July 21, 2022
Scientists headed by teams at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and Purdue University have published the results of a study that they claim represents the first-ever look at a key stage in the life cycles of two paramyxoviruses, measles and Nipah virus. Results from the research offer new insights into viral replication that could help inform future drug discovery efforts. “This work solves a long-standing mystery: how viruses assemble themselves,” said LJI professor Erica Ollmann Saphire, PhD, who served as study co-senior author with professor Robert Stahelin, PhD, of Purdue University.
Structural Insights into Viral Budding Unveil Potential Target for Deadly Diseases
July 21, 2022
LA JOLLA, CA — Paramyxoviruses have the potential to trigger a devastating pandemic. This family of viruses includes measles, Nipah virus, mumps, Newcastle disease and canine distemper. “The infectiousness of measles is unmatched by any known virus. If one person with measles coughs in a room with 100 unvaccinated people, around 90 would become infected,” says Michael Norris, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral associate at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and current assistant professor at the University of Toronto. “Nipah virus is not as contagious, but it is incredibly lethal, with between 40 percent and 90 percent of infections causing death.” “Just imagine if a paramyxovirus emerged that was as contagious as measles and as deadly as Nipah,” Norris adds. It’s not hard to picture that scenario. In fact, the 2011 film Contagion was based on this exact kind of imagined paramyxovirus. Now Norris and an international team of collaborators have published the first-ever look at a key stage in the life cycles of measles and Nipah viruses. Their new study, published as an upcoming cover story in Science Advances, reveals how future therapies might stop these viruses in their tracks. “This work solves a long-standing mystery: how viruses assemble themselves,” says LJI Professor Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., who served as study co-senior author with Professor Robert Stahelin, Ph.D., of Purdue University.
July 20, 2022
What if we told you that the next time you take a sip of whiskey, you could be engaging in cutting-edge anti-counterfeit measures? Well, that might soon be the case, as a global research team has created an edible QR code to help distinguish real whiskey from the fake stuff. The tiny tag could be helpful not only with alcoholic beverages, but also with counterfeit pharmaceuticals. “Counterfeit items, such as medicines and alcohol, are big issues around the world,” Young Kim of Purdue University said in a statement. “There are numerous examples of large amounts of fake medications sold throughout the world, which, in some instances, kill people.”
Scientists Created a QR Code That Can Detect Counterfeit Whiskey
July 14, 2022
A Purdue professor is sharing his gratitude for a recent financial contribution to his research lab. The one time gift will allow the lab's cancer research to increase significantly. Purdue Chemistry professor Phil Low has received an $8.5 million donation to help fund his lab's work. The donation is an estate gift from former Purdue psychology professor John Capaldi.
Purdue cancer research lab receives $8.5 million estate gift
July 8, 2022
A section of Indiana 9 in Grant County that has been closed since a 14-inch buckle in the concrete emerged Tuesday could reopen as early as Friday night. “Crews are testing the strength of the roadway,” Indiana Department of Transportation spokesperson Megan DeLucenay said Friday afternoon. “They’re hoping that it could be open tonight.” According to INDOT officials, a combination of heat and humidity caused the pavement to buckle Tuesday as temperatures soared to near 100 degrees in some parts of central Indiana.“The extreme heat can take a toll on our bodies; it can also take a toll on the roads,” DeLucenay said Tuesday. In an interview with WISH-TV, Luna Lu, a professor of civil engineering at Purdue University, explained how the heat caused the concrete base of the highway to buckle.
Crews 'testing' Indiana 9 after fixing 14-inch concrete buckle
July 2, 2022
Rahim Rahimi, assistant professor in the School of Materials Engineering, has been selected to take part in the National Academy of Engineering’s The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering 2022 U.S.-based symposium.
July 1, 2022
Findings from a new University of Kentucky College of Medicine study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry May 28 may lead to a new treatment against Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.
June 24, 2022
A Purdue University associate professor has created a new treatment for strokes that has proven to be 86% effective in animal models. This treatment utilizes a magnetically controlled "microrobot-enabled self-clearing catheter" that removes blood accumulating in the brain during a stroke, according to a release from Purdue. Hyowon "Hugh" Lee is an associate professor from the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. His innovation was tested on "porcine models of hemorrhage" in collaboration with neurosurgeons Timothy Bentley from Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine and Albert Lee from Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine in Carmel.
'A real advance in the care of strokes...' Purdue professor develops promising treatment
June 21, 2022
Climate change could be contributing to the spread of heartworm in the U.S., creating conditions ripe for the transmitters of the parasite, mosquitoes, to breed. A 2019 USA TODAY article cited data showing that heartworm infections in the number of dogs per veterinary clinic testing positive rose by 21.7% from 2013 to 2016. In addition, a study in Hungary published in 2020 found both an expanded geographical area and increased incidence of heartworm infection since 2012, which researchers concluded was due to climate change and ecological changes. While the study was based in Europe, researchers believe the same heartworm emergence and spread could also be observed in North America. Scrub Hub: Is there a good turf grass replacement that’s dog-friendly and low- or no-mow? Moreover, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting increased odds of above-normal temperatures for most of the U.S. for June, July and August of 2022. Luckily, preventive treatments are almost 100% effective at preventing heartworm, according to the American Heartworm Society. Here's what pet owners should know heading into summer. What is heartworm, and what causes it? Heartworm is a parasite that causes a pulmonary disease in pets like dogs, cats and ferrets. It's also present in other wildlife, like wolves, coyotes, and sea lions, Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam, an assistant professor of parasitology at Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine, said.
Climate change is increasing risk for heartworm, researchers say. How to protect your pet
June 18, 2022
Luna Lu at the Lyles School of Civil Engineering and director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure at Purdue is an expert in innovating concrete to improve roads. She says fewer repairs would mean fewer construction delays, also noting that ‘smarter’ roads could be better for the environment.
Purdue Expert Says ‘Smart’ Roads Can Help Motorists and the Environment
