Articles tagged with Viruses
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.
Researchers have created a novel crystal lattice composed of gold nanoparticles and viral particles held together by strands of DNA. The structure demonstrates the potential to combine materials with different properties to create infinitesimal devices.
Researchers discover naturally occurring viral infections in C. elegans, a millimeter-long worm used extensively for decades to study many aspects of biology. The findings provide insights into the way viruses and their hosts interact, shedding light on fundamental phenomena such as RNA interference and cell self-destruction.
Researchers found that the nematode C. elegans, a millimeter-long worm used extensively for decades to study biology, gets naturally occurring viral infections. The discovery means C. elegans is likely to help scientists study the way viruses and their hosts interact.
The US lettuce industry faces significant economic losses due to dieback disease, caused by two soil-borne viruses affecting romaine and leaf-type lettuce. New romaine breeding lines SM09A and SM09B offer complete resistance to the disease and improved shelf life.
Rice University researchers have developed a method to enhance the effectiveness of a common disinfectant, increasing its ability to degrade aerosol- and water-borne viruses by more than three times. The new technique involves adding silicone to titanium dioxide, which is widely used in paints, sunscreen, and food coloring.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic describe the crucial initial steps of measles virus attachment to host cells, revealing a complex dance-like movement. The findings provide insight into the disease mechanism, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers have discovered how a key viral gene helps viruses evade early detection by the immune system, providing new insights into chronic infection treatments. Dendritic cells, critical for immune response, are compromised by this gene, allowing viruses to establish chronic infections.
Native pollinators such as wild bees and wasps infected with RNA viruses, transmitted via pollen. Viral diseases may impact pollinator populations and ecosystem health.
A recent study by Queen's University researcher Niko Troje reveals that the way people perceive the Silhouette Illusion is not determined by personality or brain type. Instead, the viewer's angle of view plays a crucial role in shaping their perception of the spinning woman.
The article highlights the significant impact of human microbiome on overall health, with microbes contributing to protection from disease and production of essential vitamins. Researchers are also exploring how the gut microbiome affects body weight and odor.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a new virus in switchgrass that can cause mosaic and yellow streak symptoms, reducing photosynthesis and biomass yield. The virus, Marafivirus, is related to Maize rayado fino virus and has the potential to affect other crops.
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a potential new treatment for the Nipah and Hendra viruses, which are lethal and emerging viruses with no current treatment or vaccine available. The approach uses cholesterol-tagged peptides to target the membrane where the virus fuses with host cells, preventing infection.
Research from the University of Washington finds that two elite blogs trigger viral video distribution, with top general interest outlets taking cues from them. Four groups were identified: elite blogs, top general blogs, top political blogs, and tail blogs.
Scientists sequenced the Culex quinquefasciatus genome to analyze its immune response to pathogens. The study found that Culex has an expanded immune gene repertoire, enhancing its ability to adapt to diverse habitats and evade infections.
Researchers discovered that lipopolysaccharide and polyI:C stimulate factor B production in macrophages through distinct but overlapping mechanisms. This finding highlights the complexity of the immune system and its redundancy, enabling it to counter bacterial and viral strategies.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed HyperSentry software to detect hypervisor breaches in virtual computing clouds. This innovation measures hypervisor integrity without alerting the malware, helping prevent intelligent malware concealment tactics.
Researchers found that only a subset of pre-transplant HCV viruses can infect the new liver, with these viruses having mutations in their surface protein that evade the immune response. This discovery may lead to new ways to prevent reinfection after liver transplant.
A study published in Science reveals that molecular sequence data can be used to quantify cross-species transmission rates, with bats being the most common source of human infections. The analysis found that rabies viruses are more likely to jump between closely related bat species than distant ones.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a method to alter viral conditions, reducing mutation and building resistance. This approach can target multiple viruses simultaneously and is being explored for use in treating influenza.
A team of biochemists has identified the molecular mechanism by which an immune response is triggered by invading viruses, according to recent research. The results could lead to new therapies for viral infections, including the common cold and hepatitis. By understanding how the immune system recognizes viral RNA at the atomic level, ...
The new edition of Infectious Diseases provides comprehensive guidance on overcoming the latest clinical infectious disease challenges, including updates on H1N1 and avian influenza viruses. The book's editorial team offers regular content updates, case studies, and an interactive disease outbreak map.
New gene transfer agents have been developed to overcome the limitations of viral vectors and chemical agents, showing promise for treating hereditary diseases and cancer. The agents are more effective at delivering DNA into cell nuclei, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
Scientists have identified a synergistic relationship between a fungal pathogen and RNA viruses from the family Dicistroviridae as contributing factors to Colony Collapse Disorder. The presence of these pathogens in sick colonies is a strong predictor of collapse, with higher levels of the fungus compromising gut wall integrity.
A University of Tennessee study found high-risk water sources in East Tennessee contain fecal contamination, including E.coli, coliforms, Bacteroides, and infectious viruses. This highlights a potential health hazard for rural residents who drink untreated groundwater.
Results from an Advanced Therapy Access Program demonstrate oncolytic viruses' ability to mediate anti-tumor immunity in humans. The therapy shows strong efficacy against solid tumor cancers, with a clinical benefit rate of 47% and favorable safety profile.
The Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) detects viruses and bacteria with probes in a checkerboard pattern, identifying over 2,000 viruses and 900 bacteria. This technology enables rapid detection of pathogens, improving biodefense, public health, and product safety.
Researchers found that vaccinated birds can shed vaccine virus to infect other birds, and live vaccines do not always protect against infection from other viral strains. The use of modified live virus vaccines may be increasing the diversity of Newcastle Disease viruses circulating in wild birds.
A new concept of early viral kinetics in peg-interferon therapy has been proposed, showing a high probability of sustained virological response in 92.1% of patients. The study suggests that a short treatment period can be efficient and safe, reducing the risk of adverse events.
A team of scientists has identified a potential new target for treating hepatitis C by discovering an inhibitor that binds to the genetic material of the virus, causing a major conformational change that prevents replication. This finding provides a basis for structure-based design of new hepatitis C treatments.