Virus

A new review is presenting strong evidence the development of type 1 diabetes is linked to a large group of common viruses. The findings build on an old hypothesis, with vaccines currently in development targeting the most likely viral strains.

Two studies, both yet to be peer-reviewed and published, have reached contradictory conclusions about the link between COVID and type 1 diabetes in children, affirming the lack of clarity researchers still face in determining this particular association.

Scientists have genetically modified a strain of the herpes virus to act as a cancer-killing agent in humans. Findings from an initial human trial are encouraging, with the experimental treatment proving safe and promisingly effective.

New research presents the most comprehensive study to date into the long-term neurological problems associated with COVID-19. Tracking 150,000 COVID patients for a year the research found COVID led to a 42% increase in risk of several brain disorders.

A study has found COVID-19 nearly doubles a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the year following infection. The findings add to a body of research indicating SARS-CoV-2 infections can affect progression of neurodegenerative disease.

A new study has added to the growing body of evidence reporting similarities between long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The research found around half of the long COVID patients studied fit the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS.

Did you hear about a new virus called "tomato flu" sweeping through kids in India? It turns out “tomato flu” is not new, has been around in some form for at least 15 years, and is probably just a relatively novel manifestation of a common childhood virus.

A study has homed in on a part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that is shared across all variants. The research reveals an antibody fragment that can block the virus from entering human cells, paving the way for therapies to neutralize all variants.

New research has offered the most comprehensive look at the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19 to date, tracking more than one million people and finding increased rates of dementia can be detected up to 24 months after the acute disease.

Following calls from global experts, the WHO has announced it will assign a new disease name to monkeypox. Opening the process to the public for the first time, early suggestions for the new disease include Poxy McPox, Mpox, MOVID-22 and Banepox.

Regulators in the UK have approved Moderna’s new Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine for an upcoming nation-wide autumn booster program. The approval makes the UK the first region in the world to move forward with an improved variant-targeting vaccine.

A polio vaccine booster program has been announced in the UK targeting all London children under the age of 10. The program comes after more detections of poliovirus in London’s wastewater indicate the virus is spreading undetected through the city.