How to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus
In the absence of effective treatments for COVID-19, many countries have approved the therapeutic use of blood plasma from recovering patients because it contains antibodies against the coronavirus. But not every type of antibody can neutralize the v.....»»
Nanoparticle flu vaccine design shows promise in early tests
Existing flu vaccines provide only limited, seasonal protection because they target highly changeable proteins on the virus. Scripps Research scientists have now designed a vaccine that should work broadly against influenza A strains—one of the two.....»»
Novel insights into antibody aggregation expected to open up new avenues for research and therapeutic applications
Antibodies (immunoglobulins) are Y-shaped proteins that recognize and neutralize specific pathogens. Their ability to target specific molecules or cells has made them promising candidates for future drug development. However, their light chains—par.....»»
Researchers characterize translation inhibition in CRISPR-Cas antiviral defense system
A recent study in Science uses bioinformatic analysis as well as biochemical and structural studies to characterize a novel family of effector proteins, named Cami1. The research shows that when a virus attacks a bacterium, CRISPR-Cas10 signaling mol.....»»
Scientists navigate uncharted waters in fish immunology research
Upon infection or immunization, all jawed vertebrate species generate proteins called antibodies that bind and neutralize pathogens. Strong and long-lasting antibody responses in warm-blooded species such as mammals are produced in secondary lymphoid.....»»
Researchers identify dynamic behavior of key SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein
Researchers at Kanazawa University report in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters high-speed atomic force microscopy studies that shed light on the possible role of the open reading frame 6 (ORF6) protein in COVID-19 symptoms......»»
Research links climate change to vampire bat expansion and rabies virus spillover
Vampire bats may soon take up residence in the United States and bring with them an ancient pathogen. "What we found was that the distribution of vampire bats has moved northward across time due to past climate change, which has corresponded with an.....»»
The infectious disease forecast for Thanksgiving is looking dicey
Respiratory virus season is in full swing as people ready for family gatherings. Enlarge / Travelers walk through Union Station as they travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in Washington, DC, November 21, 2023. (credit: Getty.....»»
Research highlights data gap in SARS-CoV-2 cases in animals
COVID-19 in animals? The question got lost in the shuffle during the ongoing global pandemic. Research on SARS-CoV-2 has primarily focused on its implications for humans, despite the virus most likely being a zoonosis, a disease transmitted from anim.....»»
How the COVID-19 virus makes itself more infectious
Scientists at EPFL have uncovered a cunning strategy that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, uses to increase its infectivity......»»
Virus discovery is new ammunition for tackling "germ warfare" in humans
An international research team has identified potential new 'weapons' in the 'arms race' for new antibiotics and possible future therapies for a more balanced gut microbiome and human health......»»
Researchers confirm six unique strains of African swine fever virus
The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) has announced that researchers have reclassified the number of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus strains from 25 to only six unique genotypes. This scientific innovation may he.....»»
Dangerous bee virus less deadly in at least one US forest, researchers find
This year's cold and flu season is bringing good news for honey bees. Penn State researchers have found that the deadly deformed wing virus (DMV) may have evolved to be less deadly in at least one U.S. forest. The findings could have implications for.....»»
Temperature increase triggers viral infection: Research maps what happens on an atomic level
Researchers at Lund University, together with colleagues at the NIST Synchrotron Facility in the U.S., have mapped on an atomic level what happens in a virus particle when the temperature is raised......»»
Study shows willow bark extract has broad-spectrum antiviral effect
From a seasonal cold to a stomach bug, nobody likes catching a virus—and epidemics can be devastating. We need safe, sustainable antiviral options to treat the outbreaks of the future. Scientists in Finland have now shown that an extract of willow.....»»
Researchers test lake water in Halifax for viruses to demonstrate enhanced detection device
When Emalie Hayes and her colleagues began exploring ways to test wastewater for the COVID-19 virus, little did she know that the simple, inexpensive device she developed would end up being used around the world to identify the presence of the pathog.....»»
Researchers develop metal-enhanced fluorescence probes for influenza A virus detection
Recurring influenza epidemics, such as the one during World War I, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in the 2010s, and the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years have made it evident that contagious viral respiratory dis.....»»
Vampire viruses prey on other viruses to replicate themselves—and may hold the key to new antiviral therapies
Have you ever wondered whether the virus that gave you a nasty cold can catch one itself? It may comfort you to know that, yes, viruses can actually get sick. Even better, as karmic justice would have it, the culprits turn out to be other viruses......»»
How eggs of the Zika-carrying mosquito survive desiccation
Eggs of the mosquito that carries Zika virus can tolerate extended desiccation by altering their metabolism, according to a new study published October 24th in the open access journal PLOS Biology by Anjana Prasad, Sunil Laxman, and colleagues at the.....»»
Genetic analysis: Dutch bluetongue virus type is unique
The bluetongue virus is rapidly spreading in the Netherlands. With the use of new techniques, including whole genome sequencing, it has quickly become clear that the Dutch virus is a different virus variant in comparison to previous outbreaks......»»
Broad-spectrum antiviral candidate targets dengue and SARS-CoV-2
A broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidate, 2-thiouridine, that targets positive-strand RNA viruses has been identified and characterized......»»