Articles tagged with Viruses
Researchers developed a novel method to predict antiviral drug targets by analyzing conformational changes in viral glycoproteins. The method, published in Journal of Computational Biology, identifies regions with high free energy, which may be promising for future antiviral drugs or vaccines.
Researchers have identified two novel viruses in Brazilian patients with suspected dengue, one from the Ambidensovirus genus and the other from Chapparvovirus. The study used metagenomics to analyze blood samples and found an unexpected presence of these viruses in human hosts.
Research found that breastfeeding significantly influences viral populations in infant guts, providing a protective effect against pathogenic viruses. Even small amounts of breastmilk can reduce the risk of early gastrointestinal disorders.
A recent study suggests that the proportion of human-infecting viruses does not substantially vary across different taxonomic orders. The researchers found that species-rich orders tend to harbor more human-infecting viruses, but this number scales proportionately with the total number of viruses.
Researchers create nanostructures that can capture and kill viruses, including COVID-19, using ultraviolet light. The coating could be added to masks, gloves, and gowns to protect healthcare providers.
A new study reveals a direct link between virus spillover and environmental change, which threatens wildlife populations. The research highlights how human activities such as hunting, trade, and urbanization increase the risk of virus transmission to humans.
Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered genes for cellular metabolic cycles in the genomes of giant viruses, challenging traditional views on viral life. These genes suggest that giant viruses can alter their hosts' metabolism, shifting nutrient balances and influencing aquatic biogeochemistry.
Researchers find that warmer, more humid environments can slow viral transmission through airborne particles. The ideal relative humidity for indoor environments is between 40-60%. Maintaining moderate humidity levels could be an ally in slowing rates of viral transmission.
A recent study by Jennifer Welsh found that various sea creatures, such as sponges, crabs, and cockles, can remove a significant portion of virus particles from seawater. These findings suggest that non-host organisms play an important role in regulating virus populations in marine environments.
Researchers highlight the challenges of identifying new pathogens, citing a review that explores cutting-edge genetics methods. The study discusses the promise of next-generation sequencing but notes its high cost and complexity. Despite these limitations, experts predict the technology's growing potential in healthcare.
A Northwestern University researcher received an NSF RAPID grant to develop a self-sanitizing face mask that deactivates viruses on contact. The project aims to reduce the number and activity of viruses in respiratory droplets, providing an additional layer of protection for healthcare workers and others.
Researchers used supercomputer simulations to study viral reproduction and DNA replication mechanisms. They discovered that twisting stress in protein filaments plays a key role in creating membrane deformations, which is crucial for virus release and cellular processes.
A UC Riverside-led study reveals that an interplay of energies at the molecular level enables virus shells to form symmetrically. The research could inform the design of engineered nano-shells used in drug delivery, with potential benefits for targeted treatment and reduced toxicity.
Researchers have developed an edible coating using cranberry juice and citrus extract that makes noroviruses more sensitive to gamma irradiation, reducing treatment time by half while preserving food quality. This natural antimicrobial method can prevent cell breakdown and discolouration.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab uncover mechanisms behind dinosaur blood vessel preservation and identify diverse giant viruses worldwide. The study uses X-ray imaging and spectromicroscopy to demonstrate how soft tissue structures may be preserved in dinosaur bones.
Researchers at Colorado State University have discovered how a viral protein regulates genome replication in viruses like West Nile and Zika. The study found that the protein acts as a brake during unwinding, and mutations can affect replication efficiency.
A phase I clinical trial has confirmed the safety and effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody in neutralizing henipaviruses, which have pandemic potential. The antibody, m102.4, was found to be well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, with no serious adverse events reported.
A new study reveals how symbiotic viruses in aphid saliva suppress plants' defense mechanisms, allowing aphids to thrive on new hosts. This unique relationship has potential applications for controlling aphid dispersal and improving crop yields.
A new study shows that a single dose of the Army-developed Zika vaccine can induce potent cross-neutralizing antibody responses against both Zika and dengue viruses. Researchers found that these antibodies, called MZ4, protected against both viruses in a mouse model of infection.
A recent study led by JGI uncovered a broad diversity of large and giant viruses belonging to the NCLDV supergroup. The genomes of these viruses are significantly larger than previously known, with some being up to 100 times the size of typical viruses.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a single-particle method using atomic force microscopy to determine virus isoelectric points, improving the accuracy of characterization and paving the way for more efficient vaccine production and gene therapy manufacturing.
Researchers have developed a new biotechnology platform to produce safer 'hybrid' viruses for vaccines and diagnostics against mosquito-borne diseases. The Binjari virus, inert to humans, is used to create 'dangerous-looking' viruses like Zika and dengue that cannot grow in humans or animals.
A study by Max Delbrück Center researchers explains that avian influenza A viruses are unable to transform infected human cells into effective virus factories due to a lack of the matrix protein M1. The virus requires this protein to export its genetic material from the cell nucleus, which is necessary for building new viruses.
A comprehensive new study by USC marine biologists reveals a stable virus community in the ocean, with constant churning of mutants allowing them to adapt and survive. The findings support the Red Queen hypothesis, suggesting that microbes must constantly evolve to outcompete each other.
The University of Oklahoma is leading a $2.5 million research project to investigate avian influenza virus diversity and transmission. The project aims to improve surveillance and pandemic preparedness by training researchers and engaging the public in disease ecology and evolution.
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have discovered that host cell calpain proteases can process enterovirus polyprotein in vitro. This finding sheds light on the mechanism behind the inhibitory effect of calpain protease inhibition on enterovirus infection.
Researchers have determined the structure of OLPVRII, a unique protein found in giant viruses. The protein forms pentamers and may act as an ion channel, shedding light on its potential role in hosting green algae during viral infection.
Researchers have discovered a way to stop the rabies virus from shutting down the immune system, solving a long-standing scientific puzzle. The breakthrough involves disabling the binding of viral proteins to host cells' STAT1 protein, paving the way for new oral vaccines.
Researchers at UofSC's Arnold School of Public Health discovered a novel treatment approach for Gulf War Illness by repurposing existing antiviral drugs. The study, published in the journal Viruses, shows that adjusting GI tract viruses can help alleviate symptoms such as chronic fatigue and widespread pain.
A new portable DNA sequencer has been developed to rapidly diagnose wheat viruses with high accuracy. The technology has been tested on four wheat samples from western Kansas and detected three different viruses, including a new strain. This breakthrough has broad applications for plant disease identification and field diagnostics.
Harvard researchers have captured the first-ever video of individual viruses assembling, offering a real-time view into their kinetics. The study reveals that viruses follow a specific pathway to form their capsid structure, with proteins arranging themselves into hexagons and pentagons around the RNA core.
Researchers used mathematical models and computer simulations to explain why multipartite viruses predominantly infect plants, rather than animals. The studies found that these viruses can colonize structured populations with less resistance, making them more advantageous for plant hosts.
A potent monoclonal antibody has been developed to impede henipavirus fusion with cell membranes, blocking viral genome injection. The antibody recognizes a specific area of the viral membrane machinery, preventing membrane fusion and keeping viral material out of host cells.
Researchers have developed a new mathematical framework that accurately predicts the positions of proteins in the containers of all icosahedral viruses for the first time. The discovery solves a scientific mystery that has endured for half a century and paves the way for new insights into how viruses form, evolve, and infect their hosts.
Research reveals that viruses have multiple structural models, leading to the potential for more targeted vaccines. The study also provides a new framework for classifying viruses and designing antiviral strategies.
Biologists at Columbia University created a detailed map of protein-protein interactions between human-infecting viruses and infected cells. The study revealed insights into Zika virus infection and HPV's role in cancer, with potential implications for diagnostics and vaccine development.
Scientists have found that Wolbachia's ability to block virus transmission may be maintained by natural selection, alleviating concerns about its long-term effectiveness. The study identified a gene within A. aegypti mosquitoes involved in Wolbachia's blocking trait.
Researchers detected a large unreported Zika outbreak in Cuba during 2017, using virus genomics and travel patterns to identify the outbreak. The study suggests that effective mosquito control campaigns can delay outbreaks, emphasizing the need for alternative detection methods when local case reporting is limited.
A new study reveals that circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA viruses have acquired their genetic components through complex evolutionary processes. The findings show that these viruses are 'obsessive borrowers', appropriating genetic material from various sources, including bacterial and eukaryotic cells.
Researchers have successfully created stable, cancer-like cells in the lab by simultaneously infecting white blood cells with two viruses, Epstein-Barr Virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for understanding the progression of this rare blood cancer and developing treatments.
The LRH-1 protein plays a key role in controlling the immune system, and its inhibition may be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Without LRH-1, the body cannot trigger an immune response, leading to increased damage from pathogens.
A Rutgers-led study confirms the crucial role of viruses in controlling diatom populations, which produce 20% of Earth's oxygen and store carbon dioxide. Low silicon levels accelerate viral infection, releasing nutrients for recycling by other algae.
Researchers found that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in fighting off viral infections in the nervous system. A study using mice showed that bacteria-free animals were unable to eliminate viruses and developed paralysis, while those with normal gut bacteria were better protected.
Researchers found that RNA viruses from managed honeybees were transmitted to wild bumblebees through shared floral resources. The study suggests that managing apiaries may exacerbate the decline of vulnerable bumblebee species.
Researchers at the University of Vermont discovered that viruses from domestic honeybees are spilling over to nearby wild bumblebee populations, primarily through shared flowers. The findings suggest that careful monitoring and treating of diseased honeybee colonies could protect wild bees from these viruses.
A recent study has improved upon Nobel Laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka's cellular reprogramming method, reducing the waiting period from 3-4 weeks to approximately a week. The new method also increases the success rate up to ten-fold, making it easier to apply in clinical settings.
Researchers identified a previously unknown pocket on the surface of picornaviruses, which can be stabilized by a newly-discovered compound. This stabilization prevents shape change and interaction with host cells, making it a promising strategy for developing antiviral medications.
Researchers successfully control virus replication in mosquitoes using Wolbachia, which reduces the risk of human disease. The study shows promise for long-term efficacy of Wolbachia as a control option for mosquito-transmitted diseases.
Researchers found that creating a viral YouTube ad requires arousing strong emotion through captivating plots, surprising endings, and authentic characters. Ads placed at the end of the video and between 1.2 to 1.7 minutes in length are also more likely to be shared.
Researchers from Swansea University have published a study examining the unexpected genes carried by these giant viruses found inside amoebae. The findings provide valuable information on how these viruses may be linked to some forms of pneumonia, paving the way for new treatments and understanding their biology.
A team at Washington University School of Medicine has created a detailed picture of the chikungunya virus latched onto a protein found on cells in joints. This image promises to accelerate efforts to design drugs and vaccines to prevent or treat arthritis caused by chikungunya or related viruses.
A new statistical machine learning framework has been developed to reconstruct the original network after a viral attack, which is crucial for designing new medicines or gene therapies against viruses and diseases like cancer. The framework actively incorporates the influence and causality of the attack into its learning algorithm.
Researchers used cryogenic electron microscopy to visualize the virus's protein shell and its condensed genome, which forms a liquid crystal state. The study sheds light on how viruses replicate and may contribute to tackling viral diseases.
Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University proposed a new configuration for nanoscopes that uses special diffraction gratings with gold plates, allowing for accelerated image generation without losing magnification power. The study's results are published in Annalen der Physik and show improvements in resolution up to 0.3 λ.
Research suggests that e-cigarettes can diminish the body's ability to fight viruses, including those causing the flu. Cigarettes, on the other hand, appear to increase the risk of becoming sick from the flu due to different factors.
Researchers from Germany have found that a previous dengue infection can protect against Zika-associated damage. This discovery has important implications for pregnant women, particularly those living in regions with high Zika virus prevalence.
A study found that host-cell enzymes PARP12 and PARP14 play a crucial role in combating mutant coronavirus replication. The macrodomain of the virus is required to prevent these enzymes from inhibiting viral replication and enhancing the production of antiviral proteins.
An online intervention with real-time information on locally circulating viruses reduced mothers' intentions to visit the doctor for a respiratory tract infection. Participants in the intervention group had lower intentions than those in the control group, according to the study published in The Annals of Family Medicine.
A team of microbiologists and pulmonologists at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a previously unknown viral family, Redondoviridae, which is the second-most common DNA virus in human lung and mouth specimens. The virus is associated with severe critical illness and gum disease, respectively.
Scientists discovered a giant virus, Medusavirus, that turns amoebas into stone-like cysts and harbors ancient proteins crucial to eukaryotic life. This finding suggests a possible relationship between the virus and the emergence of complex life.