Virology – Page 2 – PossibleThreat Articles

Candidate Ebola vaccine still effective when highly diluted, macaque study finds

October 18, 2019 0 Comments Bird Flu Research, Ebola, mice, Monkeys, Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Vaccines, Virology, Viruses

A single dose of a highly diluted VSV-Ebola virus (EBOV) vaccine — approximately one-millionth of what is in the vaccine being used to help control the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — remains fully protective against disease in experimentally infected monkeys, according to scientists. The investigators completed the dosage study using cynomolgus macaques and an updated vaccine component to match the EBOV Makona strain that circulated in West Africa from 2014-16.

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Newly discovered virus infects bald eagles across America

October 18, 2019 0 Comments Bird Flu Research, Birds, Microbes and More, New Species, Pests and Parasites, Veterinary Medicine, Virology, Zoology

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown virus infecting nearly a third of America's bald eagle population. Scientists found the virus while searching for the cause of Wisconsin River Eagle Syndrome, an enigmatic disease endemic to bald eagles near the Lower Wisconsin River. The newly identified bald eagle hepacivirus, or BeHV, may contribute to the fatal disease, which causes eagles to stumble and have seizures.

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Scientists work toward a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test for Lyme disease

October 16, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Chronic Illness, Joint Pain, Lyme Disease, Pain Control, Pests and Parasites, Veterinary Medicine, Virology

A study describes a new rapid assay for Lyme disease that could lead to a practical test for use by healthcare providers. The researchers found the assay, which uses several biomarkers to detect Lyme disease infection, was more sensitive than current laboratory-based tests when diagnosing Lyme disease early after suspected infection.

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Novel virus type may shed light on viral evolution

October 16, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Biology, Herpes, HIV and AIDS, Infectious Diseases, Microbes and More, Virology, Viruses

Viruses are non-living creatures, consisting of genetic material encased in a protein coat. Once the virus infects a living organism, it can replicate itself and continue on. But what happens if a virus lacks the proper tools to infect an organism? How can it propagate? Researchers have uncovered a novel virus that may help answer those questions.

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Muscadine grapes are affected by parasitic nematodes

October 16, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Beer and Wine, Botany, Extreme Survival, Nature, Pests and Parasites, Veterinary Medicine, Virology

Muscadines are also known for being hearty grapes, with a tough skin that protects them from many fungal diseases. Bunch grapes are highly susceptible to damage from plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), which affect their health, quality, production, and maintenance. Now we know that PPNs also affect muscadines.

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Sperm and egg cell 'immune response' protects koala DNA

October 15, 2019 0 Comments Biology, Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Microbes and More, Microbiology, Virology

Discovery of a type of immunity that protects koalas' DNA from viruses has importance for the survival of koalas and our fundamental understanding of evolution. A team of scientists are studying tissue samples from koalas to understand how a unique type of cell responds to retrovirus infections, which cause diseases such as chlamydia and cancer.

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Family of crop viruses at the molecular level

October 11, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Botany, Endangered Plants, Food and Agriculture, Genetics, Microbes and More, Pests and Parasites, Virology

For the first-time we can take a molecular-level look at one of the world's deadliest crop killers.

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New test diagnoses Lyme disease within 15 minutes

October 11, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Chronic Illness, Civil Engineering, Joint Pain, Lyme Disease, Medical Technology, Microarrays, Veterinary Medicine, Virology

Current testing for Lyme disease, called the standard 2-tiered approach or the STT, involves running two complex assays (ELISA and western blot) to detect antibodies against the bacterium, and requires experienced personnel in a lab, and a few hours to carry out and interpret. Biomedical engineers have developed a rapid microfluidic test that can detect Lyme disease with similar performance as the STT in a much shorter time — 15 minutes.

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Biomedical sciences researchers isolate gut bacteria that can prevent and cure rotavirus infection

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Bacteria, Healthy Aging, Infectious Diseases, Kidney Disease, mice, STD, Veterinary Medicine, Virology

The presence of specific microbiota, or microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, can prevent and cure rotavirus infection, which is the leading cause of severe, life-threatening diarrhea in children worldwide, according to a new study.

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Koala epidemic provides lesson in how DNA protects itself from viruses

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Biology, Genes, Genetics, HIV and AIDS, Human Biology, Microbes and More, Virology, Viruses

In animals, infections are fought by the immune system. Studies on an unusual virus infecting wild koalas, by a team of researchers reveal a new form of "genome immunity."