Virus

Analysis and Comment (7)

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The novel coronavirus is in the same family as the SARS virus, but has some different biological features and is not as infectious. Image from shutterstock.com

Explainer: what is the new coronavirus?

By Charles Watson, Curtin University

Ten years ago the world was gripped by the threat of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which was caused by a coronavirus. The outbreak infected more than 8,000 people and around 800 died. Over…
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Up to 80% of people who contract herpes remain completely asymptomatic. Image from shutterstock.com

Explainer: what is herpes?

By Dyani Lewis, University of Melbourne

When it comes to sexual health, the virus that causes those tingling blisters and angry sores of genital herpes is often the most reviled and feared. Most cases of genital herpes in humans are caused…
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West Nile virus is responsible for a significant number of bird deaths in the United States. Ed Gaillard

Explainer: West Nile virus outbreak in the United States

By Cameron Webb

A state of emergency has been declared in Dallas, Texas as local authorities battle an outbreak of the deadly West Nile virus. The state is on track to report record numbers of the mosquito-borne disease…
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You can’t catch warts from toads, but you can from other people. DaveHuth

Monday’s medical myth: warts aren’t contagious

By Michael Tam

As a general practitioner (GP), I see a lot of warts. They’re a common skin complaint that most people experience at least one in their lives. Common warts are small dome-shaped lumps on the surface of…
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Vaccines are the public health measure that, after safe food and water, have saved most lives. Flickr/VCU CNS

Catch cancer? No thanks, I’d rather have a shot!

By Ian Frazer

A couple of years ago, I contributed to a documentary with the intriguing title Catching Cancer. We don’t normally regard cancer as an infection, so it often comes as a surprise to learn that more than…
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Kate Willetts, Aug 28 2008, the first woman to receive the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil. AAP

Australia can beat virus-related cancers if we only show the will

By Marian Pitts, La Trobe University and Jack Wallace, La Trobe University

Australia has had a pioneering role in the discoveries that underpin our understanding that some cancers can be caused by infectious agents. But we still face many problems that could be solved if we only…
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Mutations of the flu virus render drugs ineffective for treating infected patients. Leonid Mamchenkov

Marvellous mutants: how nimble flu viruses outsmart drugs

By Aeron Hurt, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza

The United Nations Food and Agricultute Organisation is warning authorities to be on high alert after a mutant strain of bird flu was found to be spreading across Asia. While bird flu hasn’t traditionally…

Research and News (3)

Research Briefs (12)

Bacteria versus virus in oceanic war

Oregon State University

The most abundant bacteria on record are also the hosts of the most abundant viruses, a result found by researchers from…

Genome of malaria parasite sequenced

Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute

Scientists have successfully sequenced the genome of the malaria-causing parasite, plasmodium vivax. The parasite shows…

Raw sewage full of unknown viruses

University of Michigan

Raw sewage could be home to thousands of novel, undiscovered viruses, some of which could have implications for human health…

Participants (25)