EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This September, we're exploring the science behind vaccines. From how they train our immune systems to fight disease to the research shaping their future, vaccines offer an opportunity to discover the science helping protect individuals and communities around the world.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-Oct-2026 21:16 ET (23-Oct-2026 01:16 GMT/UTC)

28-May-2026

Experimental HIV vaccine achieves a long-sought goal

Scripps Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

For years, researchers have been hoping for vaccines that protect people against not just one strain of HIV, but every strain of the quickly mutating virus. This requires a vaccine that coaxes the human body to develop something called broadly-protective antibodies—molecules that recognize a broad range of HIV strains. Now, scientists at Scripps Research and Sweden's Karolinska Institute have developed an experimental vaccine that leads to broadly protective HIV antibodies in every rhesus macaque tested.

26-May-2026

Brazilian medical students increase vaccine confidence

American Academy of Family Physicians
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Vaccination coverage in Brazil has declined in recent years, largely driven by misinformation, fear, and distrust. Medical students at the University of Pernambuco designed and delivered a low-cost, two-hour educational intervention for 25 parents and caregivers waiting for routine appointments at a Family Health Unit in Recife.

Journal: The Annals of Family Medicine

26-May-2026

SwRI, Texas Biomed to test antiviral compounds for Ebola virus

Southwest Research Institute
Business Announcement

SAN ANTONIO — May 26, 2026 — Recent advances in artificial intelligence have enabled Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to identify nearly two dozen antiviral compounds that could potentially treat a rare species of Ebola virus (Bundibugyo virus) currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo.

26-May-2026

Li’s app removes vaccine barriers for TN families

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

University of Tennessee, Knoxville Industrial and Systems Engineering professor Xueping Li developed an app to reduce vaccine access barriers for Tennessee families. The tool streamlines finding vaccination services and navigating logistics, helping improve uptake by making information and scheduling more convenient. The project highlights practical, community-focused engineering to strengthen public health.

Journal: Health Informatics

22-May-2026

New immune system enhancer extends COVID-19 vaccine protection reducing need for repeated boosters

Boston Children's Hospital
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a new study published in Nature Immunology, researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital demonstrated that pairing the original COVID-19 mRNA vaccine with an immune system enhancer, known as an adjuvant, improved the duration of the vaccine’s protection in mice. The combo also showed a more pronounced response against omicron viral components than the vaccine alone. The researchers say that introducing adjuvants like this one to mRNA vaccines may alleviate the need for frequent boosters due to waning antibodies or new viral variants.