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A patch of protection against Zika virus

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.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateNov 30, 2023

How tiny hinges bend the infection-spreading spikes of a coronavirus

Researchers have identified a tiny hinge in coronavirus spikes that allows them to tilt and bend. This bending affects how successfully the spike can infect a cell. The study suggests that disabling the spike's hinges could be a good strategy for designing vaccines and treatments against a broad range of coronavirus infections.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

Virologic rebound observed in 20% of patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir

A study found that 20% of patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritavir (N-R) experienced virologic rebound, a phenomenon where viral load increases after initial decline. In contrast, only 1 untreated patient was affected. The researchers suggest considering the risks and benefits of N-R treatment in patients at low risk for severe disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateNov 13, 2023

COVID vaccination in female, male partners does not increase risk of miscarriage

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that COVID-19 vaccination in female and male partners does not increase the risk of miscarriage. In fact, vaccinated individuals had a slightly lower risk of miscarriage compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study analyzed survey data from over 1,800 female participants...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeSurvey·DateOct 30, 2023

Pharmacists can improve access to life-saving vaccines

Researchers found that using electronic prompts during appointment scheduling for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines can identify willing participants for HPV and shingles vaccines. Only 30% of those booking for these vaccines were already vaccinated against HPV, presenting a significant opportunity for targeted campaigns.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada·DateOct 2, 2023

Study helps explain SARS-CoV-2 variants’ rapid spread

New SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as BQ.11 and XBB.1.5, bind to cells more tightly and evade antibodies more efficiently than earlier variants, allowing reinfections and breakthrough infections. Previous infection or vaccination can generate antibodies that recognize some proteins on newer variants, reducing the risk of serious illness.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

New grasp of key COVID-19 protein may lead to a live-attenuated vaccine effective against more variants for longer

Researchers have identified a key protein in SARS-CoV-2 that, when targeted, elicits a robust immune response. A live-attenuated vaccine based on this protein shows promise in preventing disease and offering long-lasting immunity. The approach could target areas of the genome less likely to change with variants.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2023

Study: Vaccination campaign in Cambodia protects endangered wild cattle from highly contagious potentially fatal skin disease

A vaccination campaign in Cambodia has successfully protected endangered wild cattle from lumpy skin disease (LSD), a highly contagious viral disease. The campaign, launched in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, has vaccinated over 20,000 domestic cattle and water buffalo to prevent the spread of LSD to wild ruminants.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 8, 2023

New research shines light on how COVID-19 vaccination reduces severity and mortality after breakthrough infections

A large study found that fully vaccinated individuals have lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants after symptomatic COVID-19 infection. This suggests that vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality by reducing elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateAug 7, 2023

An average 1.2% a year decline in MMR vaccine coverage between 2006 and 2020 has left approximately half of Brazil’s municipalities below the 95% coverage target and potentially vulnerable to future outbreaks

A nationwide ecological study in Brazil found a significant decline in MMR vaccine coverage between 2006 and 2020, with approximately half of municipalities falling short of the 95% target. This decline may leave these areas vulnerable to future outbreaks.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 1, 2023

Plant based compound Peruvoside could prevent spread of diverse medically important viruses: NUS Medicine

Peruvoside has been discovered to prevent up to 12 medically important viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), and Influenza. The compound acts on GBF1 protein, disabling its functionality and stopping virus production.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2023

Study identifies a protein that could be a target for a vaccine against spotted fever

Researchers at the University of São Paulo identified a protein in Amblyomma ticks essential to their survival while feeding, making it a promising target for developing a vaccine. The study found that silencing gene expression of an inhibitor of apoptosis protein reduced bacterial proliferation and made ticks more resistant to infection.

Organoids shown to speed glycoengineered vaccine development

Researchers have developed an organoid-based method to assess the potency of glycoconjugate vaccines, speeding up the vaccine development process. This method uses tissue from a single mouse to create hundreds of immune organoids, allowing for the assessment of dozens or even hundreds of vaccine candidates in just four days.

SourceCornell University·JournalACS Central Science·DateApr 12, 2023

We've learned a lot from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus—now the time has come to fight it

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a high-resolution view of the LCMV glycoprotein, revealing its structure and potential vulnerabilities. The breakthrough enables the development of an engineered antibody that can prevent LCMV disease, offering a new route to treatment.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

New treatment for COVID-19 is made from plants

Researchers at Arizona State University describe an innovative therapy using transient expression in tobacco plants to produce a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. This class 4 mAb provides key advantages over existing treatments, including mutation resistance and universal protection against emerging variants.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2023

Transforming the way cancer vaccines are designed and made

Researchers developed a new way to increase vaccine potency by changing the structural location of antigens and adjuvants. This approach, called 'rational vaccinology,' allows for precise dosing and tailored presentation of vaccine components, leading to improved immune response and cancer cell targeting.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

Chinese Communist Party zero-covid “volunteers” have suffered from stress and anxiety, study shows

A new study reveals that Chinese Communist Party zero-covid volunteers have suffered from stress and anxiety due to the pressure of enforcing policies. The researchers found an increasingly pressurized grassroots infrastructure, with volunteers facing high workloads and hierarchical chains of command.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Chinese Political Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

Long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination is unaffected by pregnancy

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM found that pregnant individuals have a similar long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination as non-pregnant individuals. The study also showed that vaccination during pregnancy provides protection to unborn babies, which is essential for their C...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM·DateDec 13, 2022

How antibody therapy impacts COVID vaccines

Research finds that individuals who received monoclonal antibodies before COVID vaccination exhibit a diverse antibody response, increasing the coverage provided by vaccines. This phenomenon, known as antibody feedback inhibition, is beneficial for diversifying immune responses to viruses.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2022