Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

Relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions led to the reemergence of seasonal respiratory viruses in Houston

A Houston Methodist study showed a rapid return of seasonal respiratory viruses after COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed in Texas, demonstrating the effectiveness of masking, distancing and other precautionary measures at stopping the spread of many respiratory illnesses, not just COVID-19.

24 Nov 2021

Discovery of a broad-spectrum antiviral activity in self-assembling immunostimulatory duplex RNAs

A new study, published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, has discovered a class of new immunostimulatory RNAs while studying influenza infection-associated host genes in human lung epithelial cells using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Scientists revealed that these short duplex RNAs could induce type I and type III interferons (IFN-I/III) in a wide variety of cells.

23 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 moves between permissive cells and non-permissive neuronal cells via tunneling nanotubes (TNT)

Scientists investigate the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2 and the role of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in spreading the infection to neighboring cells.

23 Nov 2021

IFITM proteins are important replication cofactors for SARS-CoV-2, including Delta variant

In a study recently published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers investigated the IFITM2 dependency of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, including the delta variant for efficient infection.

22 Nov 2021

Characterization of B-cell receptor repertoires in COVID-19 patients

In a new study published in the journal Human Immunology, scientists sought to better understand how B-cell immune repertoire changes over time during SARS-CoV-2 infection by comprehensively characterizing the dynamics of immunoglobin heavy chain (IGH) repertoire in COVID-19 patients.

22 Nov 2021

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody using electrochemical biosensing based on hydrogen bonding

Turkish researchers discuss their rapid electrochemical biosensing platform to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody.

22 Nov 2021

Success of covid antiviral pills hinges on access to speedy and accurate tests

Within a few weeks, perhaps before many Americans finish decorating for the holidays, the U.S. could have access to a new antiviral pill from Merck expected to alter the deadly trajectory of the covid-19 pandemic — with a second option from Pfizer to follow shortly after.

22 Nov 2021

New prevention zone to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza

From 8pm on 21 November 2021, a new avian influenza prevention zone will be declared in parts of North Yorkshire in England, namely the districts of Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire, which means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in that area to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

21 Nov 2021

New evidence that host immunity drives evolution of the dengue virus

New research by a team of University of Florida investigators, and others, provides evidence that host immunity drives evolution of the dengue virus.

20 Nov 2021

Can you take the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines on the same day?

Scientists have conducted a substudy within a phase 3 UK trial and have reported the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.

19 Nov 2021

Viral biomolecular condensation

A review published in PLOS Pathogens deconstructs virus condensation and provides a biochemical background for LLPS.

19 Nov 2021

A nasal COVID vaccine using a weakened influenza vector

The authors of a new study, published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, constructed a COVID-19 nasal vaccine candidate by inserting a gene encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, named CA4-dNS1-nCoV-RBD (dNS1-RBD) in a live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vector.

18 Nov 2021

Public health measures should be continued alongside covid-19 vaccination, suggest experts

Several personal protective and social measures, including handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence covid-19 and should be continued alongside vaccination, suggest experts after reviewing the latest evidence in The BMJ today.

18 Nov 2021