What is mRNA? What you should know about the key ingredient in some COVID-19 vaccines
One surprising star of the coronavirus pandemic response has been the molecule called mRNA. It's the key ingredient in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. But mRNA itself is not a new invention from the lab. It evolved billions of years ago and.....»»
A better way to make RNA drugs: Enzymatic synthesis method expands capabilities while eliminating toxic byproducts
While the COVID-19 vaccines introduced many people to RNA-based medicines, RNA oligonucleotides have already been on the market for years to treat diseases like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and amyloidosis. RNA therapies offer many advantages over tra.....»»
Study: Nanoparticle vaccines enhance cross-protection against influenza viruses
To offer cross-protection against diverse influenza virus variants, nanoparticle vaccines can produce pivotal cellular and mucosal immune responses that enhance vaccine efficacy and broaden protection, according to a study by researchers in the Insti.....»»
More ER patients in Florida test positive for COVID. The surge is different this time
More ER patients in Florida test positive for COVID. The surge is different this time.....»»
Vaccines Are the Safest Health Hack
Vaccines are a cornerstone of a healthy immune system—and a healthy life.....»»
A Combination COVID and Flu Vaccine Is Coming Soon
The first large trial of a COVID and flu vaccine combo suggests it boosts immune protection even more than single-target shots.....»»
How Some People’s Body Resists Getting COVID
When scientists exposed people to the virus that causes COVID, only a subset got sick. Studying them could offer clues to immunity.....»»
We Indulged Our Child During COVID Lockdown. Did That Change Him?
During the lockdown phase of the COVID pandemic, we indulged our toddler son. Years later, we wonder if his current behavior is normal or a result of that early isolation .....»»
Team pioneers a "one-pot platform" to promptly produce mRNA delivery particles
Imagine a scenario where a skilled hacker must upload critical software to update a central server and thwart a potentially lethal virus from wreaking havoc across a vast computer network. The programmer, armed with the lifesaving code, must navigate.....»»
Tensor-force effects on nuclear matter in relativistic ab initio theory
Tensor force is a crucial ingredient of the nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction, and has an important impact on the structural and dynamical properties of the nuclear many-body system. Many efforts have been devoted to studying the influence of the tens.....»»
Research finds humpbacks were happier during pandemic pause
University of Queensland-led research has found migrating humpback whales off Australia's east coast became less stressed over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research paper is published in Marine Environmental Research......»»
US Government Awards Moderna $176 Million for mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine
As fears of a pandemic mount, the biotech company’s mRNA vaccine trial is set to release Phase 1/2 results later this year, with a larger Phase 3 trial expected to begin in 2025......»»
Exploring the molecular basis of how pradimicin A binds to viral N-glycan, a potential SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitor
HIV, Ebola and most recently, COVID-19 viruses have had an enormous impact on our societies world-wide. All these viruses are "enveloped viruses," viruses that have an exterior envelope that surrounds them largely composed of their host's cells. This.....»»
Study claims governments should account for public attitudes before communicating crisis policies
Research published in the International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development has found that our feelings and attitudes during times of crises affect our behavior and that during globally testing times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, governments sho.....»»
Post-Pandemic Recovery Isn’t Guaranteed
The aftermath of a disaster like Covid can be divided into roughly three stages: the honeymoon, the slump, and the uptick. The aim is always to build back better—but in some cases that never happens......»»
New mRNA technology turns cells into long-lasting drug factories
A team of researchers has established a ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based method that drives cells in the body to produce therapeutic proteins and secrete them into the bloodstream. The approach could potentially extend the lifespan of drugs in the body,.....»»
US prepares for bird flu pandemic with $176M Moderna vaccine deal
Phase 3 trial is expected to begin next year. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Justin Sullivan) The US government will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA vaccine against a pandemic influenza—an award given as the high.....»»
Scientists are testing mRNA vaccines to protect cows and people against bird flu
The bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows is prompting development of new, next-generation mRNA vaccines—akin to COVID-19 shots—that are being tested in both animals and people......»»
Misleading COVID-19 headlines from mainstream sources did more harm on Facebook than fake news, study finds
Since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, fake news on social media has been widely blamed for low vaccine uptake in the United States—but research by MIT Sloan School of Management Ph.D. candidate Jennifer Allen and Professor David Rand f.....»»
As bird flu spreads in cows, US close to funding Moderna’s mRNA H5 vaccine
If trials are successful, US government likely to buy doses for vaccine stockpile. Enlarge (credit: Digicom Photo/Science Photo Library via Getty) The US government is nearing an agreement to bankroll a late-stage trial.....»»
Most people trust accurate search results when the stakes are high, study finds
Using experiments with COVID-19 related queries, Cornell sociology and information science researchers found that in a public health emergency, most people pick out and click on accurate information......»»