Virus

Our bodies are home to trillions of microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and a whole host of others. Now, Stanford scientists have discovered an entirely new class of biological entities inside us, which they’ve ominously named “Obelisks.”

Researchers developed a nanospiked surface that was 96% effective in destroying a common virus responsible for causing respiratory illnesses in children. The technology could safeguard researchers, health workers and patients from viral spread.

As recent history proves, airborne respiratory infections are not to be trifled with. Now, a new sprayable coating applied to standard air filters might give us a leg up in the war against the pathogens that cause these diseases.

Bacteria often go dormant to avoid being wiped out by antibiotics, which makes treatment difficult. Now scientists have discovered a virus that can attack these sleeping bugs, clearing out infections effectively when paired with drugs.

The first study of its kind has looked at every UK resident – more than 67 million people – across four months, and found that, as vaccine uptake tapered off in 2022, 7,180 hospitalizations and deaths could have been avoided had jabs been up to date.

New research has proved for the first time that RSV infection, common in young children, can penetrate nerve cells and may lead to nerve damage. The findings underscore the possible long-term effects of RSV and the importance of preventive measures.

A new study has found the BA.2.86 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has a greater propensity for infecting certain lung cells than any prior Omicron variant. The research suggests BA.2.86 could potentially lead to COVID severity similar to the Delta variant.

A new study has found that an extract made from willow bark, the precursor to aspirin, possesses effective broad-spectrum antiviral properties. The discovery may mean we will soon have a new way of fighting viral infections like colds and flu.

Anyone who has been on the planet for the last four years will know how viruses that evolve to jump across species can rapidly become a serious global crisis. Researchers now believe we're in an alarming new age of vertebrate animal-to-human infections.

Scientists have discovered that viruses can latch onto other viruses to insert their genes into host cells. Lab results with apparent contamination led the team to directly see the strange interaction for the first time.

Striking new findings have demonstrated how all variants of virus that causes COVID-19 can spread into the brain and travel from neuron to neuron. This indicates losing one's sense of smell is not necessarily linked to the virus infiltrating the brain.

It was only a matter of time, but highly pathogenic avian influence (HPAI) has officially found its way to Antarctica, after dead migratory brown skuas on Bird Island returned positive test results. This leaves just Oceania free of the deadly virus.