Researchers have discovered a way to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading by inhibiting a specific enzyme that allows it to copy itself. By blocking this enzyme, the virus's ability to produce more infection is reduced, suggesting potential breakthrough in treatment.
Researchers at EPFL have developed gold nanoparticles that can attract and destroy a range of viruses, including HIV, dengue, and Ebola, by using pressure to deform them. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors' immune systems may provide some protection against future infection. The study, led by UCLA, located 14 survivors of the 1976 outbreak who still lived in the same remote villages.
A new report highlights how the King's Sierra Leone Partnership joined forces with local mental health professionals to improve psychiatric healthcare during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The partnership created a nurse-led mental health and psychosocial support service, strengthening skills of non-specialist nurses, which led to the establ...
A research team led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified 11 biomarkers that distinguish fatal Ebola infections from nonfatal ones. These biomarkers may aid in future treatment efforts and help clinicians prioritize scarce resources for the sickest patients.
Scientists have identified two biomarkers that accurately predict patient survival in Ebola cases. The study analyzed blood samples from survivors and fatal cases, revealing distinct metabolic responses and immune-related molecules. These findings could improve treatment allocation and patient outcomes.
The article highlights the lessons learned from past infectious disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS and SARS, to inform current responses to emerging threats such as Zika. The NIAID Director emphasizes the importance of sustained support for scientific research and effective communication with policymakers and communities.
Scientists are developing tools to map areas at risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks using machine learning and big data. The project aims to predict when and where pathogens will make the leap from animals to people, enabling a proactive approach to managing zoonotic diseases.
Researchers found that people generalize knowledge from similar animals to those they encounter, leading to increased risk perception. This study highlights the importance of understanding inductive reasoning in health communication and its potential impact on public health.
African teams join forces with UK experts to develop novel treatments for malaria and sleeping sickness, as part of the £7 million Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (Tiba) project. The initiative aims to strengthen health systems across the continent.
A new study assesses pandemic potential in Africa prior to outbreaks, mapping vulnerabilities to mitigate the spread of Ebola and other deadly viruses. Researchers identify high-risk locations, including parts of Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, and South Sudan, highlighting the need for targeted preparedness activities.
Two Ebola vaccine candidates elicited strong and long-lasting immune responses in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The study found that 71% of one vaccine and 84% of another developed antibodies to the Ebola virus within a month, with antibody responses maintained for at least a year.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania reveals how defective viral genomes can help infected cells survive despite an immune system attack. The researchers discovered that signaling proteins encoded by these genomes protect infected cells from apoptosis, enabling them to persist in the face of an antiviral response.
A combination of pathogen-specific, platform-based, and prototype-pathogen approaches is crucial for effective pandemic preparedness. These methods enable rapid deployment of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to stop outbreaks in their tracks.
A new universal surveillance platform is being developed to detect infectious diseases, using Ceres' Nanotrap technology and Tasso's HemoLink device. The platform aims to provide safe and simple blood sample collection in remote environments, improving early response to outbreaks.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can carry receptors for intercellular communication, allowing signaling without direct cell-to-cell contact. This capability makes EVs uniquely suited to be engineered to send therapeutics directly to affected areas.
The University of Hawaii has received a nearly $6.3 million grant to develop a heat-stable, trivalent Ebola vaccine that can protect against three related viruses in the same family. The vaccine, developed by Axel Lehrer, PhD, has the potential to speed up protection for health workers and others during outbreaks.
Researchers found that the Ebola virus exploits a protein called Tim-1 in T-cells to spread and cause disease. The study suggests that blocking this protein could lead to effective treatments for Ebola.
Scientists have discovered that the Ebola virus directly interacts with T-cells and specifically Tim-1, triggering a cytokine storm. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of Ebola infection and offers potential targets for therapeutic strategies to reduce the severity of the disease.
Researchers found utilizing local artists' images and dialects helped address misperceptions about Ebola treatment, involving trusted messengers for two-way communication. The study's evidence-based approach can inform message development and implementation during public health emergencies.
The Joint West Africa Research Group (JWARG) has begun a study to identify cases of suspected severe infectious diseases in West Africa. The study will enroll adult volunteers who present as severely ill with a suspected infectious source, and collect samples for laboratory analysis.
New study highlights challenges in predicting evolutionary fate of new traits, citing factors such as environmental change, social life of alleles, and genetic interactions. This complexity can lead to the emergence of drug resistance and disease outbreaks, emphasizing the need for improved predictive models.
Researchers identified a signature of five early innate immune markers correlating with antibody titers after vaccination, providing insight into VSV-based vaccine efficacy. The study's findings could lead to accelerated vaccine development and improved emergency vaccine strategies.
Researchers found that changing routine boarding protocols could reduce the spread of disease on commercial airliners. A two-zone system where passengers board at random is suggested as a more efficient way to prevent infection.
A recent study published in the Journal of Virology has pinpointed how a tiny protein speeds up Ebola's contagiousness. The researchers identified that the delta peptide weakens protective membranes in gastrointestinal cells, allowing viruses to enter and wreak havoc.
Researchers from the University of Basel have identified messenger substances that trigger excessive inflammatory responses in infected mice, leading to circulatory failure. Blocking these substances with existing medications may help prevent fatal outcomes in viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Research finds that human activities such as urbanization and forest fragmentation alter fruit bat habitats, increasing the risk of Hendra virus transmission to humans. The study highlights the importance of preserving ecosystem integrity and habitat suitability to mitigate this risk.
Researchers Kartik Chandran and Jonathan Lai will develop broadly active monoclonal antibody therapies for Ebola and extend the strategy to Marburg virus. They will also investigate how hantaviruses enter the human body.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care found that Ebola virus RNA can persist in the semen of survivors for more than two years after infection. This persistence has important implications for transmission and may require an update to World Health Organization guidelines.
A new study in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that women and children in Sierra Leone participate in hunting activities, challenging previous assumptions. The research underscores the importance of recognizing children's specific hunting practices to develop effective interventions.
Researchers analyzed cerebrospinal fluid from Ebola survivors and found no viral RNA, but the results may suggest potential for dormant virus transmission. The findings highlight the need for monitoring EVD survivors for neurologic symptoms suggesting relapse in the CNS.
Researchers have found that Ebola virus can persist in specific areas of the body, including the eye, brain, and testes, even after symptoms resolve. This knowledge holds promise for developing medical products to counter the disease in humans.
Researchers studied the relationship between an African forest bat, a novel virus, and a parasite, identifying all three as potentially new species. The study found that the parasite plays a crucial role in transmitting the virus, with the fly serving as a 'chauffeur' to help the virus spread.
Tulane University has received a $12 million grant to test a promising drug treatment for Lassa fever and develop a vaccine against the deadly disease. The vaccine targets a recently discovered key antibody target on the surface of the virus, which can block it from infecting host cells.
A phase 1 randomized controlled trial found an Ebola virus disease vaccine developed in Canada to be well-tolerated and effective, with high antibodies present six months after immunization. The vaccine showed no safety concerns and was well-received by participants.
A new OpenArray system offers simultaneous detection of multiple viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens in human blood samples, demonstrating a promising tool for flexible and accurate blood screening. The device was tested with 92 donor samples and showed 95% accuracy in identifying virus-positive samples.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used X-ray crystallography to solve the structure of Lassa virus glycoprotein, a key component in vaccine development. The study provides valuable insights into how the virus enters human cells, paving the way for the design of an effective vaccine.
In response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), RTI International is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to strengthen local surveillance systems. The average case fatality rate for Ebola is around 50%, and there have been over 100 contacts under daily monitoring.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a possible explanation for the rapid spread of the Ebola virus, pinpointing a small protein as the culprit. The delta peptide, produced in large amounts during infection, damages host cells and may contribute to severe gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to high mortality rates.
A new Zika virus vaccine has shown 100% protection in mice, utilizing the NS1 protein. The vaccine's effectiveness was demonstrated through a single-dose immunization strategy.
A team led by Kathryn Hastie and Erica Ollmann Saphire at The Scripps Research Institute has solved the structure of Lassa virus's surface glycoprotein, a key step in developing a vaccine. The breakthrough provides a blueprint to design a Lassa virus vaccine, which could help combat the deadly arenavirus family.
Researchers at EMBL and ESPCI Paris have developed a new technique to rapidly sort HIV viruses, which could significantly speed up vaccine development. The system enables the analysis and sorting of hundreds of HIV viruses per second, allowing for rapid testing of millions of viral variants.
A simple copper complex has been found to shut down the deadly botulinum neurotoxin, which causes paralysis and death. The discovery was made by scientists at Scripps Research Institute using a triazole compound provided by Nobel laureate K. Barry Sharpless.
Researchers found that Ebola virus binds directly to white blood cells, causing their death and disrupting the immune system. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of Ebola infection and may lead to the development of targeted therapies for Ebola virus disease.
A Canadian researcher has received a $3.99 million grant to develop an HIV vaccine candidate in partnership with IAVI. The team aims to improve upon a promising candidate and advance it to clinical testing in human volunteers.
Scientists identified two human antibodies that neutralize multiple ebolavirus species, offering potential treatments for people infected with Ebola virus or related viruses. These broadly protective antibodies could provide a basis for therapeutic pan-ebolavirus antibody treatments and vaccines.
Scientists have identified two natural human antibodies that can neutralize all five known ebolaviruses, offering a breakthrough in the fight against these deadly viruses. The antibodies work by interfering with the virus's ability to infect cells, preventing it from multiplying and causing disease.
A new study found that responders to the West African Ebola epidemic showed little evidence of infection, with 99% showing no signs. Despite reported near-miss exposures and symptoms, many respondents were not tested for Ebola virus at the time, highlighting the need for standardized protocols.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that undiagnosed Ebola virus infection was probably very rare among international healthcare workers deployed during the 2013-2015 outbreak. Despite asymptomatic cases occurring, no evidence of missed infections was found, but 'near miss' exposure incidents were common, putting frontline wor...
The Osaka University research group has created a safe and easy-to-use self-donning surgical gown called 'Selfgown.' This innovative gown minimizes environmental infections from splashes when removing gloves, reducing the risk of transmission to others.
Researchers found that around 15% of Ebola survivors have distinctive retinal scars, which appear specific to the disease but spare vision. The study also suggests that aqueous fluid analysis can help diagnose Ebola eye disease and enable access to cataract surgery for affected survivors
A new method pinpoints critical information needed to improve management decisions during a disease outbreak. The approach provides two important pieces of information: the best course of action and highlighted gaps in knowledge that matter for intervention strategies.
A new management approach developed by an international team of researchers, including the University of Warwick, helps to streamline outbreak decision-making. The approach identifies two effective strategies: reducing transmission rates at funerals and in communities, such as educating people about disease transmission.
A Rutgers-led team has invented a promising technology for killing microbes using paper-based sanitizers, which can eliminate more than 99 percent of bacteria cells. The devices consist of paper with thin layers of aluminum and hexagon/honeycomb patterns that produce plasma to kill microorganisms.
Researchers have identified early plasma cytokine signatures that correlate with and predict the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines based on living viruses. This breakthrough can inform and accelerate rational development of new vaccines, especially during outbreaks and epidemics.
An international team of scientists has determined the 3-D atomic structure of over 1,000 proteins that are potential drug and vaccine targets. The experimentally determined structures have been deposited into the World-Wide Protein Data Bank, freely available to the scientific community.
Researchers have explored the potential of this novel therapeutic approach, demonstrating promising pre-clinical data with over 40 scientific papers. Vectored-antibody delivery using rAAV offers advantages in treatment of various chronic and infectious diseases.
Researchers like Dr. Julie Pfeiffer are studying poliovirus, a highly infectious childhood disease now close to global eradication, to gain insights into other viruses like Ebola, Zika, and influenza. This basic research can lead to new treatments and vaccines for these viruses.
A new report emphasizes the importance of prioritizing rapid diagnostic tests for life-saving diseases, similar to pregnancy tests. The tests can help tackle antibiotic resistance and improve global health. However, lack of funding and profile are major barriers to their widespread adoption in low- and middle-income countries.
A new vaccine called Zoonoses Barrier Vaccine (ZBV) aims to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic zoonotic diseases. The vaccine targets deadly pathogens in animal species and has shown promise in preventing devastating diseases such as Lassa haemorrhagic fever, SARS, MERS, plaque, Rift Valley Fever Virus and Q Fever.