Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
Researchers at Osaka City University demonstrated the mechanism behind FMT, showing how FMT can restore human intestinal flora by replacing damaged microflora with a healthy one. The study reveals the crucial role of bacteriophages and their host bacteria in the pathogenesis of rCDI and its recovery.
Researchers have identified a novel phage called ES17 that can specifically locate and destroy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The phage's ability to bind to mucins and heparan sulfate enables it to target bacteria in high-mucin environments, potentially preventing infections.
A study found that plant species richness reduces viral infections in both wild and cultivated meadow environments. In contrast, the number of virus species increases near agricultural fields due to confusing disease regulation mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a second site on the filovirus glycoprotein that small drug molecules can bind to prevent infection. This finding holds promise for developing effective treatments for Ebola and Marburg viruses, which cause hemorrhagic fever with mortality rates ranging from 25% to 90%.
Researchers have developed a combination therapy that can potentially heal hepatitis B by shutting down the viral genome in infected liver cells. The treatment targets the HBx protein, which protects the genetic material from being silenced, allowing for sustained shutdown of the virus.
A standard water treatment technique, iron coagulation, efficiently removes and inactivates enveloped viruses by forming precipitates that trap the viral envelopes. This method is more effective than chlorine disinfection, with a reduction of 100,000 times active virus in 2.6 minutes.
A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals how Zika virus causes brain calcification, a common birth defect associated with prenatal infection. The research team identified the proteins BMP2 and NS3 as central players in the development of calcifications, suggesting novel strategies to prevent this birth defect.
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.
A study published in PNAS found that RESTV infects pigs and causes severe respiratory disease, shedding the virus from their upper respiratory tract. The researchers also identified RESTV sequences in pigs in China, highlighting the potential for widespread transmission.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers who discovered the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The discovery was made possible by the perseverance and determination of thousands of scientists worldwide. Their work has paved the way for future research into HCV and potential cures.
A $10 million project led by University of California - Riverside is investigating tiny underground microorganisms for a cure to fatal citrus disease. The research team will test whether soil amendments can suppress parasitic microorganisms and give trees more strength to combat diseases like HLB.
Scientists developed a novel smartphone-based technique to diagnose viral infections using a deep learning algorithm that identifies viruses in metal nanoparticle-labeled samples with 98.97% sensitivity. The system correctly identified clinically relevant concentrations of Zika, hepatitis B and C in patient samples.
Two Monash University scientists found that the enzyme DOT1L plays a critical role in controlling T cell differentiation and function. Genetically eliminating DOT1L led to type 1 T cells dominating, which could lead to new treatments for asthma and allergies.
The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus infection in adolescents and adults at increased risk due to its effectiveness in reducing mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma. Antiviral therapy improves intermediate outcomes associated with better health outcomes, strengthening the 2014 recommendation.
A new study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that West Nile virus infection risk varies with neighborhood income in Baltimore. The research revealed that lower-income urban neighborhoods are more prone to mosquito-borne diseases due to environmental factors.
Research at the University of Chicago found that pre-existing flu immunity shapes antibody responses to influenza infections and vaccinations. The quality of these responses differs between individuals who are vaccinated or naturally infected, with vaccinated individuals generating more adaptable antibodies that target conserved regions.
A study found that Zika virus can remain in the mouse brain for extended periods, leading to lasting cognitive impairment and increased risk of psychological disorders. The infection caused long-term deficits in motor function and coordination, as well as anxiety and hyperactivity.
Researchers have developed an efficient method to study phage-microbe interactions, which can reveal bacterial receptors exploited by phages and cellular mechanisms used to respond to infection. The approach has implications for understanding microbiomes, developing new medicines and addressing antibiotic-resistant infections.
The University of Huddersfield's Antimicrobial Stewardship in Wound Management course has been honoured at the Antibiotic Guardian Awards. Over 8000 healthcare professionals have completed the course with high praise, exploring antimicrobial resistance and implementing infection control measures.
Two Luxembourg Institute of Health researchers have been recognized with the prestigious 2019 Galien Prize in Pharmacology for their groundbreaking research on atypical chemokine receptors. Their work has significant implications for understanding various physiological and pathological processes, including immune responses and cancer.
Researchers identified coral GSDME as a pyroptosis-inducing protein in reef-building corals, revealing its role in pathogen-induced coral death. Activation of coral GSDME triggers rapid cell swelling and cytoplasmic content release, leading to necrotic tissue damage.
Researchers have developed an AI-based algorithm called OxyGAN to accurately measure tissue oxygenation from single snapshots. This approach uses a conditional generative adversarial network to learn realistic output images and determine correct reconstructions for given input data, demonstrating robustness in measuring oxygen levels.
A DNA-based vaccine candidate has been found to be effective in protecting cynomolgus macaques from the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. The vaccine generated protective antibodies and prevented signs of disease in infected animals, offering a promising potential treatment for human patients.
Researchers found that multiple forms of a viral protein increase the virus's competitive advantage and replication rate. The study suggests that this may be why foot-and-mouth disease is so successful in infecting its hosts.
Researchers found that methacycline, a widely used tetracycline-based antibiotic, is effective at preventing brain infections and reducing neurological problems associated with Zika virus infections. The study also identified other potential candidates, including anti-inflammatory medicines and failed anti-Alzheimer's disease drugs.
Vaccination of endangered tiger population against canine distemper virus could reduce extinction probability from 15.8% to 5.7%
A genetic mutation in the 'coat' of a brain infection-causing virus may allow it to escape neutralizing antibodies, increasing the risk of developing a fatal brain disease. Researchers have identified this mutation in the mouse equivalent of JC polyomavirus and found that it prevents monoclonal antibodies from interacting with the virus.
Rotavirus-infected cells release signaling molecules adenosine diphosphate (ADP) that bind to P2Y1 receptors on neighboring uninfected cells, triggering intercellular calcium waves and disrupting normal function. This discovery provides a new potential strategy for treating viral diarrhea.
A new study of over seven million births from four countries found that cesarean-born babies are at increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation during early childhood. The study recorded a small but consistent increase in the absolute risk of infection-related hospitalisation rates in children up to five years of age compared w...
Researchers found that domesticated Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Asia, Africa, and the Americas are more susceptible to acquiring Zika virus than their African counterparts. Genetic differences on chromosome 2 are believed to be the cause of this increased susceptibility.
Researchers discovered a unique RNA polymerase in crAss-like phages that helps transcribe its genes. The enzyme was found to be inactive in standard tests but active when exposed to specific conditions, revealing new insights into the mechanism of viral infections.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a group of gut microbes and a specific molecule that modulate immune responses to viral infections. The study found that these microbes, particularly Bacteroides fragilis, trigger the release of interferon-beta, which confers antiviral protection.
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.
A German study confirms rats can transmit hantavirus to humans, with a young patient infected after contact with her pet rat. The virus, commonly found in Asia, poses severe disease risks and highlights the need for caution when keeping rats.
A Harvard Medical School study found that clinicians who prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections increase the likelihood of patients seeking care for similar infections in the future. This leads to a significant increase in antibiotic prescriptions, exacerbating the problem of antibiotic resistance and unnecessary spending.
Researchers have discovered a potential broad-spectrum anti-viral drug target by identifying how encapsulated viruses hijack the protein manufacturing and distribution pathways in cells. This approach offers an attractive alternative to developing individual drugs for each virus, with the same compound targeting multiple viruses.
Research at the University of Zurich reveals that host genetic differences explain most of the variation in virus community composition. Genetic diversity within species is crucial for immune system function and should be prioritized in agriculture to improve pathogen resistance.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveal retrons, hybrid structures found in many bacterial species, are 'guards' that prevent viruses from spreading. These retrons activate a programmed cell death mechanism to protect the bacterial colony.
A Duke Health-led research team has identified a key marker that will help speed effective vaccine designs for cytomegalovirus (CMV). The finding provides an immune surrogate to test the effectiveness of vaccine candidates, which could aid in vaccine evaluation and predict potential efficacy.
Researchers have found that some plant viruses can hijack the plant's defence system, using a viral protein to block gene silencing and promote its own replication. However, studying naturally resistant plants and employing modern breeding techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 may help regain control over the virus.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Communications have discovered that some phages can stop bacteria from sharing genes for antibiotic resistance by attaching to and disarming pili on bacterial surface. This discovery may lead to new treatments for infections, reducing the need for antibiotics or gentler alternatives.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have developed a synthetic DNA vaccine against Powassan virus, which causes a deadly tick-borne disease with neurological consequences. The vaccine elicits broad immune responses in mice and provides protection in a challenge animal model.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new face mask concept that aims to deactivate viruses in respiratory droplets, making the wearer less infectious. The masks feature anti-viral chemicals like phosphoric acid and copper salt that alter escaped droplets, reducing viral spread.
Scientists used CRISPR interference to study virulence genes in a mouse model of pneumonia, observing surprising variability in disease progression. The results point to several genes as having important roles in pneumococcal infections, including the bacterial capsule genes and the gene for pneumolysin.
Researchers identified genes associated with decreased placental invasion and increased chemokine production in babies born with microcephaly. This finding provides insight into why only some babies exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy develop anomalies.
A study suggests that Ontario's current vaccination strategy for hepatitis B is inadequate, as many children are infected before receiving the vaccine. The authors recommend that all women be screened for HBV during pregnancy and that newborns receive the vaccine at birth.
A study led by University of Zurich researchers found that the HLA-DR15 gene variant plays a significant role in developing multiple sclerosis. People with this genetic predisposition can develop an immune response against their own brain tissue if infected with certain viruses or bacteria, leading to the disease.
Researchers have identified a novel immune defence mechanism orchestrated by lipid droplets that attracts and eliminates invading pathogens, providing a broad-spectrum response. This strategy could be used to develop new therapeutic approaches in the era of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that viral infection is involved in coral bleaching, with bleached corals having a higher abundance of eukaryotic viruses and giant viruses. These findings suggest that viral assemblages shift between coral bleaching states.
Researchers found that WUSCHEL proteins inhibit viral protein production, preventing replication and keeping plants virus-free. The discovery could lead to breeding broad-spectrum antiviral crop varieties in the future.
Researchers have identified two new relatives of the rubella virus, ruhugu and rustrela, found in bats and mice in Uganda and Germany. These viruses are similar to rubella but differ in key regions, raising concerns about potential zoonotic transmission.
Primate lentiviruses, such as HIV-1, overcome species barriers through viral infectivity factor (Vif) and APOBEC3 protein interactions. A study by the University of Tokyo found that gorilla APOBEC3G can restrict SIVcpz replication but a specific amino acid substitution in Vif can evade this restriction.
Biomedical researchers at Georgia State University have identified a novel method for eradicating rotavirus and other viral infections using interleukin-18 and interleukin-22. The study shows that these cytokines can rapidly and completely eliminate viruses from intestinal epithelial cells, even in compromised immune systems.
Researchers identified a previously unknown strain of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus bacteria as the primary cause of post-infectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan infants. The bacteria is linked to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which causes neurological damage and can lead to severe cognitive and physical disabilities.
Scientists discovered a key transcription factor regulating T cell survival and immunological memory. Overexpressing this factor in CAR-T cells improved therapy efficiency for cancer treatments. Improved therapies could benefit patients with B cell lymphoma and other diseases.
Researchers found viral sequences associated with choanozoans and picozoans, which were not linked to bacterial DNA, suggesting these protists eat viruses. The removal of viruses from the water could potentially reduce the number of viruses available to infect other organisms.
Scientists found that ocean viruses infect algae without killing them immediately, instead allowing cells to multiply and bloom before dying. This discovery changes how scientists view viral infections of algae and their impact on ecosystem processes like algal bloom formation and carbon cycling.
Researchers found that middle-aged individuals have different H3N2 flu virus antibody specificities, which can leave them more susceptible to infection. Early childhood infections can elicit strong, long-lasting memory immune responses, but these may not be effective against newer strains of the virus.
Researchers found that certain human norovirus strains are more resistant to the body's natural defenses than others. This study highlights the importance of considering strain differences when studying norovirus biology and designing therapies.