Articles tagged with Viruses
Indiana University is developing a groundbreaking combination oral rotavirus-norovirus vaccine for infants, aiming to protect against severe vomiting and diarrhea. The vaccine, based on the existing rotavirus vaccine, uses norovirus proteins to trigger an immune response.
Researchers discover medusavirus undergoes four stages of maturation within host cells, with unique particle structures and DNA-protein exchange mechanisms. The findings provide new insights into giant viruses' biology and behavior.
The study reveals the structure of D13 and its role in assembling into a protein scaffold, which is critical for virus replication. The researchers discovered two ways the proteins interact to form a spherical honeycomb lattice, with a small helix structure playing a key role in assembly.
Researchers found that prior infection with common human coronaviruses does not provide immunity against SARS-CoV-2 due to limited cross-reactive antibodies. This suggests no significant adverse effects from antibody-dependent enhancement, reducing the risk of COVID-19 complications.
Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-born biochemist, received the 2022 Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Biotechnology for her decades-long research leading to the development of safe and effective mRNA vaccines. Her work has had a profound impact on culture and society, particularly in the fight against COVID-19.
A University of Gothenburg study found that IgA antibodies present in the respiratory tract protected healthcare workers from contracting COVID-19. The research, published in the European Journal of Immunology, suggests that these antibodies may play a crucial role in preventing severe illness and hospitalization.
Researchers found that a monkey variant of HIV uses different amino acids to counteract human tetherin than it does in monkeys, suggesting a potential route for SIV to infect humans.
Genetic testing of saliva samples has been shown to be more quick and sensitive than nasal swab testing for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus, with implications for improving public acceptance of COVID-19 testing and reducing healthcare worker risks
Frank Aylward aims to understand the effects of giant viruses on ecosystems and their hosts' evolution. His research will also develop novel bioinformatic tools and resources for genomic analysis of giant viruses.
A new research project led by Professor Edze Westra aims to uncover the mechanisms of molecular communication in viruses, which coordinate their infections and replicate in infected cells. The team will use a combination of theoretical, experimental, and observational approaches to address key questions about viral communication systems.
A study found that double vaccinated individuals generate a potent and broad neutralizing antibody response after a delta breakthrough infection. This response provides protection against current variants of concern, including omicron.
Scientists at Emory University have identified Heartland virus in lone star ticks in central Georgia, confirming its active transmission within the state. The study reveals that the virus is evolving rapidly and may be confined to isolated areas, highlighting the need for further research on this emerging infectious disease.
A UC Riverside-led team developed a theory and performed simulations to understand how viruses package their genetic material. The research reveals that capsid proteins are inclined to form shells around viral RNAs due to lower stress distribution, which can aid in designing nanocontainers for drug delivery.
A study found that a subtype of Newcastle disease virus caused the deaths of dozens of pigeons in São Paulo City. The researchers sequenced the viral genome and identified tissue wounds to determine the cause of death, revealing subgenotype VI.2.1.2 as the responsible pathogen. The risk to humans and poultry is considered low.
Research simulations show cloth masks filter out only 10% of airborne particles, making them ineffective against airborne viral transmission. The study recommends using N95s or FFP2s for mask protection instead.
A new study reveals that face masks can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission, with risks decreasing by up to 99% when worn correctly. The researchers developed a more advanced model to assess viral exposure risks and found that even short distances become negligible with proper mask-wearing.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that individuals in England reduced their social contacts by up to 75% during the most restrictive lockdown periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduction in contact was maintained throughout the year, with people only reaching 50% of pre-pandemic levels during less stringent policies.
New research confirms RepelWrap sheds both viruses and bacteria, increasing its utility for interrupting infection transmission. The technology has been filed for patents and is moving towards scaled-up production.
A new variant of the Hendra virus has been detected in Australian horses, emphasizing the need for ongoing disease surveillance. The discovery was made possible by a seven-year effort to create a network of frontline veterinarians and researchers aiming to detect new viruses.
Researchers discovered that gut bacteria can awaken dormant viruses by producing colibactin, leading to cell-killing infections. This finding suggests a possible link between colibactin-producing bacteria and cancer, potentially benefiting the bacteria's own survival.
A new bacterial strain, Noda2021, belonging to Candidatus phylum Dependentiae has been isolated and sequenced, revealing its genetic material and potential ecological significance. This discovery sheds light on the diversity of microorganisms in Japan's microbiological hotspots.
A recent study revealed that current tomato cultivars are vulnerable to the emerging ToBRFV, a damaging virus affecting tomatoes and other crops. The research also developed a molecular detection tool to identify infectious virus particles carried on contaminated seeds.
Researchers sequenced genetic material from 88 bats and identified four unique rabies viruses, providing baseline data for future epidemiological investigations. The study highlights the importance of monitoring bat populations for rabies transmission and informs vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers detect four cryptic variants of SARS-CoV-2 in NYC wastewater samples, suggesting possible animal origins. The variants' mutations could help identify the next variant of concern for COVID-19.
Researchers are using a salamander virus to predict the future of biodiversity amid a changing climate. The study aims to create better models to understand how climate change and infectious diseases interact, with potential implications for conserving species at risk of extinction.
A Zika virus vaccine candidate has been shown to prevent fetal malformations and detect maternal antibodies in pregnant animals. The vaccine has demonstrated high levels of protection against Zika infection in both mice and marmosets, with over 90% effectiveness observed.
A new study by Washington State University scientists reveals that viral proteins interact with each other to disable plant defenses, allowing viruses to hijack their hosts. When some of these proteins are disabled, the virus cannot move from cell to cell, highlighting a promising approach to prevent crop losses.
Researchers have created a new, simpler way to fabricate SERS nanostructures with superior stability and performance at low cost. By using a heat-resistant polymer called polyimide (PI), they can produce nanosurfaces with nanopillars that enhance signal intensity for efficient chemical detection. The new fabrication method has the pote...
Biologists at the University of Leeds created high-resolution images of the foot-and-mouth disease virus, revealing fibril structures that play a key role in replication. These findings could lead to new antiviral treatments for diseases caused by the virus.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and multiple sclerosis. The risk of MS increased 32-fold after EBV infection, while serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of nerve degeneration, only increased after EBV infection.
Researchers discovered the ZIP-1 gene acts as a cell's first-line response to infection, controlling immune responses to viruses and other threats. The finding could have implications for identifying similar genes that control immune responses in humans.
Researchers found that zika virus injections destroyed brain tumors in mice and reduced tumor size in cerebral organoids, with immune cells alerting the system to its existence. This approach opens up prospects for virotherapy treatment of central nervous system tumors.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have identified a crucial protein, myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA), that regulates type I interferon production in response to viral infections. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for the development of new therapies to boost or suppress immune responses, p...
A study published in PNAS reveals that dengue-infected mosquitoes are more attracted to mammals and bite more often, increasing disease transmission chances. The research found that infected mosquitoes have difficulty locating blood vessels for feeding, leading to increased biting attempts and transmission events.
A study led by Georgetown University scientists demonstrates the power of artificial intelligence in predicting viruses that could infect humans, such as SARS-CoV-2. The research team identified 40 new bat hosts of betacoronaviruses and found that models harnessing data on bat ecology performed well at predicting new hosts.
A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that crAss-like phages, a component of the gut virome, are less abundant in individuals with autoimmune diseases. This discovery may lead to the development of targeted therapies to manage autoimmune conditions.
A novel quantum-based sensor has been developed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus with high accuracy and speed. The sensor uses nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond to detect minute perturbations in the presence of viral RNA, enabling fast and reliable detection.
Researchers create plan for proactively developing drug cocktails against virus families, aiming to provide effective treatments in weeks, not months. The approach prioritizes combination therapy to reduce disease spread and limit viral adaptation.
A model analyzed air and droplet dynamics, heat transfer, and ventilation in public transportation vehicles. It found that droplets from window seats rose more and invaded other passengers' space after exhalation, while those from aisle seats contaminated aisle passengers more due to downward flow of personal ventilation.
Researchers at NIST developed new standards and calibrations for optical microscopes, enabling accurate measurement of microdroplet volumes smaller than 100 trillionths of a liter. They combined microscopy with gravimetry to verify results, linking their findings to fundamental constants of nature.
Scientists have developed a fusion protein that successfully blocks replication of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses in cell culture tests. The protein combines ACE2 with human antibody fragments, providing reliable protection against future mutations.
A new mathematical model developed by USC researchers uses a generator-based approach to analyze mutations in genomic datasets, allowing for the prediction of virus evolution and detection. This tool can be applied to various pathogens, including crops, enabling proactive protection measures.
Researchers report that combining infection and vaccination produces high-quality antibodies effective against COVID-19 variants. The study found that prior-infected individuals who received a vaccine had potent antibodies against new variants, contrary to previous findings suggesting reduced potency.
Chemists at UNIGE have developed a new method to rapidly generate millions of molecule combinations using DNA-pairing processes, finding the best match for target proteins within two weeks. This technique uses evolutionary forces to amplify the best combinations and generates diversity.
Researchers have identified pigtailed macaques as a suitable animal model for studying two emerging tick-borne hemorrhagic viruses, Kyasanur Forest disease and Alkhurma hemorrhagic disease. The study found that infected macaques exhibited symptoms similar to those in humans, including loss of appetite, dehydration, and hemorrhaging.
Researchers found 2.4 times the rate of arbovirosis as originally reported, including coinfections, suggesting underestimation of the incidence of the three viruses. The study enriches epidemiological information on these arboviruses, which can help improve estimates of burden and resource allocation.
Researchers have discovered that ulvan extracted from marine algae can prevent the infection of cells with the Corona virus. The study suggests that this cheap and accessible natural material may help solve the global spread of the pandemic in developing countries without access to vaccines.
Researchers found that drivers touch their face nearly 30 times an hour on average, with the most common areas being the face, hair, neck, and shoulders. This behavior can spread germs and infection, particularly when handwashing is inadequate.
A Houston Methodist study found that lifting COVID-19 restrictions led to a rapid return of seasonal respiratory viruses, highlighting the effectiveness of masking and distancing measures. The study's findings demonstrate that these precautions can suppress all respiratory viruses, not just COVID-19.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that rodents have a greater diversity and accelerated rate of evolution in the ACE2 receptors used by SARS viruses. This suggests that some rodent species may be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, potentially leading to new pathogen transmission to humans.
States allowing minors to consent to HPV vaccination without parental involvement showed higher vaccine series initiation rates from 2015 to 2018, according to a JAMA Pediatrics analysis of nearly 82,000 adolescents. The study found increased vaccine uptake in these states compared to those with parental consent requirements.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that naturally acquired immunity to malaria works differently than immunity following vaccination. The immune system uses natural killer cells to fight the parasite, which is more tailored to the disease than other typical infections.
A Quebec research team conducted the first-ever study to examine the long-term protective effect of the BCG vaccine against COVID-19. Despite previous studies suggesting a correlation between childhood vaccination status and lower mortality rates, the researchers found no long-term protective effect of BCG against COVID-19.
Scientists have identified the molecular origins of recombination in RNA viruses, a process that can lead to the emergence of new variants. The study reveals a new class of antiviral drugs that target this mechanism, but warns of potential risks when used in large quantities.
A recent study published in eLife reveals that the shape of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) plays a crucial role in determining infection outcomes. Researchers found that RSV viruses change from long, rod-shaped particles to more rounded ones during infection, which affects the activation of complement proteins by the immune system.
Scientists at Einstein College of Medicine have successfully suppressed HIV infections in mice using a novel treatment strategy that boosts the immune system's CD8+ T cells. The therapy, known as synTac, selectively targets HIV-infected T cells, eliminating them from the body and offering a potential path to a functional cure for HIV.
Researchers found that a coagulation method using electricity effectively removes and inactivates nonenveloped viruses from untreated water. The process involves the use of iron electrodes to produce hydroxyl radicals, which aggregate with viruses, making them easier to remove.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced influenza reporting, but vaccination and strengthened surveillance are critical for a possible resurgence. Research highlights the importance of flu vaccination and early testing for non-influenza respiratory viruses.
Researchers found that a light breeze of about 5 mph extends effective social distancing by around 20% due to increased viral load persistence. Wearing masks outdoors reduces the chances of infection, with stronger winds increasing virus spread.
The WSU-led DEEP VZN project aims to detect and characterize unknown viruses that can spill over from wildlife to human populations. The project plans to collect over 800,000 samples and screen the genomes of novel viruses with high zoonotic potential.