A new study found that part of the Epstein-Barr virus mimics a protein made in the brain and spinal cord, leading the immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s nerve cells. Scientists have long suspected — but failed to prove — a link between certain viral infections and the development of multiple sclerosis, a crippling...
Month: <span>February 2022</span>
Post
First study to show waning effectiveness of 3rd dose of mRNA vaccines
REGENSTRIEF INSTITUTE INDIANAPOLIS — A nationwide study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the first to show that immunity against severe COVID-19 disease begins to wane 4 months after receipt of the third dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). Waning immunity was observed during both the Delta and...
Post
Boosting the immune defense: Interleukin-2 promotes fate decisions in CD8 T cells for long- or short-term immune protection
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM IMAGE: ALLAN ZAJAC CREDIT: UAB BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins with a simple job. Defend the body against infection. To do that, the cells must recognize and destroy infecting viruses or bacteria. In addition, the system also has to keep a record...
Post
Pilot study suggests long COVID could be linked to the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the vagus nerve
EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES New research to be presented at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2022, Lisbon, 23-26 April) suggests that many of the symptoms connected to post-COVID syndrome (PCC, also known as long COVID) could be linked to the effect of the virus on...
Post
Heart-disease risk soars after COVID — even with a mild case
The risk of 20 diseases of the heart and blood vessels is high for at least a year after a COVID-19 diagnosis. Credit: Living Art Enterprises/Science Photo Library Even a mild case of COVID-19 can increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular problems for at least a year after diagnosis, a new study shows. Researchers found...
Post
The Cell That Might Trigger Alzheimer’s Disease
Bret Stetka, MD January 31, 2022 It all started with genetic data. A gene here, a gene there. Eventually the story became clearer: If scientists are to one day find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, they should look to the immune system. Over the past couple decades, researchers have identified numerous genes involved in various immune...
Post
Study in mice shows potential for gene-editing to tackle mitochondrial disorders
Defective mitochondria – the ‘batteries’ that power the cells of our bodies – could in future be repaired using gene-editing techniques. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have shown that it is possible to modify the mitochondrial genome in live mice, paving the way for new treatments for incurable mitochondrial disorders. Our cells contain mitochondria,...
Post
Study finds potential predictor for perimenopause
KING’S COLLEGE LONDON A new study has found women ‘age’ significantly faster in the perimenopausal period, based on analysis of the IgG glycome. This finding indicates the potential of using the IgG glycome composition as an early predictor for perimenopause. The study, published today in iScience and led by a team of researchers from the...
Post
Eye provides clues to insidious vascular disease
UNIVERSITY OF BONN IMAGE: WHEN THE VESSELS ARE PHOTOGRAPHED THROUGH THE LENS OF THE EYE, NEURONAL NETWORKS CAN DETECT CERTAIN DISEASES ON THE BASIS OF THE IMAGES. CREDIT: MUELLER, S. UND WINTERGERST, M.W.M. ET AL. MULTIPLE INSTANCE LEARNING DETECTS PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE FROM HIGH-RESOLUTION COLOR FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHY. SCI REP 12, 1389 (2022) Researchers at the...
Post
Three proteins found that help fine tune movement
by Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Dr. Brian Muntean. Credit: Michael Holahan, Augusta University Three members of a family of proteins have been identified that are important to helping us fine tune the activity of brain chemicals which enable us to walk or stand at will, scientists report. The findings point toward the...