A new study found that host immunity drives the evolution of the dengue virus, causing it to adapt and change over time. The research, published in Science, analyzed genetic variation and immune signatures of dengue viruses isolated in Bangkok over a 20-year period.
A new viral disease caused by Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has emerged, threatening global tomato production. ToBRFV overcomes the durable Tm-2² resistance gene, which had remained unbroken for over half a century.
Researchers have identified several commonly prescribed medications that can affect the flu virus's interaction with host cells. Some of these medications amplify the virus's effect, while others dampen it, depending on their target in the cells. Further research is needed to understand the consequences of these interactions for patients.
Infection with measles virus triggers the activation of both RNA and DNA virus immune responses. The virus affects mitochondrial growth and division, causing their fusion and release of mitochondrial DNA into the cytoplasm. This leads to the activation of the cGAS immune response, which is also triggered by DNA viruses.
A study found that climate change is favoring the spread of West Nile Virus in Europe by creating favorable conditions for mosquitoes and the virus. Warmer winters allow infected mosquitoes to survive, spreading the virus earlier and increasing disease outbreaks.
A novel nairovirus, Yezo virus, has been identified in Japan causing a disease characterized by fever and reduced blood platelets and leucocytes. The virus is transmitted through tick bites and has been linked to at least seven human infections since 2014.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to study the action of SARS-CoV-2, enabling the examination of individual virus particles and their spikes. This analysis can help fine-tune prevention and treatment by providing insights into viral load, spike distribution, and cell infection potential.
A new study found that people infected with COVID-19 exhale infectious virus in their breath, putting others at risk. Using tight-fitting masks can reduce the amount of virus in the air by half.
The University of Arkansas has established a research institute focused on virology and virus ecology, receiving a $6.1 million grant from the NSF. Researchers will study diverse virus systems across domains of life, including Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryotes, to establish fundamental rules of life.
A study published in The EMBO Journal identified several host proteins that interact with the Ebola virus protein VP30, inhibiting viral transcription and replication. These findings suggest a novel target for preventing Ebola virus infection, providing potential new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Penn State designed a synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that interferes with the real virus's growth, potentially causing its extinction. The therapeutic may be used as a self-promoting antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how Ebola virus evades the immune system by targeting the STAT3 protein. The virus uses a protein called VP24 to disable STAT3's messenger function, which is critical for regulating host immune and inflammatory responses.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are receiving NIH funding to investigate the precise mechanisms of Ebola virus infection, including its ability to hijack immune cells called macrophages. The study aims to understand how the virus spreads in the body and potentially develops targeted treatments.
Researchers found a new treatment approach that targets the body's cellular response to SARS-CoV-2, significantly reducing virus replication. The combination of two drugs reduces virus production in cells by up to 99.5%, making COVID-19 symptoms milder and recovery times faster.
Researchers develop nanodecoys made from human lung spheroid cells that bind to and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, accelerating viral clearance and reducing lung injury. The therapy could be effective against emerging variants of the virus.
Two new rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 have been developed, detecting the virus in as little as five minutes and showing high sensitivity even in low levels of infection. The tests use innovative techniques that improve accuracy and do not require advanced laboratory techniques.
A team of Colorado State University scientists detected Zika virus RNA in free-ranging African bats, shedding light on the ecology of flaviviruses and potential natural transmission routes. The findings suggest that bats may be incidental hosts of Zika virus infection, rather than amplifying hosts or reservoir hosts.
Researchers created high-resolution maps of the virus using cryogenic electron microscopy and custom software. The 3D image revealed that an antibody binding site on CPV significantly overlapped its receptor binding site, allowing antibodies to block virus attachment and neutralize infection.
Researchers at IST Austria have uncovered the crucial role of IP6 in stabilizing virus shells, preventing premature genome release. The study provides insights into the variability of capsid shapes and potential differences in infectivity.
Researchers have developed a pioneering plant-based technology to study the virus maturation process, revealing large structural rearrangements that enable chemical reactions necessary for infection. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of an essential part of a virus infection cycle.
Researchers at Scripps Research have unveiled an innovative Ebola virus vaccine design that stimulates a better protective immune response. The new approach involves tethering copies of the Ebola virus outer spike protein to a spherical carrier particle, resulting in a more stable and realistic-looking virus particle.
Researchers develop a novel antiviral targeting Marburg virus, blocking its departure from infected cells. Preliminary results also show potential against SARS-CoV-2, with ongoing studies underway.
A new concept rapidly analysing for virus presence can detect viruses within 20 seconds, enabling clinicians to decide treatments and isolate patients. Additional tests are needed to identify specific virus types.
Researchers at Ohio State University found COVID-19 virus genetic material persists in dust for up to a month, suggesting it could be used to monitor outbreaks. The study suggests dust monitoring could offer an alternative method to wastewater testing, particularly in high-risk communities.
A team of researchers identified 37 substances that bind to the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, a promising starting point for COVID-19 drugs. Seven substances inhibit the protein's activity, with two showing high antivirality and good cell compatibility.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have discovered how antibodies recognize and block the Zika virus. The study found that antibodies produced in response to Zika virus are effective against other flaviviruses like dengue type 1, but less effective against West Nile and other types of dengue.
The CovMT system processes publicly available data to detect mutations and mutation fingerprints, enabling tracking of virus evolution across the globe. It also predicts disease severity based on mutational fingerprints and correlates with patient data from GISAID.
A study by New York University researchers reveals the D614G mutation in SARS-CoV-2's spike protein renders the virus up to eight times more infectious. The mutation makes the virus more resistant to being cleaved and increases its ability to infect human cells, contributing to rapid spread.
Researchers have created a powerful therapeutic platform using a modified virus to treat pancreatic cancer. The treatment, which combines the virus with other drugs, remodels the tumour microenvironment and sensitizes tumours to immunotherapy, significantly extending survival in preclinical models.
Researchers at University of Missouri developed genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to Zika virus using CRISPR gene-editing technology. These 'suicide mosquitos' cannot transmit the disease and can interrupt the disease cycle, making them a potential solution for controlling the spread of Zika virus.
Researchers have discovered an antibody, 2B7, that physically blocks the Non-Structural Protein 1 (NS1) protein, preventing the dengue virus from attaching to cells and slowing its spread. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for other flaviviruses like Zika and West Nile.
The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus has been shown to transmit the Zika virus and trigger large outbreaks in a simulated environment. However, experimental studies suggest that the mosquito's infection rate is low, making it unlikely to cause major Zika virus epidemics.
Researchers found that people infected with COVID-19 retain immunity for at least 8 months through virus-specific memory B cells. This discovery alleviates concerns about vaccine efficacy and provides real hope for long-term protection against the virus.
A study found that Zika infection during pregnancy can impact fetal retinal development and cause congenital ocular anomalies. However, the virus does not appear to affect eye growth postnatally.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that SARS-CoV-2's spike protein can cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting the virus can enter the brain. This could explain many COVID-19 complications, including cognitive effects like brain fog and fatigue.
A chimeric hemagglutinin (HA)-based vaccine targets the proximal part of the HA protein, neutralizing diverse influenza virus strains. The vaccine has produced strong and durable results in early-stage clinical trials, eliminating the need for revaccination.
Researchers have developed a targeted therapy approach against virus-infected cells, delivering immune-activating drugs selectively into infected cells. This technology shows promise in treating influenza, COVID-19, HIV, and other enveloped viruses.
A molecule called Ldlrad3 has been identified as a key player in the virus's ability to infect cells. By creating a decoy version of this protein, scientists have found that it can prevent the virus from causing deadly brain infections in mice.
Researchers have developed a new technique called VIRIM that allows for real-time imaging of virus infections, enabling the tracking of viral replication and protein production. This breakthrough could lead to more targeted treatments for viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers found that alveolar macrophages fail to produce interferons when infected with SARS-CoV-2, allowing the virus to evade detection by the immune system. This suggests that asymptomatic individuals may be spreading the virus without knowing it.
A study using next generation genetic sequencing tracks mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, aiding diagnostic testing accuracy and tracking its history. The study found variations in the virus' genetic sequence but none affected current tests, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring.
A study by Yale researchers found that rhinovirus, the common cold virus, can prevent influenza virus from infecting airways by triggering antiviral defenses. This finding helps explain why there was no surge in swine flu cases in Europe during a similar period when the common cold became widespread.
A recent study published in Journal of Pediatrics found that COVID-19 patients, especially children under 16 years old, can have both the virus and antibodies in their system simultaneously. The study suggests that these children still pose a risk of transmitting the virus even if they have developed antibodies.
A new study has shown that Zika virus can create a robust inflammatory environment in the placenta, leading to pathological changes and impact on fetal development. The findings provide valuable insights into mother-to-baby transmission of Zika virus and may lead to the development of detection methods and treatments.
A new study reveals that bats can host the Ebola virus without contracting the deadly disease, thanks to their unique cell structure. The research found that bat cells induce changes in the virus that make it less capable of harm, allowing it to coexist with its natural reservoir.
The COVID-19 virus acts as a microRNA sponge, depleting specific miRNAs that regulate cell metabolism and stress responses. This depletion promotes infected cell survival, allowing the virus to replicate and evade the host's immune system.
Researchers at Michigan Tech and University of Edinburgh highlight the importance of understanding virus surface stability and interaction in various environmental conditions. They propose new techniques for studying surface chemistry, which could help design effective vaccines and treatments for SARS-CoV-2 and future pandemics.
A new experimental COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to prevent pneumonia and elicit high levels of protective antibodies in mice infected with the virus. The vaccine uses a mild virus genetically modified to carry a key gene from the COVID-19 virus, generating a strong immune response.
A multidisciplinary team from UTMB discovered a Zika virus mutation that may have contributed to the 2015/2016 epidemic and microcephaly cases. The study found that this mutation enhances mother-to-baby transmission, neurological disease, and lethality in newborn mice.
Researchers identified a strong bias towards U residues in SARS-CoV-2 mutations, suggesting a defense mechanism to degrade the virus. Natural selection allows the virus to adapt, but mutational processes may be hindered by human proteins.
Researchers created a hybrid virus that targets cells like SARS-CoV-2 but lacks severe disease genes. The hybrid virus can be handled under ordinary laboratory safety conditions, making it ideal for high-throughput analyses.
A study published in the Journal of General Virology found that curcumin can prevent TGEV infection and kill virus particles. This antiviral property could be beneficial in preventing diseases caused by TGEV in piglets.
A surface coating developed by Virginia Tech professor William Ducker has been shown to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, by 99.9% in one hour when applied to glass or stainless steel surfaces.
Adenovirus, a common cold virus, can disrupt the heart's electrical system, leading to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to confirm the virus's impact on the heart's ability to communicate with its neighbors.
A new study suggests the measles virus emerged in humans around 528 BCE, thousands of years earlier than previously thought. Researchers used lung samples and genome sequencing data to reconstruct the virus's evolutionary history, tracing its emergence from a cattle-infecting relative.
A new platform enables researchers to track changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus' genetic structure, providing insights for vaccine design and combating the pandemic. The tool, developed by UHN AI scientist Dr. Bo Wang, analyzes nasal swab samples and compares them to global data, generating results in under 15 minutes.
Researchers created an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that visually detects the virus in 10 minutes, without advanced laboratory techniques. The test uses plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 originated from a bat coronavirus and gained the ability to infect humans through exchanging a gene fragment with a pangolin coronavirus. The virus's genetic material was altered to bind to host cells, making it possible for it to infect human respiratory and intestinal epithelial cells.
Researchers have identified two anti-inflammatory drugs that can inhibit the replication of the COVID-19 virus. The study used computational techniques to analyze 6,466 authorized drugs and predicted that Carprofen and Celecoxib could be effective in inhibiting the main protease enzyme responsible for the virus's replication.
New research finds that virus infection rates in lobsters are related to their habitat, with seagrass meadows showing a protective effect against the spread of disease. The study's findings support efforts to safeguard Caribbean spiny lobster populations and boost understanding of viral dynamics.