Articles tagged with Viruses
A UK study found substantial monkeypox transmission before symptoms appear, with 53% of cases occurring pre-symptomatically. The study's findings have important implications for infection control globally and may affect isolation and contact tracing policies.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have identified a new signaling pathway that triggers inflammatory responses in the skin after UV damage. This pathway involves the activation of p38 molecularly modifying NLRP1, a critical switch for inflammation, and initiates the assembly of inflammasomes.
Researchers have uncovered a unique mechanism by which the SV40 virus infects cells by exploiting the nuclear pore complex and LINC protein. This finding may provide insights into the mechanisms underlying cancer-causing pathogens and shed light on basic cell biology.
A novel genetic analysis by University of Ottawa researchers reveals that climate change could lead to an increased risk of viral spillover in the High Arctic. This increased risk may result in new viruses infecting previously uninfected hosts, potentially leading to emerging pandemics.
Researchers found that ocean bacteria absorbing carbon dioxide from the air need more energy and resources when infected with viruses and facing predator attacks. This complex interaction can lead to increased carbon sequestration, a key factor in mitigating climate change.
Researchers have reverse-engineered a virus linked to chronic kidney disease in cats and described its mechanism of infection. The feline morbillivirus, or FeMV, can spread from host to host through urine, similar to the zoonotic Nipah virus.
A Cleveland Clinic-led research team created a discovery tool outlining interactions between COVID-19 and host proteins, identifying potential host-targeting therapies. The study confirmed over 200 interactions and discovered new ones, highlighting promising approaches for treating COVID-19.
A WVU biomedical engineer is working on a rapid diagnostic tool that can detect tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease via a blood sample on a single chip. The tool uses dielectrophoresis and machine-learning to detect diseases within one to two weeks after onset, reducing the risk of hospitalization and chronic conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic is linked to increased malnutrition risk, as reduced access to food and healthcare worsens nutritional deficiencies. In turn, malnutrition amplifies the spread of infectious diseases, creating a vicious cycle that threatens global health.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside successfully modeled the formation of SARS-CoV-2 using coarse-grained models, revealing key ingredients and components contributing to its packaging. The study could inform the design of effective antiviral drugs to arrest coronaviruses in their assembly stage.
Researchers developed a highly effective and safe Zika vaccine technology that prevents systemic infection in pregnant mice and stimulates an immunogenic reaction. The vaccine was tested in various mouse models, proving safe and protective against the virus.
Researchers developed DNA nets to detect and impede COVID-19, offering a fast, sensitive, and low-cost testing platform. The technique also showed potential as an antiviral treatment, inhibiting the virus's spread in live cell cultures.
Research finds strong association between enterovirus infection and type 1 diabetes; individuals with T1D eight times more likely to have an enterovirus infection than others. Vaccines aimed at preventing enterovirus infection may help prevent T1D development.
Researchers have discovered a COVID-like virus in Russian bats that can infect human cells and is resistant to current vaccines. The new virus, named Khosta-2, poses a threat to global health and highlights the need for developing universal vaccines to protect against sarbecoviruses.
Researchers have discovered that two distantly related RNA viruses perform chemical choreography in strikingly similar ways, forming a symmetrical icosahedral shell. This finding has potential applications in improving pharmaceutical delivery and engineering, as well as understanding protein folding mechanisms.
A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that blood samples from long COVID patients show signs of autoimmune disease a year after infection. Nearly 80% of patients had autoantibodies in their blood, which persisted in around 30% of cases.
Researchers at University of California - Riverside discovered a chemical cocktail in human skin that summons disease-spreading mosquitoes. The combination of carbon dioxide plus two chemicals, 2-ketoglutaric and lactic acids, elicits a scent that attracts female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, vectors of Zika and other viruses.
Researchers have developed SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs) that can mimic the virus's behavior, allowing for safer vaccine development and testing. These VLPs could help scientists understand how the virus invades the central nervous system and potentially lead to more effective vaccines.
The study proposes a model to understand the complications caused by zika virus infection during pregnancy. The researchers found that zika virus alters protein expression in neural cells, affecting energy production and RNA metabolism, which can lead to defective myelination and microcephaly.
A team of scientists from Ural Federal University has developed a complex mathematical model to understand the dynamics of nanoparticles and viruses in cells. The model reveals how viruses cluster inside endosomes and interact with cellular proteins, shedding light on their behavior and replication mechanisms. This breakthrough can hel...
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered how Zika virus forces dendritic cells to churn out lipid molecules, allowing the virus to build copies of itself. This study provides a major step forward in developing antiviral therapies against multiple flavivirus infections.
The study found that colloidal membranes transition from flat disc-like shapes to saddle-like shapes as the fraction of short rods increases. The saddles then merge into more complex structures like catenoids and four-noids, exhibiting properties similar to biological membranes.
Researchers propose using wastewater epidemiology to monitor monkeypox spread, detecting viral DNA in sewage and potentially identifying low infection rates. The method could be optimized for community-level monitoring, providing a valuable framework for developing robust programs.
Research suggests that COVID-19 patients can transmit viruses with multiple genetic sequences simultaneously, which may impact the development of new variants. This complex sequence diversity highlights the need for continued research into the evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers have identified two effective antibodies that neutralize all known strains of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron variants. These breakthrough antibodies could eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen immune systems, especially in at-risk populations.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and others characterized the new omicron variant BA.2.75, comparing its ability to evade antibodies against current and previous variants. The study found that BA.2.75 has approximately the same level of resistance to antibodies as the dominant variant BA.5.
Researchers sequenced giant viruses in the unique freshwater lake, finding a diverse community with distinct genetic repertoires. The study highlights the importance of viruses in biomass turnover and ecosystem balance, particularly in high Arctic environments.
Researchers found that intracellular bacteria known as symbionts protect their host amoebae against giant viruses. This discovery suggests a positive effect of the bacterial symbionts on the ecosystem, influencing the flow of nutrients in food webs and potentially impacting ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers have developed a new treatment principle that combines DNA-based and protein-based vaccines to stimulate the immune system against both hepatitis B and D viruses. The treatment has been shown to protect cultured cells against HBV and HDV infection, producing high levels of neutralizing antibodies and T-cells.
Scientists have developed network-based models to prioritize novel viruses for their zoonotic transmission risk, with coronaviruses found to be the riskiest. The models also ranked paramyxoviruses, such as those causing measles and respiratory tract infections, as high priorities.
A study by Osaka University researchers comprehensively analyzed mRNA and microRNA expression patterns in the blood of patients with severe COVID-19, revealing specific mRNAs and microRNAs associated with the immune response pathway. The findings suggest that interferon-β plays a crucial role in COVID-19 severity.
Researchers compared HPV prevalence among women born in the 1980s, 1990s, and before/after vaccination periods. The study found significant differences in HPV prevalence between these groups.
A review of available monkeypox clinical guidelines found most were of low quality, lacking sufficient detail and failing to cover different risk groups. The lack of clarity between guidelines creates uncertainty for clinicians treating patients with monkeypox.
A recent international study has shed light on the inner workings of the adaptive immune response, revealing how killer T cells recognize viral invaders using molecular road signs. The study highlights the crucial role of chaperones in ensuring the stability and longevity of these road signs, allowing for more effective detection and d...
Researchers at NTNU have developed a digital system called Drugvirus.info that can identify the most effective medicinal mix against viruses, reducing development time from years to months. This approach could lead to the creation of new treatments for 200 viral diseases, saving millions of euros and lives.
Researchers aim to uncover information on blotchy bass syndrome's prevalence, distribution, and potential risks through data collected by citizens. The study will help determine which bass species are susceptible and which seem immune.
Researchers at MIT estimate the probability of getting Covid-19 on a plane flight was about 1 in 2,000 from June 2020 to February 2021. The study provides a general estimate of air travel safety with regard to Covid-19 transmission and a methodology that can be applied to future studies.
Scientists uncover ancient herpes DNA, revealing the virus's prehistoric origins around 5,000 years ago. The discovery suggests a link between the emergence of facial herpes and cultural practices like romantic and sexual kissing in Europe during the Bronze Age.
CoVaRR-Net is investing $6.9 million in 15 research projects focused on understanding Omicron subvariants and finding solutions to curb their spread. The studies will explore various aspects of variants, including viral transmission between animals and people, new variant mutations, and the impact of social factors on Indigenous Peoples.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA and iMM discovered that the parainfluenza fusion peptide promotes membrane fusion by destabilizing the host's membrane and forming clusters of oligomeric structures. This breakthrough can contribute to developing antiviral therapies to prevent infection.
The first global dataset of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals has been published, providing a comprehensive overview of the virus's impact on animal populations worldwide. The dataset shows an increasing number of reported cases globally, with high diversity of variants detected in various species.
Researchers have identified new clinical symptoms in people infected with monkeypox, including single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus. The study will improve future diagnosis and help slow the spread of infection.
A study reveals that over 1,400 genes in 218 insect species originated from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and plants through horizontal gene transfer. This discovery suggests that these genes contributed to beneficial traits such as mating behavior, nutrition, and adaptation to environmental changes.
Researchers have created a new mouse model that mimics brain damage caused by severe RVFV infection, enabling the study of disease mechanisms and high-throughput testing of next-generation drugs. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing therapies and vaccines for this devastating virus.
A new study identifies pox virus proteins that directly interfere with the body's innate immune system, allowing it to evade the host's defense mechanisms. The research team has discovered five 'redox' proteins that interact with Reactive Oxygen Species, which play a key role in destroying pathogens identified by the immune system.
Researchers developed a novel approach to detecting hidden malicious codes in websites by analyzing common attack patterns and user-side scripts. The method can identify malicious distribution patterns with high accuracy and speed, including zero-day attacks.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that parasites infesting farmed salmon have a distinct microbiome that interacts with the fish's microbiome. This interaction can impact the host's health, highlighting the importance of understanding the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 surrogates can survive on meat products in the refrigerator or freezer for up to 30 days. The study used chicken, beef, pork, and salmon, as well as viruses with spikes similar to those on SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers created an atomic-level computational model of the COVID-19 spike protein, finding that human cell modifications increase its flexibility and mobility. The study suggests that these modifications can enhance virus infectivity and immune avoidance.
Researchers found viral DNA on hospital surfaces, including patient rooms and frequently touched areas. However, the study's authors caution that surface contamination does not prove the virus can cause infection through contact.
Researchers explore the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols, including sources and detection strategies. The study highlights the need for monitoring and understanding the relationship between human, animal, and environmental microbiomes to counter the spread of AR.
Researchers found dengue and Zika viruses increase acetophenone production in infected hosts, making them more attractive to mosquitoes. Treatment with acne medication reduces this effect, potentially mitigating virus spread.
Researchers found that infected mice and humans emit a specific molecule, acetophenone, which attracts mosquitoes. This altered scent allows the viruses to spread faster. A potential preventative, isotretinoin, was also tested and shown to reduce mosquito attraction.
Researchers from Osaka University found that SARS-CoV-2 infection activates the IRF1 gene and impairs insulin/IGF signaling in various tissues, including lung, liver, adipose tissue, and pancreatic cells. This disruption can lead to new-onset diabetes in some patients.
Researchers discovered new viruses infecting Asgard archaea, which may hold clues to the origin of complex life. The viruses share features with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses, offering a new perspective on viral eukaryogenesis.
Researchers found significant decrease in national Kawasaki disease cases in 2020, coinciding with school closures and masking mandates. KD cases rebounded after lifting of masks and return of in-person schooling, hinting at respiratory portal of entry as trigger.
A study in the Netherlands estimates a mean incubation period of monkeypox at 8.5 days, with most cases developing symptoms within 13 days after exposure. The findings support the current 21-day quarantine recommendation for preventing infectious contacts.
Researchers discuss Hepatitis D's life cycle and interactions with its host, exploring strategies for further research to combat this overlooked virus. HDV coinfects people with hepatitis B, rapidly progressing to liver cirrhosis and cancer if left untreated, with a review published in the Chinese Medical Journal.
Researchers developed an antibody cocktail effective against a Hendra virus variant, neutralizing its ability to mutate and evade recognition. The combination of four antibodies leaves the virus with minimal ability to further evolve, providing significant protection against this global biosecurity threat.
Healthcare workers must be vigilant in detecting and managing suspected monkeypox cases while avoiding stigmatization of affected communities. The authors stress the importance of careful infection control practices and community allyship with men who have sex with men to combat the outbreak.