Early trial data for Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine disappoints

Biotechnology company Moderna has announced the first preliminary data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 human trial testing an mRNA vaccine designed to target four strains of influenza. The vaccine was found to be safe and effective at generating antibody re… Continue reading Early trial data for Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine disappoints

Nasal vaccines may induce broader viral protection than injections

Compelling new preclinical research led by scientists from Yale University has found intranasal vaccination may be much more effective at generating immunity against a number of respiratory viruses compared to more conventional injection-delivered vacc… Continue reading Nasal vaccines may induce broader viral protection than injections

Wearables Can Detect the Flu? Well…Maybe…

flow chart for Assessment of the Feasibility of Using Noninvasive Wearable Biometric Monitoring Sensors to Detect Influenza and the Common Cold Before Symptom Onset paper

Surprisingly there are no pre-symptomatic screening methods for the common cold or the flu, allowing these viruses to spread unbeknownst to the infected. However, if we could detect when infected …read more Continue reading Wearables Can Detect the Flu? Well…Maybe…

The mRNA flu vaccine race heats up with two human trials commencing

Biotech firm Moderna has commenced human trials testing an mRNA influenza vaccine targeting four separate viral strains. Building on its profoundly successful mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, the company is ultimately planning to develop a single vaccine against… Continue reading The mRNA flu vaccine race heats up with two human trials commencing

Synthetic molecules mimic human cells to lure and kill the flu virus

The influenza virus as proven to be a very tricky foe to fight. Now, researchers at EPFL in Switzerland have developed synthetic molecules that can kill the flu virus by mimicking human cells, and putting the squeeze on the virus when it attaches itsel… Continue reading Synthetic molecules mimic human cells to lure and kill the flu virus

Phase 1 human trial for universal flu vaccine reports promising results

Even after decades of research and expansive global vaccination strategies, seasonal influenza still kills hundreds of thousands of people every year. The virus’s ability to mutate and evade our vaccines means we are constantly chasing the latest strai… Continue reading Phase 1 human trial for universal flu vaccine reports promising results

Harmless virus fights the flu by mimicking lung cells

As the current COVID-19 situation shows, viruses are a major health risk. But what if we could fight them using other viruses? Scientists in Berlin have created virus shells that mimic the target cells that the flu virus latches onto in the body, preve… Continue reading Harmless virus fights the flu by mimicking lung cells

Jonas Salk, Virologist and Vaccination Vanguard

In the early 1950s, the only thing scarier than the threat of nuclear war was the annual return of polio — an easily-spread, incurable disease that causes nerve damage, paralysis, and sometimes death. At the first sign of an outbreak, public hot spots like theaters and swimming pools would close …read more

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The Strain of Flu Shot Logistics

Did you get a flu shot this year? How about last year? In a world of next-day delivery and instant downloads, making the yearly pilgrimage to the doctor or the minute clinic feels like an outdated concept. Even if you get your shots free at the office, it’s still a …read more

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How antibiotics can make flu infections worse by wiping out important gut bacteria

The over-prescription of antibiotics is a major problem in the world today, leading to the dramatic rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. New research led by scientists from the Francis Crick Institute in London is suggesting not only are an… Continue reading How antibiotics can make flu infections worse by wiping out important gut bacteria