It’s time we got in on the conversation, the one that’s happening inside of our bodies. If we better understood the surprising science of how very different cells—bacteria, brain cells, blood cells, gut cells—and viruses all speak to each other, we might better grasp the inner workings of COVID-19 and other life threatening diseases. We… Continue reading Is There an Upside to Viruses?
Tag: viruses
FDA Testing Frozen Berries for Viruses
Although frozen berries should be cooked before using, some people still skip that step, increasing their risk of exposure to harmful viruses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported three hepatitis A virus outbreaks and one norovirus outbreak linked to frozen berries in the United States from 1997 to 2016. As a result, the… Continue reading FDA Testing Frozen Berries for Viruses
A Closer Look at the Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Disease
The world of autoimmune disease is broad and complex, with many mysteries still lurking. With over 100 types of autoimmune diseases identified, including lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, medical researchers are constantly seeking to gain a better understanding of how, when and why these conditions are triggered. While many diseases in general are associated… Continue reading A Closer Look at the Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Disease
New Evidence That Viruses May Play A Part in Alzheimer’s
Viral species, especially herpes viruses, may have a role in Alzheimer’s disease biology, according to a new analysis. Researchers funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), made the discovery by harnessing data from brain banks and cohort studies participating in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership – Alzheimer’s… Continue reading New Evidence That Viruses May Play A Part in Alzheimer’s
Antibiotics May Not Be Needed for Older Patients with Urinary Tract Infections
Prescribing antibiotics for urinary tract infections may not be necessary for older patients, according to new research. That conclusion was reached by Thomas E. Finucane, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Geriatrics Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The finding was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. According to a news release from… Continue reading Antibiotics May Not Be Needed for Older Patients with Urinary Tract Infections
A Key to Fighting Severe Viruses
Scientists seem to have figured out a way to attack a protein that many viruses rely on to replicate. It has been difficult to treat viruses that cause severe disease because there are few options for effective treatment. Many viral infections, such as the common cold, cause mild illnesses that the body’s immune system eventually… Continue reading A Key to Fighting Severe Viruses
Could a Drug Engineered from Bananas Fight Deadly Viruses?
A banana a day may not keep the doctor away, but a substance originally found in bananas and carefully edited by scientists could someday fight off a wide range of viruses, according to a study done by an international team of researchers and published in October 2015 in the journal Cell. Beyond that, a release… Continue reading Could a Drug Engineered from Bananas Fight Deadly Viruses?
Your Health History in A Drop of Blood
Thanks to new technology, scientists can use a single drop of human blood to test for current and past viral infections. The method, called VirScan, was developed by researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It is an efficient alternative to existing tests for specific viruses one at a time.… Continue reading Your Health History in A Drop of Blood