Articles tagged with Viruses
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered a new antiviral drug, NGI-1, that blocks the replication of multiple mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including Zika, dengue, and yellow fever. The drug targets the host's oligosaccharyltransferase complex, reducing the need for high concentrations and minimizing harm to human cells.
Researchers found hundreds of protein folds present across all superkingdoms of life and in various viruses, suggesting an ancient origin. The study also revealed exclusive gene transfers between specific groups of viruses and their hosts, pointing to unknown mechanisms for viral genetic material exchange.
Scientists have characterized the infection mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus by inserting an envelope protein into host cell membranes. The study also reveals a shared recognition pocket with other human pathogenic viruses, paving the way for new therapeutic agents.
Researchers have created artificial codes to regulate viral assembly, outperforming natural codes in efficiency. The new understanding of viral self-assembly codes could lead to breakthroughs in cancer therapy and immunization.
Scientists have identified a new player in viral infection, revealing how certain long noncoding RNAs can aid viruses in hijacking host cells. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding host-virus interactions to develop effective antiviral strategies.
Researchers uncover 25 novel virophage sequences, doubling the known number of these tiny viral parasites. This discovery sheds light on their ecological role and importance in shaping lake ecosystems.
A team of scientists believes they've identified Paranthropus boisei as the species that likely contracted HSV2 and transmitted it to human ancestors, including Homo erectus. The study suggests the virus jumped from ancestral chimpanzees via an intermediate hominin species.
A newly-developed dipstick test sensitively identified Zika virus and all four dengue virus subtypes with no cross-reactivity. The test detected viral proteins at lower concentrations, making it a potential tool for diagnosing emerging pathogens.
Researchers from Aalto University Finland have developed a method to assemble metal-protein superlattice wires using viruses and nanoparticles. The study demonstrates that combining native Tobacco Mosaic Virus with gold nanoparticles can lead to high-aspect-ratio superlattice wires with controlled optical properties.
Researchers at KU Leuven discovered that humans no longer have the Argonaute proteins that help insects and plants fight viruses. This loss explains why RNAi is less effective in humans than in insects.
Researchers at University of Southampton discover natural killer cells can recognize global pathogens through a single receptor, paving the way for a new type of vaccine. The study identifies a non-variable part of the virus called the NS3 helicase protein as a key target for the immune system.
A Melbourne research team has identified a protein called SIDT2 as critical for cells to detect viral components and initiate an immune response. This discovery has important implications for delivering new therapeutics based on dsRNA.
A recent survey of DNA fragments in human blood suggests that the majority of microbes inside us have never been seen before. The study, led by Stanford University researchers, found that nearly all non-human DNA fragments failed to match existing genetic databases, revealing a vast and diverse microbiome.
Researchers found plasmids, small DNA molecules that replicate independently, in Antarctic haloarchaea microbes. These plasmids can masquerade as viruses and infect other cells, potentially evolving into protective coats for successful virus invasion.
Researchers found that avian flu viruses isolated from humans have the same gene sequences as those from birds, suggesting transmission through the mineral layer. The mineralized shell changes the electric surface potential of the virus, allowing it to adsorb efficiently onto host cells.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered that certain viruses evade the innate immune system by spreading to blood and being fought off in organs like the liver and spleen. This finding could lead to better treatments for viral infections like Zika, dengue, and measles.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers highlights the need for protective measures to prevent pig-to-human flu transmission at fairs. The study found that shorter exhibition lengths and proper hygiene practices can significantly reduce disease transmission.
Researchers studied viruses from different eras to understand how they evade the host's immune response. Viruses collected in the 1990s are more effective at suppressing immune systems than those from the 1950s, leading to severe symptoms and high mortality rates.
A team of researchers has created a three-dimensional movie showing a virus preparing to infect a healthy cell. The study uses powerful algorithms and X-ray imaging equipment to reveal the sequential images of the virus's molecular machinery. The findings provide new insights into how viruses undergo changes during infection.
A new study found that prior dengue or yellow fever exposure does not increase susceptibility to severe Zika virus infection in rhesus macaques. The researchers observed no significant differences in clinical factors between previously infected and uninfected monkeys after Zika virus infection.
The University of Delaware has received $6 million in grants from the National Science Foundation to study how viruses impact microbes, with a focus on improving crop yields and developing new drug therapies. The research team will develop microfluidics technology to examine single virus-cell and microbial interactions.
A new antibody-based assay developed by researchers at UC Berkeley and Humabs BioMed has shown very high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing Zika virus infections from those caused by similar viruses. The test is simple, cost-effective, and can be used to detect both recent and past Zika virus infections.
A study of viral tweets during the final two months of the 2016 election race found that Clinton was heavily criticised on social media compared to Trump. The study, which analysed almost 3,500 posts, revealed a wide disparity between traditional media and social media, where Clinton was worse off.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a new sensor technology that can measure tiny objects with high accuracy, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medical diagnosis and gas detection. The sensor uses electromagnetism to determine mass, reducing interference and enabling wireless transmission of results.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that non-autonomous viruses can infect the same plant and exchange DNA to help each other prosper. This 'commensal' partnership with another virus species is crucial in establishing life cycles, with exchanging noncoding regulatory sequences playing a key role.
A new study analyzed flu samples from four transplant patients with long-lasting infections, revealing certain viral changes that matched global flu evolution trends. The researchers found that some mutations fixed in these patients would eventually take over the worldwide population of viruses.
A team of scientists has identified genetic mutations that could potentially allow the bird flu strain H7N9 to spread between humans. The researchers found that certain mutations in a key protein could enable the virus to latch onto human cells, sparking concerns about a potential pandemic.
Researchers have discovered a solution to evade the immune system, allowing more patients to participate in gene therapy clinical trials. The altered virus can slip past neutralizing antibodies, making it possible for up to 70% of patients previously ineligible to join trials.
Macrophages from CAD patients suppress T cell activation, driven by pyruvate and PD-L1. This mechanism may contribute to immune dysfunction and reactivation of long-latent viruses like varicella zoster virus.
Researchers at OIST used one-atom-thin graphene film to drastically enhance the quality of electron microscopy images of biological specimens. The low-energy electrons interact strongly with the virus sample but not with the background graphene layer, providing high contrast and resolving tiny details.
Researchers used genome sequencing to track Zika virus spread across Brazil, discovering it was present a year before first confirmed cases. The study's findings have significant public health implications and could improve responses to future outbreaks.
A new study published in Nature reveals that the Zika virus outbreak in Florida was not a single introduction but rather at least four separate introductions that led to local chains of transmission. The research found that most Florida introductions are linked to the Caribbean, and mosquito control efforts helped limit the spread of t...
Researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered how polyomaviruses hijack cellular molecular motors to build a portal for itself, allowing it to reach the nucleus and cause problems. The findings could aid in the development of new treatments or preventive strategies against polyomavirus diseases such as Merkel cell carcinoma.
Researchers developed custom-engineered protein destroying MERS virus in cultured human cells within 24 hours. Synthetic ubiquitin variants also target Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, showing promise for future anti-viral medicine.
A recent study led by Colorado State University researchers found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can transmit multiple viruses simultaneously, including Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. The findings contradict existing research on coinfections and suggest that these simultaneous transmissions may be more common than previously thought.
A recent $540,000 NASA grant will fund a team of researchers at Portland State University to study the nature of a hybrid virus discovered by Ken Stedman in a hot spring. The study aims to shed light on the evolutionary history of viruses and their ability to adapt and infect hosts.
A novel compound called AV-C triggers a cell's innate antiviral system, inhibiting replication of Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue viruses. Researchers discovered the compound through high-throughput screening, which shows potential as an antiviral immunotherapy.
Researchers analyzed rooster testes to uncover how piRNA shields germ cells from viral invaders. The study reveals a unique defense mechanism that could be adapted to combat human diseases related to viruses like avian leukosis virus, which can lead to cancer in chickens and is related to similar viruses in humans.
Researchers identified cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) as the protein responsible for detecting viral infection, but dengue virus counteracts this by degrading cGAS. This study sheds light on a novel mechanism by which viruses evade immune detection and may inform techniques to dampen pro-inflammatory responses.
A group of giant viruses, called Klosneuviruses, were identified as acquiring components from many other viruses and proteins in an evolutionarily recent timeframe. The analysis suggests that these whopper viruses did not evolve from a cellular ancestor but rather are derived from a much smaller virus through extensive gene gain.
Researchers discovered that viral infections can break oral tolerance to dietary antigens, leading to celiac disease. The study highlights the previously unexplored connection between viral infection and immune responses in mice.
Scientists have discovered novel viruses in oceanic basement fluids, infecting microorganisms and influencing the chemical balance of oceans. The study provides insights into the origins of life and the role of viruses in shaping life on Earth.
Researchers aim to learn how to provide healthier aquatic environments for animals and plants by studying viruses in controlled aquariums. The study will explore unique relationships between fish, animals, and plants with microbes.
Researchers have discovered how viruses disable CRISPR-Cas systems, a sophisticated defense mechanism against bacterial infections. Anti-CRISPR proteins lock down the system's ability to identify and attack viral DNA, making them 'exceptionally clever' evolutionary tools.
Research finds that dengue virus transmissions are often centered in and around homes, with a high percentage of cases related to individuals living within a short distance. The study's findings could aid in developing targeted mosquito control programs and reducing severe illness.
Researchers found that most dengue virus infections occur within neighborhoods and are transmitted by the same family of mosquitoes. The study suggests that large urban centers can spread dengue diversity, which can be dispersed to other areas.
Researchers have developed a rapid-testing prototype that weighs under a pound, costs as little as $100 and can detect mosquito-borne illnesses within 30 minutes. The device uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) diagnostic method to test for Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses.
A molecule naturally produced by the immune system protects mice and monkeys against Zika virus infection, reducing fetal brain damage and microcephaly. Administering 25-hydroxycholesterol to pregnant mice also protected them from Zika-induced developmental defects.
A new strain of ranivirus is causing mass mortality in amphibian populations in Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Portugal. The virus also affects fish and reptiles, complicating the situation and requiring urgent optimization of conservation strategies.
Researchers studied 19 virus families and found that cross-species transmission has played a central role in their evolution. Co-divergence is relatively rare compared to cross-species jumps.
Researchers at Penn State are investigating the collection of viruses, known as the virome, in white-footed mice and black-legged ticks to better predict infectious disease outbreaks in humans. The team aims to identify new infectious viruses in these animals before they spill over into humans.
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.