Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Phase 2 clinical study of PEG-Interferon lambda commenced

ZymoGenetics, Inc. today announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) and ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (the “EMERGE” study).

27 Oct 2009

Mosquitoes are attracted by naturally produced, dominant odor in humans

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have identified the dominant odor naturally produced in humans and birds that attracts the blood-feeding Culex mosquitoes, which transmit West Nile virus and other life-threatening diseases.

27 Oct 2009

New anti-flu drugs to fight flu virus could become a reality

New anti-flu drugs could become a reality as a result of a study carried out by academics at the University of Hertfordshire.

27 Oct 2009

Patient receives left-ventricular assist device to improve heart function

UT Southwestern Medical Center patient Michael LeBlanc, 40, is the first in North Texas to receive the newest generation of a mechanical device designed to improve heart function. It will be his lifeline while he awaits a heart transplant.

27 Oct 2009

Hutchinson Center receives USAID grant to build a cancer clinic and medical-training facility in Africa

Building on the strengths of two institutions separated by nearly 9,000 miles over two continents - both renowned in their work in the fight against cancer - the United States Agency for International Development has awarded a $500,000 grant to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to aid in the construction of the first American cancer clinic and medical-training facility in Africa.

27 Oct 2009

Comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers

Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

27 Oct 2009

Consumers concerned about H1N1 flu, to avoid shopping during holiday season

Nearly one in five consumers say their concern over the H1N1 flu will cause them to avoid shopping on traditionally busy retail days during the 2009 holiday season, according to a recent Morpace Omnibus Study.

27 Oct 2009

Genomics can provide insights in understanding emerging infectious disease

This week, the Public Library of Science, an open-access publisher, presents the "Genomics of Emerging Infectious Disease," a collection of essays, perspectives, and reviews that explores how genomics-with all its associated tools and techniques-can provide insights into our understanding of emerging infectious disease.

27 Oct 2009

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center receives a $500,000 grant to construct cancer clinic in Africa

27 Oct 2009

Mechanisms to control protein organization and cell-cell interaction in the immune system discovered

In a process essential to the immune system's response to infection, dendritic cells responsible for identifying pathogens communicate with the T-cells that destroy the infectious agents. To achieve this, the dendritic cells must be correctly activated and migrate to the lymph nodes where they must adhere firmly to T-cells.

27 Oct 2009

Sperm can transmit HIV to macrophages and dendritic cells

Sperm, and not just the fluid it bathes in, can transmit HIV to macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells (DCs), report a team led by Ana Ceballos at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

27 Oct 2009

President Obama declares H1N1 national emergency

President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak a national emergency, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The declaration, which Mr. Obama signed Friday, authorizes the administration to waive or modify certain federal requirements involving Medicare, Medicaid and health-privacy rules to speed treatment," the newspaper writes (McKay/Simpson/Whalen, 10/26).

26 Oct 2009

A selection of today's opinions and editorials

Aging in Place" is the popular rallying cry in the senior community. But living at home is not so easy, either for the frail elderly or younger people with disabilities. Interestingly enough, the reasons may have more to do with social issues than medical concerns (Howard Gleckman, 10/26).

26 Oct 2009

Swine flu 'emergency' declaration could mean expedited care

President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency as the number of swine flu cases soars and vaccine production doesn't keep up with demand.

26 Oct 2009

Anti-viral drug development programs progress successfully, reports NanoViricides

NanoViricides, Inc. (the "Company"), reports that the Company is well financed and its game changing anti-viral drug development programs are progressing successfully. As such, Management knows of no reason for the recent decline in stock price and associated volatility.

26 Oct 2009

AMERIGROUP issues new guidance for third quarter 2009

AMERIGROUP Corporation announced today that it expects to report earnings for the third quarter of 2009 in the range of $0.42 to $0.44 per diluted share. The new guidance for the third quarter primarily reflects elevated medical costs associated with the onset of a severe flu season due to the H1N1 virus.

26 Oct 2009

Rega Institute and CD3 to receive funds for new medication research for dengue treatment

The Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy (Rega Institute) and the "Centre for Drug Design and Discovery" (CD3) at K.U.Leuven will receive a total of 2.8 million euro from the British Wellcome Trust. - They will apply these funds to the search for possible new medication for the treatment of infections related to the 'dengue fever virus'.

26 Oct 2009

London residents are one of the most unhygienic in Britain: Poll results

London residents have today been revealed as one of the most unhygienic in Britain, according to a poll of 4,000 adults by Wet Ones to launch National Hand Hygiene Awareness Week.

26 Oct 2009

Poll results reveal Bristol residents as the most unhygienic in Britain

Bristol residents have today been revealed as the most unhygienic in Britain, according to a poll of 4,000 adults by Wet Ones to launch National Hand Hygiene Awareness Week.

26 Oct 2009

Gene therapy may help improve congenital blindness in children

Born with a retinal disease that made him legally blind, and would eventually leave him totally sightless, the nine-year-old boy used to sit in the back of the classroom, relying on the large print on an electronic screen and assisted by teacher aides. Now, after a single injection of genes that produce light-sensitive pigments in the back of his eye, he sits in front with classmates and participates in class without extra help. In the playground, he joins his classmates in playing his first game of softball.

26 Oct 2009