flu

CRISPR Will Likely Not Solve Bird FluNew research shows that CRISPR, the gene editing technique, could make chickens more resistant to bird flu. But its use raises many ethical and scientific issuesBy Carol Cardona & Michelle Kromm Credit: Credit: Alexey Rezvykh/Alamy Stock PhotoRecently, a group of scientists announced a breakthrough approach to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu or avian flu), a severe illness of birds that has killed millions of chickens worldwide since it emerged in 1996 and…

Researchers are advancing a recombinant flu vaccine that uses innovative nanoliposome technology for enhanced immunity and efficiency, showing promising early results against common flu strains. Credit: SciTechDaily.comTests show the recombinant vaccine outperforming existing vaccines in some areas.Recombinant protein vaccines, like the Novavax vaccine used to fight COVID-19, offer several advantages over conventional vaccines.They’re easy to precisely produce. They’re safe, and potentially more effective. And they could…

A tetramer of the influenza neuraminidase protein (shown in blue and light blue) bound by variable domains of two new human antibodies (shown purple/pink and brown/beige) targeting its “dark side.” Viewed along with a 4-fold axis of NA tetramer with its catalytic sites facing up. Credit: NIAIDScientists at the National Institutes of Health have discovered antibodies that attack a difficult-to-detect area of the influenza virus, shedding light on the relatively unexplored “dark side” of the neuraminidase (NA) protein head.…

Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre have found that the old tuberculosis vaccine, BCG, also protects against influenza A, indicating potential for broader virus defense, including COVID-19. This breakthrough could significantly influence future vaccine development.As Canada’s flu season collides with record strep A cases and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, a new study is shedding light on our understanding of respiratory immune responses. Scholars from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health…

New research reveals the adaptation of the H5N1 avian influenza virus to spread among birds and marine mammals, marking a significant threat to wildlife conservation and highlighting the virus’s ability to affect multiple species across South America. The research underscores the virus’s potential for human concern, driven by its rapid spread and high mortality rates among affected wildlife, including its deadly impact on marine mammals and birds across the continent.The findings have raised concerns regarding the…

The Current24:29Will lab-grown meat ever reach our plates?Read transcribed audio.What's cultivated, meat-like, and could help lower greenhouse gas emissions? Lab-grown meat — and it could be the future of protein.Sometimes known as cultured meat, lab-grown meat is unlike plant-based alternatives from companies such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods. Instead, it's made by taking a few stem cells from an animal's muscle, then placing them in a nutrient broth where they multiply and are triggered to turn into muscle…

Confocal imaging demonstrating the dense network of capillary blood vessels in the lung that allow oxygen to move into our bloodstream. This complex vascular network can be severely disrupted upon viral infections like influenza and COVID-19, which greatly contributes to disease severity and mortality. Credit: Gan ZhaoRecent research reveals a breakthrough in lung repair, showing how delivering VEGFA via lipid nanoparticles can significantly repair damaged blood vessels, akin to plumbing repairs. This method, validated in…

A study published in The BMJ finds that October-born children have higher flu vaccination rates and lower flu diagnosis rates, underscoring October as the optimal month for vaccinating young children against influenza, in line with existing health recommendations.A new study indicates that October is the best time for young children to have annual flu shot.A study recently published in The BMJ reveals that children born in October have a higher likelihood of receiving influenza vaccinations and a lower likelihood of being…

Recent research demonstrates that blocking the attachment of virus particles to cell surface molecules in infant mice can significantly reduce the transmission of influenza A. This finding opens the door to new preventative strategies against seasonal flu, potentially supplementing existing vaccines and treatments with methods that target the host’s ability to spread the virus.Researchers have long understood that certain viruses and bacteria initiate infections by initially attaching to sugar molecules present on the…

Research from Georgia State University shows that gut bacteria, particularly segmented filamentous bacteria, play a crucial role in protecting mice against respiratory viruses by influencing immune cells in the lungs. This study could have profound implications for understanding and managing respiratory infections in humans.Researchers at the Center for Translational Antiviral Research within the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University have discovered that the makeup of gut microbiota affects mice’s…