Allergy News and Research

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The term allergy encompasses a wide range of conditions; it is not a disease in itself. In 1906 Clemens von Pirquet was the first to describe allergies as a changed or altered reaction of the immune system in response to exposure to foreign proteins. These days the term allergy – medically termed hypersensitivity, signifies an exaggerated reaction to foreign substances.

Salk researchers discover genetic 'dial' to fine-tune the immune response

The human immune system is a finely-tuned machine, balancing when to release a cellular army to deal with pathogens, with when to rein in that army, stopping an onslaught from attacking the body itself.

8 Jul 2020

BU researchers develop new way to better understand human cell communication

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have developed and implemented a new way to better understand how human cells communicate with each other, how this communication is disrupted in human diseases and how this can be corrected pharmacologically.

7 Jul 2020

Existing drugs could disrupt SARS-CoV-2 from hijacking cells

An international team of researchers has analyzed how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, hijacks the proteins in its target cells.

30 Jun 2020

Researchers perform room-temperature X-ray measurements on SARS-CoV-2 main protease

A team of researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge and Argonne national laboratories has performed the first room-temperature X-ray measurements on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease -- the enzyme that enables the virus to reproduce.

26 Jun 2020

Experts identify steps to expand, improve SARS-CoV-2 serology tests

More than 300 scientists and clinicians from the federal government, industry and academia published a report of their conclusions and recommendations on COVID-19 serology studies online in Immunity.

24 Jun 2020

New study shows how a protein works as 'master regulator' in the immune system

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered a potential new way to better fight a range of infectious diseases, cancers and even autoimmune diseases.

22 Jun 2020

Study may pave the way to fight asthma and other allergic diseases

House dust mites can be found everywhere around the world. When individuals do some cleaning work, they will probably stir up some of these dust mites.

16 Jun 2020

Understanding protein-coding gene's role in IBD

A protein-coding gene associated with autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively referred to as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, will be the focus of new research in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside.

9 Jun 2020

Genomic research can help combat COVID-19

Next-generation sequencing of the COVID-19 virus is providing powerful metagenomic data, which, combined with clinical data, will inform the search for effective treatments, as reported in the peer-reviewed journal Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology.

5 Jun 2020

Bacteria that live in soil and on people have widespread antibiotic-destroying genes

The latest generation of tetracyclines - a class of powerful, first-line antibiotics - was designed to thwart the two most common ways bacteria resist such drugs.

3 Jun 2020

X-ray experiments reveal antibody to block entry of SARS-CoV-2

As scientists across the globe race to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, an international team led by Davide Corti at Vir Biotechnology and David Veesler at the University of Washington has been working around the clock on a complementary approach - identifying neutralizing antibodies that could be used as a preventative treatment or as a post-exposure therapy.

20 May 2020

Cross-neutralization of SARS and COVID-19 coronaviruses by an antibody

An antibody first identified in a blood sample from a patient who recovered from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003 inhibits related coronaviruses, including the cause of COVID-19.

19 May 2020

The Global Hunt To Block COVID-19

A molecular biologist is working with a world leader in artificial intelligence-based drug discovery to help find a molecule that could prevent SARS-CoV-2.

19 May 2020

A New Plant-Based System For The Mass Production Of Allergens For Immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy provides long-lasting relief to people suffering from allergies, but the therapy can last years and requires large amounts of allergen.

13 May 2020

Novel mechanism allows the immune system to control autoimmunity, cancer

Scientists at the Department of Infection and Immunity of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) revealed a novel mechanism through which the immune system can control autoimmunity and cancer.

7 May 2020

Blood Filter May Calm The Cytokine Storm Of COVID-19

COVID-19 is causing organ destruction and death, and physicians are replacing the filter in a kidney dialysis machine to trap these tiny proteins.

5 May 2020

Nasal Biomarkers Predict Severity Of Pollen-Specific Allergy Symptoms

For people with allergies, contact with pollen leads to symptoms such as sneezing, rhinitis, and watery eyes.

30 Apr 2020

Antibodies From Llamas Could Help In Fight Against COVID-19

The hunt for an effective treatment for COVID-19 has led one team of researchers to find an improbable ally for their work: a llama named Winter.

30 Apr 2020

Gene Defects Linked To Eczema, Wheeze And Nasal Disease Among Babies

A link has been discovered between a common gene defect and eczema, nasal blockage, and wheeze among babies as young as six months, according to a new study.

29 Apr 2020