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......»»
How incoming adenoviruses change their chromatin structure for efficient gene expression
Adenoviruses, known for their low pathogenicity and technological approachability, have become instrumental in many therapeutic applications, including as a vaccination vector platform during the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Central to their efficacy.....»»
Mapping the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could provide insight into vaccine development
Although the COVID-19 pandemic was the first time most of humanity learned of the now infamous disease, the family of coronaviruses was first identified in the mid-1960s. In a new study, molecular biologist Steven Van Doren, a scientist in the Univer.....»»
Inhalable molecules neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in mice
Nanofitins, which are derived from a protein found in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius—an archaeal microorganism found in hot springs—successfully neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in mice and were well-tolerated. When inhaled by the rodents, the engineered nanofi.....»»
For a new approach to fighting malaria, study focuses on special RNA molecules in human malaria parasite
The mosquito-borne infectious disease malaria resulted in about 241 million clinical episodes and 627,000 deaths in 2020. In young children and pregnant women living in areas where the disease is endemic, a major cause of death is Plasmodium falcipar.....»»
Study: Social justice for traditional knowledge holders will help conserve Europe"s nature
It is well known that biodiversity of cultural landscapes is threatened by land abandonment and agricultural intensification. Traditional, low chemical and machinery input management systems have long been acknowledged for their diverse benefits to m.....»»
SARS-CoV-2: How the history of human populations influences their immune response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical spectrum observed among people infected with SARS-CoV-2 ranged from asymptomatic carriage to death. Researchers at the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS and the Collège de France, in collaboration with researchers.....»»
BA.2.86 shows just how risky slacking off on COVID monitoring is
The variant has grabbed attention, but with such limited data, the risk is unclear. Enlarge / Transmission electron micrograph of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle isolated from a patient sample and cultivated in cell culture. (credit.....»»
Your Apple Watch band is likely covered in bacteria, new study says
In what will come as wholly unsurprising news for many people, your Apple Watch band is a breeding ground for bacteria. New research published in the Advances in Infectious Diseases journal goes more in-depth on the issue, finding a correlation betwe.....»»
Deconstructing the bee stinger to develop tiny, bio-inspired medical devices
New research deconstructing the anatomy of a honeybee stinger could help pave the way for a future generation of miniaturized medical devices used for drug delivery in humans......»»
New book describes how whaling shaped U.S. culture even after petroleum replaced it
The whaling industry helped drive industrialization in the 19th century, with whale oil used to light lamps and lubricate machinery. Even after petroleum replaced whale oil as an energy source in the U.S., whaling continued to be part of our cultural.....»»
Mechanism underlying bacterial resistance to the antibiotic albicidin revealed
A new analysis shows that infectious bacteria exposed to the antibiotic albicidin rapidly develop up to a 1,000-fold increase in resistance via a gene amplification mechanism. Mareike Saathoff of Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, and colleagues pre.....»»
3 Netflix movies like Barbie you should watch right now
If you're looking for something like Greta Gerwig's Barbie on Netflix, here are 3 films that capture Barbie's infectious spirit......»»
Crucial early-warning listserv for tracking disease outbreaks is in danger
ProMED, which broke news of COVID, SARS, and MERS, is short on cash and in turmoil. Enlarge (credit: Miragec/Getty Images) Internal dissent within the mostly volunteer disease-news network known as ProMED—which alerted.....»»
New SARS-CoV-2 variant gains dominance in US amid mild summer COVID wave
Absolute numbers are low, but several indicators show pandemic virus is on the rise. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Thomas Trutschel) For a fourth consecutive summer, COVID-19 is on the rise, though this year's warm-weather wa.....»»
A Crucial Early Warning System for Disease Outbreaks Is in Jeopardy
The ProMED website and listserv, which broke the news of the arrival of Covid, SARS, and MERS, is now caught between financial shortfalls and staff turmoil......»»
Novel nano-immune magnetic bead may provide faster way to catch SARS-CoV-2
A more efficient way to test SARS-CoV-2 virus was developed recently by a research team led by Professor Wang Junfeng from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). The novel nano-immune magnetic bead (Mal-IMB) t.....»»
Q&A: You"ve heard the annoyingly catchy song—but did you know these incredible facts about baby sharks?
"Baby shark doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo, baby shark doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo …" If you're the parent of a young child, you're probably painfully familiar with this infectious song, which now has more than 13 billion views on YouTube......»»
As the planet warms, scientists worry that cases of infectious diseases could spike
People around the world are living longer, healthier lives than they were just half a century ago......»»
New infection mechanism in SARS-CoV-2 discovered
Researchers from Heidelberg Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center investigate molecular relationships that promote infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2. The results may provide a starting point for developmen.....»»
DNA element with a murky past is borrowing cell"s repair machinery
Like its viral cousins, a somewhat parasitic DNA sequence called a retrotransposon has been found borrowing the cell's own machinery to achieve its goals......»»