Articles tagged with Viruses
Researchers have found a common protein involved in both sexual reproduction and viral infections, which could lead to breakthroughs in controlling parasites like malaria. The discovery reveals that the protein acts as a biochemical 'key' enabling cell fusion, and its structure is similar to that of viruses.
Researchers have successfully protected mice against Zika by injecting synthetic messenger RNA that encodes for virus proteins into the animals. The vaccine triggers an immune response and prevents viral replication in 95% of the mice.
Researchers say viral charity campaigns like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge have a shallow 'half-life' and require a shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. Dr. Sander van der Linden's SMART formula outlines social influences, moral imperatives, affective reactions, and translational impact as key psychological levers.
The journal focuses on virus evolution and publishes work that benefits science, technology, and medicine. It offers fast decision times, timely publication, and high-quality peer review with an international editorial board.
A recent study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that the 10-year incidence of liver cancer in UK patients with cirrhosis is as low as 4%. Patients with cirrhosis due to chronic viral hepatitis have the highest risk, but even then, it's lower than expected.
A recent study has provided the first details of how enteroviruses, which cause millions of infections worldwide annually, may enter the body through the intestine. The researchers used a mini-gut model to demonstrate that echovirus 11 induced significant damage to intestinal cells, facilitating passage into the bloodstream.
A small group of children with autism and moderate to severe gastrointestinal problems showed significant improvements in behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms after receiving a fecal transplant. Parents reported positive changes that lasted at least eight weeks after treatment, while doctor-reported symptoms decreased by 22-24%.
Researchers discovered flaviviruses like Dengue and Zika use an unexpected mechanism to hijack human cell machinery, suppressing translation initiation while promoting viral protein synthesis. This finding may reveal new targets for designing antiviral therapies.
A Penn study identifies specific biological properties of HIV-1 strains that facilitate infection, including increased infectivity and resistance to interferons. This research may aid in the development of vaccines against HIV-1 by targeting these key characteristics.
A new study published in Diabetologia suggests that enterovirus infections are associated with the onset of autoimmunity in children who develop type 1 diabetes. The study found a higher incidence of enterovirus infections in children with T1D compared to control children, particularly those who developed islet autoantibodies.
Researchers analyzed genetic sequences of the virus and found specific mutations that occurred as it crossed the Pacific Ocean, suggesting new hypotheses for its association with microcephaly and GBS. The analysis also revealed potential relationships between viral infection and severe symptoms in adults and infants.
Researchers discovered a 17th-century variola virus in a child mummy, providing a more accurate timeline for the evolution of smallpox. The study suggests that smallpox may have appeared in humans more recently than previously thought, and its evolutionary history was influenced by human migration and colonization.
Biologists observed the emergence of two distinct virus species within a month-long experiment, leveraging a harmless human virus and two types of bacteria with varying receptors. This rapid process, known as speciation, was previously challenging to study due to its slow pace.
VirusDetect is a free, open-source bioinformatics pipeline that analyzes small RNA datasets to identify both known and novel viruses. Researchers can predict the presence of RNA viruses, DNA viruses, and viroids using an antiviral defense system called RNA interference (RNAi).
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses have been reported in Europe via wild bird migration, primarily affecting poultry and wild birds. The risk of transmission to the general public is considered very low, but people handling infected birds may be at risk.
Researchers at UTMB have created a Zika virus replicon system that strips the virus of its infectious genes, reducing safety risks. This tool will aid in vaccine development and understanding viral replication and mutations.
Scientists have found that mosquitoes can carry both Zika and chikungunya viruses simultaneously, potentially infecting humans with both diseases in a single bite. The study suggests that co-infection with chikungunya may inhibit infection of Zika virus in mosquitoes, impacting the epidemiology of two mosquito-borne viruses.
Researchers developed a new laboratory system to study the deformed wing virus, showing viral antigens in all body areas, particularly in gland tissue. The discovery could lead to targeted strategies against disease-causing viruses and improve bee colony survival.
Scientists have found that the Zika virus uses a complex molecular process to produce disease-causing small RNAs. The researchers used x-ray crystallography to understand the structure of these RNA segments, which interact with and block cellular enzymes.
A new study reveals that an individual's birth year plays a crucial role in determining their susceptibility to specific flu strains. The research found that people born before and after 1968 have reduced risk of severe disease from novel strains within the same group.
A lab at Southern Methodist University is searching for a biological mechanism to intervene in the growth of virus-induced cancers. The researchers discovered that certain viruses, including human T-cell leukemia virus and high-risk human papillomaviruses, share a common mechanism to evade the immune system.
Researchers at Binghamton University are using a National Science Foundation grant to study the potential of hardware in detecting malware. By modifying a computer's central processing unit (CPU) chip, the team aims to improve malware detection and provide continuous protection without requiring significant software investment.
The discovery of the Moku virus highlights a new threat to bees worldwide, particularly honey bees that pollinate vital crops. The novel pathogen has the potential to spread globally and cause widespread harm to honey bee colonies.
Scientists created a coarse-grained model of the Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV) capsid and applied forces to it. This allowed them to see how the capsid broke apart, providing clues about its assembly process. The study reveals that weaker protein-protein contacts assemble first, followed by stronger ones.
A recent study reveals that archaic and modern humans co-diverged with a common HPV16 strain, which was then transmitted through sexual contact with Neanderthals. This ancient 'hanky panky' may have influenced the spread of STIs, explaining regional diversity in HPV16 strains.
A new study reveals that household wastewater can release disease-causing pathogens into the air during irrigation, contaminating crops. On moderately windy days, up to 89% of these pathogens were released within half an hour of soil irrigation.
Researchers used existing compounds to target the critical CHIKV protease enzyme, showing potent activity against the virus. Several compounds proved to be effective inhibitors of RNA synthesis and virus replication.
Researchers have engineered a novel, virus-like shell that can self-assemble and carry therapeutic DNA or RNA into human cells. This breakthrough could advance gene therapy treatments for rare genetic diseases and common conditions like diabetes.
Researchers have discovered that a yeast gene called XRN1 rapidly evolves to recognize and destroy attacking viruses. This finding suggests that non-immunity proteins can play a role in viral defense. The study's results provide new insights into the genetic arms race between hosts and viruses.
Researchers have cataloged 15,222 genetically distinct viruses and grouped them into 867 clusters, revealing their role in nature. The study could lead to ways to fine-tune viruses to sink carbon into the deep ocean, a potential strategy for managing climate change.
Researchers Tim Stasevich and Brian Munsky are using sensitive microscopes and computational analysis to quantify protein expression in single cells. They aim to illuminate the hijacking of host cells by viruses, a process never before seen.
Researchers found that female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can pass the Zika virus to their eggs and offspring. This discovery highlights the importance of using larvicides to curb the spread of the virus. The study suggests that controlling adult mosquitoes may not be enough to eliminate the virus.
Scientists have identified a new multicomponent virus called Guaico Culex virus (GCXV) that can infect animals but not mammals. The discovery highlights the diversity of host ranges among viruses and underscores the need for continued research to better prepare for emerging diseases.
A new study suggests that cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is linked to malaria and Epstein-Barr virus, particularly in children born to mothers with malaria during pregnancy. This increased risk of infection may lead to early exposure and a weakened immune system, making it harder for the body to manage the virus.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed an efficient approach to study ribozyme mutants, revealing key findings about the structure and properties of these RNA molecules. The study found that ribozymes are highly robust against mutations, potentially explaining their widespread presence across different forms of life.
Researchers at Australian National University predict that a warmer climate could lead to a decrease in dengue transmission in certain regions, such as northeast Australia. This finding is relevant to other mosquito-borne viruses like Zika, and highlights the need for continued monitoring of global health impacts.
A new virus, largemouth bass reovirus, has been discovered in association with a 2015 fish kill in Pine Lake, Wisconsin. The virus is a distant relative of known pathogens and makes the species a key suspect in fish mortality.
A research group at Osaka University has clarified the molecular mechanism behind inducing germinal-center B cells to differentiate into memory B cells, a crucial step in creating effective vaccines. This breakthrough reveals that lower-affinity maturation of antigens is key to memory B cell differentiation.
A study reveals that viruses have driven protein adaptation in humans and other mammals, with 30% of all protein adaptations since humans' divergence from chimpanzees being influenced by viruses. This discovery sheds light on the impact of viruses on cellular machinery and could lead to new therapeutic leads against viral threats.
Scientists discover that chewed plants by mountain gorillas can be used to test for viruses, providing a simple way to monitor the health of endangered apes. The new non-invasive method is effective for detecting both RNA and DNA viruses and has implications for conservation management.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia discovered a novel mechanism by which viruses shut down alarm signals that trigger immune responses. By trapping an important signaling molecule inside the cell nucleus, viral protein VII prevents it from sounding an alarm to the immune system.
Researchers found that mosquito bites enhance the replication of viral infections like Zika and dengue by triggering an inflammatory response in the body. Anti-inflammatory medications may be effective in stopping this process and preventing severe illness.
Researchers found that mosquito bites can facilitate viral replication and spread by triggering an inflammatory response in the skin. The study suggests new approaches for combating viruses, including using topical creams to suppress bite inflammation.
A new study maps the geographical ranges of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, across 183 counties in 26 states and 1,241 counties in 40 states.
A team of scientists analyzed multiple studies on three well-known viral families to understand how viruses evolve and increase their genetic diversity. They found that segmented RNA viruses can replicate with a single parental line, but reassortment between viruses is limited by physical and molecular constraints.
Researchers at Umea University have discovered that mosquito larvae in the Västerbotten region carry viruses that can cause infectious disease, including Sindbis virus and Inkoo virus. These findings indicate that the viruses can be transferred from female mosquitoes to their eggs.
The Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe) provides a free online software suite to analyze online trends and memes. The tool offers four modules: Trends, Networks, Movies, and Maps, allowing users to explore how information spreads in social networks.
The study details the transmission of Zika virus through mosquitoes and human-to-human contact, as well as its association with neurological disorders and birth defects. Researchers emphasize the need for antiviral agents and vaccines to combat the outbreak.
New research confirms Zika virus was present in Haiti and possibly earlier, contradicting early theories on its spread in the Americas. The discovery sheds light on the virus's history and suggests a more complex spread than initially thought.
A surface mutation in canine parvovirus (CPV) allows it to infect hosts of different species, including wild forest-dwelling animals like raccoons. This critical step increases the virus's ability to spread.
Human placental trophoblasts resistant to Zika virus proliferation and release an antiviral molecule called type III interferon to stop viral replication. Mouse models show high virus levels in brain, spinal cord, and testes after inoculation through skin.
Researchers found that social media campaigns can attract attention worldwide but do not necessarily lead to significant fundraising or action. The study suggests that the visibility of social media messages is often not matched by a corresponding increase in donations.
Researchers have successfully observed raft domains in live cells using new fluorescent probes, revealing dynamic interactions between gangliosides and cholesterol. The findings open up new avenues for investigating how toxins, bacteria, and viruses invade cells through these membrane structures.
Researchers identify two distinct HSV-1 virus strains in an individual, revealing their European/North American and Asian origins. The discovery opens doors to tracing a person's life history using genetic fingerprinting of viral genomes.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the Zika virus strain isolated from an infected patient in French Polynesia. The analysis revealed that Zika's structure is similar to other flaviviruses, but with a slight difference in a region important for binding to antibodies and host receptors.
A high-throughput RNA interference screen identified fibrillarin as a crucial host protein required for live henipavirus infection in human cells. This discovery suggests that methyltransferase enzymes, including fibrillarin, represent a potential target for the development of anti-henipavirus drugs.
A study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identified biological factors predicting viral transmission efficiency among humans. Low host mortality and extended survival time increase a virus's ability to spread, while envelope structures and insect vectors hinder emergence.
Researchers at PolyU have developed a novel nano biosensor for rapid detection of flu virus using upconversion luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) process. The technology reduces testing duration from 1-3 days to 2-3 hours and costs around HK$20 per sample, making it a low-cost and efficient diagnostic tool.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new innate immunity pathway that protects mammals from viral oncogenesis, a process causing cancer. The study found that the autophagy-related protein beclin 2 can help break down key oncogenic viral proteins associated with Kaposi's sarcoma.
Researchers discovered that common drugs for psychosis and depression can prevent certain viruses from infecting cells by blocking potassium ion channels. This breakthrough finding has potential to stop deadly viruses from spreading and causing human disease.