Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Combination of 6 comprehensive measures to prevent spread of hepatitis C

UC San Francisco researchers are recommending a combination of six comprehensive measures to prevent the spread of hepatitis C, in an effort to address the more than 31,000 young people they estimate may be newly infected with the virus each year in the United States due to injection-drug use.

25 Jul 2013

Study reveals African bats may play a role in evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses

The MERS-coronavirus is regarded as a dangerous novel pathogen: Almost 50 people have died from infection with the virus since it was first discovered in 2012. To date all cases are connected with the Arabian peninsula. Scientists from the University Bonn (Germany) and South Africa have now detected a virus in the faeces of a South African bat that is genetically more closely related to MERS-CoV than any other known virus.

25 Jul 2013

Australian researchers raise concerns over London Underground Mosquito

Australia has plenty of ‘home grown’ mosquitoes but one introduced species is active all year round, according to a three year study by University of Sydney researchers.

24 Jul 2013

Report shows that fatal rabies virus is transmitted through transplanted kidney

An investigation into the source of a fatal case of raccoon rabies virus exposure indicates the individual received the virus via a kidney transplant 18 months earlier, findings suggesting that rabies transmitted by this route may have a long incubation period, and that although solid organ transplant transmission of infectious encephalitis is rare, further education to increase awareness is needed, according to a study in the July 24/31 issue of JAMA.

24 Jul 2013

Study reveals fungus coating on stored food may worsen AIDS epidemic

A type of fungus coating much of the stored corn, wheat, rice and nuts in developing countries may be quietly worsening the AIDS epidemic, according to a paper published today in the World Mycotoxin Journal.

24 Jul 2013

Platelet activation inhibits host cell entry of HIV, shows research

Scientists of the DPZ have shown that platelet activation inhibits the host cell entry of HIV. Infection biologists of the German Primate Center (DPZ) under the direction of Stefan Pöhlmann have found evidence that platelets (thrombocytes) might constitute an innate defense against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

24 Jul 2013

New peer-led intervention helps individuals with HIV adhere to their treatment plans

Individuals diagnosed with HIV nowadays can live long, healthy lives if they follow their medical treatment plans; however, nearly half of individuals with the virus fail to get needed medical help or to continue treatment, according to previous research.

24 Jul 2013

Researchers develop PEDV rapid diagnostic test

Mere months after porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) was first confirmed in the United States swine population, University of Minnesota researchers have developed a PEDV rapid diagnostic test.

24 Jul 2013

Discovery may help explain how anti-inflammatory steroid drugs work

A gene long presumed dead comes to life under the full moon of inflammation, Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have found.

23 Jul 2013

Study helps explain why some people contract bacterial super-infections

A recent study published in the July issue of the Journal of Immunology helps explain why some humans contract bacterial super-infections like pneumonia with influenza. The research was led by Le Bonheur Pediatrician-in-Chief Jon McCullers, MD - an infectious disease specialist who is also chair of the Department of Pediatrics for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and adjunct faculty at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

23 Jul 2013

Animal model of human norovirus lays groundwork for developing antiviral drug treatment

An animal model of the human norovirus created at the University of Michigan Health System lays the groundwork for understanding the biology of the pesky virus and developing antiviral drug treatment.

23 Jul 2013

Improving vaccination rates in boys plays a crucial role against HPV infection

Improving vaccination rates against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in boys is key to protecting both men and women, says new research from University of Toronto Professor Peter A. Newman from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

23 Jul 2013

p53 and cancer research: an interview with Professor Sir David Lane, Scientific Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

P53 is a tumor suppressor gene. The gene encodes for a protein that monitors the state of the cell. If something goes wrong, it stops the cell from dividing or causes the cell to commit suicide. I call it the “guardian of the genome” as it is the molecule that seems to keep cells normal. It is one of our big defenses against cancer.

22 Jul 2013

Monash University researchers provide novel pathways to develop treatments for diseases

Monash University researchers have gained new insight into the early stages of our immune response, providing novel pathways to develop treatments for diseases from multiple sclerosis to cancer.

22 Jul 2013

Sir Michael Stratton, Thijn Brummelkamp and Anne Glover to speak at The EMBO Meeting 2013

Predisposition to cancer and other diseases, genetic testing, infectious proteins and ubiquitin signalling -- these are some of the topics internationally renowned speakers will tackle at The EMBO Meeting 2013 to be held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 21-24 September 2013.

22 Jul 2013

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

The life-threatening MERS coronavirus that has emerged in the Middle East could spread faster and wider during two international mass gatherings involving millions of people in the next few months, according to researchers who describe the most likely pathways of international spread based upon worldwide patterns of air travel.

20 Jul 2013

Researchers discover new functions for PTPN22 gene linked with autoimmune disease

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified infection-fighting and inflammation-suppressing functions for a gene associated with human autoimmune disease.

20 Jul 2013

American Academy of Microbiology issues new report on West Nile Virus

Where does the virus come from? How is it spread? Can we predict when and where outbreaks will occur? What factors determine how sick a person will become if they are infected with West Nile virus?

19 Jul 2013

Scientists take important step toward pharmacologic development of treatment for fatal brain disorders

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have identified a mechanism that can prevent the normal prion protein from changing its molecular shape into the abnormal form responsible for neurodegenerative diseases. This finding, published in the July 18 issue of Cell Reports, offers new hope in the battle against a foe that until now has always proved fatal.

19 Jul 2013

American Crystallographic Association analysis may help researchers design vaccine against HIV/AIDS

Designing an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine is something of a paradox: a good vaccine would be safe and look enough like HIV to kick-start the immune system into neutralizing the virus - but the problem is that this is exactly what the human immune system has trouble doing even when it's exposed to the real thing.

19 Jul 2013

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Combination of 6 comprehensive measures to prevent spread of hepatitis C

Study reveals African bats may play a role in evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses

Australian researchers raise concerns over London Underground Mosquito

Report shows that fatal rabies virus is transmitted through transplanted kidney

Study reveals fungus coating on stored food may worsen AIDS epidemic

Platelet activation inhibits host cell entry of HIV, shows research

New peer-led intervention helps individuals with HIV adhere to their treatment plans

Researchers develop PEDV rapid diagnostic test

Discovery may help explain how anti-inflammatory steroid drugs work

Study helps explain why some people contract bacterial super-infections

Animal model of human norovirus lays groundwork for developing antiviral drug treatment

Improving vaccination rates in boys plays a crucial role against HPV infection

p53 and cancer research: an interview with Professor Sir David Lane, Scientific Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Monash University researchers provide novel pathways to develop treatments for diseases

Sir Michael Stratton, Thijn Brummelkamp and Anne Glover to speak at The EMBO Meeting 2013

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

Researchers discover new functions for PTPN22 gene linked with autoimmune disease

American Academy of Microbiology issues new report on West Nile Virus

Scientists take important step toward pharmacologic development of treatment for fatal brain disorders

American Crystallographic Association analysis may help researchers design vaccine against HIV/AIDS

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