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.

Epstein-Barr Virus Epigenome Targeted for Potential Cancer Treatment

Now, scientists at The Wistar Institute have discovered a potential target for gastric cancers associated with Epstein-Barr Virus; study results were published in the journal mBio.

23 Aug 2023

Analyzing the First Vaccine Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Many Older Adults

The first Americans over age 60 just started rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, now that brand-new vaccines have started to arrive at pharmacies and clinics.

23 Aug 2023

SARS-CoV-2 Infection is Significantly Linked With the Development of High Blood Pressure

An analysis of electronic medical records for more than 45,000 people found that COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with the development of high blood pressure, according to new research published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.

22 Aug 2023

Study Finds Diverse Set of Immune Cells Linked to Flu Protection

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists, in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Limited, found that immune cells present in people months before influenza (flu) infection could more accurately predict if an individual would develop symptoms than current methods which primarily rely on antibody levels.

18 Aug 2023

Single Injection of CRISPR Gene-Editing Treatment Safely Removes SIV From Non-Human Primates

A single injection of a novel CRISPR gene-editing treatment safely and efficiently removes SIV – a virus related to the AIDS-causing agent HIV – from the genomes of non-human primates, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University now report.

17 Aug 2023

AI Tool Speeds Up Vaccine Development

From tackling homework challenges to drafting emails, people are discovering a vast array of applications for natural language processing tools like generative artificial intelligence (AI) engines.

14 Aug 2023

Gene Therapy Prevents Progression of Kidney Disease in Children

Researchers at the University of Bristol have made a remarkable step forward in finding a potential cure for a type of childhood kidney disease.

11 Aug 2023

Study Links Adenovirus Infection With a Rare Blood Clotting Disorder

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are specialized cellular fragments that form blood clots when we get scrapes and traumatic injuries. Viral infections, autoimmune disease, and other conditions can cause platelet levels to drop throughout the body, termed thrombocytopenia.

11 Aug 2023

Researchers Elucidate STING Protein's New Role in Immune Defense

A signaling protein known as STING is a critical player in the human immune system, detecting signs of danger within cells and then activating a variety of defense mechanisms.

7 Aug 2023

Environmental Factors Linked With AD Children Aged Between 15 – 35 Months Living in Rural Areas

Children raised in rural environments who spend a lot of time outdoors with some exposure to animals grow to have better regulated immune systems than children living in urban environments, a new study has found.

4 Aug 2023

The Peptoid Approach to Antiviral Resistance

Antiviral therapies are difficult to develop because viruses can rapidly mutate to become drug resistant.

3 Aug 2023

Self-Collected STI Tests Perform as Well as Provider-Collected Tests

Self-collected tests performed similarly to provider-collected tests for detecting common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to research presented today at the 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo. These findings could enable discreet new testing options that expand access to screening.

26 Jul 2023