The Extraordinary “Rapunzel” Virus: An Evolutionary Marvel
Extremely long tail provides a window into how bacteria-infecting viruses assemble. A recent study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has revealed the secret behind…
Virology News
Discover the latest news and breakthroughs related to the study of viruses. Virology is a branch of microbiology that focuses on the study of viruses, their structure, function, and evolution, as well as their interactions with their hosts. Viruses are tiny, infectious agents that can cause a wide range of diseases, from the common cold to more severe illnesses such as HIV and COVID-19. Virologists use a variety of techniques, including microscopy, genetic analysis, and computational modeling, to investigate the complex biology of viruses and develop new treatments and vaccines to combat viral diseases. On this page, you will find a collection of articles related to virology research and discoveries, including updates on current projects, new findings, and insights into the fascinating world of viruses.
Revolutionary Testing Method Diagnoses COVID-19 With Near-Perfect Accuracy
By monitoring the body’s molecular response to a viral attack, the new method developed by Flatiron Institute researchers and their colleagues can diagnose even asymptomatic…
Outsmarting COVID-19: Weaponizing the Spike Protein Against Itself To Prevent Infection
By creating a drug that’s based on part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, researchers can block the virus from entering cells. The virus that causes…
Extracts From Two Common Wild Plants Block COVID-19 Virus From Entering Human Cells
The first major screening of botanical extracts to search for potency against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Two common wild plants contain extracts that inhibit the ability…
Marburg Vaccine Breakthrough: First Human Study Shows Promising Results
An experimental vaccine against the Marburg virus (MARV) was shown to be safe and induced an immune response in a small, first-in-human clinical trial, according…
Scientists Discover How the Measles Virus Can Cause a Fatal Neurological Disorder
Measles Virus “Cooperates” With Itself To Cause Fatal Encephalitis Scientists discover a new mechanism for how the measles virus can cause a rare but fatal…
Cancer’s Secret Weapon? Enzyme That Protects Against Viruses May Fuel Tumor Evolution
An enzyme that defends human cells against viruses can help drive cancer evolution towards greater malignancy by causing myriad mutations in cancer cells, according to…
Scientists Discover “Virovory” – Eating Viruses Can Power Growth of Microorganisms
Study first to investigate and demonstrate the effects of ‘virovory’ Over a single day, in the placid waters of a single pond, a million virus…
Danger: Olfactory Viral Inflammation Linked With Accelerated Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease
CU Anschutz researchers suspect it disrupts the olfactory tract, impacting the hippocampus which controls memory and learning. Viruses can inflame and disrupt connections between the…
COVID-19 Virus Found in the Brain: Autopsies Reveal Startling New Information
An analysis of tissue samples from the autopsies of 44 people who died with COVID-19 shows that SAR-CoV-2 virus spread throughout the body—including into the…
Researchers Identify Insidious New Way COVID-19 Virus Uses To Invade Cells
University of Ottawa-led team found a new viral entry for SARS-CoV-2 and suggests it may be able to use proteins to infect a wider range…
Breakthrough! Receptor “Decoy” Drug Neutralizes COVID-19 Virus Including Omicron and Other Variants
Investigational drug works differently than antibody drugs which are losing effectiveness against the COVID-19 virus. Scientists have developed a drug that potently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, the…
Your Blood Group Can Predict Your Risk of Contracting This Incredibly Common Viral Disease
According to a study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in collaboration with Octapharma, people with blood…
Why Colds, Flu, and COVID-19 Are More Common in Cooler Months: Biological Explanation Uncovered
A newly discovered immune response inside the nose is suppressed by colder temperatures, offering evidence for why upper respiratory infections such as colds, flu, and…
Predicting Spillover Risk: Unexpected Finding in Close Bat Virus Relatives of MERS Coronavirus
Bat Virus Receptor Studies Vital To Predict Spillover Risk The latest research unexpectedly shows two close bat virus relatives of the human respiratory virus MERS-CoV…
Monkeypox Mutations Cause Virus To Spread Rapidly – Evading Treatments and Vaccines
Scientists show how monkeypox mutations cause the virus to replicate and spread faster. Already the 2022 Monkeypox outbreak has infected more than 28,000 people in…
Shhh! Viruses Could Be Listening – And Watching!
New Research Finds That Viruses May Have “Eyes and Ears” on Us The newly-found, widespread ability of some viruses to monitor their environment could have…
Crohn’s Mystery Solved? Common Stomach Bug May Help Cause Inflammatory Bowel Disease
New research may have solved a mystery surrounding Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease where immune defenses meant to attack invading microbes mistakenly…
