Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Novel HIV prevention products for women demonstrate safety in clinical studies

Two early clinical studies of novel HIV prevention products for women - the first combination antiretroviral (ARV) vaginal ring and a vaginal film - show the products to be safe and open the door to product improvements that could expand options for women-initiated prevention tools. The results of both studies were presented today at the 21st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

5 Mar 2014

Women using DMPA injection more likely to acquire HIV than women using NET-EN

Women who used an injectable contraceptive called DMPA were more likely to acquire HIV than women using a similar product called NET-EN, according to a secondary analysis of data from a large HIV prevention trial called VOICE, researchers from the National Institutes of Health-funded Microbicide Trials Network reported today at the 21st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston.

5 Mar 2014

3.5 million estimated Medicaid signups under health law

Avalere Health projects that of the 8.9 million people "determined eligible" for Medicaid starting last Oct. 1, the number of new enrollees under the health law is likely much smaller -- between 2.4 million and 3.5 million. Other reports look at how health insurance could result in nearly half a million more Americans getting tested for HIV by 2017 -- but how 60,000 people with the virus will be left uninsured in states not expanding Medicaid.

5 Mar 2014

Blocking myoferlin gene can reduce breast cancer cell migration

New research suggests that a protein only recently linked to cancer has a significant effect on the risk that breast cancer will spread, and that lowering the protein's level in cell cultures and mice reduces chances for the disease to extend beyond the initial tumor.

4 Mar 2014

Loyola physician sheds light on common and painful viral infection, shingles

Shingles is a painful viral infection that affects almost one million people worldwide and 30 percent of Americans every year.

4 Mar 2014

AbbVie's PEARL-III study meets primary, secondary endpoints in patients with chronic GT1b HCV infection

The first detailed results from AbbVie's pivotal phase III study, PEARL-III, were presented today as part of the 21st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) press conference and will also be presented as a late-breaker at the conference on March 4.

4 Mar 2014

Arrowhead receives approval to initiate Phase 2a clinical trial of ARC-520 for chronic HBV infection

Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ: ARWR), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted RNAi therapeutics, today announced that it received regulatory approval to begin a Phase 2a clinical trial of ARC-520, its RNAi-based drug candidate for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

4 Mar 2014

Costly new hepatitis C drug raises questions about who will pay

The new hepatitis C medication presents a dilemma for Medicaid and other insurers, who must balance the cost against the large numbers of people who might benefit. A single course of treatment costs $84,000.

4 Mar 2014

New findings point the way toward potentially more effective HIV vaccine

In an advance for HIV vaccine research, a scientific team has discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2.

4 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Today's headlins include stories detailing ongoing challenges with state-run exchanges as well as previews of what's next regarding the federal budget process.

3 Mar 2014

Five women scientists to receive ‘L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards'

On March 19th the L'Oréal Foundation and UNESCO will present the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science awards to five outstanding women scientists.

3 Mar 2014

Scientists map key elements of immune overreaction triggered by influenza virus infection

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have mapped key elements of a severe immune overreaction—a "cytokine storm"—that can both sicken and kill patients who are infected with certain strains of flu virus.

3 Mar 2014

Researchers identify mutations in gene that can reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes

An international team led by researchers at the Broad Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has identified mutations in a gene that can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even in people who have risk factors such as obesity and old age.

3 Mar 2014

Longer looks: A doctor struggles with new health system; how to reduce end-of-life costs; fighting cancer with aspirin

I know how lucky I am to be a patient who happens to also work in the healthcare system. ... Initially, I had to use antibiotic drops every hour. But my insurance would only cover one three-milliliter bottle every three weeks. Each bottle not covered by insurance cost me $130. ... My own experience makes me fear that for many Americans, health insurance may not necessarily equal health care. Access and cost will still remain barriers-;and can be difficult to surmount for many (Dr. Helen Ouyang, 2/24)

28 Feb 2014

Scientists develop new anti-viral drugs that may be effective against flu virus

New analysis of the influenza A virus by scientists at the University of Hertfordshire shows potential for developing new anti-viral drugs which are more likely to be universally effective against the flu virus originating from avian, swine or human virus strains.

28 Feb 2014

TSRI scientists describe severe immune overreaction caused by flu infections

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have mapped key elements of a severe immune overreaction—a “cytokine storm”—that can both sicken and kill patients who are infected with certain strains of flu virus.

28 Feb 2014

Researchers develop new method for rapid detection of anthrax

Shortly following the 9/11 terror attack in 2001, letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to news outlets and government buildings killing five people and infecting 17 others.

28 Feb 2014

Sarepta Therapeutics reports non-GAAP net loss of $29.1 million for Q4 2013

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., a developer of innovative RNA-based therapeutics, today reported financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, and provided an update of recent corporate developments.

27 Feb 2014

Study: Direct camel-to-human transmission of MERS virus is possible in Saudi Arabia

An estimated three-quarters of camels recently surveyed in Saudi Arabia have evidence of infection with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the virus responsible for human cases of MERS.

27 Feb 2014

Researchers discover new target for human antibodies that holds key to vaccine for dengue

Creating a vaccine that protects people from all four types of dengue virus has frustrated scientists for decades. But researchers at the University of North Carolina have discovered a new target for human antibodies that could hold the key to a vaccine for the world's most widespread mosquito-borne disease.

27 Feb 2014

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Novel HIV prevention products for women demonstrate safety in clinical studies

Women using DMPA injection more likely to acquire HIV than women using NET-EN

3.5 million estimated Medicaid signups under health law

Blocking myoferlin gene can reduce breast cancer cell migration

Loyola physician sheds light on common and painful viral infection, shingles

AbbVie's PEARL-III study meets primary, secondary endpoints in patients with chronic GT1b HCV infection

Arrowhead receives approval to initiate Phase 2a clinical trial of ARC-520 for chronic HBV infection

Costly new hepatitis C drug raises questions about who will pay

New findings point the way toward potentially more effective HIV vaccine

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Five women scientists to receive ‘L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards'

Scientists map key elements of immune overreaction triggered by influenza virus infection

Researchers identify mutations in gene that can reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Longer looks: A doctor struggles with new health system; how to reduce end-of-life costs; fighting cancer with aspirin

Scientists develop new anti-viral drugs that may be effective against flu virus

TSRI scientists describe severe immune overreaction caused by flu infections

Researchers develop new method for rapid detection of anthrax

Sarepta Therapeutics reports non-GAAP net loss of $29.1 million for Q4 2013

Study: Direct camel-to-human transmission of MERS virus is possible in Saudi Arabia

Researchers discover new target for human antibodies that holds key to vaccine for dengue

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production