Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

CSL Biotherapies initiates clinical trials of Influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine in the US

CSL Biotherapies has announced the initiation of the company’s first U.S. clinical trials of its candidate Influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine. Study investigators will administer vaccinations to the first U.S. study volunteers today, August 24. The studies will determine the safety of CSL’s candidate vaccine and its ability to elicit an immune response (also referred to as immunogenicity) in adults and children.

24 Aug 2009

Advisory labels to help combat swine flu

Out With Allergies LLC has announced the introduction of FluNotes(TM), "Wash Hands Fight Flu"(TM) advisory labels as a potent new weapon for combating swine flu. Available through their website, www.FluNotes.com, these stick-on notes are intended to make people more aware that they must wash their hands frequently to avoid catching and spreading the flu.

24 Aug 2009

National campaign to educate people with developmental disabilities about protection from germs

The Tech-Aid Institute, http://www.techaidinstitute.com, is launching a national campaign to educate people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities about how to protect themselves from germs that include the 2009 flu pandemic that is commonly known as the Swine (H1N1) Flu.

24 Aug 2009

Researchers discover elusive nanoscale movements of ribosomes at work

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have for the first time captured elusive nanoscale movements of ribosomes at work, shedding light on how these cellular factories take in genetic instructions and amino acids to churn out proteins.

24 Aug 2009

Microbiologists discover new therapies for human respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus

A cellular molecule that not only can sense two common respiratory viruses but also can direct cells to mount a defense has been identified by microbiologists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

24 Aug 2009

Marin Catholic High School's new SAS system reduces the presence of illness-causing microorganisms

Marin Catholic High School (MCHS) and CSG, the worldwide leader in environmentally-beneficial surface treatments, today announced the school is the Bay Area's first education facility to integrate the Surface Antimicrobial System (SAS). The most environmentally friendly and long-lasting treatment of its kind, SAS has transformed 10,000 square feet of high-touch surfaces in Marin's athletic facility into materials that continuously inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, mold, and fungi for three years.

24 Aug 2009

Nervous system integrity could play a central role in preventing prion diseases

A new study shows that nervous system integrity and axonal properties may play a key role in prion diseases. The findings, from researchers at the Rudolf Virchow Center and the Institute of Virology of the University of W-rzburg, expand our understanding of the development of prion disease and suggest novel targets for therapeutic and diagnostic approaches in its early stages.

24 Aug 2009

'Explosion' of H1N1 cases likely, WHO Says

In the coming months, countries should prepare for an "explosion" in new cases of H1N1 (swine) flu until peak transmission of the virus is reached, WHO Western Pacific Director Shin Young-soo told a symposium of health officials gathered in Beijing Friday, the Associated Press reports.

23 Aug 2009

Adamas Pharmaceuticals forges agreement with U.S. Naval Health Research Center for evaluating triple combination antiviral drug

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company, announced today that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Naval Health Research Center for preclinical studies evaluating Adamas' triple combination antiviral drug (TCAD) therapy for influenza A, including novel influenza A/H1N1. TCAD therapy includes Adamas' investigational proprietary fixed-dose oral combination drug, to be administered adjunctively with a neuraminidase inhibitor, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate, Roche).

22 Aug 2009

Applied Nanoscience in joint venture agreement to produce disposable protective face mask

Applied Nanoscience Inc. (ANI) (PINKSHEETS: APNN), a nanotechnology-based filtration development company, today announced it has reached a joint venture agreement to begin production on a disposable protective face mask with its Asia Pacific region partner. The protective mask will incorporate ANI's proprietary NanoFense™ technology, a U.S. patent pending antimicrobial nanoparticle formulation.

21 Aug 2009

Safe injection practices for improving safety to be discussed at the Joint Commission Infection Control Conference

Premier healthcare alliance’s Gina Pugliese, vice president of Premier’s Safety Institute, will share insights on safe injection practices to improve patient and worker safety at the Joint Commission Infection Control Conference on August 21 in Crystal City, Va.

21 Aug 2009

Medicago and Ajanta Pharma forge MoU to commercialize seasonal influenza VLP-based vaccines in India

Medicago Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and affordable vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Ajanta Pharma Limited ("Ajanta") to discuss and negotiate an agreement to commercialize Medicago's pandemic and seasonal influenza VLP-based vaccines in India and other territories.

21 Aug 2009

West Nile Virus threat continues in Pennsylvania

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger today reminded Pennsylvania's citizens that although the number of West Nile Virus cases has dropped, the threat still exists.

21 Aug 2009

New book reveals information on the occurrence and spread of rabies in bats

Bat Rabies is intended for scientists and the general public. Dr. Constantine presents the material in a simple, straightforward manner that serves both audiences. The book, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, was published with the goal of increasing public understanding of rabies and the often misunderstood bat, and providing a balanced perspective on the risk of bat rabies to people.

21 Aug 2009

Influenza A H1N1 Real Time RT-PCR tests detect RNA of H1N1 influenza virus

Focus Diagnostics, the infectious disease diagnostics business of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, today announced that its Influenza A H1N1 (2009) Real Time RT-PCR test is now available as a test kit for use by "high complexity" clinical laboratories in the U.S.

21 Aug 2009

New discovery on cellular fusion

Success in soccer sometimes comes with "bending it like Beckham." Success in cellular fusion - as occurs at the moment of conception and when nerve cells exchange neurotransmitters - requires that a membrane be bent before the merging process can begin, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have shown.

20 Aug 2009

WHO says confirmed H1N1 deaths worldwide reach 1,800

According to the latest WHO report out Wednesday, the number of confirmed H1N1 (swine) flu deaths since its emergence in April has reached 1,799 - a jump from 1,462 deaths since the agency's last update, Agence France-Presse/the Australian reports.

20 Aug 2009

Chemical components of elderberry, cinnamon and green tea extracts block HIV viruses from infecting cells

The development of new antiviral drugs has had a tremendous impact on the quality of life and life expectancy of HIV-positive and AIDS patients, as the drugs effectively disrupt the replication cycle of the HIV virus. Yet the regular use of those drugs - such as zidovudine (also known as azidothymidine or AZT), protease inhibitors, and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) involving multidrug therapies - has led to resistant HIV strains.

20 Aug 2009

Seasonal flu vaccinations to cost less in Safeway's U.S. Stores

Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) added to its leadership reputation in health care reform and cost control by offering seasonal flu vaccines in its U.S. stores at a substantial savings compared with the cost of doctor-administered vaccines. The lower cost will help consumers and businesses control health care spending in a challenging economy.

20 Aug 2009

Some HIV-positive Ugandans' not receiving antiretrovirals

Some HIV-positive people in Uganda "cannot be put on the national antiretroviral [ARV] programme because it is already saturated and funds for new patients are not available," the Independent reports. According to the newspaper, roughly 360,000 HIV-positive Ugandans are eligible for antiretroviral treatment because their CD4 counts are below the WHO's threshold of 350; however, about half of them currently do not have access to ARVs.

20 Aug 2009

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

CSL Biotherapies initiates clinical trials of Influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine in the US

Advisory labels to help combat swine flu

National campaign to educate people with developmental disabilities about protection from germs

Researchers discover elusive nanoscale movements of ribosomes at work

Microbiologists discover new therapies for human respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus

Marin Catholic High School's new SAS system reduces the presence of illness-causing microorganisms

Nervous system integrity could play a central role in preventing prion diseases

'Explosion' of H1N1 cases likely, WHO Says

Adamas Pharmaceuticals forges agreement with U.S. Naval Health Research Center for evaluating triple combination antiviral drug

Applied Nanoscience in joint venture agreement to produce disposable protective face mask

Safe injection practices for improving safety to be discussed at the Joint Commission Infection Control Conference

Medicago and Ajanta Pharma forge MoU to commercialize seasonal influenza VLP-based vaccines in India

West Nile Virus threat continues in Pennsylvania

New book reveals information on the occurrence and spread of rabies in bats

Influenza A H1N1 Real Time RT-PCR tests detect RNA of H1N1 influenza virus

New discovery on cellular fusion

WHO says confirmed H1N1 deaths worldwide reach 1,800

Chemical components of elderberry, cinnamon and green tea extracts block HIV viruses from infecting cells

Seasonal flu vaccinations to cost less in Safeway's U.S. Stores

Some HIV-positive Ugandans' not receiving antiretrovirals

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