Category: Science and Tech
Key Avian Influenza Enzyme Mutates Enabling Virus Replication in Mammals
Technology Networks Immunology and Microbiology A new publication sheds light on how a key avian influenza virus enzyme can mutate to allow the virus to replicate in mammals. In recent years, public health measures, surveillance, and vaccination have helped bring about significant progress in reducing the impact of seasonal flu epidemics, caused by human influenza […]
Aug 20, 2024
Yahoo News Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Bristol, and Edinburgh have revealed that COVID-19 vaccinations may significantly reduce the incidence of arterial thromboses, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. The study, published in Nature Communications and supported by the British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre at Health Data Research U.K., analyzed de-identified health records of 46 […]
Aug 14, 2024
An unexpected gene may help determine whether you survive flu or COVID-19
Science Study of blood from severely ill patients implicates a gene involved in the production of fatty acids After a 2013 outbreak of avian influenza in China killed about 35% of the people it infected, immunologist Katherine Kedzierska of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity set out to answer a baffling question: Why […]
Aug 13, 2024
World-First Mosquito Drone Deliveries Could Help Stop The Spread Of Diseases Like Dengue
IFL Science In the latest step in the fight against mosquito-borne disease, scientists have sent in the drones. Field trials have seen uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying over Fiji, dropping hundreds of mosquitoes infected with bacteria that stop them from spreading diseases like dengue among the human population. Dengue is a viral disease that is […]
Aug 6, 2024
Blowflies are potential vector for avian influenza virus at enzootic area in Japan
Nature High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) poses a significant threat to both domestic and wild birds globally. The avian influenza virus, known for environmental contamination and subsequent oral infection in birds, necessitates careful consideration of alternative introduction routes during HPAI outbreaks. This study focuses on blowflies (genus Calliphora), in particular Calliphora nigribarbis, attracted to decaying animals and […]
Aug 6, 2024
Mortality Due to H5N1 Human Infections Could Decrease by Switching Receptor
Precision Vaccinations Avian influenza mortality might be due to a H5N1 virus pneumonia. The Lancet Infectious Disease recently published a Correspondence offering insights regarding the current influenza A(H5N1) outbreak in dairy cattle and poultry, raising concerns about increased risk for sustained human-to-human transmission. On July 24, 2024, these researchers wrote that avian influenza viruses’ increasing host […]
Jul 30, 2024
Mini lungs make major COVID-19 discoveries possible
Newswise Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys, University of California San Diego and their international collaborators have reported that more types of lung cells can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 than previously thought, including those without known viral receptors. The research team also reported for the first time that the lung is capable of independently mustering an […]
Jul 23, 2024
Iowa State University research identifies possible point of entry for avian flu in cattle
Des Moines Register As avian influenza is being detected in more and more dairy herds across the U.S., Iowa State University researchers have found a possible explanation for why the virus shows up in raw milk. A study published this month by a team at ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine found that bovine mammary gland […]
Jul 17, 2024
Can H5N1 spread through cow sneezes? Experiment offers clues
Nature Study suggests the virus can spread through the respiratory system but infected milk is probably driving the outbreak in the US. Cows can get infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 by breathing in virus-laden aerosols, according to a preprint1 posted on bioRxiv. But scientists say this mode of transmission is probably not driving […]
Jul 17, 2024
Staying one step ahead of pathogen
St. Jude Webster created and grew a globe-spanning influenza research program at St. Jude. The researchers he trained and inspired continue his legacy, staying one step ahead of pathogens for the children of St. Jude — and the world at large. As for the skepticism about why he chose to do his work at St. Jude, […]
Jul 17, 2024