Deconstructing the infectious machinery of SARS-CoV-2
Scientists have published a comprehensive study that -- alongside other recent, complementary studies of coronavirus proteins and genetics -- represents the first step toward developing treatments for COVID-19......»»
New bioengineered protein design shows promise in fighting COVID-19
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have been racing to develop effective treatments and preventatives against the virus. A recent scientific breakthrough has emerged from the work of researchers aiming to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus re.....»»
The next pandemic? It"s already here for Earth"s wildlife, says biologist
I am a conservation biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases. When people ask me what I think the next pandemic will be I often say that we are in the midst of one—it's just afflicting a great many species more than ours......»»
New biology unveiled for fundamental cellular machinery
Cellular communication relies on receptor molecules on the cell surface. The periodic uptake and sorting of these receptors, critical for their degradation or recycling, are governed by an elaborate machinery prominently featuring the Commander compl.....»»
How the SARS-CoV-2 virus acquires its spherical shape
For centuries, coronaviruses have triggered health crises and economic challenges, with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that spreads COVID-19, being a recent example. One small protein in SARS-CoV-2, the membrane protein, or M protein, is the most abunda.....»»
Temperature, humidity may drive future transmission of parasitic worm infections
As climate changes, temperature isn't the only factor to influence the spread of infectious diseases. Humidity plays a role, too, according to new research published this week (Feb. 25) in Ecology Letters......»»
Worker killed in accident at Italian Stellantis plant
The victim, a maintenance worker for a contracto, died while carrying out work on a piece of machinery......»»
Toxoplasmosis: Researchers identify protein that evolved alongside infection machinery
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease found worldwide, caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In humans, infection poses a particular risk to pregnant women, as it can lead to birth defects. Like the closely related malaria pathogen.....»»
Can you sanitize the inside of your nose to prevent COVID? Nope, FDA says.
There are a lot of COVID nasal sprays for sale, but little data to show they work. Enlarge (credit: Nozin.com) More than four years after SARS-CoV-2 made its global debut, the US Food and Drug Administration is still wor.....»»
Testing shows some bacteria could survive under Mars conditions
An international team of radiation specialists, biologists and infectious disease experts has found four types of bacteria that are capable of surviving exposure to the hostile Mars environment. In their study, published in the journal Astrobiology,.....»»
An infectious gibbon ape leukemia virus found to be colonizing a rodent"s genome in New Guinea
A research team has caught a glimpse of a rare case of retrovirus integration. Retroviruses are viruses that multiply by incorporating their genes into the genome of a host cell. If the infected cell is a germ cell, the retrovirus can then be passed.....»»
New and highly infectious E. coli strain resistant to powerful antibiotics
A new type of E. coli that is both highly infectious and resistant to some antibiotics has been discovered......»»
Research finds resin destroys coronavirus on plastic surfaces
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, are currently developing anti-viral surfaces to decrease the spread of infectious diseases. A recent study published in Microbiology Spectrum found that a resin ingredient is effective against co.....»»
DNA particles that mimic viruses hold promise as vaccines
Using a virus-like delivery particle made from DNA, researchers from MIT and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard have created a vaccine that can induce a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2......»»
Study shows RNAs do work outside of cells to guide the immune system
Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are the ultimate cellular insiders. They perform several critical jobs, such as ferrying genetic instructions from a living organism's DNA to its protein-making machinery (a process key to cellular processes) and controlling.....»»
Scientists make COVID receptor protein in mouse cells
A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has demonstrated a way to produce large quantities of the receptor that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, binds to on the s.....»»
Humans can get their pets sick: Reverse zoonoses more common than once thought
For as long as humans have been domesticating animals, there have been zoonoses, also known as infectious diseases that jump from animals to humans. Recent public health stories about COVID-19, avian flu and swine flu have thrust zoonoses back into t.....»»
Chemists find potential new drug for photodynamic cancer therapy
A modern alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is photodynamic therapy. It is used to treat cancer, skin diseases, and infectious diseases. The essence of the method is that light-sensitive substances are introduced into the blood, which accum.....»»
Cryo-microscopy reveals nano-sized copy machine implicated in origin of life
How the intricate molecular machinery of life arose from simple beginnings has been a long-standing question. Several lines of evidence point towards a primordial "RNA world," where an "RNA copy machine" (a so-called replicase) started making copies.....»»
Scientists discover how ultraviolet light degrades coronavirus
New research has revealed how light can be used to destroy infectious coronavirus particles that contaminate surfaces. Scientists are interested in how environments, such as surgeries, can be thoroughly disinfected from viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 tha.....»»
Crop spray could lead to mass resistance in new-generation antifungal treatments
An agricultural fungicide approved in the U.S. and currently under consideration by authorities worldwide could have a devastating effect on a new drug for one of world's deadliest infectious diseases, show University of Manchester scientists......»»