Nasal COVID-19 vaccines help the body prepare for infection right where it starts – in your nose and throat

Research suggests that giving a person a vaccine through their nose can provide a better defense against future exposure to the coronavirus compared to a shot in the arm.

Mayuresh Abhyankar, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia • conversation
May 27, 2022 ~8 min

Despite its disastrous effects, COVID-19 offers some gifts to medicine – an immunology expert explains what it can teach us about autoimmune disease

COVID-19 has taken away so much. An immunology researcher describes the good it may leave behind.

Dario Ghersi, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics, University of Nebraska Omaha • conversation
Feb. 16, 2022 ~8 min


How mRNA and DNA vaccines could soon treat cancers, HIV, autoimmune disorders and genetic diseases

DNA and mRNA vaccines produce a different kind of immune response than traditional vaccines, allowing researchers to tackle some previously unsolvable problems in medicine.

Deborah Fuller, Professor of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
Jan. 24, 2022 ~9 min

Regret can be all-consuming – a neurobehavioral scientist explains how people can overcome it

Remorse and sorrow from a bad choice can haunt you for years, even decades. But there are evidence-based ways to move past regret.

J. Kim Penberthy, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia • conversation
Jan. 7, 2022 ~7 min

Why vaccine doses differ for babies, kids, teens and adults – an immunologist explains how your immune system changes as you mature

First CDC signed off on a COVID-19 vaccine for adults, then teens. Now US children ages 5 to 11 are officially eligible for shots. Here’s the science on why each group needs to be considered separately.

Brian Peppers, Assistant Professor of Pediatric and Adult Allergy/Immunology, West Virginia University • conversation
Nov. 3, 2021 ~7 min

Life extension: the five most promising methods – so far

Life-extension therapies may be coming sooner than you think.

Lynne Cox, Associate Professor of Biochemistry, University of Oxford • conversation
Oct. 21, 2021 ~9 min

Combining an HIV vaccine with immunotherapy may reduce the need for daily medication

People with HIV need to take daily medication to keep the virus at bay. A study has found that a new treatment combination could boost immunity and control virus levels even after stopping medication.

Rama Rao Amara, Professor of Microbology and Immunology, Emory University • conversation
Sept. 29, 2021 ~6 min

Can healthy people who eat right and exercise skip the COVID-19 vaccine? A research scientist and fitness enthusiast explains why the answer is no

A growing body of research shows that nutrition, sleep, exercise and a host of other lifestyle choices can help optimize the immune system. But they are no substitute for life-saving vaccines.

Richard Bloomer, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis • conversation
Sept. 28, 2021 ~8 min


New treatments for COVID-19 may stave off the worst effects of the virus

Medications to treat COVID-19 are in no way a substitute for the vaccine. But under the right circumstances, some show great promise for helping patients.

Patrick Jackson, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia • conversation
Sept. 20, 2021 ~10 min

Specialized cells maintain healthy pregnancy by teaching the mother's immune system not to attack developing fetus

How the immune system learns not to attack a developing fetus and placenta is important to understanding pregnancy and its common complications, like miscarriage.

Tippi MacKenzie, Professor of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Aug. 25, 2021 ~5 min

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