Helen Branswell covers issues broadly related to infectious diseases, including outbreaks, preparedness, research, and vaccine development. Follow her on Mastodon and Bluesky. You can reach Helen on ...

A study published in PLOS PATHOGENS describes the prevalence and functions of mutations in neuraminidase enzyme of avian H5N1 influenza viruses that are preferentially selected in human H5N1 influenza ...

A drug widely used to treat COVID-19 might be spurring the evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. The drug, molnupiravir, works by introducing a flurry of mutations to the viral genome; this helps to ...

The study, published in the Biophysical Journal, was led by a team of researchers from the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre and IBM, at the Hartree National Centre for ...

With every new infection, the pandemic coronavirus gets new chances to mutate and adapt, creating opportunities for the virus to evolve new variants that are better at dodging our immune systems and ...

This article is part of a larger series on the risks of molnupiravir. For a summary of the risks at the level of the individual, see here, and for an overview of the risks on a societal level, see ...

Do you remember the egg shortage of 2024? It wasn’t just a supply chain issue; it was a consequence of the H5N1 avian influenza -or bird flu- sweeping through poultry populations worldwide. While ...

When some viruses infect our bodies, “our immune system can create a type of ‘permanent immunity’, meaning that once you’ve been exposed to that virus, you’ve got protection from it and are typically ...

A new study published Monday links COVID-19 antiviral created by Merck with new mutations of the virus that have been sequenced around the world. Molnupiravir, known commercially as Lagevrio, is one ...

The influenza (flu) virus is constantly undergoing a process of evolution and adaptation through acquiring new mutations. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have added a new layer of ...

Dr. Jordon Trishton Walker, a director of research and development for the Pfizer Corp., recently became an overnight internet sensation. The reason: In a set of rambling remarks to an undercover ...