Articles tagged with Viruses
Researchers have discovered compact viral RNA elements that can stabilize mRNA, increasing protein production. These elements, called tailons, work by extending the poly(A) tail of mRNA, slowing its degradation. This breakthrough offers a simple way to develop longer-lasting and more efficient mRNA technologies for various applications.
Researchers at Michigan State University identified a counter defense used by phages that helps them stay ahead of bacterial hosts. The discovery could lead to more effective phage therapies in response to the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers have compiled ten fundamental mechanisms governing the development of pandemics, highlighting the importance of understanding biological, mathematical, and social factors. These mechanisms can help improve preparedness and response to future pandemics by identifying key drivers of outbreak dynamics.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed an AI-powered tool called Evo 2 that can design novel phages to kill bacteria, including E. coli. The tool has already synthesized nearly 300 new phages and identified 16 exceptionally effective ones.
Researchers discovered that bacteriophages play a critical role in distributing nutrients, promoting microbial diversity, and supporting gut health by releasing vitamin B12. The study found that phage infection is necessary for B12 release, and the nutrient specifically drives growth in dependent microbes.
A novel treatment approach combining phage therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation has shown promise in treating recurring urinary tract infections. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that the treatment reduced UTI episodes and improved quality of life for patients.
A UMBC researcher is exploring the effects of two key HIV prevention drugs in colon tissue, seeking to understand why they work better for some people than others. The study aims to provide knowledge that could lead to better dosing strategies and improved formulations, making PrEP more effective.
Researchers at Penn State will use the funding to develop new tools for investigating the genetics underpinning relationships between mosquitoes and various microbes. The projects aim to improve scientific understanding of mosquito-borne pathogens and eventually enable new discoveries that could help inhibit disease spread.
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.
A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.
Scientists at La Trobe University discovered lipid droplets play a critical role in the body's early detection and defence against viruses. The study found these fatty structures can stop viruses from spreading by changing their structure and signalling to the immune system.
The study reveals how the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) hijacks host ribosomes and translational factors to translate viral genes while blocking host gene translation. Targeting this mechanism could lead to new treatments for EMCV and similar viruses like poliovirus.
A new enzyme-free test strip detects mosquito-borne viruses with high sensitivity, promising rapid field testing and infection control in resource-limited regions. The multisite bridging-mediated lateral flow immunoassay outperforms conventional methods, offering a promising diagnostic platform for outbreak surveillance.
The Osaka Metropolitan University, K.K. DNAFORM, and INRB have developed a portable rapid diagnostic system for Ebola virus disease caused by Bundibugyo virus. The system utilizes the GenPad POCT platform and can be used near outbreak sites without power infrastructure.
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.
The University of Minnesota Medical School research team has received a $10 million NIH grant to study how animals fight infection. The team will utilize a 'cellular zoo' of living cells from over 100 animal species to understand how different species recognize and respond to viral infections.
A new study suggests that hair can significantly influence the effectiveness of personal decontamination procedures in biocontainment facilities. Researchers found that a minimum standardized shower time may be necessary for effective removal of non-enveloped viruses, and that hair products with low or no detergent activity showed litt...
Researchers discover that emerging tick-borne viruses can escape the human immune system by producing enzymes that remove proteins attached to human proteins, rendering them undetectable. This finding has significant implications for developing a surveillance system to monitor these viruses and potentially mitigating large outbreaks.
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.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has discovered a group of genetically stable viruses that infect an important plant pathogen. The findings suggest that these viruses could be used as tools to fight crop disease, and highlight the need for further research into viral diversity and evolution in agricultural set...
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.
Researchers found ultrafine particulate matter from cruise ships increases inflammatory signals and weakens cells' defense against viruses like COVID-19. The study suggests exposure to vanadium may facilitate viral replication, with potential implications for infection severity and spread.
A large dengue outbreak in Italy was analyzed to identify transmission patterns. The data show that more than half of linked transmission events involved people within 100m apart. Temperature played a role in reducing transmission, with a drop in autumn temperatures contributing to the decline.
Healthcare-associated transmission of Andes virus is uncommon but can occur when infection is not recognized early or protective measures are delayed, research suggests. Implementing transmission-based precautions at earliest stages of infection can prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
Researchers discovered over 47,000 endogenous viral elements in plant genomes, revealing the wide range of hosts infected by Caulimoviridae viruses. The study also found 35 previously undescribed taxonomic clusters, including a new clade in conifers.
A new study by Texas A&M University researchers uses a non-toxic virus to induce Parkinson's-like brain damage and movement problems in animal models. The breakthrough model confirms that viral infections can trigger Parkinson's disease, paving the way for future studies on early warning signs and biological markers.
Researchers have developed a dual-targeting strategy to combat emerging infectious diseases. A fully human monoclonal antibody cocktail provides complete protection against lethal Nipah virus infection, even when treatment is given after infection has begun.
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.
JMIR Publications invites submissions on the 2026 Ebola disease public health emergency of international concern, focusing on response strategies, risk communication, and surveillance. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency due to population mobility and ongoing uncertainty in the Democratic Republic of th...
A University of Minnesota Medical School research team led by Dr. Mark Schleiss has received a $3.87 million NIH grant to investigate congenital CMV transmission during pregnancy. The study aims to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes and prevent lifelong disabilities in children.
A recent study reveals that mosquitoes harbor viruses without killing them due to translational repression, allowing for efficient transmission. The virus takes a moderate approach in mosquito cells, limiting protein production to avoid overloading the host cell.
Hantavirus and Ebola virus disease are two deadly infectious diseases that require rigorous infection and prevention control (IPAC) practices. Both diseases present with similar early symptoms and can be treated effectively with proper precautions.
A study reveals that H5N1 bird flu causes severe infection in cow udders instead of lungs, and identifies a specific glycan receptor subtype as the key to its unusual behavior. This discovery provides a new way to predict the virus's next host jump and potential disease manifestation.
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.
A study analyzing all known Ebola disease cases outside Africa since 1976 found a low overall risk of exportation. Local, community-based case management and infection prevention at the outbreak source are considered key strategies to mitigate transmission risk.
The study found that antigenically drifted viruses caused substantial morbidity and mortality, but vaccines reduced risk of influenza among vaccinated individuals. Recommended antivirals remained effective in treating the virus.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid change that allows coronaviruses to interact with human and bat immune systems differently, shifting the body's response to infection. This alteration enables benign animal viruses to adapt to humans and cause severe disease.
Researchers successfully reconstructed the evolution of the virus-human interaction over the course of an entire pandemic. They identified that strong selection pressure leads to rapid emergence of highly contagious variants, similar to Omicron. This study offers hopes that scientists may predict how viruses evolve in the future.
A study by Okayama University researchers revealed that SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels can assess infection history, symptom severity, and cognitive complications in long COVID. The findings suggest that declining S-antibody levels may indicate a greater risk of neurological complications.
According to new research, a warming climate is making parts of California more suitable for dengue fever transmission. Nearly half of the state's population now lives in areas where conditions allow for local transmission. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of illness and potential outbreaks.
A study led by Dr. Toni Gabaldón rewrites the origin of the first eukaryotes, suggesting a gradual and collaborative process involving multiple bacterial groups and giant viruses. The research provides new insights into the emergence of complex cells in animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
A universal Sarbeco coronavirus vaccine has shown safety and no significant side effects in a human clinical trial, providing protection against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine uses an AI-designed super-antigen to offer lasting protection against emerging virus threats.
A new predictive model developed at Washington State University can identify the reservoirs of emerging zoonotic viruses and dangerous pathogens like Ebola. The model uses serological data and seasonal biological patterns to narrow down when viruses are most likely to be found in wildlife.
A University of Mississippi-led study reveals counties in the US Deep South with high HIV rates and limited access to prevention tools. Public health leaders can use a prevention gap index to identify areas for targeted intervention and allocate resources effectively.
International experts will gather in Valencia to discuss phage therapy's translation from isolated successes to widespread clinical implementation. The challenge now is addressing regulation, manufacturing, accessibility, and clinical integration to make phage therapy a routine healthcare solution.
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.
Climate change is likely to spread chikungunya virus into temperate regions like northeastern North America, central Europe, and East Asia, with the Asian tiger mosquito playing a key role in transmission. Public health officials should prepare by tracking mosquitoes, training doctors, and strengthening control measures by 2040.
A Tulane University study found that long-term antiretroviral treatments did not fully restore key immune functions to protect and repair the gut lining in nonhuman primates with SIV. The researchers discovered that diet-derived compounds from vegetables like broccoli and cabbage may support immune activity involved in gut repair.
A recent study by WSU researchers reveals nearly 30% of rodents in the Palouse region showed evidence of past infection with Sin Nombre virus, a deadly respiratory disease. The study also produced the first full genome sequences of SNV strains from the Northwest, highlighting high genetic diversity and viral reassortment.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that combining key vaccine ingredients could give the body the tools it needs to fight the entire family of arenaviruses with a single vaccine. This approach may protect against life-threatening infections from Lassa virus, Junin virus, and many other arenaviruses.
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...
A recent cohort study found that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The study suggests that vaccination may indirectly reduce overall exposure to the virus.
Viruses play a key role in regulating microbial populations and accelerating carbon release in dark environments, with implications for climate change. A new study identified viruses targeting rare but productive microbes that drive carbon fixation.
A new preclinical study reveals that an overactive viral sensor in the immune system can cause severe complications during flu infection in pregnancy. By blocking this sensor, researchers hope to prevent harmful inflammation and protect developing babies.
Researchers discovered that CD4+ immune cells spot and attack the virus in the liver, leading to viral clearance. This finding points to a potential cure for hepatitis B, with therapies designed to activate these immune cells.
The study found substantial state-level variation in HPV vaccine uptake, with Northeastern states exhibiting higher rates and Southern states showing lower rates. Several sociodemographic factors were not significant predictors of vaccination rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve vaccine uptake.
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 CRISPR protein, Cas12a2, has shown potential for killing sick cells while leaving healthy ones untouched. Researchers have tested its effectiveness in destroying cancer cells and virus-infected cells with promising results.
Research led by University of Utah biologists shows that host genetics and sex influence how influenza viruses evolve. Female mice from a specific strain exhibit accelerated virulence gains compared to male mice.