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.

COVID-19 spread varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent transmission

New research shows transmission of the virus behind COVID-19 varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent transmission.

10 Jun 2021

Study shows how T cells become activated when encountering pathogens

Researchers from Monash University have made a significant breakthrough relating to how T cells get activated when exposed to pathogens, like viruses.

9 Jun 2021

Gene therapy may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia

A preclinical study led by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys has established that AAV8-TNAP-D10--a gene therapy that replaces a key enzyme found in bone--may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia (HPP).

8 Jun 2021

Study reveals how coronavirus aerosols flow through the lower lungs

When we inhale isolated coronavirus particles, more than 65% reach the deepest region of our lungs where damage to cells can lead to low blood oxygen levels, new research has discovered, and more of these aerosols reach the right lung than the left.

8 Jun 2021

Scientists discover two drugs that provide effective SARS-CoV-2 suppression

COVID-19 continues to claim lives across the world and is infecting millions more. Although several vaccines have recently become available, making significant strides towards preventing COVID-19, what about the treatment of those who already have the infection?

From Tokyo University of Science 4 Jun 2021

Study shows how scar tissue can effectively regenerate the injured heart

It is estimated that during a heart attack, one billion cells in the heart are lost. In the wake of the heart attack, the lost tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which can lead to heart failure, arrhythmia and death. In a new study, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have shown how cells in the scar tissue can be converted to heart muscle cells, effectively regenerating the injured heart.

3 Jun 2021

World Food Safety Day 2021: An Interview with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

To celebrate World Food Safety Day, AZoLifeSciences interviewed Dr. Markus Lipp from the FAO about the importance of food safety in 2021.

From Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2 Jun 2021

Global land-use changes are creating “hot spots” favorable for new coronaviruses

Global land-use changes -- including forest fragmentation, agricultural expansion and concentrated livestock production -- are creating "hot spots" favorable for bats that carry coronaviruses and where conditions are ripe for the diseases to jump from bats to humans, finds an analysis published this week by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, the Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan) and Massey University of New Zealand.

2 Jun 2021

Researchers identify new therapeutic targets for flaviviruses

In a recent study, Australian scientists used an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses with an unprecedented level of detail, identifying small molecules known as 'pocket factors' as new therapeutic targets.

2 Jun 2021

Understanding molecular determinants of liver cancer in patients with Indigenous American ancestry

Oncotarget published "Global DNA hypermethylation pattern and unique gene expression signature in liver cancer from patients with Indigenous American ancestry" which reported that contrasting with this pattern, the age structure of HCC in Andean people displays a bimodal distribution with half of the patients developing HCC in adolescence and early adulthood.

2 Jun 2021

Each city has its own exclusive microbiome, finds study

A new study performed by researchers report that each city has its own exclusive microbiome or a “fingerprint” of bacteria and viruses that uniquely identify it.

1 Jun 2021

Climate change makes future outbreaks of West Nile virus more likely in the UK

Climate change will make outbreaks of West Nile virus more likely in the UK within the next 20-30 years, scientists say. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and has no vaccine. Most people have no symptoms, but it can cause serious neurological disease.

1 Jun 2021

Genetic editing tools stop the spread of Culex mosquitoes

Since the onset of the CRISPR genetic editing revolution, scientists have been working to leverage the technology in the development of gene drives that target pathogen-spreading mosquitoes such as Anopheles and Aedes species, which spread malaria, dengue and other life-threatening diseases.

From UC San Diego 31 May 2021

Novel drug is highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice

The drug diABZI -- which activates the body's innate immune response -- was highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice that were infected with SARS-CoV-2,

31 May 2021

New wiki promotes development of innovative saliva-based diagnostic tests and customized treatment

The NIDCR has funded the creation of the Human Salivary Proteome Wiki, the first public platform that organizes information on each of the proteins found in human saliva.

27 May 2021

Study finds unique molecular mechanism by which Hepatitis C virus evades host’s immune system

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause chronic liver infection, which can lead to irreparable liver damage and liver cancer.

From Osaka University 27 May 2021

New method helps tests large groups for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers at the Vienna BioCenter designed a testing protocol for SARS-CoV-2 that can process tens of thousands of samples in less than 48 hours. The method, called SARSeq, is published in the journal Nature Communications and could be adapted to many more pathogens.

25 May 2021

Virus News and Research

COVID-19 spread varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent transmission

Study shows how T cells become activated when encountering pathogens

Gene therapy may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia

Study reveals how coronavirus aerosols flow through the lower lungs

Scientists discover two drugs that provide effective SARS-CoV-2 suppression

Study shows how scar tissue can effectively regenerate the injured heart

World Food Safety Day 2021: An Interview with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Global land-use changes are creating “hot spots” favorable for new coronaviruses

Researchers identify new therapeutic targets for flaviviruses

Understanding molecular determinants of liver cancer in patients with Indigenous American ancestry

Each city has its own exclusive microbiome, finds study

Climate change makes future outbreaks of West Nile virus more likely in the UK

Genetic editing tools stop the spread of Culex mosquitoes

Novel drug is highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice

New wiki promotes development of innovative saliva-based diagnostic tests and customized treatment

Study finds unique molecular mechanism by which Hepatitis C virus evades host’s immune system

New method helps tests large groups for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Plant-based technology reveals key process in virus infection cycle in dynamic detail

New projections can help support COVID-19 patients experiencing homelessness

Researchers discover canine coronavirus in East Malaysia

Driving Support for Pharmaceutical Testing Through Continuous Innovation

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Revolutionizing Mass Spectrometry: A Deep Dive into Plasmion’s SICRIT® Technology

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