Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a key biological pathway, the JAK/STAT pathway, that RSV suppresses and prevents immune system igniters from activating. This discovery provides a promising new target for therapeutic immune restoration and could lead to significant impact in treating RSV infections.
Researchers found that the recent SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1 have only minor changes in immune evasion compared to their predecessor Omicron, contradicting initial public health concerns.
A Cleveland Clinic-led study found that maternal Zika virus infections can reprogram fetal immune development, leading to long-term consequences in children's immunity. The changes occur even in children born without physical or neurological symptoms of congenital Zika syndrome, suggesting a broader impact.
Researchers found that certain flu viruses can use a second entry pathway, MHC class II protein complexes, to infect human and animal cells. This ability helps the viruses infect different species and potentially jump between animals and humans.
Research reveals native plants and non-native crops attract pests that spread diseases, causing harm to both plant populations. The studies also found viruses transmitted from crops to wild plants, which can have devastating effects on native ecosystems.
Researchers found that bovine HPAI H5N1 viruses induced severe disease in mice and ferrets after intranasal inoculation, with high virus levels detected in respiratory and non-respiratory organs. However, the virus did not transmit efficiently via respiratory droplets among ferrets.
A new study links dengue fever to a higher risk of depression, both short- and long-term. Researchers analyzed medical records of nearly 50,000 people who experienced dengue fever in Taiwan and found an elevated risk of depressive disorders across all timeframes.
Researchers tested hundreds of milk products from dozens of states and found no infectious H5N1 virus, but detected viral genetic material in 20% of samples.
A world-first study found that low-dose aspirin can create better blood flow to the placenta during pregnancy, potentially preventing complications caused by flu infections. The research also showed that mice treated with low-dose aspirin had improved fetal development and offspring survival.
Rural residents with head and neck cancer experience higher mortality rates due to factors like alcohol use, tobacco consumption, and lower HPV vaccination rates. This disparity widens the rural-urban mortality gap.
Researchers found that H5N1 virus particles in unpasteurized milk can remain stable on metal and rubber components of commercial milking equipment for over an hour. This increases the potential for bird flu exposure among dairy farm workers and animal-to-animal transmission.
Researchers identified a kissing bug in Delaware with the Chagas disease-causing parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Entomologists confirmed the insect's presence and found it was infected with the parasite, which can lead to serious heart problems if left untreated.
A study found that mosquitoes in Greater Paris can transmit five arboviruses within different time frames, with West Nile virus transmitted in as little as three days. The results highlight the importance of increased surveillance and control measures to prevent disease outbreaks during the Olympic Games.
Researchers found auto-antibodies against type I interferons in severe and critical COVID-19 patients, compromising their immune response. This discovery highlights the importance of detecting these auto-antibodies in regular health checkups to better prepare for viral infections.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered the hepatitis E virus is associated with sperm in pigs, suggesting a possible link to male infertility and sexual transmission. The virus was found to circulate in blood and shed in feces, with viral particles present on the head of sperm cells that can infect human liver cells.
A cohort study found that more than 1 in 5 adults did not recover within 3 months of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk of recovery was lower among women and those with preexisting cardiovascular disease, but higher among vaccinated individuals during the Omicron variant wave.
A study in São Paulo state found that chikungunya virus circulated silently for years before causing major epidemics. The researchers monitored residents for four years and discovered a significant rise in seroprevalence from 0.35% to 2.3%. This finding underscores the need for strengthened disease surveillance.
Researchers investigate Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis connection, discovering cross-reactivity between viral proteins and brain proteins. The study suggests that differences in immune cell function may explain why some people develop MS after EBV infection.
Early admission of COVID-19-positive patients to skilled nursing facilities was associated with preventable cases and mortality among residents. Facilities with staff and PPE shortages were disproportionately affected, underscoring the importance of adhering to infection-control protocols.
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered a new RNA virus, Apocryptovirus odysseus, associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The virus is found in two hypervirulent strains of the parasite, exacerbating toxoplasmosis disease and triggering an immune response.
Researchers identified a global climate indicator, Indian Ocean basin-wide index, that can improve predictions of dengue outbreaks several months in advance. This could facilitate efforts to tackle the rising infection threatening half the world's population.
Researchers have developed a compact, high-fidelity version of the Cas12a protein, which can be packaged within a non-pathogenic virus for targeted gene editing. The modified protein demonstrates efficient editing activity and has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels in mice with high cholesterol.
Researchers identified a novel virus in pet trade zebrafish that causes hemorrhaging in laboratory fish, revealing a risk of viral transmission. The study found that viruses circulating in healthy pet trade zebrafish can transmit to laboratory animals and cause severe disease.
A new review emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing avian influenza spread among humans. The study suggests that a diverse range of vaccine platforms, including inactivated and live attenuated vaccines, as well as emerging alternatives like mRNA vaccines, will be crucial for enhancing pandemic preparedness.
A new study has discovered that bank voles in southern Sweden carry a virus that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans, spreading the disease further south than previously known. The virus strain is closely related to strains from Finland and Karelia.
Researchers at Okayama University developed a novel AAK1 inhibitor using Kinobeads technology, shedding light on its inhibitory mechanism and targeting various neurological disorders and viral infections. This breakthrough paves the way for rapid and cost-effective enzyme inhibitors with clinical applications.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified a specific cell type in the mouse embryonic brain that responds to an immune response in the mother, altering gene regulation and persisting in juvenile mice. This study provides new insights into how maternal immune responses might influence brain development in embryos, potentially sh...
A recent study from Ohio State University reveals that low-nutrient environments alter viral infection of cells, resulting in commonalities among virocells. The findings suggest the environment plays a crucial role in shaping microbial interactions, with implications for large-scale modeling of ocean and soil microbial systems.
A new study by Emory University researchers found a link between deforestation and rabies outbreaks in cattle in Costa Rica. The study suggests that decreased availability of bat-roosting sites within forested habitat may increase the preference of vampire bats to feed on cattle.
University of Minnesota researchers found that immunotherapy improves CD8+ T-cell responses in older mice, reducing mortality from infections. The treatment, PD1 blockade, enhances the ability of T cells to kill harmful cells infected with a virus.
A study found that dopamine inhibits the expression of HBV surface and e antigens in HepG2 cells, increasing interferon-stimulated gene 15 expression. The JAK/STAT pathway was also activated, leading to decreased HBV DNA and antigen expression in a mouse model.
Researchers in South Korea have detected the first hepatitis E virus from urban Norway rats, raising concerns about potential human transmission. The study found that 4.4% of examined rats carried the virus, which is linked to symptoms like fever, fatigue, and jaundice in humans.
A new study found extensive alternative splicing of messenger RNA in untreated multiple sclerosis patients compared to healthy controls. Interferon-ß therapy corrected dysregulated alternative splicing, linking it to future clinical exacerbations.
Researchers from Osaka University found that influenza-associated brain disorders may be caused by the virus entering the brain and producing proteins. Antivirals blocking protein production are unlikely to be effective, but those targeting transcription and translation may offer hope for treatment.
A multicenter retrospective cohort study found that combining entecavir with Fuzheng Huayu reduced the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with compensated chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis. The antifibrotic property of FZHY may be attributed to its beneficial effects on this population.
Researchers at University of Florida discovered a Florida bottlenose dolphin infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV), the first reported case in a mammal in North America. The team analyzed tissue samples and confirmed the presence of HPAI A(H5N1) virus subtype 2.3.4.4b.
A new study from MIT researchers has found that many genes involved in drug metabolism follow a circadian rhythm, affecting how much of a drug is available and how effectively the body breaks it down. The study's findings have implications for developing better dosing schedules for existing drugs.
Researchers at Universitatsklinikum Bonn have developed a novel technology to identify chemokine-producing cells and sensors, revealing that natural killer cells are the primary producers of Ccl3 during CMV infection. This discovery sheds light on the complex choreography of immune cells in defending against viruses.
Scientists have isolated giant viruses that infect the deadly human parasite Naegleria fowleri, which causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The newly discovered Naegleiaviruses were found in wastewater treatment plants near Vienna and exhibit a unique stargate structure for DNA entry.
A rapidly spreading virus is attacking cacao trees in Ghana, resulting in harvest losses of between 15-50%. Researchers have developed a new strategy to combat the spread of the disease using mathematical data to determine safe planting distances for vaccinated trees.
Scientists have identified a consistent signature of multiple sclerosis in the blood of patients years before they develop symptoms. The discovery, published in Nature Medicine, could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease, affecting nearly 1 million people in the US.
A specific protein, TRBP, regulates the balance between apoptosis and interferon response to suppress viral replication. This study sheds light on a previously unclear mechanism of defense against viruses in mammalian cells.
Over five RSV seasons, researchers found that nearly one-quarter of hospitalized adults aged 50+ experienced an acute cardiac event, mostly heart failure. The risk of severe outcomes was nearly twice as high in patients with cardiac events compared to those without.
Researchers analyzed blood stem cells in mice with prior sepsis and found they were fully recovered but failed to respond to a second inflammatory stimulus, leading to inefficient immune cell production.
Scientists have developed a new preventative treatment that can prevent lethal lung injury from the flu by targeting inflammation protein. The drug UH15-38 achieves a balance between shutting down runaway inflammation and allowing the immune system to stop the virus, resulting in increased survival rates.
Researchers identified a gene mutation associated with impaired natural killer cell function, leading to increased susceptibility to viral infections in people with a rare genetic condition. Oleic acid supplementation shows promise as a potential therapy for these patients.
A new lab-on-a-chip system combines optofluidics and nanopores to rapidly test for SARS-CoV-2 and Zika viruses with high accuracy. The tool, developed by UC Santa Cruz researchers, can detect viruses at extremely low concentrations and outperform PCR tests in some cases.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered a mechanism by which a bacterial virus limits Salmonella's ability to cause infection. By compromising protein synthesis, the virus can allow the host to rehabilitate and potentially treat resistant cases.
A genetic variant affecting mitochondrial POLG enzyme function delays viral infection detection, leading to delayed severe inflammation and brain/liver damage. This mechanism explains variable ages of onset and manifestations of neurological diseases like MIRAS in patients carrying the variant.
Researchers at Butantan Institute used phage display to screen 12,000 proteins from Schistosoma mansoni, identifying key parasite peptides targeted by macaque antibodies. This approach has potential for developing candidate vaccines against the disease.
A recent study published in Phytobiomes Journal found that non-native crop viruses are infecting and harming wild desert plants. Infection rates with the virus CABYV reached as high as 88% in some populations, causing visible impacts on plant growth and root health.
A new study by Karolinska Institutet researchers has identified the protein on cell surfaces that the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus uses to enter human cells. This discovery is crucial in developing effective treatments and vaccines for the deadly disease, which can cause up to 40% mortality rate.
A groundbreaking study reveals that targeting cholesterol metabolism can mitigate Zika virus-induced ocular pathology, offering promising therapeutic strategies. Researchers identified ABCG1 and SREBP-2 as key players in the pathway, and treatments with LXR agonists or SREBP-2 inhibitors showed promise in animal models.
Researchers developed a new triplex real-time PCR test to detect the emerging Powassan virus in deer ticks, improving sensitivity and accuracy. The method reduced false negative results, providing assurance that negative test results are true negatives.
Scientists identified key factors in developing long-lasting immunity against dengue virus through analyzing immune responses to natural infection and vaccines. The study revealed molecular markers that could be used in novel vaccine development.
Researchers investigated the role of long-lived plasma cells in COVID-19 infection, finding deficient generation of spike-specific antibodies. The study suggests that inadequate long-lived plasma cell production may be responsible for short-lived protective antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2.
A potentially fatal parasite has been discovered in the Colorado River in California, affecting dogs and causing liver and intestinal illness. Researchers confirm the presence of Heterobilharzia americana, a flatworm that can be transmitted through snails and water, highlighting the need for awareness and precautions among dog owners.
Researchers discovered two distinct sites on the EBV protein gp42 that can be targeted to prevent infection and cancer. Monoclonal antibody A10 provided nearly complete protection against EBV infection in mice.
The chikungunya virus infects CD14+ CD16+ monocytes and affects proteins holding epithelial cells of the blood-brain barrier together. The study found severe alterations in coagulation cascade, hemodynamic damage in organs, and high levels of inflammatory cytokines.
A recent study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine discovered that Zika virus vaccine strains can eradicate brain tumour cells while leaving healthy ones intact. The vaccine candidates were found to target rapidly proliferating cancerous cells, making them an ideal option for treating fast-growing brain cancers.