Collaborate Disseminate
Researchers have found that getting a vaccine booster shot in a different arm from the one you got the first in may improve the body’s immune response up to four-fold. While they exclusively studied responses to the COVID-19 vaccine, they suspect this … Continue reading Getting vaccines in different arms improves effectiveness, study finds
Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 there are now seven different coronaviruses known to infect humans. Four of those are associated with generally harmless common respiratory infections, but the other three (SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS) are mu… Continue reading “Zombie” COVID particles may be responsible for lethal disease
White blood cells are important foot soldiers in the immune system, but their numbers can be cut by health conditions or treatments like chemotherapy. Yale scientists have now discovered a molecule that can be given to quickly boost their numbers back … Continue reading New molecule triggers burst of white blood cells to fight infections
Undertaking a study of proteins found in the complement system, an important part of the immune system, of patients with long COVID, researchers have identified a blood protein ‘signature’ that may improve the diagnosis and lead to a treatment for the … Continue reading Blood protein ‘signature’ may be key to long COVID diagnosis & treatment
A new form of immunotherapy helps immune cells “armor” themselves against exhaustion by releasing their own medicine to keep them going in the fight against cancer. In a small ongoing trial, 100% of patients have achieved complete remission, and the ne… Continue reading “Armored” immune cells make their own medicine to keep fighting cancer
Following a trail of evidence that started with a study of fruit flies nearly 25 years ago, researchers have found adding a hyperactive form of the protein Rac2 to macrophages, immune cells that eat pathogens, causes them to cannibalize T cells. The no… Continue reading Cannibalistic cells could provide an edge in future cancer treatments
By fitting microparticle ‘backpacks’ to important inflammatory cells called macrophages, researchers significantly reduced lesion size and inflammation caused by traumatic brain injury. Working with biology rather than against it, this novel approach h… Continue reading Cells wearing ‘backpacks’ shrink traumatic brain injury lesions by 56%
Researchers have developed a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory from the active ingredient in a medicinal plant used throughout Southeast Asia. The novel compound doesn’t suppress the innate immune system like currently used corticosteroids do, open… Continue reading Plant non-steroidal anti-inflammatory leaves immune system intact
Researchers have identified a way of selectively eliminating the ‘bad’ immune cells that contribute to autoimmune skin diseases, while leaving the ‘good’ cells intact. The discovery could lead to longer-lasting, more targeted treatments for conditions … Continue reading Immunotherapy strategy offers hope to autoimmune skin disease sufferers
Researchers have identified how Lactobacillus, a member of our guts’ microbiome community, affects a critical immune system protein, influencing stress levels and mental health. The findings could lead to new ways to prevent and treat depression and an… Continue reading Study uncovers how specific gut bacteria may improve mental health