Distinct avian influenza viruses found in Antarctic penguins
An international team of researchers has, for the first time, identified an avian influenza virus in a group of Adélie penguins from Antarctica. The virus, found to be unlike any other circulating avian ...
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Deadly H5N1 bird flu needs just five mutations to spread easily in people
It's a flu virus so deadly that scientists once halted research on the disease because governments feared it might be used by terrorists to stage a biological attack.
Sea otters can get the flu, too
Northern sea otters living off the coast of Washington state were infected with the same H1N1 flu virus that caused the world-wide pandemic in 2009, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey and Centers for ...
Climate change unlikely to reduce UK's excess winter death rate, study reports
New research published today has found that climate change is unlikely to reduce the UK's excess winter death rate as previously thought.
Study on evolution of flu viruses may change textbooks, history books
A new study reconstructing the evolutionary tree of flu viruses challenges conventional wisdom and solves some of the mysteries surrounding flu outbreaks of historical significance.
Japanese superfood prevents flu infection
Scientists have discovered that bacteria found in a traditional Japanese pickle can prevent flu. Could this be the next superfood?
Protecting competition horses from the flu
A deep hacking cough, a runny nose and fever—just like humans, horses can suffer badly when struck down by the flu. Although equine influenza is rarely fatal, it is highly contagious and can seriously disrupt ...
Site uses social media to track illness
You might not consider Tweets such as "Missing the Redskins game because of the flu, ugh :( #worstday" as groundbreaking advancement in science, but Graham Dodge, founder and CEO of the disease-tracking site Sickweather.com, ...
Researchers discover molecules that show promise for new anti-flu medicines
A new way to attack flu viruses is taking shape in laboratories at Rutgers University, where scientists have identified chemical agents that block the virus's ability to replicate itself in cell culture.
Chemists find binding site of protein that allows plant growth
Using a new and super-sensitive instrument, researchers have discovered where a protein binds to plant cell walls, a process that loosens the cell walls and makes it possible for plants to grow.
Catching the bug: Researchers developing virus-detection technology
A new flu virus makes its first appearance in the United States on a restroom doorknob at an international airport in January. Before it can be positively identified by the Centers for Disease Control, the ...
Researchers say Twitter analysis can help gamblers beat the spread on NFL games
Analyses of Twitter feeds have been used to track flu epidemics, predict stock market changes and do political polling, but now that the National Football League season is underway, the natural question is: Can Twitter help ...
Influenza virus in wild birds in Norway
Ducks and gulls are the natural hosts of influenza A virus. Ragnhild Tønnessen's PhD research project has characterised influenza A viruses in gulls and ducks in Norway.