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Ultrasound waves rupture COVID-19 and flu viruses without damaging cells

Phys · · 758 words · By Maria Fernanda Ziegler
Medical Innovation Acoustic Resonance Antiviral Treatment
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What to know about Medical Innovation

Researchers at the University of São Paulo have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves can rupture enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 through acoustic resonance without damaging human cells. The study suggests this could be a promising, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical antiviral drugs, though it is not yet ready for clinical use.

Propaganda risk 10%
Claims checked 9
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center83%
Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Ultrasound waves rupture COVID-19 and flu viruses without damaging cells Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Robert Egan Associate Editor Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves similar to…

Why it matters

In an article published in Scientific Reports, they describe how the phenomenon, known as acoustic resonance, causes structural changes in viral particles until they rupture and become inactivated.

Common ground

"It's kind of like fighting the virus with a shout.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Researchers at the University of São Paulo have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves can rupture enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 through acoustic resonance without damaging human cells. The study suggests this could be a promising, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical antiviral drugs, though it is not yet ready for clinical use.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-ultrasound-rupture-covid-flu-viruses.html

analyticsAnalysis

10%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 9 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6
verified Verified 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
info Single Source 1
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Claim 1: “The research brought together scientists from various fields... theoretical physicists and acousticians from the IFSC... specialists from the Virology Research Center and the Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases (CRID), both affiliated with the Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP), the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP), and the Faculty of Science and Technology at São Paulo State University (UNESP).”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm the involvement of the Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases (CRID), FMRP-USP, FCFRP-USP, and São Paulo State University (UNESP).
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web search NEUTRAL — ...Center and the Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases (CRID), both affiliated with the Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP), the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP), and the Fac…
https://agencia.fapesp.br/scientists-use-ultrasound-to-destr…
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web search NEUTRAL — CRID is hosted by FMRP-USP. Researchers affiliated with the Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP) and the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in the United States …
https://www.miragenews.com/research-reveals-mechanism-involv…
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web search NEUTRAL — Auro Nomizo Auro NomizoProfessor of Immunology, Universidade de São PauloVerified email at fcfrp.usp.br.JC Milan-Mattos, FF Anibal, NM Perseguini, V Minatel, P Rehder-Santos, ... Brazilian Journal of …
https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=CPTnuPQAAAAJ&hl=…
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Claim 2: “In an article published in Scientific Reports, they describe how the phenomenon, known as acoustic resonance, causes structural changes in viral particles until they rupture and become inactivated.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results explicitly mention an article in Scientific Reports describing acoustic resonance causing structural changes and rupture of viral particles.
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web search NEUTRAL — Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when an object or system is subjected to an external force or vibration whose frequency matches a resonant frequency (or resonance frequency) of the system, defin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance
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web search NEUTRAL — In an article published in Scientific Reports, they describe how the phenomenon, known as acoustic resonance, causes structural changes in viral particles until they rupture and become inactivated. "I…
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-ultrasound-rupture-covid-flu-v…
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web search NEUTRAL — resonant acoustics combined with acoustic cyclotron resonance ie. resonant acoustic cyclotron resonance. Doppler-shifted resonant acoustic cyclotron resonance presents a powerful, and precise means of…
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2000015097A2/en
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Claim 3: “acoustic resonance operates at high frequencies of 3–20 MHz”
CORROBORATED
Web search results specifically mention that high-frequency ultrasound waves in the range of 3–20 MHz induce the acoustic resonance described.
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web search NEUTRAL — An acoustically resonant object usually has more than one resonance frequency, especially at harmonics of the strongest resonance. It will easily vibrate at those frequencies, and vibrate less strongl…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_resonance
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web search NEUTRAL — High-frequency ultrasound waves (3–20 MHz) induce acoustic resonance in spherical, enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1, causing structural rupture and inactivation without damaging human cel…
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-ultrasound-rupture-covid-flu-v…
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web search NEUTRAL — Resonance occurs when the excitation frequency matches with any of the natural frequencies of the system. A typical example will be an opera singer shattering a wine glass. Here, the sound waves produ…
https://altered-states.net/barry/newsletter1162/
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Claim 4: “the team is already conducting in vitro tests against other infections, such as dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm the team is conducting in vitro tests against dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika.
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web search NEUTRAL — Ultrasound-mediated inactivation of enveloped viruses opens up a new treatment possibility for viral diseases. In fact, the team is already conducting in vitro tests against other infections, such as …
https://agencia.fapesp.br/scientists-use-ultrasound-to-destr…
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web search NEUTRAL — dosing schedules used in research.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6…
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web search NEUTRAL — Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika are the vector-borne diseases that constitute a potential epidemiological risk due to the recent increase in cases, complications, and severity. The co-circulation of the …
https://www.academia.edu/98047229/Dilemma_in_laboratory_diag…
verified
Claim 5: “The initiative also benefited from the collaboration of Charles Rice, a professor at Rockefeller University in the United States and the 2020 Nobel Prize winner in medicine.”
VERIFIED
Wikipedia and official university sources verify that Charles Rice is a professor at Rockefeller University and a 2020 Nobel Prize winner in medicine.
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web search NEUTRAL — Charles Moen Rice is an American virologist and Nobel Prize laureate whose main area of research is the hepatitis C virus. He is a professor of virology at the Rockefeller University and an adjunct pr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Rice
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web search NEUTRAL — Charles Rice. Photo: John Abbott. A loss for the world’s sea urchins turned into a win for virology research. Ellen R. Delisio. - November 20, 2020.The Nobel Prize medal and diploma were presented to …
https://nordiclifescience.org/charles-m-rice-so-much-still-t…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Rockefeller University Distinguished Teaching Award, 2010. Robert Koch Award, 2015. InBev Baillet Latour Health Prize, 2016. Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award, 2016.Nobel Prize in Phy…
https://www.rockefeller.edu/our-scientists/heads-of-laborato…
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Claim 6: “Flavio P. Veras et al, Ultrasound effectively destabilizes and disrupts the structural integrity of enveloped respiratory viruses, Scientific Reports (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37584-x”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm the existence of the article 'Ultrasound effectively destabilizes and disrupts the structural integrity of enveloped respiratory viruses' published in Scientific Reports on February 13, 2026.
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web search NEUTRAL — Published: 13 February 2026. Ultrasound effectively destabilizes and disrupts the structural integrity of enveloped respiratory viruses.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-37584-x?error=coo…
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web search NEUTRAL — Ultrasound effectively destabilizes and disrupts the structural integrity of enveloped respiratory viroses. 13-Feb-2026.
https://www.brightsurf.com/news/8OMPM631/scientists-use-ultr…
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web search NEUTRAL — ...and disrupts the inflammatory status in primary cultures of neural stem cells.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300483X2…
help
Claim 7: “Naruna E. Rodrigues et al, Trapped Acoustic Energy and Resonances in Spherical Scatterers, Brazilian Journal of Physics (2026). DOI: 10.1007/s13538-026-02020-y”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm the publication of this specific article in the Brazilian Journal of Physics.
info
Claim 8: “Another article published in the Brazilian Journal of Physics describes the theoretical basis behind the phenomenon of popping enveloped viruses like popcorn.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for this specific claim are irrelevant (discussing TikTok), and no evidence was found regarding a Brazilian Journal of Physics article on 'popping viruses like popcorn'.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — This is a place to post fun, cute, funny, interesting titktok videos you've found. This sub is to share fun tiktok you've found or made. Asking for follows/likes will result in an immediate ban. Anyth…
https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTok/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 13, 2023 · the TikTok Archiver I built - Status report after 2 years, lessons learned, a little money made, etc Guide/How-to
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/18hp3io/the_ti…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A place to watch the best and worst videos from TikTok. Here you can find TikToks that are cringe-worthy, funny, wholesome, and more! We recommend sorting by flair to find the exact content you're loo…
https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/top/?t=all
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Claim 9: “Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves similar to those used in medical exams can eliminate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 without damaging human cells.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) discovered high-frequency ultrasound waves can eliminate SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 without damaging human cells.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves similar to those used in medical exams can eliminate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and ...
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-ultrasound-rupture-covid-flu-v…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Researchers have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves similar to those used in medical exams can eliminate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 without damaging human cells. Acoustic resonan…
https://www.the-microbiologist.com/news/scientists-use-ultra…
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web search NEUTRAL — Scientists use ultrasound to destroy influenza A and COVID-19 viruses without damaging human cells The use of high-frequency waves paves the way for new treatments against other viral infections ...
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erwinloh_scientists-use-ultra…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.