Discoverers of HIV, human papilloma virus win $1.4M award
Associated Press Oct 6, 08 8:52 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The Nobel Prize for medicine was awarded today to three scientists who discovered two of the world's deadliest sexually transmitted viruses. Half the prize goes to Harald zur Hausen, a German who discovered the human papilloma virus, which causes cervical cancer in women. The other half goes to Françoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier, the two French virologists who discovered HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
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Virus, used in mice, repurposes adult cells with no risk of cancer
Boston Globe Sep 26, 08 3:34 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Scientists have discovered a safer way to turn adult cells into stem cells, the Boston Globe reports. The cells, similar to those harvested from embryos, are called induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells; Japanese researchers introduced the method 2 years ago. But the Japanese used retroviruses, which can cause cancer; the new research uses a different virus, which is safe.
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Work paved way for Salk, Sabin vaccines
Boston Globe Aug 25, 08 3:12 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Thomas Weller, whose research on polio won him a share of a Nobel Prize in 1954, died this weekend at 93, the Boston Globe reports. Weller, along with colleagues John Enders and Frederick Robbins, discovered that the polio virus preyed on muscles, not nerve tissue as had been previously thought. Their cultures paved the way for the Salk and Sabin vaccines.
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World ill-prepared for massive outbreak
Independent (UK) Jul 21, 08 9:26 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The world is in danger of losing up to 50 million people to an "inevitable" flu pandemic, and global response agencies aren't ready for such a test, the British government warns. A report rates early-warning systems as "poorly coordinated" and calls for an overhaul of the World Health Organization, reports the Independent .
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Drug cuts risk of getting disease in half
HealthDay News May 16, 08 3:10 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The CDC is recommending that all adults age 60 and older get vaccinated against shingles, a common condition that can result in chronic plan, the Washington Post reports. Research has found that the recommended Merck vaccine reduces the occurrence of shingles by some 50% in this age group. Only those with immunodeficiency diseases should not be vaccinated, according to the CDC.
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But cases are expected to rise with warm weather
Guardian (UK) May 5, 08 7:10 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The outbreak of a deadly virus in China hasn’t peaked yet—but it won’t affect the Beijing Games, a World Health Organization rep said. “I don't see it at all as a threat to the Olympics or any upcoming events,” he noted. Enterovirus 71 has killed 24 children and infected thousands, the Guardian reports. But the highest volume of cases is usually seen in June and July, WHO said.
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Brain tumors may yield to targeted infection
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Apr 7, 08 2:14 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Scientists are trying to beat some of the most untreatable forms of cancer by employing another undefeated ailment: the common cold. A research team in Seattle has "modified the viruses so they can selectively target the tumor cells, replicate inside them and kill them," says one of the scientists, but so far just in mice. Deploying viruses against cancer isn't a new technique, reports the Post-Intelligencer.
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Only 40% effective as unexpected virus strains hit the public
Associated Press Feb 16, 08 6:45 AM CST
(Newser)
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Flu season peaks in early February and experts say this could be a very bad year. Health officials say that is partly because this year's flu vaccines aren't effective enough, the AP reports. "Every area of the country is experiencing lots of flu right now," said a doctor from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Find the right frequency, and they shatter like a wine glass
LiveScience Feb 6, 08 2:05 PM CST
(Newser)
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Laser pulses tuned to the right frequency can be used to zap viruses, researchers have found, the way a soprano can shatter a wine glass, LiveScience reports. Scientists have developed computer models to determine a virus's lowest resonant frequency, and then destroy it with a laser pulse. "Like pushing a child on a swing from rest, one impulsive push gets the virus shaking," one says.
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Genome analysis helps make the connection
New York Times Jan 18, 08 1:55 PM CST
(Newser)
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A new virus has been linked with a rare but particularly aggressive form of skin cancer that affects as many as 1,200 Americans a year. Scientists have yet to definitively prove a causal relationship between the newly discovered polyoma virus and Merkel cell carcinoma, but evidence strongly suggests that they soon will, the New York Times reports.
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Nasty norovirus has now hit 3M; cases
could spike again
Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 12, 08 1:53 PM CST
(Newser)
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A vicious bug that causes days of vomiting and diarrhea continues to wreak havoc in the UK, striking down 3 million Brits so far this winter, the Telegraph reports. Experts warn that with many returning to school and work after the holidays this week, the norovirus, which is potentially deadly to the elderly and other vulnerable groups, could hit epidemic levels.
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Vomit-inducing norovirus strikes
with a vengeance
Guardian (UK) Jan 4, 08 3:25 PM CST
(Newser)
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Dozens of hospital wards across the UK have shut their doors in an effort to stop the spread of a vomiting virus that has already infected more than 2 million nationwide. With 100,000 new patients per week, many already-overflowing hospitals have been forced to cancel non-emergency operations and focus exclusively on the norovirus outbreak, the Guardian reports.
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Docs report patients fainting
after stinging injection
Associated Press Jan 4, 08 3:54 AM CST
(Newser)
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Recipients of the new HPV vaccine are reporting that it's more painful than regular vaccines because not only does the needle hurt, but the vaccine itself stings as it's injected. Doctors have reported teenage girls fainting when getting the shot of Gardasil, although that may be in part because teenagers are more prone to fainting after injections than other age groups.
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Vaccinated patients more likely to have immune response to deadly H5N1 virus
Reuters Dec 27, 07 8:02 AM CST
(Newser)
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A regular flu shot may offer at least some protection against the bird flu, a new study finds. Researchers tested the blood of 42 volunteers who'd recently gotten flu vaccines, exposing it to the deadly H5N1 avian flu, and found that in some of them, the immune system recognized the threat and responded with appropriate antibodies, Reuters reports.
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