UV disinfection in the treatment management of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

The global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its new variants has created a need for effective disinfection technologies to protect against harmful pathogens. While vaccines offer some protection, their effectiveness against future variants is uncertain. Therefore, additional strategies are important during the pre-vaccine stage.

An extra X chromosome-linked gene may explain decreased viral infection severity in females

Researchers may have found why viral infections hit males more severely than females. They found that female mouse and human NK cells have an extra copy of an X chromosome-linked gene called UTX. UTX acts as an epigenetic regulator to boost NK cell anti-viral function, while repressing NK cell numbers.

HKIAS Senior Fellow Professor George Fu Gao was elected Foreign Member of The Royal Society and conferred an honorary doctorate by the City University of Macau

Professor George Fu Gao, HKIAS Senior Fellow and the Director-General of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China, was recently elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society for his contributions in the field of infection and immunity, particularly relating to emerging viral infections, have helped to improve our understanding of major threats to human health.

Discovery of cell protein that keeps Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus dormant

A study led by UC Davis Cancer Center identified a binding protein in cancer cell’s nucleus, known as CHD4, as a critical agent keeping Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) dormant and undetected by the body’s immune system. CHD4 is linked to cancer cell growth in many types of cancers.

Possible new antivirals against COVID-19, herpes

The immune system fights viruses with peptides. Now, scientists have treated animal models of herpes with synthetic peptide mimics known as peptoids. These molecules could one day cure or prevent many kinds of infections, including COVID-19. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2021.

Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Viral ‘Pandemics’ in Oceans

New Brunswick, N.J. (April 6, 2021) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick microbial oceanographer Kay D. Bidle is available for interviews on the persistent and profound impact of viral infections on algae in the oceans. These infections influence the Earth’s carbon cycle, which helps…

Am I Losing My Sense of Smell or Is It COVID-19

Do I have COVID-19 or is it something else? Bobby Tajudeen, MD, director of rhinology, sinus surgery and skull base surgery at Rush University Medical Center explains the differences between common smell loss and smell loss as a COVID-19 symptom and when to see a specialist.

This Anti-COVID Mask Breaks the Mold

To address PPE shortages during the pandemic, scientists at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley are developing a rechargeable, reusable, anti-COVID N95 mask and a 3D-printable silicon-cast mask mold.

World’s Most Complete Health Analysis of Nesting Sea Turtles Conducted in Florida

The most comprehensive health assessment for a green turtle rookery in the world to date is providing critical insights into various aspects of physiology, biology, and herpesvirus epidemiology of this nesting population. Findings are hopeful for this population of green sea turtles in southeastern Florida, offer important data on the profile of health for future comparative investigations, and suggest that viruses are endemically stable in this nesting population.

Scientists Aim Gene-Targeting Breakthrough Against COVID-19

Scientists at Berkeley Lab and Stanford have joined forces to aim a gene-targeting, antiviral agent called PAC-MAN against COVID-19.