Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Zika entry into India – cause for concern

The Zika virus has finally wormed its way into one of the largest and most densely populated countries in the world, India. The World Health Organization reported that surveillance efforts should be strengthened here in order to curb the menace and prevent its spread.

30 May 2017

New biosensor rapidly detects tiny concentrations of influenza A virus

Researchers have developed a new, rapid biosensor for the early detection of even tiny concentrations of the human influenza A (H1N1) virus.

30 May 2017

Scientists create a faster, less labor-intensive test to detect “hidden” HIV

The search to develop a HIV cure has long been overwhelmed by a seemingly simple question: How do physicians find out if somebody is cured? The virus has an ability to lie dormant in immune cells at levels that could not be detected to all, however, the most expensive and time-consuming tests can find the hidden virus.

30 May 2017

A new Zika threat hovers as summer’s mosquitoes get bzzzzy

Zika, the mosquito-borne virus that triggered public health alarm bells last summer, has receded from the spotlight. But, experts say, expect the virus to pose a renewed threat this year.

30 May 2017

Scripps scientists make important advance in HIV vaccine design

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have made another important advance in HIV vaccine design. The development was possible thanks to previous studies at TSRI showing the structures of a protein on HIV’s surface, called the envelope glycoprotein. The scientists used these structures to design a mimic of the viral protein from a different HIV subtype, subtype C, which is responsible for the majority of infections worldwide.

29 May 2017

Grifols provides Procleix Zika Virus Assay to screen blood donations in countries that accept products with CE marking

Grifols, one of the world’s leading producers of plasma-derived medicines, now provides European countries accepting products with the CE marking with a test to detect the presence of the Zika virus in donated blood. CE marking means a product conforms to relevant legislation for sale in the European economic area.

29 May 2017

Preventative measures can help minimize rising threat of tick-borne illnesses

Healthcare providers and researchers agree: this will be a bad year for ticks and we need use preventative measures to minimize the threat of tick-borne illnesses.

27 May 2017

New study finds clear trend of HIV patients persisting with treatment longer than usual

With antiretroviral drugs, HIV has become a manageable chronic condition, but only so long as patients continue to take the medication.

26 May 2017

Swiss scientists create artificial viruses to combat cancer cells

Swiss scientists from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and the University of Basel have created artificial viruses that can be used to target cancer.

26 May 2017

WHO announces new flagship programs for African region over next two years

The World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa announced today four new flagship programs for the region over the next two years, including a major push on adolescent health and the creation of regional emergency hubs.

26 May 2017

Health care providers should review Ebola response plans to avoid mistakes, say experts

With an Ebola outbreak underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo, experts say health care providers should review their Ebola response plans now to avoid repeating past mistakes.

26 May 2017

Study suggests Zika virus poses wider threat in human pregnancies

Zika virus infection passes efficiently from a pregnant monkey to its fetus, spreading inflammatory damage throughout the tissues that support the fetus and the fetus's developing nervous system, and suggesting a wider threat in human pregnancies than generally appreciated.

25 May 2017

Researchers develop new method for rapidly sorting HIV viruses

Researchers at EMBL, ESPCI Paris, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative have developed a new technique for rapidly sorting HIV viruses, which could lead to more rapid development of a vaccine for HIV, as they report in Cell Chemical Biology.

25 May 2017

Miami is key point for transmission of Zika virus to the US

Scientists at the Scripps Translational Science Institute (TSRI) have mapped the entry of the Zika virus into the US by analysing its DNA. Miami was found to be a hot spot for transmission of Zika.

25 May 2017

Near real-time genomic sequencing reveals how Zika virus entered into the U.S.

A new study by a multi-national research team, including scientists from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, explains how Zika virus entered the United States last year and how it might re-enter the country this year.

25 May 2017

Genetic sequencing reveals how Zika virus spread in the Americas

Genetic analysis of samples collected as the Zika virus (ZIKV) spread throughout the Americas after its introduction in 2013 or 2014 has shown that the virus circulated undetected for up to a year in some regions before it came to the attention of public health authorities.

24 May 2017

Researchers present promising approach to create virus- and oncogene-free IPSCs

Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) hold great promise in regenerative medicine, personalized medicine and drug discovery.

24 May 2017

U-M research reveals important clues about invasion of polyomaviruses

Every cell in our body runs like a tiny factory that makes specialized products, using the carefully guarded instructions kept in the CEO's office.

24 May 2017

Review highlights emerging public health threat of Powassan virus infection in North America

Cases of human infection with Powassan virus (POWV), which can cause fatal neuroinvasive disease and long-term neurological effects, appear to be increasing in the United States. POWV is transmitted by Ixodes tick species found in North America.

23 May 2017

Scientists report promising approach to combat influenza and improve survival

The influenza virus turns infected lung cells into factories that churn out thousands of copies of the virus to spread the infection. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have reported a promising new approach that uses an investigational cancer drug to dial down viral production and dramatically increase survival of flu-infected mice.

23 May 2017