Articles tagged with Virology
Researchers discover virus affecting European eels can spread efficiently through biting during aggressive interactions, challenging traditional transmission methods. The study provides new insights into fish diseases threatening the critically endangered species.
A Chinese study of 163,714 hospitalized children with enterovirus infections found serious complications involving organs like the brain and heart are uncommon but can significantly increase hospital resource usage. The study reveals strong age and seasonal patterns, with infants and toddlers carrying most of the hospitalization burden.
A study led by University of California, Riverside researcher Joy Xiang identified new targets for coronavirus antiviral drugs by mapping RNA-protein interactions. The researchers found that disrupting specific interactions between the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the nucleocapsid protein significantly reduced viral replication. Th...
The lab aims to shed light on the origin of cruciviruses, RNA viruses, and their host microorganisms through horizontal gene transfer analysis. The research could help understand potential new pandemics and inform the design of more efficient gene therapy and vaccine delivery tools.
Researchers have identified four climatic oscillation indices associated with Ebola outbreak distribution, proposing their use for epidemiological surveillance to detect early warning signals for new outbreaks. The predictive tool can help activate preparedness measures when climate conditions indicate an increased risk, identifying pe...
Ken Stedman, a renowned virus researcher, has been named an International Collen-Francqui Professor, recognizing his expertise in virus survival and evolution. He will collaborate with four Belgian universities, bringing new opportunities for students and research collaborations.
Researchers develop a new method using Raman spectroscopy to identify 20 SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants based on their molecular RNA architecture, which is distinct from their genetic composition. This approach has the potential to provide a rapid screening strategy for emerging viral variants.
A new platform, SwiVirScan, has been developed to screen many antibody responses in parallel, revealing extensive viral exposure histories in pigs. The platform uses 36,416 short protein fragments from 140 swine-associated viruses to identify patterns of viral antibodies.
A single subcutaneous injection of a live, unattenuated influenza virus provides strong neutralizing antibodies and fully protects mice against a lethal challenge. The study decouples immunogenicity from pathogenicity by confining viral replication to the injection site.
Melanie Ott and Alex Marson, directors at Gladstone Institutes, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for their pioneering achievements in science and medicine. Their work focuses on understanding viral mechanisms, developing innovative treatments, and repurposing human immune cells to fight disease.
Researchers found that breast milk antibodies can neutralize multiple respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV, and adenovirus, in mouse models. The study suggests that these antibodies could be used to prevent seasonal influenza and pandemic responses.
Researchers found that bacteria, such as E. coli, use CRISPR-Cas immunity to transfer and incorporate DNA, accelerating genetic reshuffling under starvation stress. This process may help bacterial populations adapt to changing conditions, resembling a primitive form of sexual reproduction.
New research reveals that bacteria detect viruses when a viral enzyme cuts an important sensor molecule, triggering an immune response. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective phage therapies that can evade bacterial immune systems.
This study identifies a diverse viral community in a rescued Naemorhedus griseus, including bacteriophages, plant-derived viruses, and mammalian viruses. The findings highlight the genetic diversity of Naemorhedus griseus-borne viruses and their transmission dynamics across humans, animals, and wildlife.
Researchers have used cryo-ET to visualize the steps of rotavirus infection, from attachment to punching a hole in the cell membrane and ejecting its RNA. The study reveals that virus protein 7 is the key player in this process, making the membrane permeable to calcium ions.
A new review highlights the need for integrated health systems to monitor biological, ecological, and institutional conditions to prevent global health risks. The review proposes an 'interface-resilience' model that brings together spillover pressure, microbial community stability, and governance connectivity to identify high-risk areas.
New studies from Georgia State University researchers provide critical insights into Powassan virus disease progression, immune responses, and long-term neurological damage. The research sheds light on the molecular mechanisms driving neurological damage and identifies key immune defense mechanisms.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 hijacks immune cells to cause hyperinflammation, leading to severe lung damage. Blocking ORF8 reduces lung inflammation and damage in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering a promising new path for developing treatments.
Researchers found that PGK1 restricts viral replication by targeting a host chaperone required by multiple viruses, such as IAV, SeV, VSV, and HSV-1. This study expands the biological functions of a classic metabolic enzyme and reveals a link between cellular metabolism and antiviral defense.
Researchers have discovered how hedgehog coronaviruses invade host cells, highlighting their potential risk to animals like cats. The viruses are unlikely to infect humans without multiple genetic mutations, but their ability to infect other animals, including cats, is a concern.
Researchers have captured the step-by-step assembly of virus-like particles, revealing how simple molecular interactions can reliably build complex biological structures. The study provides a molecular-level view of how protein shells assemble, allowing for the design of novel antiviral treatments and vaccines.
Harvard chemists have developed a method to engineer the evolutionary landscape of viruses, pushing them away from high-risk variants and into evolutionary dead ends. The approach, called fitness landscape design, uses antibody combinations to suppress mutations and prevent the emergence of new viral strains.
Researchers found that exosomes from people with shingles pain caused nerve cells to remain inflamed and transmit pain signals even after the virus clears the body. This discovery opens the door to new approaches for predicting, preventing, and treating post-herpetic neuralgia.
Researchers have discovered a significant increase in blood viruses, including Anelloviridae, in gastric cancer patients, providing potential biomarkers for diagnosis. The study found that the virome is compartment-specific, with the gut virome showing increased diversity in cancer patients.
The symposium celebrated Dr. Lee Ho-wang's 50th anniversary of Hantaan virus discovery, reviewing its historical significance and future research directions. Key findings included the development of Hantavax, the world's first epidemic hemorrhagic fever vaccine, and strategies for infectious disease response.
Researchers developed a novel mosaic nanoparticle vaccine platform to overcome the mucus barrier challenge, inducing broad neutralizing effects against diverse coronaviruses. The approach breaks through respiratory physiological barriers to establish robust frontline defenses.
Researchers uncover the broad range of diseases caused by varicella zoster virus, including neurological and systemic issues, and highlight the need for better understanding and treatment of its manifestations. The virus can reactivate years after chickenpox and affect every organ, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
A team of researchers found that SARS-CoV-2's 3CLpro protease can cleave and disable influenza virus's NP and PA proteins, leading to rapid protein degradation and cytoplasmic mislocalization. This mechanism may have contributed to the decline of influenza cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enterovirus infections in children can lead to severe diseases, and current vaccines only cover certain serotypes. The review highlights the need for further research to expand preventive and therapeutic options. Rapid viral evolution complicates disease diagnosis and treatment.
A study by Goethe University and Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt has found that seminal fluid can facilitate infection of skin cells with the monkeypox virus. The researchers discovered that protein fragments in seminal fluid form fibers that promote attachment of the virus to human cells, increasing the risk of transmission through sexu...
The researcher will investigate how infected cells live and die, and what chemical signals they release to surrounding cells. This work could lead to better antiviral drugs and virus-based cancer treatments.
A study published in Virologica Sinica identifies three candidate antiviral compounds that interfere with different stages of the chikungunya virus life cycle. The compounds, MDL-12330A, bazedoxifene acetate, and anidulafungin, show distinct antiviral profiles, suggesting that CHIKV infection can be inhibited through different mechanisms.
Researchers found that TMPRSS2 gene variants rs2070788 and rs12329760 are associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in Jordanian adults. The study identified rs2070788 as a marker for COVID-19 susceptibility and rs12329760 as a predictor of severe disease, while clinical covariates such as BMI and age also played a role.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers found that alveolar type 2 cells mount slower interferon-driven antiviral defenses than type 1 cells, enabling higher viral replication in the alveoli. This study provides new insights into the primary site of influenza virus damage and opens up potential targets for antiviral therapy.
Researchers found that pre-existing antibodies influence B-cell responses to influenza vaccination in distinct ways. Individuals with higher baseline antibody levels exhibited increased frequencies of specific B-cell receptor features, while those with lower levels showed greater mutation levels and broader neutralizing activity.
A study found that coronaviruses hijack the host GBF1-ARF1-COPI pathway to utilize Golgi-derived membranes for promoting DMV formation. This mechanism was conserved across multiple coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and holds promise for therapeutic development against coronavirus infection.
Human norovirus, a leading cause of gastroenteritis, exhibits conformational changes in its capsid structure, influencing viral infectivity and immune evasion. The study's findings provide a new understanding of the virus's dynamics and may lead to the development of next-generation vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made significant progress in understanding the causes of long COVID, focusing on changes in virus-specific immune cells. Specifically, they found that people with long COVID have distinctive changes in CD8 T cells, which are specialized to protect against specific viruses.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that vesper bats have two distinct copies of genes producing antibodies, which helps them recognize and fight infections. This finding opens up new areas of study on the evolution of immunity and how animals respond to diseases.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to reconstruct COVID-19 spread in Dutch schools, showing that targeted closures can reduce hospital admissions. The study highlights the value of mathematical models for informing public health decisions during outbreaks.
Researchers developed a new way to uncover differences in how viruses infect and destroy individual microbial cells. The study used a mathematical modeling framework to analyze infection outcomes in individual cells, revealing striking accuracy and new insights into viral behavior.
Researchers uncover how a family of tick-borne viruses, known as orthonairoviruses, evade the immune system by manipulating cellular communication pathways. This study highlights a significant pandemic risk posed by these viruses and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and preparedness.
The new viral ORFeome tool allows researchers to analyze many thousands of viral proteins in a single experiment, expanding access to biologists who didn't train in virology. It identifies hundreds of viral proteins that interfere with immune response, providing a powerful foundation for understanding emerging viral threats.
A new study discovered a previously unknown antiviral defense mechanism in sea anemones, revealing that animals may have evolved more than one way to fight viral infections. The findings suggest that fundamentally different antiviral strategies have emerged across the animal kingdom.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
The Oropouche virus has infected over 9.4 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1960, with 5.5 million cases reported in Brazil alone. The disease causes fever and symptoms similar to dengue, leading to serious complications like meningitis and microcephaly.
Research at Ohio State University found that just 10 viral particles can cause H5N1 avian flu infection in cows. The study also suggests that the virus has an affinity for cow mammary glands rather than airways.
The center will develop new phage-based treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, predicting which phage to use for which patient and designing more effective phages. The goal is to generate unprecedented data and train AI models to identify the right phage for any patient's infection.
Researchers developed a miniaturized human intestine model to study EV-A71 infection, revealing the virus's ability to evade the immune system and persist for extended periods. The model showed long-term viral replication without triggering a strong immune response.
China lacks a dedicated regulatory framework for phage therapy, but recent policy signals encourage development of standards and approval pathways. A three-pillared approach recommends national quality guidelines, phase-appropriate GMP pilot programs, clear product classification, and regional centers with reimbursement mechanisms.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that dust can be used to track viral outbreaks in indoor settings. The team identified 54 distinct viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, using a novel sequencing technique. This method has the potential to provide quick and high-resolution insights into what is happening withi...
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have characterized human antibodies capable of neutralizing measles virus. The new panel of human antibodies may form the basis for future medical therapies against measles infection, with a study showing a 500-fold lower viral load in a rodent model.
A new study found that influenza D viruses can vigorously replicate in human cells and lung tissue samples, suggesting a strong potential to spill over to humans. Researchers also detected antibodies against Influenza D in people who work with cattle, but no active human infection has been discovered to date.
Researchers developed a thin plastic film with ultra-fine structures that tear apart viruses on contact, killing them through mechanical force. The film offers a scalable and practical alternative to existing antiviral coatings.
Researchers at ExCELLS/NIPS successfully determined the capsid structure of Melbournevirus at 4.4 Å resolution using cryo-EM. The study's 'block-based reconstruction method' improved resolution, revealing detailed arrangement of proteins constituting the massive capsid.
The study provides new insight into how the tick-borne virus replicates and matures, with detailed three-dimensional images revealing the virus's interior. The researchers also observed how a small genetic difference between variants affects maturation speeds, paving the way for future treatments against TBE.
A new tool, HIV-seq, has been developed to profile rare HIV-infected cells from people with HIV. The tool has recovered and analyzed more HIV-infected cells and higher numbers of HIV RNA within those infected cells. The study has identified key differences in people's HIV-infected cells before versus after starting antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers found that quantifiable HBV RNA levels are associated with a significantly higher risk of HCC, independent of traditional risk factors. Chronic hepatitis B patients with concurrent liver dysfunction should be intensified under surveillance for HCC.
Viral transcription in poxviruses is controlled by a unique protein VITF-3 that acts as a molecular clamp. The study reveals the structural details of this process, including the role of the capping enzyme and the specific start signal recognition.