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.

SARS-CoV-2 protein effectively shuts down host protein production, shows study

A detailed study of a SARS-Cov-2 protein, Nsp1, with a central role in weakening the host anti-viral immune response shows that it effectively shuts down production ofproteins in the host.

20 Jul 2020

Using blood samples to detect positive COVID-19 cases in 20 minutes

World-first research by Monash University in Australia has been able to detect positive COVID-19 cases using blood samples in about 20 minutes, and identify whether someone has contracted the virus.

20 Jul 2020

Type 1 interferon deficiency in the blood could be a hallmark of severe COVID-19

Approximately 5% of people with Covid-19 progress to a severe or critical form, including the development of severe pneumonia that progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome.

20 Jul 2020

New method reveals the dynamics of HIV Gag-protein lattice structure

Viruses are scary. They invade our cells like invisible armies, and each type brings its own strategy of attack. While viruses devastate communities of humans and animals, scientists scramble to fight back.

17 Jul 2020

Study uncovers virus-specific T cell immunity in recovered COVID-19 and SARS patients

The T cells, along with antibodies, are an integral part of the human immune response against viral infections due to their ability to directly target and kill infected cells.

17 Jul 2020

Study shows genetic factors may influence the susceptibility to COVID-19

A new Cleveland Clinic study has identified genetic factors that may influence susceptibility to COVID-19. Published today in BMC Medicine, the study findings could guide personalized treatment for COVID-19.

16 Jul 2020

Viral load peaks in early stages of COVID-19, study shows

In a retrospective study, investigators from New York University Langone Health found that the quantity of SARS-CoV-2 (viral load) collected from patients in the emergency department is significantly higher in patients with fewer or milder symptoms who did not require hospitalization--the opposite of what might be expected.

15 Jul 2020

Psychological distress may indicate the penetration of COVID-19 virus into the central nervous system

Depressed mood or anxiety exhibited in COVID-19 patients may possibly be a sign the virus affects the central nervous system, according to an international study led by a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researcher.

15 Jul 2020

Healthy microbiome can reduce severity of chickungunya disease

Chikungunya virus, once confined to the Eastern Hemisphere, has infected millions of people in the Americas since 2013, when mosquitoes carrying the virus were discovered in the Caribbean.

15 Jul 2020

Investigational COVID-19 vaccine is safe, generates neutralizing antibody activity in healthy adults

An investigational vaccine, mRNA-1273, designed to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was generally well tolerated and prompted neutralizing antibody activity in healthy adults, according to interim results published online today in The New England Journal of Medicine.

15 Jul 2020

Keck Medicine of USC participates in clinical trial to test antiviral drug as potential COVID-19 treatment

Keck Medicine of USC physicians are enrolling patients as part of an international clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an antiviral drug, DAS181, as a possible treatment for hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.

15 Jul 2020

Researchers engineer new nanobodies from Ilama blood cells against COVID-19 infection

UK scientists declared recently that antibodies extracted from llamas have been demonstrated to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory tests.

14 Jul 2020

UTMB researchers uncover new mechanism for designing dengue therapeutics

A multidisciplinary team from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has uncovered a new mechanism for designing antiviral drugs for dengue virus. The study is currently available in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

14 Jul 2020

UTHealth physicians study blood pressure drug's efficiency in improving COVID-19 outcomes

An interventional therapy aimed at improving survival chances and reducing the need for critical care treatment due to COVID-19 is being investigated by physicians at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

14 Jul 2020

Modeling research shows increase in HIV, TB, and malaria deaths due to COVID-19 pandemic

But there is still an opportunity to substantially reduce the death toll by prioritizing the most critical services, specifically antiretroviral therapy for HIV, timely TB diagnosis and treatment, and provision of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets for malaria, researchers say.

14 Jul 2020

Researchers explore the reproduction of adenoviruses in cells

An adenovirus infection can be potentially life-threatening, especially for children after a stem cell transplant.

14 Jul 2020

Analysis of nearly 300 new SARS-CoV-2 antibodies reveals a common feature

An analysis of nearly 300 recently identified human SARS-CoV-2 antibodies uncovered a gene frequently used in antibodies that most effectively target the virus. The results contribute to growing structural insight that will be needed for successful vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.

14 Jul 2020

Virus News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 protein effectively shuts down host protein production, shows study

Using blood samples to detect positive COVID-19 cases in 20 minutes

Type 1 interferon deficiency in the blood could be a hallmark of severe COVID-19

New method reveals the dynamics of HIV Gag-protein lattice structure

Study uncovers virus-specific T cell immunity in recovered COVID-19 and SARS patients

Study shows genetic factors may influence the susceptibility to COVID-19

Viral load peaks in early stages of COVID-19, study shows

Psychological distress may indicate the penetration of COVID-19 virus into the central nervous system

Healthy microbiome can reduce severity of chickungunya disease

Investigational COVID-19 vaccine is safe, generates neutralizing antibody activity in healthy adults

Keck Medicine of USC participates in clinical trial to test antiviral drug as potential COVID-19 treatment

Researchers engineer new nanobodies from Ilama blood cells against COVID-19 infection

UTMB researchers uncover new mechanism for designing dengue therapeutics

UTHealth physicians study blood pressure drug's efficiency in improving COVID-19 outcomes

Modeling research shows increase in HIV, TB, and malaria deaths due to COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers explore the reproduction of adenoviruses in cells

Analysis of nearly 300 new SARS-CoV-2 antibodies reveals a common feature

Researchers identify unique signature that may account for severe COVID-19

Single dose of flu drug can limit the spread of the illness within households

Study solves longstanding mysteries about frogs

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