University of Chicago scientists developed a computer model of HIV that gives real insight into how the virus matures and becomes infective. The model reveals critical proteins inside the bud are cut into bits by the enzyme HIV protease, which can be targeted by anti-viral drugs.
Researchers at UMMS found that the protein IFITM3 blocks Zika virus replication and prevents cell death, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing or stopping infection. Boosting IFITM3 levels may be useful in inhibiting Zika virus and other emerging viral infections.
Researchers found that Zika virus infects about 20% of brain progenitor cells, which can become neurons, and continues to replicate for weeks without stimulating an immune response. The study provides insights into the severe neurological effects caused by Zika, such as microcephaly and impaired growth in infants.
Researchers found that Zika virus can infect human placental macrophages, known as Hofbauer cells, which have direct access to fetal blood vessels. This infection may allow the virus to cross the placental barrier and enter the fetal circulation, posing a risk to fetal development.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are working to develop a vaccine for the Zika virus, using their experience with West Nile virus. They aim to identify specific parts of the virus that can be targeted by the immune system, and have received $230,000 in NIH funding for their research.
Researchers identified Zika virus protein NS5 as a promising target for vaccines, inhibiting human interferon responses by blocking STAT2 protein. The study found altered or removed NS5 could trigger the human immune system to attack the virus, making it a potential vaccine candidate.
Scientists from KU Leuven discover a new way to treat HIV by blocking the virus's attachment to genetic material. Led by Professor Zeger Debyser and Doctoral student Lenard Vranckx, their research sheds light on eliminating the virus.
Researchers have identified an experimental antiviral drug that slows down Zika virus development in mice. The study suggests the drug may provide protection against Zika-induced symptoms and microcephaly in pregnant women.
Researchers genetically engineered a Zika virus infectious cDNA clone, enabling rapid vaccine development and exploration of the virus's evolution and transmission. The study unlocks insights into why the Zika virus causes severe diseases and epidemics.
Researchers at Umea University have discovered that mosquito larvae in the Västerbotten region carry viruses that can cause infectious disease, including Sindbis virus and Inkoo virus. These findings indicate that the viruses can be transferred from female mosquitoes to their eggs.
Researchers have provided direct experimental proof that the Brazilian Zika virus strain can cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly and neurological diseases. The study used mouse models, human stem cells, and cerebral organoids to demonstrate the causal effect of the Brazilian virus on health.
The Brazilian Zika virus strain causes significant damage to mouse fetuses, leading to cell death and impaired growth. In vitro experiments confirm the virus's lethal effects on human nervous system cells, mirroring the development of congenital malformations like microcephaly.
Researchers have established mouse models of Zika virus transmission from a pregnant mouse to her fetus, demonstrating viral invasion and damage to the placenta. The studies reveal that Zika virus can cause congenital problems, including fetal death, by breaching the placental barrier.
Genomic analysis of Ebola virus samples from Liberia in June 2015 indicates a re-emergence of a persistently infected source, highlighting the risk of disease flare-ups even after an outbreak is declared over. The study's findings suggest that the virus replicates at a lower rate during persistent infections.
Researchers have developed zinc-oxide nanoparticles that can prevent the herpes simplex virus from entering cells and stimulate natural immunity to develop. The particles, called ZOTEN, work by attracting the virus and allowing immune cells to process it.
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have solved the structure of a common virus's biological machinery, revealing important traits in Lassa virus. The research provides valuable insights into how to defend against its deadly cousin, Lassa fever, and may lead to the development of new treatments.
New research confirms Zika virus was present in Haiti and possibly earlier, contradicting early theories on its spread in the Americas. The discovery sheds light on the virus's history and suggests a more complex spread than initially thought.
A recent study by Duke-NUS Medical School scientists has revealed the Zika virus structure and identified potential sites to target with therapeutics. The findings suggest that destabilizing the virus's structure may help reduce disease severity or limit transmission.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a mouse model to study Zika virus, allowing researchers to test vaccines and antivirals while understanding the virus's effects on human brains. The model, lacking key immune system defenses, shows the virus causes severe pathology in brain tissue.
A new mouse model developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine enables the study of Zika virus infection and its effects on the brain. The model, which lacks key immune system components, allows for the testing of vaccines and antivirals against the virus.
Researchers from Inserm and Aix-Marseille University have confirmed that the ZIKA virus can be transmitted sexually. Genetic analysis showed a 100% correlation between the virus forms present in a man who contracted the virus in Brazil and a woman who had never traveled to an epidemic area but had sexual relations with him.
Researchers tested Zika virus in human neural stem cells to understand its effects on developing brains. The study found that the virus preferentially killed brain cells, reducing growth by 40% in a brain organoid model.
A recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that three-quarters of Americans aware of the Zika virus are not knowledgeable about its diagnosis tests or treatment options. Despite this, a majority of respondents expressed support for policy approaches to prevent the spread of Zika in the US.
A Kansas State University study finds a naturally occurring mutation in the myxoma virus weakens it and allows rabbits to resist infection. The researchers hope this discovery will aid in understanding pathogen evolution and predicting which viruses pose threats to humans.
Researchers have established a mouse model that mimics aspects of Zika virus infection in humans, allowing for the testing of vaccines and therapeutics. The model shows high levels of the virus in the brain, spinal cord, and testes of male mice, supporting clinical data on sexual transmission.
A novel virus, Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), has been identified as the cause of massive tilapia die-offs in Israel and Ecuador, with significant implications for the global aquaculture industry. The discovery provides critical genomic and protein sequences necessary for disease detection, containment, and vaccine development.
A team of researchers from Purdue University has determined the structure of the Zika virus, revealing insights critical to developing effective antiviral treatments and vaccines. The study identified unique regions in the virus structure that could explain differences in transmission and disease manifestation.
Researchers have determined the near-atomic level map of Zika virus, showing a notable difference in one key surface protein compared to other flaviviruses like dengue. This structure may provide clues for understanding how Zika enters human cells and suggest ways to combat the virus with drugs or vaccines.
Researchers found genetic material from the Zika virus can be detected in pregnant women months after infection, indicating potential fetal brain damage. The study also isolated infectious Zika virus from fetal tissue and discovered new mutations that may be linked to the virus's impact on the fetus.
Scientists create a 'hollow' version of the plant virus cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) which can be used as a carrier for drug molecules. This finding opens up new possibilities for cancer treatment and vaccine design.
Researchers analyzed the genetic makeup of Zika viruses in Brazil, finding a single introduction date of May-December 2013. The study suggests a correlation between Zika virus and microcephaly cases, but more research is needed to establish causation.
A new study published in The Lancet estimates that the risk of microcephaly is approximately 1 in 100 women infected with Zika virus during the first trimester of pregnancy. This finding supports the association between Zika virus and microcephaly, which has been a public health concern since the outbreak in French Polynesia.
Researchers have found that Zika virus infects a type of neural stem cell responsible for brain development, leading to cell death and disruption of growth. The study provides new insights into the potential effects of Zika on neural tissue and may lead to the development of therapeutics.
Researchers found that the Zika virus directly targets human embryonic cortical neural progenitors, leading to cell death and stunted growth. The discovery provides critical insight into the link between the virus and birth defects like microcephaly.
A new study from French Polynesia found a link between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a severe neurological disorder. The study analyzed 42 patients diagnosed with GBS during the Zika outbreak and found that most had symptoms of Zika virus infection before developing neurological symptoms.
The Zika virus has been linked to neurological diseases, with estimated 1.5 million cases reported so far. Researchers are urging a rigorous approach to understanding the effects of the virus and developing treatment measures.
A Brazilian woman infected with Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects, suggesting the virus may cause damage outside the CNS. The case raises concerns about the risk of stillbirths and other adverse outcomes in pregnant women exposed to the virus.
A single monoclonal antibody isolated from a human Ebola survivor has been shown to completely protect monkeys from lethal infection with the virus. The antibody, known as mAb114, was effective even when given five days after exposure, suggesting it could be used as a potential treatment for human cases.
Researchers discovered that influenza viruses can hide from the immune system by using a protein that masks the virus, making it harder for the body to detect and fight. This finding has implications for developing treatments against influenza and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Researchers detected Zika virus in the amniotic fluid of two pregnant women whose fetuses had been diagnosed with microcephaly. However, further research is needed to understand the biological mechanism linking Zika virus to microcephaly.
A team of Dutch investigators has identified NS4B as a potential target for antiviral drug development against dengue virus. A metabolite of acetaminophen, AM404, inhibits replication of the virus. The researchers found that mutations in the viral NS4B protein render the virus insensitive to AM404.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have captured atomic images of the herpes simplex 1 virus revealing how it inserts itself into another protein to evade detection by immune cells. The study provides a mechanistic explanation for the virus's ability to escape immune system recognition.
Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease, can cause microcephaly in infants and mild flu-like symptoms in adults and children. The US is at risk of introduction, particularly with the presence of Aedes species mosquitoes in many states.
The Zika virus has been introduced into the Americas, spreading locally among people who have not traveled abroad. The virus is linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, and there is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment available.
Researchers have engineered antibodies that can potently neutralize Zaire and Sudan Ebola virus strains, providing high levels of protection for mice exposed to lethal doses. The findings are a significant step toward developing an all-inclusive treatment for Ebola virus that causes human disease.
Researchers discovered that a human protein called ANP32A helps the virus replicate in human cells. Understanding this mechanism may lead to the development of new antiviral treatments for seasonal flu and pandemics.
A recent study by Dr. Anthony Griffiths reveals that the Ebola virus has a high frequency of spontaneous mutation, which could prove useful for developing therapies. Increasing the mutation rate may make the virus non-viable, providing a potential therapeutic tool against the disease.
Researchers discovered a molecular 'arms race' between Ebola virus and African straw-colored fruit bats that may have started over 25 million years ago. The study sheds light on the biological factors determining which bat species harbor the virus, with potential applications for preventing future outbreaks.
Researchers have unlocked the structure of a plant virus using groundbreaking microscopy, revealing key to building custom virus-like particles that can carry medicines into the human body. The findings could lead to the development of targeted medicines.
Researchers used genome sequencing to trace Ebola's spread in Liberia, finding that most cases were linked to a single introduction of the virus in September 2014. The study suggests that widespread migration within Liberia contributed to the outbreak's magnitude and longevity.
Human cells have evolved mechanisms to detect and respond to latent herpesvirus infections, but the virus has developed ways to evade these defenses. The study identifies a viral protein that blocks cellular proteins from reactivating the infection.
Scientists at Texas Biomed aim to develop a functional cure for babies born with HIV by testing a combination of antiviral drugs and vaccines in infant monkeys. The goal is to induce long-lasting protective immunity and eliminate the virus from tissue reservoirs.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has developed a novel computational approach to accelerate the search for a hepatitis C vaccine. By analyzing the fitness landscape of the virus, they identified optimal formulations targeting viral vulnerabilities that can be attacked by the immune system.
Researchers have discovered a new virus, Parramatta River virus, carried by saltmarsh Aedes vigilax mosquitoes, which do not pose direct health risks to humans. The discovery may lead to stopping outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases by preventing the spread of 'bad' viruses.
Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discovered a new bat SARS-like virus that can infect humans without mutation. The virus highlights the need for developing drugs and vaccines before an outbreak occurs.
Researchers have developed a new RSV vaccine candidate that has shown promising early results in young children, eliciting more antibodies than previous candidates. The vaccine uses a genetically engineered version of the virus with a deleted M2-2 protein to induce a stronger immune response.
A large-scale study reveals the hepatitis A virus is likely of animal origin, with viruses from small mammals showing similarities to the human virus. The discovery offers new perspectives for risk assessments and may hint at a distant ancestry in primordial insect viruses.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how the flu virus works by studying its M2 proton channel. Using advanced MRI technology, researchers gained insight into the virus's replication process, which could lead to the development of new prescription drugs.
Researchers at Penn University discovered that inhibiting a calcium-signaling pathway can block the Ebola virus from exiting host cells and spreading, paving the way for potential broad-spectrum therapy. This approach has implications for treating multiple serious viral infections, including Marburg, Lassa, and Junin viruses.
Researchers at UTMB created a novel, Eilat virus-based diagnostic test that can diagnose chikungunya in under two hours and is more affordable than existing tests. The test uses the structural proteins of the Eilat virus to mimic the chikungunya virus without replicating in humans.