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Study shows how influenza A hijacks human cellular machinery to replicate

Much is known about flu viruses, but little is understood about how they reproduce inside human host cells, spreading infection. Now, a research team headed by investigators from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is the first to identify a mechanism by which influenza A, a family of pathogens that includes the most deadly strains of flu worldwide, hijacks cellular machinery to replicate.

5 May 2017

Researchers find new way to make influenza visible to the naked eye

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a way to make influenza visible to the naked eye, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

5 May 2017

NIST chemists publish new data on important compound’s thermodynamic properties

Amantadine hydrochloride may be the most common medication you've never heard of. This compound has been around for decades as the basis for antiviral and other medications, from flu therapy to treatments for brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease and the fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis.

2 May 2017

Pregnant women’s financial strain linked to low-birth-weight infants

A financially strapped pregnant woman's worries about the arrival and care of her little one could contribute to birth of a smaller, medically vulnerable infant, a new study suggests.

24 Apr 2017

Research findings pave way for more efficient, protective influenza vaccines

New findings challenge the traditional policy of replacing old strains in existing human influenza vaccines with recent variants with only minimal changes.

21 Apr 2017

Novel test can rapidly diagnose flu in patients with severe respiratory illnesses

Doctors and researchers in Southampton have developed a novel way of using a swab test which can rapidly diagnose flu and other viral infections in patients with severe respiratory conditions – resulting in shorter courses of antibiotics and less time in hospital.

20 Apr 2017

WHO marching toward extraordinary progress against neglected tropical diseases, report reveals

Since 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been reporting outstanding success in dealing with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with 1 billion people estimated to have received treatments in 2015.

19 Apr 2017

Microparticles show potential to deliver DNA-based vaccines and gene therapies in pill form

A microscopic corn-and-shrimp cocktail could eventually make DNA-based vaccinations and cancer-treating gene therapies an easier pill to swallow, according to new research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

12 Apr 2017

New transgenic mouse could help monitor potential dangers of emerging influenza viruses

Researchers in Germany have developed a transgenic mouse that could help scientists identify new influenza virus strains with the potential to cause a global pandemic.

10 Apr 2017

Novel point-of-care testing strategy can speed up treatment for respiratory illnesses

Doctors and researchers in Southampton have developed a novel way of using a swab test which can rapidly diagnose flu and other viral infections in patients with severe respiratory conditions - resulting in shorter courses of antibiotics and less time in hospital.

5 Apr 2017

Dose sparing could increase vaccine availability without compromising safety

The currently licensed seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines contain 15 micrograms of viral hemagglutinin protein per strain for adults, and up to 60 micrograms for elderly individuals; however, due to recent shortages, reducing these doses would be highly desirable.

5 Apr 2017

GHIT Fund invests in phase 3 clinical trial for pediatric formulation of ‘snail fever’ drug

The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, a unique Japanese public-private partnership formed to battle infectious diseases around the globe, today announced 11 new investments totaling US$23 million that could help deliver a range of new innovative therapies for a host of debilitating conditions.

31 Mar 2017

Novel Research Grants bring new insight to complexities of lupus

The Lupus Research Alliance announced today the Novel Research Grant Class of 2017. The Lupus Research Alliance Novel Research Grants, the proven platform for innovation, make discovery and scientific progress possible.

30 Mar 2017

New method for diagnosing flu virus from breath samples could provide faster results

A method for diagnosing flu virus from breath samples could soon replace invasive nasal swabs and deliver better results faster.

29 Mar 2017

Scientists reveal novel drug delivery approach to fight swine flu at gene level

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University together with their colleagues from St. Petersburg and London have elaborated a new approach to deliver anti-viral RNAi to target cells against H1N1 influenza virus infection.

28 Mar 2017

Simple behavioral economics technique may help increase flu vaccination rates

Currently, only 44 percent of adults in the United States receive an annual flu vaccination. Though the rate has increased in recent years, the change has been slow and marginal.

27 Mar 2017

One-shot vaccine passes key preclinical test in newborn monkey models

Newborns are highly vulnerable to infections and don't respond optimally to most vaccines because their young immune systems typically mount weak antibody responses.

24 Mar 2017

Artificial intelligence to help NHS save millions of pounds by creating virtual GPs

Orbital Media, digital and social specialists, and the University of Essex have today announced they are joining forces to use artificial intelligence to save the NHS millions of pounds per year by creating automated online GPs to revolutionise the way patients are treated.

23 Mar 2017

New gene-silencing drugs cut cholesterol levels by half in early research

The first in a new class of gene-silencing drugs, known as inclisiran, has been shown to halve cholesterol levels in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.

21 Mar 2017

Parents more confident in getting same-day phone advice than visiting doctor for sick kids, new poll finds

Parents often want medical advice when their child gets sick but only about half are very confident they can get a same day appointment with their child's provider, a new national poll finds.

20 Mar 2017