Virus News and Research

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A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. Viruses infect all types of organisms: from animals and plants, to bacteria and archaea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, more than 5,000 types of virus have been described in detail, although most types of virus remain undiscovered. Viruses are ubiquitous, as they are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth, and are the most abundant type of biological entity on the planet. The study of viruses is known as virology, and is a branch of microbiology.

Three new COVID-19 variants can evade antibodies that act against original virus

New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that three new, fast-spreading variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 can evade antibodies that work against the original form of the virus that sparked the pandemic.

5 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 can make itself unrecognizable to immune response by T-killer cells through mutations

The body's immune response plays a crucial role in the course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to antibodies, the so-called T-killer cells, are also responsible for detecting viruses in the body and eliminating them.

5 Mar 2021

New ways proposed to overcome barriers in COVID-19 response

An international research team is calling for better consolidation of bioinformatics, viral genetics, and public health to allow for better pandemic responses.

5 Mar 2021

Genomics study examines the impact of COVID-19 on care homes

Care homes are at high risk of experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Older people and those affected by heart disease, respiratory disease and type 2 diabetes - all of which increase with age - are at greatest risk of severe disease and even death, making the care home population especially vulnerable.

4 Mar 2021

New approach could speed the search for promising therapies

Assessing a drug compound by its activity, not simply its structure, is a new approach that could speed the search for COVID-19 therapies and reveal more potential therapies for other diseases.

2 Mar 2021

Protein kinases may offer a solution to treat HIV patients with immunodeficiency

A new study indicates that protein kinases, which initiate the process that erodes the body’s immunity, significantly contribute to the immunodeficiency in HIV patients. Drugs that block these protein kinases may offer a solution to treating HIV patients whose immunity is not restored by antiretroviral therapy.

2 Mar 2021

Study shows how antibodies fight Zika virus

Zika outbreaks are still having lasting effects on children whose mothers were infected with the Zika virus during their pregnancy.

26 Feb 2021

Study reveals new functions of ENDOU enzymes

The majority of organisms feature the series of ENDOU enzymes, but despite this fact, the functions of these enzymes have not been properly understood.

25 Feb 2021

New method to track how yellow fever mosquito moves through environment

The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is the main vector of deadly diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus, which result in hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year.

25 Feb 2021

Genes inherited from parents are responsible for severe COVID-19

For the first time, scientists have discovered the genetic predisposition of severe COVID-19 disease.

24 Feb 2021

Study reveals new therapeutic targets on SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein

Considering the recent COVID-19 pandemic, significant investigations are being made to find out how the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein binds to a human cell.

From Penn State University 23 Feb 2021

Longevity gene contributes to brain health during aging

According to a new study, a gene associated with an exceptionally long-life span in human beings guards the brain stem cells against the adverse effects of stress.

23 Feb 2021

New gel electrophoresis method allows rapid diagnosis of biomarkers by mass spectrometry

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a technique that allows high-resolution isolation of proteins separated from biological specimens.

22 Feb 2021

Genes could help determine the intensity of neutralizing antibodies to COVID-19 virus

While neutralizing antibodies form in less than two weeks of a COVID-19 infection, their intensity and durability can differ from one individual to another.

22 Feb 2021

First-in-human clinical trial to test safety, efficacy of gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have launched a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a gene therapy to deliver a key protein into the brains of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that often precedes full-blown dementia.

From UC San Diego 19 Feb 2021

New hydrogel shrinks tumors in melanoma mice model

Recently, messenger RNA, also called mRNA, vaccines, to combat the COVID-19 infection have made headlines worldwide, but researchers have already been experimenting with mRNA vaccines to prevent or cure other illnesses, including certain types of cancer.

18 Feb 2021

Study reveals a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19

In 2020, a research team demonstrated that a significant genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection was inherited from Neanderthals.

17 Feb 2021

Study suggests a way to improve immunotherapy by altering immune cells’ access to sugar

Cancer cells and immune cells share something in common: They both love sugar. Sugar is an important nutrient. All cells use sugar as a vital source of energy and building blocks. For immune cells, gobbling up sugar is a good thing, since it means getting enough nutrients to grow and divide for stronger immune responses. But cancer cells use sugar for more nefarious ends.

17 Feb 2021

Machine learning approach to identify drugs that could be repurposed to fight Covid-19

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, doctors and researchers rushed to find effective treatments.

16 Feb 2021

Innovative system allows complete study of SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectrum by ultrasequencing

Researchers have designed a program that allows the complete study of the SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectrum by ultrasequencing.

15 Feb 2021

Virus News and Research

Three new COVID-19 variants can evade antibodies that act against original virus

SARS-CoV-2 can make itself unrecognizable to immune response by T-killer cells through mutations

New ways proposed to overcome barriers in COVID-19 response

Genomics study examines the impact of COVID-19 on care homes

New approach could speed the search for promising therapies

Protein kinases may offer a solution to treat HIV patients with immunodeficiency

Study shows how antibodies fight Zika virus

Study reveals new functions of ENDOU enzymes

New method to track how yellow fever mosquito moves through environment

Genes inherited from parents are responsible for severe COVID-19

Study reveals new therapeutic targets on SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein

Longevity gene contributes to brain health during aging

New gel electrophoresis method allows rapid diagnosis of biomarkers by mass spectrometry

Genes could help determine the intensity of neutralizing antibodies to COVID-19 virus

First-in-human clinical trial to test safety, efficacy of gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease

New hydrogel shrinks tumors in melanoma mice model

Study reveals a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19

Study suggests a way to improve immunotherapy by altering immune cells’ access to sugar

Machine learning approach to identify drugs that could be repurposed to fight Covid-19

Innovative system allows complete study of SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectrum by ultrasequencing

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