General Science Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Context: Scientists have developed antibodies that effectively block Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in preclinical studies. Epstein-Barr virus is also known as human herpesvirus 4 or HHV-4 It is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects approximately 95% of adults worldwide. It is transmitted mainly through saliva, and can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants. It is considered a potential trigger for multiple sclerosis and is associated with cancers such as Burkitt lymphoma, as well as gastric and nasopharyngeal cancers. Latest inventions in science and technology Inherited Genetic Risk in Indian Breast Cancer Context: One in four Indian breast cancer patients carries an inherited genetic variant linked to cancer risk, with the majority of these variants occurring outside the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. 24.6% (nearly one in four) Indian breast cancer patients carry at least one pathogenic or likely pathogenic inherited genetic variant linked to cancer risk. Study conducted by Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Kumaran Hospital (Chennai), and Chennai Breast Centre. Researchers screened 97 cancer susceptibility genes, including: BRCA1 and BRCA2 15 genes linked to the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway Special emphasis on RECQL, an emerging gene associated with breast cancer and known for population-specific patterns. Overall, 67% of all positive findings were in non-BRCA genes, highlighting broader genetic diversity in inherited risk.
