Articles tagged with Viruses
The Cassava Brown Streak Disease has been identified as the most serious threat among various cassava viruses, with outbreaks reported in several countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The disease is caused by a highly infectious virus that can claim 100% of a farmer's harvest without their knowledge.
Scientists at UCSF have developed a new gene sequencing technique that can identify the Lone Star virus in less than 24 hours, significantly faster than conventional methods. The ultra-rapid deep sequencing approach has the potential to democratize viral surveillance and could help prevent outbreaks.
Scientists identified viruses closely related to Hepatitis C virus in rodents and bats, shedding light on the disease's origins and possible animal models for treatment. The findings also support the development of new vaccines and treatments, as the viruses share similar sequences with HCV.
A research project called Polly has demonstrated the potential for teaching poorly educated people about automated voice services. The system, which adds funny sound effects to recorded messages, has been used by over 160,000 people, including some non-Pakistanis, and has handled almost 2.5 million calls.
Scientists have discovered several new species of hepaciviruses and pegiviruses closely related to human viruses in frozen stocks of wild mice. These rodent viruses have genes and proteins similar to human strains, suggesting their potential use in studying hepatitis C disease and developing vaccines.
A University of Houston research team partnered with NASA and astronauts on the International Space Station to examine how spaceflight affects the immune system. They will collect blood, saliva, and urine samples from two astronauts before, during, and after a mission to monitor natural killer cells and assess viral reactivation risks.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina discovered that hepatitis A virus acquires an envelope from infected cells when found in the environment, blurring the distinction between enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. This unique behavior allows the virus to evade host immune systems and survive longer periods between hosts.
Researchers have found that blocking the immune response can enhance viral therapy against solid tumors, leading to a 90% cure rate in mouse models. The study suggests combining oncolytic viruses with anti-VEGF therapies could be an effective treatment strategy for certain types of cancer.
Researchers found that contaminated water used to dilute pesticides can carry human noroviruses, potentially contaminating the food chain. The study suggests that pesticide application may be a microbiological risk factor for public health.
Researchers at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore have developed a novel technique called LoFreq, which allows them to detect microbe and cancer cell mutations in real-time. This breakthrough enables scientists to catch the development of resistance early on and investigate the effectiveness of new drugs.
Researchers have found a virus that can adapt to hosts with modified nuclear genetic codes, contrary to the long-held assumption that such changes prevent new viral infections. The discovery provides evidence of co-evolution between viruses and hosts with altered genetic codes.
A new device called the SXC ESP was created by Washington University engineers to better protect human lungs from allergens and airborne viruses. The device uses soft X-ray irradiation to capture particles, making it more effective than traditional air cleaners in removing biological agents from the air.
Researchers found that certain viruses and fungi work together with plants to improve drought and temperature tolerance. This collaboration is a key to sustainable agriculture and may lead to more natural methods of creating crops that are more heat, drought, and stress tolerant.
The Diamond Light Source facility has been upgraded to analyze pathogens requiring Containment Level 3, including serious viruses responsible for AIDS, Hepatitis, and flu. This capability enables scientists to study virus structures in detail, opening up new paths for therapeutic treatments and vaccines.
The measles virus uses a hairpin-like structure to bind to the MDA5 receptor, preventing it from forming filaments and signaling viral RNA. This interaction allows the virus to evade the immune system's defense mechanisms.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that immune cells from older adults can respond to virus infections similarly to those from younger individuals. This discovery has important implications for vaccination strategies targeting the elderly.
Scientists at the University of Exeter discovered a new way viruses evolve to switch their behavior in response to other viruses infecting a host. This means that even with manipulation, viruses will always adapt to serve their own purposes and cause maximum destruction.
A new study reveals that viruses can be spread through cross-contamination from utensils like knives and graters, posing a significant health risk. The study found that contaminated utensils can transfer viruses to multiple pieces of produce, highlighting the need for emphasis on utensil hygiene.
Researchers found that viruses work together to break down plant defenses, causing more severe disease. This phenomenon has important implications for controlling these viruses.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered adenovirus proteins that hijack cell machinery, including growth and replication. E4-ORF3 protein assembles into polymers that capture tumor suppressors and silence genes, providing a new avenue for cancer therapies.
A collaborative project will analyze the impact of environmental conditions and management tactics on mite populations and disease incidence in wheat. The team aims to develop an accurate forecasting model to help growers anticipate and take action against wheat streak mosaic virus, high plains virus, and triticum mosaic virus.
Researchers have discovered a harmless mosquito virus that's closely related to some of the world's most dangerous mosquito-borne pathogens. The Eilat virus could aid in the development of new alphavirus vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic techniques, potentially offering a unique tool for studying other alphaviruses.
A new study adds giant viruses to the universal family tree, revealing they are ancient living organisms. The research found that many of the most ancient protein folds were also present in giant viruses, suggesting they appeared early in evolution.
Researchers identified a whole new class of arenaviruses in snakes with Inclusion Body Disease (IBD), a deadly condition causing bizarre behavior and eventual death. The discovery could lead to development of treatments, vaccines, diagnostics, and prevention policies for IBD.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that protects African green monkeys from Nipah virus, with all nine vaccinated animals surviving a lethal challenge. The vaccine is based on a Hendra virus surface protein and is in commercial development for use in horses.
The UGA team created a single-step method to rapidly detect viruses, bacteria, and chemical contaminants using nanotechnology. They successfully detected compounds in highly diluted samples and mixtures with dyes, suggesting the technology can be used for food, blood, saliva, and urine testing.
Research from the University of Melbourne found that two different vaccine viruses used simultaneously to control infectious laryngotracheitis in chickens combined to produce new infectious viruses, resulting in disease outbreaks. The new strains caused more severe disease and replicated at higher levels than the parent vaccine strains.
Researchers have identified two viruses that infect symbiotic microalgae essential for coral growth and health. The presence of these viruses could be a contributing factor to the decline of coral reefs worldwide. Corals face various environmental threats, including warming temperatures, competition, and pollution.
Researchers created broad-spectrum antiviral agents against various flu virus strains by engineering proteins found in nature, binding to specific nano-sized targets. This method has the potential to develop comprehensive therapy for influenza, targeting hemagglutinin molecules and preventing viral infection.
A new protein-based antiviral approach has been developed to combat deadly flu epidemics, neutralizing vulnerable sites on H1N1 and H5N1 viruses. This innovative method uses manufactured genes as therapeutics, designed using computer-aided design and optimized through DNA deep sequencing.
Babies with a robust innate immune response have fewer respiratory illnesses in their first year, while those with a diminished response experience more infections. Researchers measured interferon-gamma levels in umbilical cord blood samples to identify potential indicators of viral infection.
An investigation found that a reusable open-top grocery bag stored in a hotel bathroom contaminated with norovirus aerosol led to an outbreak among 17 girls and their chaperones attending a soccer tournament. Proper disinfection of areas and use of multiple bathrooms can help limit outbreaks.
A study revealed that ancient viruses, which infected ancestors as far back as the age of dinosaurs, became widespread in mammals' genomes due to a loss of cell infectivity. This led to a dramatic increase in viral genetic material, resembling the spread of 'superspreaders' during epidemic outbreaks.
A new study reveals how an invading virus hijacks a cell's signaling system by mimicking a cellular marker to defeat the body's defenses. This finding may represent a broader targeting strategy used by other viruses.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how to treat the lethal norovirus, which causes severe gastroenteritis. The study reveals that antibodies can bind to the virus's unique structure, potentially leading to the development of more effective vaccines and treatments.
Researchers studied viral campaigns and found that increased product involvement and social network consideration significantly predicted sharing intentions. People filter information, but personal involvement in the item being shared also contributes to higher likelihood of sharing.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are studying children with weakened immune systems to identify the viruses that make them sick. They will collect samples from 400 children and analyze them using advanced technologies to draw conclusions about which viruses cause illness.
Researchers found that autoreactive T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes bound their targets more weakly than helpful T cells. These autoaggressive T cells may slip through safety screens by failing to notice their targets, suggesting a new mechanism for autoimmune disease progression.
Abnormal regulation of viral sensors can lead to autoimmune pathology, according to a new study using a mouse model of human autoimmune disease. The research identifies key pathways linking DNA detection with IFN production and drives different aspects of the immune response.
Researchers at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases have developed a novel approach to view the inner structures of viruses, known as bubblegram imaging. This technique allows for the visualization of previously invisible proteins within viruses.
Researchers discovered African bats have antibodies that can neutralise deadly viruses known in Australia and Asia. This finding provides valuable insights for understanding how viruses persist in bat populations.
A new study found that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a key role in targeting and destroying dengue viruses. Individuals with high levels of MBL may be better equipped to fight off the disease. This discovery could lead to the development of antivirals and vaccines to boost the immune response.
A human antibody given to monkeys infected with Hendra virus completely protected them from disease. The study results are cause for hope that the antibody may be developed into a possible treatment for people who become infected with these viruses.
A team from the University of Utah has received a $275,000 NIH grant to study brain tissue from patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) using advanced technology called deep sequencing. The goal is to identify viruses that might play a role in the development of PPMS and potentially lead to new treatments.
Researchers have discovered a potential new treatment for EKC, a highly infectious eye disease affecting millions annually in the US. A molecular wipe targeting viruses responsible for EKC could relieve symptoms, speed up healing and reduce transmission risk.
A Department of Health and Human Services-funded study confirms earlier findings were likely due to laboratory error, ruling out XMRV's presence in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or healthy donors. The study suggests there is no need to screen blood donors for the viruses at present.
A recent study has reclassified cowpox virus into distinct species, challenging the long-held assumption of a single causative agent. The research also found that commercial smallpox vaccines are derived from central or eastern Europe, rather than Jenner's original English strain.
A world-first viral therapy trial has shown promising results, with 87% of patients experiencing viral replication in their tumours and tumour-selective expression of a foreign gene after intravenous delivery. The treatment was well-tolerated, with mild flu-like symptoms as the most common side effect.
Researchers investigated the dynamics of virus populations in the human gut during dietary changes, finding that viral populations became more similar over time. The study provided new insights into the 'gut virome' and its response to diet, shedding light on potential health consequences.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a generic mechanism for creating near-perfect nanoparticles that assemble into uniform structures. The breakthrough enables the formation of clusters with desirable properties, such as size, shape, and electrical conductivity.
A scientist has discovered that a viral host can persist and coexist with the same genetic populations of a virus for centuries. The study, published in Science, reveals that DNA viruses and their algal hosts have been preserved in sediments under the Black Sea for thousands of years.
A Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientist has discovered that the DNA of viruses and their algal hosts can be preserved in sediments for thousands of years. This finding provides unprecedented insights into long-term viral/host population dynamics, which may have shaped past algal community structures.
Researchers created four mathematical models of virus infection and tested them against laboratory data. The study found that variation in host susceptibility enhances the prevalence of mixed-genotype micro-parasite infections. The findings improve our understanding of how virus particles interact with each other and the host animal du...
A Kansas State University plant pathologist is discovering high levels of viral infections in the state's wheat crops. Anna Whitfield's research reveals that viruses are a significant threat to wheat yields, with losses due to these diseases expected.
Researchers tracked 27 unique viruses affecting honey bees, including four unknown strains and six species of bacteria and fungi. The study provides a baseline measurement of pathogens in healthy hives, shedding light on the causes of colony collapse.
Researchers discovered that caspase-8, an enzyme previously thought to only prevent inflammation through apoptosis, can also control inflammation by destroying a protein called RIP1. This new mechanism could lead to the development of effective therapies for inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Scientists investigate how a virus affecting the Indian meal moth impacts its host populations in size, with potential to inform better pest management strategies. The research could lead to improved techniques for controlling invasive species and pests.
A team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania has engineered a lentiviral vector that expresses CD47, a protein found on all cells, on its surface. This allows the virus to avoid being detected by the immune system, potentially making it safer for gene therapy and drug delivery.
Scientists have developed a microscope that can see objects as small as 50 nanometres, beyond the theoretical limit of optical microscopy. This breakthrough enables potential examination of human cells and live viruses for the first time, revolutionizing cell study and biomedicine.
At least one dengue vaccine could be licensed within the next 4 years. Developing countries' national regulatory authorities (NRAs) have a crucial role in accelerating the licensure process when a new dengue vaccine becomes available.