New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Severe flu could cause taste buds to grow in your lungs

Michael Irving April 2, 2019

In extreme cases the flu virus can actually reshape the structure of the lungs. Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a major part of that restructuring that until now had gone unnoticed – “taste bud cells” seem to grow in the lungs after a severe case of the flu.

Biology

Your nose bacteria might influence whether or not you get the flu

Michael Irving January 13, 2019

Researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered a new symbiotic relationship we have with bacteria in our noses and throats, some of which may help fight off the flu virus.

A new study suggests that the bacteria in your nose and throat may influence whether or ...

Biology Audio available

Oxford scientists lay out blueprint for universal flu vaccine

Michael Irving September 23, 2018

Every year, the world enters an arms race with the flu. Creating a universal flu vaccine would give us the upper hand for the foreseeable future, and a new study from Oxford has identified a way to make that possible.

Scientists at Oxford have used mathematical models to get a better understanding of the evolutionary dynamics ...

Medical Audio available

Promising new universal flu vaccine may be just a few years away from market

Rich Haridy August 22, 2018

A new study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has demonstrated the efficacy of a new universal flu vaccine. Having been proven impressively effective in animal tests, the team hopes to move the vaccine into human trials within the next couple of years.

Yet another candidate is in the running to be the first safe and effective universal flu ...

Health & Wellbeing

First new antiviral to treat the flu in nearly 20 years given priority status by FDA

Rich Haridy June 27, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review to a new antiviral drug that has been shown to notably reduce the duration of influenza symptoms. This single-dose drug is fast-acting and will potentially be approved for use in the United States by the end of 2018.

The first new antiviral to treat influenza in almost 20 years should be approved by the ...

Science

Blood-based biomarker may predict whether you’ll get the flu

Rich Haridy June 14, 2018

A team of scientists from Stanford University School of Medicine has discovered a blood-based genetic biomarker that could predict how likely a person is to become ill when exposed to the flu virus.

A blood-based biomarker could identify how likely you are to contract influenza

Medical

Universal flu vaccine targets backbone of the virus

Michael Irving January 24, 2018

It’s hard to fight a virus that’s always mutating, but new research out of Georgia State University is closing in on a universal vaccine. The study uses nanoparticles containing proteins that are common to all influenza A viruses.

Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a promising universal flu vaccine

Health & Wellbeing

New study shows flu can be spread just by breathing

Rich Haridy January 18, 2018

In a new study destined to amplify the paranoia of those already bacteria-phobic individuals, a team of scientists has found evidence revealing the influenza virus is more easily transmissible that previously thought. The virus was shown to be passed on to others simply through exhaled breath.

A new study shows how the flu can be easily spread by normal breathing, no coughing ...

Medical

DNA vaccine promises permanent, universal protection against the flu

Rich Haridy December 28, 2017

New research from the University of Washington School of Medicine could pave the way for a universal flu shot by developing a novel DNA vaccine that targets the genetic components of the virus.

New research into DNA vaccines suggests a universal, one-dose flu vaccine could be developed

Health & Wellbeing

So-called "man-flu"may not just be in men's heads

Ben Coxworth December 12, 2017

Probably as long as women and men have existed, the former have accused the latter of being wimpy when it comes to suffering from colds or the flu. According to new research from Memorial University of Newfoundland, however, men may actually experience physically worse symptoms than women.

A new analysis of previous research suggests that men may actually get sicker than women, when ...