Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Genetic analysis of H7N9 portrays that virus evolves to adapt to human cells

A genetic analysis of the avian flu virus responsible for at least nine human deaths in China portrays a virus evolving to adapt to human cells, raising concern about its potential to spark a new global flu pandemic.

15 Apr 2013

Study reveals inner workings of master regulator that controls diverse functions

New discoveries by a team of scientists at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans for the first time reveal the inner workings of a master regulator that controls functions as diverse as the ability of nerve cells to "rewire" themselves in response to external stimuli and the mechanism by which certain viruses hijack normal cellular processes to facilitate their replication that can ultimately lead to cancer. The research will be published in the April 12, 2013 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

12 Apr 2013

U.S., Chinese researchers developing vaccine for H7N9 avian flu virus; Some question speed of case reporting

"Less than two weeks after Chinese officials released the genetic sequence of a new type of bird flu [H7N9], U.S. vaccine experts are well on the way to making a vaccine to protect people against it," NBC News's "Vitals" blog reports (Fox, 4/10).

12 Apr 2013

Study: Certain types of papilloma virus might prevent cervical cancer

There are over 100 different types of human papilloma virus (HPV). Cervical cancer is known to be caused by infection with approximately 14 so-called "high-risk" types of this virus.

From The University of Manchester 12 Apr 2013

New approaches to treat persistent viral infections like HIV and hepatitis C

UCLA scientists have shown that temporarily blocking a protein critical to immune response actually helps the body clear itself of chronic infection. Published in the April 12 edition of Science, the finding suggests new approaches to treating persistent viral infections like HIV and hepatitis C.

12 Apr 2013

Australian, Singapore researchers join hands to combat disease-causing bugs

The fight against a number of significant infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region has been given a boost through a new research collaboration between the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.

12 Apr 2013

MKK4 gene could be a promising therapeutic target for liver disease, study reveals

Chronic liver failure is a major health problem that causes about one million deaths around the world each year. A study published April 11th by Cell Press in the journal Cell reveals a new type of screen for identifying genes that promote liver repair in mouse models of both acute and chronic liver disease.

12 Apr 2013

Experts launch new strategy to eradicate polio by 2018

Hundreds of scientists, doctors and other experts from around the world launched the Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication today, declaring that an end to the paralyzing disease is achievable and endorsing a comprehensive new strategy to secure a lasting polio-free world by 2018.

12 Apr 2013

Newly characterized adenoviruses can cause severe human infections

The ongoing dance between a virus and its host distinctly shapes how the virus evolves. While human adenoviruses typically cause mild infections, recent reports have described newly characterized adenoviruses that can cause severe, sometime fatal, human infections.

12 Apr 2013

Dental associations urge regular oral cancer examinations for early detection

Almost 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or throat cancer this year. The 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed is only slightly more than 64%. When cancer is detected and treated early, treatment-related health problems are reduced.

12 Apr 2013

Rising temperature induces key changes in dengue virus

Researchers have discovered that rising temperature induces key changes in the dengue virus when it enters its human host, and the findings represent a new approach for designing vaccines against the aggressive mosquito-borne pathogen.

12 Apr 2013

China reports additional deaths from H7N9; Scientists work to uncover source

"China reported two more fatalities from a new strain of avian flu [H7N9] on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to nine, and raised the total number of infections by four to 28 as the government renewed efforts to combat the spread of the disease," the Wall Street Journal reports (Tejada/Burkitt, 4/9).

11 Apr 2013

New data on Merck’s VICTRELIS for chronic HCV to be presented at EASL annual meeting

Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that two analyses of VICTRELIS (boceprevir) and data from Phase II studies of two of Merck's investigational medicines for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, MK-5172 and vaniprevir (MK-7009), will be presented at the 2013 International Liver Congress (EASL) Annual Meeting.

11 Apr 2013

New research finds HPV plays role in lung cancer in some patients

A common virus known to cause cervical and head and neck cancers may also trigger some cases of lung cancer, according to new research presented by Fox Chase Cancer Center at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 on Wednesday, April 10.

11 Apr 2013

Scientists reveal new technique to introduce disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes

Scientists have revealed a new technique to introduce disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes, with promising results that may halt the spread of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and potentially malaria.

11 Apr 2013

Scientists demonstrate feasibility of using already-approved drugs against pathogens

In the most extensive screen of its kind, Texas Biomed scientists in San Antonio have demonstrated the feasibility of repurposing already-approved drugs for use against highly pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

11 Apr 2013

Study: Circumcision does not increase risk of herpes in infants

Jewish leaders this week pointed to a recent independent study by Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania that found little evidence to support the claim that a circumcision practice known as Metzitzah B'Peh (MBP) leads to an increased likelihood of herpes in infants.

10 Apr 2013

Researchers evaluate Pexa-Vec to slow progression of liver cancer

As part of a multicenter clinical trial, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine are evaluating Pexa-Vec (JX-594) to slow the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma or liver cancer. Pexa-Vec is a genetically engineered virus that is used in the smallpox vaccine.

10 Apr 2013

More research needed to measure impact of co-infections on hospital admission

A study at Rhode Island Hospital has found that despite complications, patients co-infected with the pandemic 2009-2010 influenza A H1N1 (pH1N1) and a second respiratory virus were not associated with worse outcomes or admission to the hospital's intensive care unit.

10 Apr 2013

Researchers design drug to block incidence of head, neck cancer caused by HPV virus

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which the human papilloma virus (HPV) causes head and neck cancer, and they have designed a drug to block that mechanism. Though further research is needed, the new agent might offer a safer treatment for these tumors when combined with a tapered dose of standard chemotherapy.

9 Apr 2013

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Genetic analysis of H7N9 portrays that virus evolves to adapt to human cells

Study reveals inner workings of master regulator that controls diverse functions

U.S., Chinese researchers developing vaccine for H7N9 avian flu virus; Some question speed of case reporting

Study: Certain types of papilloma virus might prevent cervical cancer

New approaches to treat persistent viral infections like HIV and hepatitis C

Australian, Singapore researchers join hands to combat disease-causing bugs

MKK4 gene could be a promising therapeutic target for liver disease, study reveals

Experts launch new strategy to eradicate polio by 2018

Newly characterized adenoviruses can cause severe human infections

Dental associations urge regular oral cancer examinations for early detection

Rising temperature induces key changes in dengue virus

China reports additional deaths from H7N9; Scientists work to uncover source

New data on Merck’s VICTRELIS for chronic HCV to be presented at EASL annual meeting

New research finds HPV plays role in lung cancer in some patients

Scientists reveal new technique to introduce disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes

Scientists demonstrate feasibility of using already-approved drugs against pathogens

Study: Circumcision does not increase risk of herpes in infants

Researchers evaluate Pexa-Vec to slow progression of liver cancer

More research needed to measure impact of co-infections on hospital admission

Researchers design drug to block incidence of head, neck cancer caused by HPV virus

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