Flu News and Research

RSS

New online tool can help detect and monitor dengue outbreaks

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Google.org have found web-based search data to be a viable source of information for early detection and monitoring of outbreaks of dengue, an emerging mosquito-borne virus found in tropical areas of the world.

1 Jun 2011

Study suggests new therapeutic targets for virally-induced asthma attacks

When children with asthma get the flu, they often land in the hospital gasping for air. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have found a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks.

30 May 2011

Flu vaccines at the ready this season

Manufacturers of flu vaccines are nearly ready with the new supply of vaccinations for this upcoming flu season in the northern hemisphere. Two weeks ago, five vaccine manufacturers announced plans to make between 166 million and 173 million doses for the coming season. That's at least 6 million more than the maximum ever produced. However they add that many might not actually need the shots.

29 May 2011

Specific influenza immunization strategies for RA patients may be required for future flu pandemics

A Brazilian hospital-based study assessed responses to flu vaccines in 340 RA patients in regular follow-up compared to 234 healthy patients.

26 May 2011

Medicago, USAMRIID enter research collaboration for Ebola vaccine candidate

Medicago Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) for the development of a plant-based VLP vaccine candidate for the prevention of Ebola. Ebola is a very serious hemorrhagic fever virus for which no licensed treatment or vaccine exists.

26 May 2011

Vuvuzela unhealthy in more ways than one: Study

According to health experts, Vuvuzelas - the horns used by football fans celebrating last year's World Cup - not only cause noise pollution but may also spread diseases. According to a new study published in PLoS One journal it is seen that a short burst on the instrument creates a spittle shower similar to a sneeze, travelling at a four million droplets a second. Authors write that in crowded venues one person blowing a Vuvuzela could infect many others with airborne illness like the flu or TB.

24 May 2011

New study shows that closing schools, other measures limited H1N1 spread in Mexico

The H1N1 virus was new, and most of the cases occurred among young people. Health professionals and scientists weren’t sure at the onset what the world would encounter with the virus.

24 May 2011

Officials and re-election campaigns face health law challenges

News outlets explore how the health overhaul has factored into the tenure of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and into specific re-election campaigns.

24 May 2011

Lund University researcher discovers new sepsis biomarker in blood

Sepsis is the name of an infection that causes a series of reactions in the body, which in the worst case can prove fatal. The problem for both patients and doctors is that the early symptoms are difficult to distinguish from less dangerous infections such as a severe flu or winter vomiting disease.

23 May 2011

WHO member states adopt resolutions on financing, reform and flu pandemic at World Health Assembly

A committee of WHO member governments this week at the World Health Assembly in Geneva "adopted a resolution on the future financing of the organisation and a broad set of reforms, as well as a resolution on the WHO's management of [the H1N1] influenza pandemic showing no evidence of wrongdoing," Intellectual Property Watch reports.

21 May 2011

African Americans with SLE have higher antibody response to influenza vaccination: Study

New research shows that African Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus had a higher antibody response to influenza vaccination than European American patients.

21 May 2011

VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity assay to test for recent Toxoplasma gondii infection receives FDA clearance

On May 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first test to help determine whether a pregnant woman or a person with swollen lymph nodes testing positive for toxoplasmosis, sometimes known as cat scratch disease, developed the infection within the past four months.

20 May 2011

Concern over vaccine safety prevents parents from vaccinating asthmatic children

Concern over vaccine safety is one of the primary factors preventing parents from having their asthmatic children vaccinated for influenza, or flu, according to Michigan researchers. Parents who do not vaccinate their children are also less likely to view flu as a"trigger" for their child's asthma, the researchers noted.

17 May 2011

FDA nod for hepatitis C drug

Merck & Co have finally won the Food and Drugs Administration – FDA’S approval on Friday to sell a new drug considered a major advance against the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus. The drug brand named, Victrelis is expected to help transform treatment of the potentially fatal disease with higher cure rates and shorter courses of therapy for some patients. Merck shares rose 0.6 percent in after-hours trading to $37.33, up from their $37.08 close on the New York Stock Exchange. Approval of Victrelis was widely expected after a FDA advisory panel recommended the drug in an 18-0 vote in April.

17 May 2011

Computationally designed antiviral proteins may fight against influenza

A research article May 12 in Science demonstrates the use of computational methods to design new antiviral proteins not found in nature, but capable of targeting specific surfaces of flu virus molecules.

16 May 2011

The Leonardo da Vinci Prize competition invites project submissions

International philanthropists, prestigious Universities, Hospitals, Order of Physicians, Public Administrations support and sponsor this initiative to follow scientific procedures to identify solutions with the highest potential to reduce premature cancer death and cost.

13 May 2011

Shared wind instruments may cause sickness

Germs survive for several days in wind instruments including the clarinet, flute, and saxophone, according to a pilot study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research. The researchers, led by Stuart Levy, MD, of Tufts University School of Medicine, urge proper cleaning of these instruments.

13 May 2011

Tips for fighting drug-resistant superbugs

Superbug CRKP is just the latest in emerging strains of drug-resistant bacteria. While new drugs to combat these stealthy microbes like MRSA and CRKP remain in development what can we do to prevent catching and spreading these dangerous bugs?.

13 May 2011

Scientists to discuss latest autism research findings at IMFAR meeting

The 10th Annual International Meeting for Autism Research will host more than 1900 researchers, delegates, autism specialists, and students in the world's largest gathering of researchers and clinicians devoted to a better understanding of autism. The meeting will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt from May 12-14, 2011.

12 May 2011

New book explores the hidden world of viruses

"Carl Zimmer is one of the best science writers we have today. A Planet of Viruses is an important primer on the viruses living within and around all of us-sometimes funny, other times shocking, and always accessible. Whether discussing the common cold and flu, little-known viruses that attack bacteria or protect oceans, or the world's viral future as seen through our encounters with HIV or SARS, Zimmer's writing is lively, knowledgeable, and graced with poetic touches."-Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

7 May 2011

Flu News and Research

New online tool can help detect and monitor dengue outbreaks

Study suggests new therapeutic targets for virally-induced asthma attacks

Flu vaccines at the ready this season

Specific influenza immunization strategies for RA patients may be required for future flu pandemics

Medicago, USAMRIID enter research collaboration for Ebola vaccine candidate

Vuvuzela unhealthy in more ways than one: Study

New study shows that closing schools, other measures limited H1N1 spread in Mexico

Officials and re-election campaigns face health law challenges

Lund University researcher discovers new sepsis biomarker in blood

WHO member states adopt resolutions on financing, reform and flu pandemic at World Health Assembly

African Americans with SLE have higher antibody response to influenza vaccination: Study

VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity assay to test for recent Toxoplasma gondii infection receives FDA clearance

Concern over vaccine safety prevents parents from vaccinating asthmatic children

FDA nod for hepatitis C drug

Computationally designed antiviral proteins may fight against influenza

The Leonardo da Vinci Prize competition invites project submissions

Shared wind instruments may cause sickness

Tips for fighting drug-resistant superbugs

Scientists to discuss latest autism research findings at IMFAR meeting

New book explores the hidden world of viruses

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

Latest News