Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

NTNU researchers reveal how HCV converts innocent cells into virus factories

The Hepatitis C (HCV) virus is a sly enemy to have in one's body. Not only does it manage to make itself invisible to the immune system by breaking down communication between the immune cells, it also builds secret virus "factories" that quickly go into mass production.

13 Oct 2017

Fever in first trimester of pregnancy increases risk for birth defects, study shows

Fevers in a mother's first trimester of pregnancy increase the baby's risk for some heart defects and facial deformities such as cleft lip or palate, but exactly how this happens is unclear. Scientists have debated whether a virus or other infection causes the defects, or if fever alone is the problem.

12 Oct 2017

Zika virus outbreak in Ecuador worsened by El Niño and 2016 earthquake

A Zika virus outbreak in coastal Ecuador in 2016 was likely worsened by a strong El Niño and a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the region in April, according to a new study.

12 Oct 2017

World’s only Atomo HIV Self Test receives CE Marking from European Union Notified Body

Atomo Diagnostics, a world leader in innovative point-of-care, rapid diagnostic devices, announced today that its Atomo HIV Self Test has been granted CE Marking by a European Union Notified Body.

12 Oct 2017

Ebola vaccine that provides a year’s worth of protection developed

Liberia’s Ebola outbreak has yielded a successful trial of two vaccines against the deadly infection that could provide protection for up to a year and is also deemed to be safe.

12 Oct 2017

Calcium controls use of glucose by T cells to multiply and battle against infection, study finds

A calcium signal controls whether immune cells can use the nutrients needed to fuel their multiplication into a cellular army designed to fight invading viruses.

11 Oct 2017

Study reveals unique norovirus characteristic of hiding from host immune system

Noroviruses are the leading cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in the world and are estimated to cause 267 million infections and 20,000 deaths each year. This virus causes severe diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.

11 Oct 2017

Scientists better understand how rabies virus induces drastic changes in behavior

Scientists may finally understand how the rabies virus can drastically change its host's behavior to help spread the disease, which kills about 59,000 people annually.

11 Oct 2017

Duke researchers unravel how fever in early pregnancy increases risk for heart, facial birth defects

Researchers have known for decades that fevers in the first trimester of pregnancy increase risk for some heart defects and facial deformities such as cleft lip or palate. Exactly how this happens is unclear. Scientists have debated whether a virus or other infection source causes the defects, or if fever alone is the underlying problem.

10 Oct 2017

New serotypes of Zika virus could appear in near future, researcher cautions

Zika virus is mutating so fast in Brazilian patients that different serotypes of the pathogen could appear in the near future, as is already the case with dengue virus. This would hinder the production of a vaccine and impair the effectiveness of the diagnostic tests already developed.

10 Oct 2017

TTUHSC El Paso researcher receives $420,000 grant to study mosquito-borne Zika virus

Haoquan Wu, Ph.D., associate professor in the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, has received a two-year, $420,000 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease to study the mosquito-borne virus Zika.

10 Oct 2017

High fat diet linked to increased risk of relapse in kids with MS

On the other hand, high vegetable intake may halve the risk of relapse, the findings indicate. Several genetic and environmental factors, including previous infection with Epstein Barr virus, exposure to cigarette smoke, and low vitamin D levels have all been associated with a heightened risk of MS.

9 Oct 2017

GW researchers receive NIH award to bring Zika vaccine trial to Brazil

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes of Health awarded more than $2 million to a research team at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences to facilitate a Zika vaccine trial in Brazil.

9 Oct 2017

Study finds abundant disease-transmitting mosquito species in deforested areas

Most disease-transmitting mosquito species live in deforested areas, a finding that may influence decisions on where and when to cut down trees, a new University of Florida study shows.

9 Oct 2017

Penn study explains how acute viral infections can linger

Infections caused by viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, measles, parainfluenza, and Ebola, are typically considered acute. These viruses cause disease quickly and live within a host for a limited time. But in some cases, the effects of the infection, and presence of the virus itself, can persist.

6 Oct 2017

Ebola vaccine found to be safe and effective for adults and children in Africa

Experts at St George's, University of London, have reported that an Ebola vaccine is safe for children as well as adults and produces an immune response.

6 Oct 2017

FDA grants approval for new test to detect Zika virus in blood donations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the cobas Zika test, a qualitative nucleic acid test for the detection of Zika virus RNA in individual plasma specimens obtained from volunteer donors of whole blood and blood components, and from living organ donors.

6 Oct 2017

Antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic protects monkeys from infection, study shows

Using blood samples from an individual previously infected with Zika virus, scientists funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, have developed an antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic that protected monkeys from infection.

5 Oct 2017

Monoclonal antibody “cocktail” inhibits Zika infection, study reveals

A collaborative study conducted by the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami has revealed that a monoclonal antibody “cocktail” inhibited zika virus (ZIKV) infection in primates.

5 Oct 2017

Scientists develop synthetic molecule effective at kicking and killing HIV

Current anti-AIDS drugs are highly effective at making HIV undetectable and allowing people with the virus to live longer, healthier lives. The treatments, a class of medications called antiretroviral therapy, also greatly reduce the chance of transmission from person to person.

5 Oct 2017

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

NTNU researchers reveal how HCV converts innocent cells into virus factories

Fever in first trimester of pregnancy increases risk for birth defects, study shows

Zika virus outbreak in Ecuador worsened by El Niño and 2016 earthquake

World’s only Atomo HIV Self Test receives CE Marking from European Union Notified Body

Ebola vaccine that provides a year’s worth of protection developed

Calcium controls use of glucose by T cells to multiply and battle against infection, study finds

Study reveals unique norovirus characteristic of hiding from host immune system

Scientists better understand how rabies virus induces drastic changes in behavior

Duke researchers unravel how fever in early pregnancy increases risk for heart, facial birth defects

New serotypes of Zika virus could appear in near future, researcher cautions

TTUHSC El Paso researcher receives $420,000 grant to study mosquito-borne Zika virus

High fat diet linked to increased risk of relapse in kids with MS

GW researchers receive NIH award to bring Zika vaccine trial to Brazil

Study finds abundant disease-transmitting mosquito species in deforested areas

Penn study explains how acute viral infections can linger

Ebola vaccine found to be safe and effective for adults and children in Africa

FDA grants approval for new test to detect Zika virus in blood donations

Antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic protects monkeys from infection, study shows

Monoclonal antibody “cocktail” inhibits Zika infection, study reveals

Scientists develop synthetic molecule effective at kicking and killing HIV

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

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