an Achilles' heel that could be targeted with a therapeutic. Polymerase is a key tool for DNA replication and repair, making the virus vulnerable to disruption.
Researchers discovered that memory B cells produce non-specific antibodies to combat virus mutants, working alongside phagocytes to screen for variants. This mechanism may offer protection against SARS-CoV2 and HIV variants, and could influence vaccine development.
Researchers have identified a new strain of the myxoma virus that has enabled it to leap from European rabbits to Iberian hares, causing lethal disease in both species. The study suggests that this viral adaptation may also improve the virus's ability to replicate in human cancer cells.
Researchers load CAR-T cells with an oncolytic virus to target and kill solid cancer tumors, providing a potent immune response. The combination approach overcomes challenges in treating solid tumors with CAR-T cell therapy alone.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a Zika virus mutation that boosts its ability to replicate and infect humans. This mutation allows the virus to evade protective immunity from previous dengue exposure, increasing its transmission potential.
A recent Cornell University study reveals that white-tailed deer can shed and transmit the COVID-19 virus for up to five days following infection. The virus replicates in the deer's respiratory tract, lymphoid tissues, and central nervous system, making them a potential reservoir for the virus in nature.
Scientists have discovered a promising strategy to treat Ebola virus infections by targeting cellular protein GSPT1, which the virus hijacks for polymerase function. An experimental drug CC-90009 degrades GSPT1, halting viral multiplication.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed two human antibodies that target Ebola virus and Sudan virus, showing promise for a powerful antiviral therapy. The antibodies, 1C3 and 1C11, can block three glycoprotein sites on the virus at once and target the fusion machinery used by the viruses to infect host cells.
Scientists at Emory University have identified Heartland virus in lone star ticks in central Georgia, confirming its active transmission within the state. The study reveals that the virus is evolving rapidly and may be confined to isolated areas, highlighting the need for further research on this emerging infectious disease.
Researchers analyzed horse samples to understand hepatitis C virus tactics and found a region called hypervariable that changes quickly, protecting the virus from host cells. This study may provide a powerful model for gaining insights into hepaciviral evolution and immune evasion.
Researchers have discovered new details about HIV's structure, including the position of envelope spike proteins and glycan shields. The findings may help in designing a vaccine that can protect against AIDS.