Designer antiviral takes aim at one of influenza’s soft spots

Influenza A could have trouble mutating its way past a molecule that damages a crucial structure in the viral genome. Influenza A could have trouble mutating its way past a molecule that damages a crucial structure in the viral genome. Coloured transmission electron micrograph of H3N2 influenza virus particles Coloured transmission electron micrograph of H3N2 influenza virus particles

A simple technique has been developed to achieve acoustic illusions -those that can trick the ear or a sound detector. The technique's applications range from architectural acoustics to camouflage against sonar detection.
In an acoustic illusion, sound waves scattered by an object are modified in such a way that a detector of the outgoing waves would mistake the object for a different one. This effect typically relies on intricate structures to manipulate the sound waves. But Chuanjie Hu and his colleagues at Xiamen University in China have found a way to achieve acoustic illusions without the need for such complex structures.
The authors made an 'illusion shell' (pictured), a spherical shell full of holes that resembles a giant golf ball. When an object is placed inside the shell, the scattered sound waves that emerge match those expected for a different object. For example, a rigid object contained in the shell can acoustically mimic a softer object. The team says that its approach could make acoustic illusions more feasible for practical applications. Phys. Rev. Appl. 18, 024049 (2022)

DESIGNER ANTIVIRAL TAKES AIM AT SOFT SPOT IN FLU GENOME
Viruses such as influenza mutate so quickly that they can rapidly develop resistance to antiviral drugs. A new antiviral that targets an important structure in influenza's genome might make it more difficult for the virus to become resistant.
Rachel Hagey at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and her colleagues studied the pandemic-causing virus influenza A (particles pictured) and identified a structure in its genome that helps it to package its genetic material into new virus particles. They then developed a compound that disables this part of the virus's genome, and administered it to mice either 14 days before or 3 days after infecting the animals with a typically lethal dose of the virus. All of the mice not only survived, but also developed strong immunity against the virus, the researchers found.
The authors used a parallel approach to develop a similar compound for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. They administered the compound to hamsters days before exposing them to infected hamsters and noticed that it reduced viral transmission. The technique could be applied to other respiratory viruses. Nature Med. https://doi.org/h852 (2022)

DYE LIGHTS THE WAY OF HEART CELLS THAT KEEP THE BEAT
Researchers have developed a molecule that could help to map -and potentially mend -the hard-to-see cells that keep the heart beating. The cardiac conduction system (CCS) is a network of heart muscle cells that controls the organ's rhythmic beat. Most of the system is impossible to see with the naked eye and can be damaged during certain types of heart surgery, potentially causing deadly arrhythmias and necessitating the use of artificial pacemakers.
To better visualize the CCS, William Goodyer at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and his colleagues developed an antibody that recognizes a protein unique to CCS cells. When bound to a fluorescent dye and injected, the molecule revealed the CCS of mice, both in dissected tissue sections and in live animals undergoing surgery.
The researchers also developed a version of the antibody that would not be attacked by the human immune system and validated the efficacy of this version in mice. This could be used, along with medical imaging, to help surgeons to avoid damaging the CCS, the authors say. It also has potential for delivering cargo such as arrhythmia drugs to these critical cells.

TEARJERKER: DOGS WEEP FOR JOY ON SEEING THEIR OWNER
People often cry tears of joy in the throes of emotion. A new study shows that dogs do, toobecoming teary-eyed when they are reunited with their owners.
When a dog and its owner lock eyes, both produce oxytocin, the 'love hormone' associated with emotional bonding, according to previous observations. Scientists have speculated that a pup's tearful eyes might make humans want to care for the creature.
To examine this idea, Kaori Murata at Azabu University in Kanagawa, Japan, and her colleagues separated 18 dogs from their owners and, on reuniting the pairs several hours later, measured the volume of the animals' tears. They also applied oxytocin to the dogs' eyes to see if the chemical induces waterworks, and asked people how they felt while looking at photographs of wet-eyed dogs.
The dogs' eyes moistened when the animals greeted their owners. Adding oxytocin also resulted in tear production, leading the researchers to suggest that this hormone mediates the emotional response. Moreover, people associated more-positive emotions with tearful dogs than with those with dry eyes. The authors say that this is the first study documenting happy tears in a non-human animal.