Scientists unlock how Zika virus hijacks our skin to be a "mosquito magnet"
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Scientists unlock how Zika virus hijacks our skin to be a "mosquito magnet"

Salon  

Zika, a mosquito-borne virus first identified in 1947 in a Rhesus macaque monkey, continues to perplex scientists in many ways nearly 80 years later. A new study published in Communications Biology shows that Zika causes metabolic changes in human skin that transform it from a barrier to a magnet for mosquitoes, furthering the scientific community’s understanding of the virus. “Our findings show that Zika virus isn’t just passively transmitted, but it actively manipulates human biology to ensure its survival,” Dr. Noushin Emami, co-lead author of the paper, said in a media statement. “As Zika cases rise and Aedes mosquitoes expand their range, understanding the mechanisms by which they gain a transmission advantage could unlock new strategies for combating arboviruses,” Emami said. “We showed that ANKLE2 is really important for accelerating Zika virus replication in human cells, in a broad range of human cells, so liver neurons and even placental cells, which are all tissues that Zika virus can infect,” Shah said.

Mosquitoes Shah Virus Mosquito Protein Salon Zika Zika Virus Microcephaly Replication Virus Replication  skin  hijacks  virus  zika  replication  mosquito  scientists  ankle2  magnet  cells  cases  important  shah  mosquitoes  protein  unlock

History of this topic

Neurological impact of Zika virus: Here's what we need to know
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Neurological impact of Zika virus: Here's what we need to know

Hindustan Times  

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that shares its genus with the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr. Vivek Barun, Consultant - Neurology and Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Artemis Agrim Institute of Neuroscience, said, “While the Zika virus typically results in mild symptoms such as fever, rash, and joint pain, …

Zika virus may cause miscarriages, stillbirths without symptoms
6 years, 8 months ago

Zika virus may cause miscarriages, stillbirths without symptoms

Hindustan Times  

Pregnancy loss due to Zika infections that do not show any symptoms may be a common but unrecognised cause of miscarriages and stillbirths, raising concerns that the complications could be more common than currently thought, say researchers. Zika virus is widely known for causing children to be born with a brain abnormality called microencephaly and other malformations. For the study, …

Zika virus may cause miscarriages, stillbirths without any symptoms
6 years, 8 months ago

Zika virus may cause miscarriages, stillbirths without any symptoms

The Quint  

New York, July 3 Pregnancy loss due to Zika infections that do not show any symptoms may be a common but unrecognised cause of miscarriages and stillbirths, raising concerns that the complications could be more common than currently thought, researchers say. "Many of the foetal and placental tissues had evidence of Zika virus replication and also had pathological lesions, which …

Brain damage caused by Zika virus could go undetected in pregnancy, study says
7 years, 1 month ago

Brain damage caused by Zika virus could go undetected in pregnancy, study says

India TV News  

The brain damage caused by the Zika virus can go undetected in pregnancy which may later cause learning disorders, dementia and psychiatric illnesses in babies. The findings, appearing in the journal Nature Medicine, showed that a foetus that gets infected with the Zika virus may develop severe brain damage even when the baby's head size is normal -- the signature …

Scientists identify genetic origin in Zika virus
7 years, 1 month ago

Scientists identify genetic origin in Zika virus

India TV News  

Scientists identify genetic origin in Zika virus Following Zika infection in vitro, cells from affected individuals had significantly higher Zika virus replication and reduced cell growth. Congenital Zika syndrome is a unique pattern of birth defects found among foetuses and babies infected with Zika virus during pregnancy. Congenital Zika syndrome causes early brain development impairment by affecting neural progenitor cells …

Relatives of Zika virus can cause birth defects: Study
7 years, 1 month ago

Relatives of Zika virus can cause birth defects: Study

India TV News  

Relatives of Zika virus can cause birth defects: Study "We only studied mice and human tissues, so we can't say for sure what happens when pregnant women are infected with these viruses," Jonathan Miner, Assistant Professor at the Washington University. Relatives of the Zika virus, especially West Nile, can spread from an infected pregnant mouse to her fetuses, causing brain …

Proteins protecting mothers from Zika virus are harmful to placenta, foetal growth, says Yale University study
7 years, 2 months ago

Proteins protecting mothers from Zika virus are harmful to placenta, foetal growth, says Yale University study

Firstpost  

Proteins that mount a potent immune response to Zika virus, and help pregnant women fight the infection, can harm the placenta and foetal growth, a study has found. Washington: Proteins that mount a potent immune response to Zika virus, and help pregnant women fight the infection, can harm the placenta and foetal growth, a study has found. Researchers had previously …

A single genetic glitch may explain how Zika became so dangerous
7 years, 5 months ago

A single genetic glitch may explain how Zika became so dangerous

Daily Mail  

A single genetic change that occurred in 2013 may explain how Zika acquired the ability to attack fetal nerve cells, causing a severe birth defect in babies whose mothers were infected while pregnant, Chinese and U.S. researchers have said. Zika is transmitted to people through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, from the Aedes aegypti mosquito and the Aedes albopictus …

One Gene Mutation May Cause Zika's Devastating Birth Defects
7 years, 5 months ago

One Gene Mutation May Cause Zika's Devastating Birth Defects

Wired  

Sixty years ago, a team of scientists went looking for yellow fever in the jungles that line the northwestern edge of Lake Victoria. As Zika sickened thousands, reports of microcephaly—a birth defect characterized by abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains—began pouring in from doctor’s offices and hospitals around the country. In a paper published Thursday in Science, researchers from some …

Once harmless, the Zika virus became lethal after a single genetic mutation took hold around 2013
7 years, 5 months ago

Once harmless, the Zika virus became lethal after a single genetic mutation took hold around 2013

LA Times  

A physical therapist treats a Brazilian child who has microcephaly as a result of the Zika virus. In a new round of genetic sleuthing, Chinese researchers have pinpointed the single genetic change that has made the Zika virus a fearsome plague to pregnant women and their babies across the Americas, responsible for thousands of cases of microcephaly and other grievous …

Researchers identify antibody that protects people from Zika, dengue infections
7 years, 5 months ago

Researchers identify antibody that protects people from Zika, dengue infections

Firstpost  

An antibody that protects from dengue virus is also effective against Zika, a study has found, paving the way for new drugs to prevent the infection that causes babies to be born with serious birth defects. Washington: An antibody that protects from dengue virus is also effective against Zika, a study has found, paving the way for new drugs to …

Zika virus may be more harmful to unborn babies than thought, study says
7 years, 9 months ago

Zika virus may be more harmful to unborn babies than thought, study says

Live Mint  

Washington: Zika could pose more danger to unborn babies than previously thought, according to a new study which found that the virus may cause lasting eye diseases. They infected four pregnant rhesus macaque monkeys with a Zika virus dose similar to what would be transferred by a mosquito bite, and found evidence that the virus was present in each monkey’s …

Zika virus and male infertility: Our updated Q&A on the risks
8 years, 4 months ago

Zika virus and male infertility: Our updated Q&A on the risks

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The World Health Organization says: "Based on research to date, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause …

Experts hope mosquito-borne bacteria can beat the Zika virus
8 years, 4 months ago

Experts hope mosquito-borne bacteria can beat the Zika virus

Associated Press  

LONDON — Researchers are trying to infect mosquitoes in Brazil and Colombia with a type of bacteria that could prevent them from spreading the Zika virus and other dangerous diseases. The virus doesn’t occur naturally in Aedes aegypti — the tropical mosquitoes primarily responsible for spreading viruses such as Zika, yellow fever, dengue fever and chikungunya — but researchers have …

Zika virus unlikely to infect same person twice, claims new research
8 years, 5 months ago

Zika virus unlikely to infect same person twice, claims new research

India TV News  

A recent research has found that a person contaminated with Zika is unlikely to get fever twice. The findings also show that Zika virus is present in the blood very early during infection and remains in some tissues for a long time but is only briefly present in other tissues. The researchers produced Zika virus at the Biosecurity Research Institute …

The Zika Virus Can Cause More Birth Defects Beyond Microcephaly
8 years, 5 months ago

The Zika Virus Can Cause More Birth Defects Beyond Microcephaly

Huff Post  

Ricardo Moraes / Reuters Mariam Araujo, 25, plays with Lucas, her 4-months old second child and born with microcephaly as they wait for a physiotherapy session in Pedro I hospital in Campina Grande, Brazil, February 17, 2016. By Lisa Rapaport - The mosquito-borne Zika virus can lead to extensive birth defects that go beyond microcephaly, a Brazilian study suggests. “Microcephaly …

Zika Virus And Its Impact On Brain Defects
8 years, 5 months ago

Zika Virus And Its Impact On Brain Defects

Huff Post  

Whether it regards Miami, Puerto Rico or the Olympics in Brazil, the publicity and understandable anxiety caused by the outbreak of the Zika virus cannot be denied. In April 2016, CDC scientists announced that based on an accumulation of evidence, they have concluded that contracting the Zika virus during pregnancy is the cause of severe birth defects, such as microcephaly. …

Tapeworm could help cure Zika virus infection
8 years, 6 months ago

Tapeworm could help cure Zika virus infection

India TV News  

Researchers have found some existing drug compounds – including one already used as a treatment for tapeworm infection in humans – that have the potential to both stop Zika from replicating in the body and from damaging the crucial fetal brain cells that lead to birth defects in newborns. "This is a first step toward a therapeutic that can stop …

Zika virus can stay in the vagina days after being sexually transmitted
8 years, 7 months ago

Zika virus can stay in the vagina days after being sexually transmitted

Daily Mail  

It then grew and spread from the genitals to the brains of unborn babies Zika may replicate and stay in the vagina days after a woman becomes infected through sexual transmission, scientists warn. The fact that Zika can replicate and stay in the vagina days after a woman becomes sexually infected could have 'potentially dire consequences', experts say In a …

Zika can hide in vagina, baby’s bloodstream
8 years, 7 months ago

Zika can hide in vagina, baby’s bloodstream

CNN  

Story highlights Zika can hide in a baby's blood for two months, causing later developmental delays The virus lasts up to seven days in vaginal tissue in mice, impacting fetal growth CNN — More surprises from the world of Zika research this week: The virus can hide in vaginal tissue and the bloodstream of infected infants much longer than anyone …

Zika virus found in common mosquitos
8 years, 8 months ago

Zika virus found in common mosquitos

CNN  

Story highlights More research is needed to see how this will affect the spread of Zika There are many types of Culex mosquitoes, and not all can transmit the disease CNN — Researchers in Brazil announced Thursday the “presence of the Zika virus” in Culex mosquitoes in the eastern city of Recife. The World Health Organization said the new research …

Zika Virus Infection Fast Facts
8 years, 8 months ago

Zika Virus Infection Fast Facts

CNN  

Here's a look at Zika virus, an illness spread through mosquito bites that can cause birth defects and other neurological defects. An August 2018 report published by the CDC estimates that nearly one in seven babies born to women infected with the Zika virus while pregnant had one or more health problems possibly caused by the virus, including microcephaly. January …

Zika epidemic likely to burn itself out in three years: Study
8 years, 8 months ago

Zika epidemic likely to burn itself out in three years: Study

Live Mint  

The current zika epidemic in the Americas and a few other countries is likely to end in another three years, according to a new study published in Science journal. Our analysis suggests that zika spread is not containable, but that the epidemic will burn itself out within 2-3 years,” said Neil Ferguson, lead author of the research, from the School …

Can you get Zika twice? Or are you immune?
8 years, 8 months ago

Can you get Zika twice? Or are you immune?

CNN  

Story highlights Study shows male and non-pregnant monkeys could not be reinfected with Zika But pregnant monkeys stayed infected 30 to 70 days longer Researchers worry that Zika could be passed back from fetus to mother CNN — Once you’ve had Zika, can you get it again? “It’s important for us to show in a lab setting what people have …

Zika vaccine is to be tested on HUMANS for the first time
8 years, 8 months ago

Zika vaccine is to be tested on HUMANS for the first time

Daily Mail  

Scientists believe they are a step closer to developing a vaccine to protect people from Zika. Dan Barouch, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said 'our data demonstrate that a single dose of a DNA vaccine or a purified inactivated virus vaccine provides complete protection' against Zika in mice. Experts found mice given either jab did not pick up …

Zika virus scientists believe they are one step closer to developing a vaccine
8 years, 9 months ago

Zika virus scientists believe they are one step closer to developing a vaccine

Daily Mail  

A Zika vaccine may be on the horizon after a breakthrough by British scientists. Scientists are one step closer to a vaccine for Zika, after discovering that being previously exposed to the dengue virus boosts the potency of Zika - explaining why cases in Brazil, where the former is rife, have soared Professor Gavin Screaton, of Imperial College London, said: …

Scientists offer first direct proof that Zika virus in Brazil causes birth defects
8 years, 10 months ago

Scientists offer first direct proof that Zika virus in Brazil causes birth defects

LA Times  

Scientific research is examining the role the Zika virus plays in microcephaly and other birth defects. The new studies, published Wednesday in the journals Nature, Cell and Cell Stem Cell, suggest that when the Zika virus takes hold in the first trimester, it makes its way quickly to the uterus and to cells that line and normally help protect the …

U.S. health officials confirm Zika cause of severe birth defects
8 years, 11 months ago

U.S. health officials confirm Zika cause of severe birth defects

Firstpost  

U.S. health officials have concluded that infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women is a cause of the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies. “It is now clear, the CDC has concluded, that Zika virus does cause microcephaly,” Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a conference call …

CDC: Zika virus causes birth defects, microcephaly
8 years, 11 months ago

CDC: Zika virus causes birth defects, microcephaly

CNN  

Story highlights This is the first time a mosquito has been found to cause congenital birth defects Zika-related microcephaly believed to be more severe than other cases of the birth defect CNN — The Zika virus causes microcephaly and other birth defects, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. It is now clear that the virus causes …

CDC: Zika virus causes birth defects, microcephaly
8 years, 11 months ago

CDC: Zika virus causes birth defects, microcephaly

CNN  

Story highlights This is the first time a mosquito has been found to cause congenital birth defects Zika-related microcephaly believed to be more severe than other cases of the birth defect CNN — The Zika virus causes microcephaly and other birth defects, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. It is now clear that the virus causes …

Zika causes microcephaly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, WHO says
8 years, 11 months ago

Zika causes microcephaly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, WHO says

CNN  

Story highlights Previously, the WHO said there was not yet enough scientific evidence to say the virus caused these conditions More than 1,000 cases of microcephaly linked to Zika have been reported in 6 countries Nearly 400 cases of Zika-related Guillain-Barre have been reported in 13 countries CNN — The World Health Organization says the mosquito-borne Zika virus causes microcephaly …

Zika causes microcephaly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, WHO says
8 years, 11 months ago

Zika causes microcephaly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, WHO says

CNN  

Story highlights Previously, the WHO said there was not yet enough scientific evidence to say the virus caused these conditions More than 1,000 cases of microcephaly linked to Zika have been reported in 6 countries Nearly 400 cases of Zika-related Guillain-Barre have been reported in 13 countries CNN — The World Health Organization says the mosquito-borne Zika virus causes microcephaly …

CDC lab was first to find Zika virus in fetal tissue
8 years, 11 months ago

CDC lab was first to find Zika virus in fetal tissue

CNN  

Story highlights CDC lab was first to link Zika virus to fetal tissue The lab has run tests on 56 cases of Zika virus from Brazil and the United States since January Director of infectious disease pathology has investigated puzzles at the CDC for nearly 30 years CNN — In December, a lab at the Centers for Disease Control and …

Sexual transmission of Zika ‘more common than thought’
9 years ago

Sexual transmission of Zika ‘more common than thought’

Al Jazeera  

Sexual transmission of the Zika virus is more common than previously thought and there is increasing evidence that a surge in birth defects and neurological problems has been caused by Zika, according to the World Health Organization. After a meeting of its emergency committee on Tuesday, Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, said “reports and investigations in several countries strongly suggest that …

Zika virus may cause brain defects among newborn babies
9 years ago

Zika virus may cause brain defects among newborn babies

Firstpost  

Scientists have found the first evidence of a link between the Zika virus and microcephaly, a severe deformation of the brain among newborn babies Scientists have said they had found the first evidence of a biological link between the Zika virus sweeping Latin America and microcephaly, a severe deformation of the brain among newborn babies. “Studies of foetuses and babies …

Zika breakthrough as scientists detail how virus attacks foetal brain
9 years ago

Zika breakthrough as scientists detail how virus attacks foetal brain

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Zika Virus breakthrough as scientists discover 'HOW it could cause a birth defect'
9 years ago

Zika Virus breakthrough as scientists discover 'HOW it could cause a birth defect'

Daily Mail  

Scientists believe they have discovered how the Zika virus likely causes the birth defect microcephaly in unborn babies, it emerged today. Experts at Johns Hopkins, Florida State and Emory universities believe the virus selectively targets the cells that form an unborn baby's outer brain later Now, scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Florida State University and Emory University in …

Zika can trigger severe neurological disorder: study
9 years ago

Zika can trigger severe neurological disorder: study

India TV News  

Paris: Scientists today said they had confirmed that the Zika virus sweeping Latin America and blamed for severe birth defects can also trigger a dangerous neurological disorder. In a study published in the medical journal The Lancet, a team probed Zika's suspected role in a 2013-2014 outbreak in French Polynesia of Guillain-Barre syndrome -- a rare condition in which the …

Zika virus: Scientists find direct evidence of link with Guillain-Barré syndrome
9 years ago

Zika virus: Scientists find direct evidence of link with Guillain-Barré syndrome

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Zika virus presents 'formidable' challenge and will be 'hard to stamp out', says WHO chief
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika virus presents 'formidable' challenge and will be 'hard to stamp out', says WHO chief

Firstpost  

The Zika virus, believed to be linked to the serious birth defect microcephaly, presents a “formidable” challenge that will be hard to stamp out, World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan warned Wednesday. Calling mosquito-borne Zika a “bigger menace” than any other recent major health scare in terms of its geographical spread, Chan said tough times lie ahead. Chan said part …

Zika virus: Scientists 'on the verge' of linking disease to paralysing Guillain-Barre syndrome
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika virus: Scientists 'on the verge' of linking disease to paralysing Guillain-Barre syndrome

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Zika: Virus linked to microcephaly found in baby's brains
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika: Virus linked to microcephaly found in baby's brains

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers questions about the Zika virus
9 years, 1 month ago

Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers questions about the Zika virus

CNN  

Story highlights The Zika virus is primarily spread through mosquitoes and sexual activity WHO finds no relationship between pesticides and microcephaly Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers people's concerns about the virus in a Facebook chat Atlanta CNN — As more cases of Zika virus are being reported, it’s important to be up to speed on the facts, especially with misinformation spreading …

Zika virus found in fetal brain
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika virus found in fetal brain

LA Times  

Ana Beatriz, a Brazilian baby born with microcephaly, at 4 months. In a new report, researchers say they have isolated the Zika virus in the brain of a fetus aborted after a sonogram at 29 weeks found it to have microcephaly. The Zika virus, thought to be responsible for a surge in birth defects in Brazil, has been found inside …

Zika virus: Scientists breeding special mosquitoes that are unable to transmit deadly disease
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika virus: Scientists breeding special mosquitoes that are unable to transmit deadly disease

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists are breeding special mosquitoes …

Zika virus declared a global health emergency by WHO
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika virus declared a global health emergency by WHO

ABC  

The World Health Organisation has declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus to be an international public health emergency as the disease linked to thousands of suspected cases of birth defects in Brazil spreads rapidly. Key points: WHO says virus is of international concern Linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil Could infect up to 4 million people in the Americas …

Mosquito-borne Zika virus ‘spreading explosively’
9 years, 1 month ago

Mosquito-borne Zika virus ‘spreading explosively’

Al Jazeera  

World Health Organization expects infection of up to four million people as agency assesses level of global emergency. The mosquito-borne Zika virus may infect up to four million people, the World Health Organization said, as the agency convened to decide if the outbreak should be declared an international health emergency. WHO: Zika virus to spread to much of Americas Meanwhile, …

Zika: Virus may be spread through sex
9 years, 1 month ago

Zika: Virus may be spread through sex

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

The Zika Virus Could Take a Huge Toll in the Americas
9 years, 1 month ago

The Zika Virus Could Take a Huge Toll in the Americas

Huff Post  

In this Dec. 23, 2015 photo, Solange Ferreira bathes her son Jose Wesley in a bucket at their house in Poco Fundo, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The correlation between the 2015 explosion in microcephaly cases in Brazil and 19 other countries in the Americas and the spread of the Zika virus is so strong that many public health leaders accept the …

Discover Related