The discoveries might help answer how other viral infections such as COVID-19 affect older children differently than adults and children under one year of age.

It will be critical to determine whether these cells play a role in regulating COVID-19 inflammation, researchers said.

Infectious Disease Scientists Kick Off Yearlong Public Engagement Fellowship Scientists studying infectious diseases immersed themselves in storytelling, social media and live interviews among other activities during an intensive week that kicked off a year-long appointment as AAAS Leshner Leadership Institute Public Engagement Fellows.

The new studies could pave the way for anti-cancer therapies that control the makeup of these bacterial communities.

An amendment brings total VA R&D on par with the President’s FY 2016 request