Is “man flu” a real thing? Here’s what the research says

When it comes to getting a cold or the flu, there is a commonly held belief that men take it harder than women, exaggerating their symptoms and basically acting like big ol’ babies. But is this phenomenon of “man sick” a real thing? We investigate.Cont… Continue reading Is “man flu” a real thing? Here’s what the research says

A world without flu: Long-lasting drug blocks Influenza A

Imagine a world in which we never got the flu, had no need for regular vaccines and could even knock the virus out of our system if an infection had already taken hold. That’s what researchers are working towards, with the discovery of a super-effectiv… Continue reading A world without flu: Long-lasting drug blocks Influenza A

Has COVID set us up for a major heart disease epidemic? It’s happened before

Over the first half of the 20th century the world saw growing rates of heart disease mortality. From the 1920s to the 1960s more and more people were dying from heart attacks. It was described as an epidemic of heart disease. But in the mid-1960s heart… Continue reading Has COVID set us up for a major heart disease epidemic? It’s happened before

New flu drug aims to keep you in a ‘Goldilocks zone’ of lung inflammation

If you’ve ever caught the flu, you’ve more than likely been infected with the Influenza A virus (IAV). Compared to the Influenza B virus, infection with the A type often produces more severe symptoms. But, while many of us have experienced the fever an… Continue reading New flu drug aims to keep you in a ‘Goldilocks zone’ of lung inflammation

New flu drug aims to keep you in a ‘Goldilocks zone’ of lung inflammation

If you’ve ever caught the flu, you’ve more than likely been infected with the Influenza A virus (IAV). Compared to the Influenza B virus, infection with the A type often produces more severe symptoms. But, while many of us have experienced the fever an… Continue reading New flu drug aims to keep you in a ‘Goldilocks zone’ of lung inflammation

Devastating bird flu officially reaches Antarctica for the first time

It was only a matter of time, but highly pathogenic avian influence (HPAI) has officially found its way to bird populations in Antarctica, after dead migratory brown skua on Bird Island returned positive test results.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, … Continue reading Devastating bird flu officially reaches Antarctica for the first time

Genetically engineered chickens could help slow spread of bird flu

The world may be quickly forgetting about COVID-19, but there are signs the next pandemic is already cooking up – bird flu. Scientists have now demonstrated that genetically engineering chickens can reduce their chances of catching and spreading the di… Continue reading Genetically engineered chickens could help slow spread of bird flu

“Strong” Phase 1/2 trial results for Moderna’s flu-COVID-19 combo jab

Moderna, one pharmaceutical company inextricably linked to the pandemic vaccination response, has announced it will take its new seasonal influenza and COVID-19 combination shot to Phase 3 trials after “strong” results in Phase 1/2 stages of testing. I… Continue reading “Strong” Phase 1/2 trial results for Moderna’s flu-COVID-19 combo jab

Catastrophic avian influenza reaches the Galapagos for the first time

Almost 200 years on from when Charles Darwin observed his Galapagos Islands finches, which became the emblems of his theory of evolution, birds in the region are again in the news for what many scientists warn could be the source of the next pandemic.C… Continue reading Catastrophic avian influenza reaches the Galapagos for the first time

Over-the-counter cold medications don’t work, FDA panel rules

Adding weight to the large body of scientific evidence showing that phenylephrine is as useless as a placebo for nasal congestion, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has unanimously declared common oral medications ineffective. It p… Continue reading Over-the-counter cold medications don’t work, FDA panel rules