National Institutes of Health scientists and their colleagues identified a previously unappreciated role for the soft palate during research to better understand how influenza (flu) viruses acquire the ability to move efficiently between people. In studies using ferrets, the team collected evidence that this patch of mucous-coated soft tissue separating the mouth from the nasal cavity is a key site for the emergence of flu viruses with a heightened ability to spread through the air. The finding could aid efforts to define the properties governing flu virus transmissibility and predict which viruses are most likely to spark pandemics.
Related posts:
- Researchers extend use of gene therapy to treat a soft tissue tumor Researchers extend use of gene therapy to treat a soft tissue tumor...
- XMRV and related viruses not confirmed in blood of healthy donors or chronic fatigue syndrome patients A study supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could not validate or confirm previous research findings that suggested the presence of one of several viruses in blood samples of people living with chronic fatigue syndrome. The new study also could not find the viruses in blood samples of healthy donors who […]...
- Scientists identify novel approach to view inner workings of viruses Since the discovery of the microscope, scientists have tried to visualize smaller and smaller structures to provide insights into the inner workings of human cells, bacteria and viruses. Now, researchers at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National Institutes of Health, have developed a new way to […]...
- MedicareCard.com – Study Provides New Leads into Genetics of Cleft Lip and/or Palate A consortium of scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health reported today that it has identified two human genes that, when inherited in a slightly altered form, may play a role in causing cleft lip and/or palate (roof of the mouth), one of the world’s most common congenital malformations....
- Medicare Card, Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions, Cancer is Contagious Medicare Card, Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions, Cancer is Contagious...
- 2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 43 ending October 31, 2009 During week 43 (October 25-31, 2009), influenza activity remained elevated in the U.S....
- Medicare Card, How Smoking Effects Your Mouth Medicare Card, How Smoking Effects Your Mouth...
- Medicare Card: NIH Researchers Identify New Steps in Spread of Malaria Parasite Through Bloodstream Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have observed two previously unknown steps in the spread of the malaria parasite through the bloodstream. And in laboratory cultures, the researchers interfered with one of these steps, raising the possibility that new drug treatments could be developed to combat the disease....
- Medicare Card News: NIH Researchers Explore How Healthy, Young Adults View the Role Genetics Plays in Improving Health Most healthy young adults place greater emphasis on health habits than on genetic risk factors when considering what causes common diseases, a research team from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit has found. The study, based on a survey of 25- to-45-year-olds, was released June 8, […]...
- CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States...
- Medicare Card, Myths and Misconceptions, Cancer surgery or a tumor biopsy cause cancer to spread in the body Medicare Card, Myths and Misconceptions, Cancer surgery or a tumor biopsy cause cancer to spread in the body ...
- Medicare Card, Genotype-Tissue Expression project expands functional studies of genomic variation Medicare Card, Genotype-Tissue Expression project expands functional studies of genomic variation...
- Researchers show how anti-HIV drug acts to block herpes virus An anti-HIV drug also discovered to stop the spread of the genital herpes virus does so by disabling a key DNA enzyme of the herpes virus, according to findings by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions....
- Bioengineers create functional 3D brain-like tissue Bioengineers create functional 3D brain-like tissue...
- Origins of XMRV deciphered, undermining claims for a role in human disease Delineation of the origin of the retrovirus known as XMRV from the genomes of laboratory mice indicates that the virus is unlikely to be responsible for either prostate cancer or chronic fatigue syndrome in humans, as has been widely published. The virus arose because of genetic recombination of two mouse viruses. Subsequent infection of lab […]...