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.

Hormone drugs may help disarm coronavirus spike protein and stop disease progression

Hormone drugs that reduce androgen levels may help disarm the coronavirus spike protein used to infect cells and stop the progression of severe COVID-19 disease, suggests a new preclinical study from researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and published online in Cell Press's iScience.

23 Mar 2021

New genetic engineering strategy largely reduces tau protein levels in Alzheimer’s animal model

A genetic engineering approach has helped scientists to drastically decrease the levels of tau protein.

22 Mar 2021

Increased global temperatures help invasive species to flourish in ecosystems

Increased global temperatures help invasive species establish themselves in ecosystems, new research led by a Swansea University bioscientist has shown.

18 Mar 2021

Study shows how human viruses are better adapted to infect certain tissues

The world’s first systematic study has explained how SARS-CoV-2 and other human viruses are more adapted to infect specific types of tissues..

17 Mar 2021

Key protein regulates cells’ innate defense mechanisms

Scientists from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have found that heparanase (HPSE) is an important regulator of innate defense mechanisms of cells.

17 Mar 2021

Study on AEG12 mosquito protein could lead to therapeutics against deadly viruses

Researchers have found that AEG12, a mosquito protein, strongly suppresses the class of viruses causing dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and West Nile.

11 Mar 2021

Face masks made of cotton fabrics work best to slow down the spread of COVID-19

Researchers have come up with a better way to test which fabrics work best for masks that are meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.

From National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 10 Mar 2021

New sensor can rapidly detect RNA and DNA molecules

According to a new study, a tiny sensor used in brain chemistry research can rapidly identify the crucial molecules that offer the genetic instructions for life.

5 Mar 2021

Mutant peptides derived from SARS-CoV-2 hamper activation of CD8+ killer T cells

A deep sequencing study of 747 SARS-CoV-2 virus isolates has revealed mutant peptides derived from the virus that cannot effectively bind to critical proteins on the surface of infected cells and, in turn, hamper activation of CD8+ killer T cells that recognize and destroy these infected cells.

5 Mar 2021

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

Virus News and Research

Hormone drugs may help disarm coronavirus spike protein and stop disease progression

New genetic engineering strategy largely reduces tau protein levels in Alzheimer’s animal model

Increased global temperatures help invasive species to flourish in ecosystems

Study shows how human viruses are better adapted to infect certain tissues

Key protein regulates cells’ innate defense mechanisms

Study on AEG12 mosquito protein could lead to therapeutics against deadly viruses

Face masks made of cotton fabrics work best to slow down the spread of COVID-19

New sensor can rapidly detect RNA and DNA molecules

Mutant peptides derived from SARS-CoV-2 hamper activation of CD8+ killer T cells

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

Driving Support for Pharmaceutical Testing Through Continuous Innovation

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