The oldest evidence for the plague in Britain has been discovered in 4,000-year-old human remains unearthed at bronze age burial sites in Cumbria and Somerset.…
View More Oldest evidence of plague in Britain found in 4,000-year-old human remainsTag: Microbiology
Covid-resistant bats could be key to fighting the next pandemic
Widely depicted as evil spirits or blood-sucking demons, bats have had a poor press over the years. No vampire film, from Dracula to Buffy, has…
View More Covid-resistant bats could be key to fighting the next pandemicMicrobes discovered that can digest plastics at low temperatures
Microbes that can digest plastics at low temperatures have been discovered by scientists in the Alps and the Arctic, which could be a valuable tool…
View More Microbes discovered that can digest plastics at low temperaturesUK develops genetic early warning system for future pandemics
British researchers are developing a groundbreaking technology to monitor genetic changes in respiratory viruses as they circulate round the world. The system is to be…
View More UK develops genetic early warning system for future pandemicsCovid’s effect on mental health not as great as first thought, study suggests
Covid-19 may not have taken as great a toll on the mental health of most people as earlier research has indicated, a new study suggests.…
View More Covid’s effect on mental health not as great as first thought, study suggestsImmunity debt: does it really exist?
The deaths of at least 74 people, including 19 children, from the invasive bacterial infection group A streptococcus, or strep A, are the most extreme…
View More Immunity debt: does it really exist?Race to control ‘tripledemic’ as cases of RSV in children sweep US and Europe
Before Covid, few people had heard of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Increasingly, though, this common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis (airway inflammation) is filling up…
View More Race to control ‘tripledemic’ as cases of RSV in children sweep US and EuropeDoes exposure to cold and flu viruses weaken or strengthen the immune system?
As temperatures drop and November rain falls, the seasonal onslaught of coughs, sore throats and sniffles may feel inevitable, but does constant exposure to everyday…
View More Does exposure to cold and flu viruses weaken or strengthen the immune system?Immune system-evading hybrid virus observed for first time
Two common respiratory viruses can fuse to form a hybrid virus capable of evading the human immune system, and infecting lung cells – the first…
View More Immune system-evading hybrid virus observed for first timeReaders reply: if everyone isolated for a month, would all transmissible diseases disappear?
If every person in the world isolated from each other for a certain period of time, say a month, would all transmissible diseases disappear? Lily…
View More Readers reply: if everyone isolated for a month, would all transmissible diseases disappear?