So virologists, what are we thinking of Frontiers in Virology as a journal these days? I know Frontiers are often called predatory adjacent, but my uni has a contract such that I don't have to pay any pub fees in Frontiers journals and I would like to take advantage if possible.

Reminder that a study on lizard saliva eventually led to the development of Ozempic so be real wary of the criticism of studies and funding that sounds non-sensical when presented with no context.

Shoutout to all of the exceptional Black scientists who have contributed to and are currently contributing to virology research! Your work is vitally important to understanding basic virology controlling viral diseases worldwide! #BlackHistoryMonth

Happy Black History Month! I’m not sure if ASM is celebrating this year, so I’ll share some links to ASM resources I had previously collated on black women in microbiology that are now deleted (or at risk of being deleted). Deleted content can be viewed via the internet archive (links provided).

Not me watching Queer Eye on repeat to be reassured that people can be good and love is bigger than hate.

Bird Flu Samples From Very Ill Patient Had ‘Concerning’ Mutations (Gift Article) Tiny genetic alterations could help the bird flu virus enter cells in the upper respiratory tract, the C.D.C. said. But there is no sign that mutations are widespread in nature.

Ben Mueller on the worrying new mutations in bird flu viruses from a patient in Louisiana. Influenza keeps tapping at the window.. .[Gift link] www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/h...

Cats in the U.S. Are Contracting Bird Flu: What Pet Parents Need to Know Cases in domesticated cats have risen dramatically over the past year.

PSA for cat owners in the US: cats have been contracting H5N1 (bird flu). They are very susceptible to it and the fatality rate for cats is 67%. To avoid it:

-keep your cats indoors. They can catch it from infected birds and mice.

-do not feed them raw dairy

-do not feed them raw meat

Happy Howlidays from the cutest Santa and elf ever!

If you use a reusable straw and you aren’t regularly cleaning it with a tiny bottle brush, run out and buy one now and use it to clean the inside of the straw. Trust me!!

Malaria Is Official Cause Of Flu-Like Mystery Illness In Congo A mystery illness found in a remote part of Congo has been officially identified as a severe form of malaria, which has sickened nearly 600 people and killed 143.

Disease X in remote regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a severe form of malaria

The outbreak has killed more than 140, primarily children

Respiratory distress develops in up to 25% of adults and 40% of children with severe falciparum malaria—Ref: journal.chestnet.org/article/S001...

Basset hounds sitting with the grinch.

Even the Grinch can’t be mean to these sweet pups!

Any news on test results from unknown respiratory illness in DRC? Searched but didn’t see anything.

US parvovirus B19 cases spike, with infections noted in pregnant women, kids with sickle cell disease

US parvovirus B19 cases spike, with infections noted in pregnant women, kids with sickle cell disease www.cidrap.umn.edu/misc-emergin...

🧪 Please share! Spring 2025 Microbiology & Immunology Diversity Scholars Program Applications open Dec 4-Jan 15. The program seeks to provide biomedical research opportunities for Pittsburgh area undergrads who are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds
www.pmi.pitt.edu/research/mid...

Got my cast off today after surgery to repair broken leg bones near ankle 6 weeks ago. Strange how you forget how to walk so quickly. And the dry skin is plentiful. YUCK!

“How’s that turkey lookin?”

Just another basset Monday…

Fluorescence Friday: An old one from my postdoc years. VERY infected cells stained with reovirus factory protein (muNS, red) and ubiquitin localized to lipid droplets (green). Amazing that the virus factories take up the entirety of the cytoplasm!

a close up of a dog 's face looking at the camera . ALT: a close up of a dog 's face looking at the camera .

I picked a REALLY bad time to start watching The Handmaid's Tale.

Oral reovirus reshapes the gut microbiome and enhances antitumor immunity in colon cancer - Nature Communications Here, the authors show that oral administration of an oncolytic reovirus (RC402) elicits robust suppression of multifocal tumor lesions and antitumor immunity through extensive rewiring of the host im...

Reading: Cool and sort of "weird" paper on oral delivery of oncolytic reovirus as a colon cancer therapeutic. Combination reo and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy extremely effective. The "weird" bit is no virus in tumors and the microbiome is somehow involved. www.nature.com/articles/s41....

A basset in the bluebells for your afternoon.

Basset hound wearing glasses and yawning.

Smart boi basset hound to get you through the day!

This scientist treated her own cancer with viruses she grew in the lab Virologist Beata Halassy says self-treatment worked and was a positive experience — but researchers warn that it is not something others should try.

This scientist treated her own cancer with viruses she grew in the lab www.nature.com/articles/d41...

I would like to be added!

Arlo says get up!