Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 25th, 2024
How to detect more antimicrobial resistant bacteria in our waterways
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in waterways presents a critical threat. If commonly used antibiotics are deemed useless, decades of progress in human medicine and agriculture could be undermined.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 20th, 2024
How America lost control of the bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic
Keith Poulsen's jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October. A livestock veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin, Poulsen had seen sick cows before, with their noses dripping and udders slack.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
International study reveals COVID-19 pandemic's impact on other causes of death
Researchers have analyzed cause-of-death data for 24 countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found that life expectancy declined in 2020 for all but four of the 24 included countries, with the US experiencing the largest decline of 2.1 years for males. In 2021, most countries experienced further declines in life expectancy, with females in Bulgaria and males in Latvia experiencing the largest losses of over two years.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Louisiana bars health dept. from promoting flu, COVID, mpox vaccines: Report
Staff worried they were no longer helping people and the ban would lead to deaths.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Norovirus sickens hundreds on three cruise ships: CDC
Just over 300 people have been sickened in norovirus outbreaks on three different cruise ships in December, new government data shows.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 16th, 2024
Black adults with long COVID report higher levels of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, research suggests
Black adults living with long COVID pointed to challenges with their physical health—rather than their mental health—when asked to describe their long-COVID symptoms. That is one key finding from our study, published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Combo treatment with xalnesiran shows promise in patients with hep B
For patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with virologic suppression with nucleoside or nucleotide analog (NA) therapy, xalnesiran plus an immunomodulator results in a substantial percentage of patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, according to a study published in the Dec. 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Five years on from the pandemic, long COVID keeps lives on hold
Three years ago, Andrea Vanek was studying to be an arts and crafts teacher when spells of dizziness and heart palpitations suddenly started to make it impossible for her to even take short walks.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
How to reduce risk of respiratory infections
Rates of infection for respiratory viruses are currently low in the U.S. but are starting to rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV spread more in fall and winter, especially during holiday gatherings, travel and time spent indoors.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Influenza's protective coat and RNA interactions mapped at atomic level
To fight the virus that causes influenza, one of the avenues being explored by scientists is the development of drugs capable of destabilizing its genome, which is made up of eight RNA molecules. But the challenge is daunting: Each RNA molecule is tightly bound to an assembly of proteins which creates a double helix, forming a protective coat that is difficult to manipulate.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Long COVID's effects on employment: Financial distress, fear of judgment
Though research has shown that people with long COVID are more likely to be unemployed, the statistics don't reveal what patients go through before they cut their hours, stop working or lose their jobs.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
New guidelines unveil advanced strategies for HIV treatment and prevention
On the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1 December 2024, the International Antiviral (formerly AIDS) Society-U.S. (IAS-U.S.) has published new international guidelines for the treatment and prevention of HIV. The updated recommendations were developed by a panel of volunteer medical experts, including Prof Clara Lehmann of the University Hospital Cologne and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Patient in Louisiana hospitalized with first bird flu case in that state
Louisiana has reported what appears to be the state's first case of bird flu.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Pakistan begins last anti-polio vaccination campaign of the year after a surge in cases
Pakistan on Monday began its last nationwide vaccination campaign for the year to protect 45 million children from polio after a surge in new cases hampered efforts to stop the disease, officials said.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
S. aureus thwarts vaccines by turning on a protein that halts immune response, scientists reveal
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections that can sometimes lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome. The microbe poses a significant threat to public health, made worse by the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) in recent years.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Scientists reveal characteristics of Salmonella dry surface biofilm
Food scientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have revealed key characteristics of the foodborne pathogen Salmonella dry surface biofilm (DSB), a previously overlooked type of biofilm that commonly exists in dry food processing environments.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 13th, 2024
ACIP updates recommendations for Bexsero MenB-4C vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations have been updated for the meningococcal serogroup B MenB-4C vaccine (Bexsero), in accordance with the updated U.S. Food and Drug Administration label. The updated recommendations have been published in the Dec. 12 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Can bacteria handle stress? Study reveals how combined stressors overwhelm harmful bacteria
The human body is a stressful place for bacteria to live. They must defend against many chemical and physical stressors, in addition to the immune system. One major physical stressor is fluid flow, which constantly circulates in the bloodstream, urinary tract, and lungs. Research has traditionally ignored the impact of flow on bacteria because it is challenging to model in laboratory settings.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
From Yemen to France, research reveals spread of highly drug-resistant cholera strain
Scientists from the National Reference Center for Vibrios and Cholera at the Institut Pasteur, in collaboration with the Center hospitalier de Mayotte, have revealed the spread of a highly drug-resistant cholera strain.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Genetic method leverages bacterial transfer mechanism to produce new active ingredients
Microorganisms produce a wide variety of natural products that can be used as active ingredients to treat diseases such as infections or cancer. The blueprints for these molecules can be found in the microbes' genes, but often remain inactive under laboratory conditions.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Soil ecosystems fuel antibiotic resistance development
Surprisingly, the ground beneath us is packed with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) -; tiny codes that allow bacteria to resist antibiotics. Human activities, such as pollution and changing land use, can disturb soil ecosystems and make it easier for resistance genes to transfer from soil bacteria and infect humans.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Uncovering the evolutionary origins of the hepatitis E virus
An international team of virologists, mammalian ecologists and zoologists has uncovered the evolutionary origins of the hepatitis E virus. In their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group analyzed genomic data for multiple viral hosts.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 6th, 2024
A mystery illness has killed dozens of people in Congo. UN experts are now investigating
The World Health Organization said Friday it was deploying experts to investigate a mystery flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in southwest Congo in recent weeks.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Broadly effective vaccine design offers new hope in the fight against hepatitis C
The development of an effective vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has posed a significant challenge for decades due to the high genetic diversity of the virus. A research team has now achieved promising results. Using epitope-focused immunogens, they were able to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in laboratory models for the first time.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Cervical self-testing an acceptable HPV screening method, but survey reveals knowledge gap from users
Published today in the Journal of Primary Health Care, the research reveals that HPV self-testing (a vaginal swab) was widely accepted and preferred by people for cervical screening, but gaps were identified in their knowledge about the new process.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Cholera spreading 'rapidly' in South Sudan: MSF
Aid workers in South Sudan warned Friday that a cholera outbreak was "rapidly escalating" in the far north of the young nation where chronic violence has displaced thousands.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
First mouse strain susceptible to severe COVID-19 without the need for genetic modification identified
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory and Trudeau Institute have identified the first mouse strain that is susceptible to severe COVID-19 without the need for genetic modification. This development, reported in Scientific Reports, marks a pivotal step forward in infectious disease research, providing an essential tool to develop vaccines and therapeutics for future coronavirus variants and potential pandemics.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Getting to the bottom of things: Latrine findings help researchers trace movement of people and disease
A McMaster researcher has uncovered evidence of intestinal parasites in a 500-year-old latrine from Bruges, Belgium, and while the finding may induce queasiness in some, it is expected to provide important scientific evidence on how infectious diseases once spread through travel and trade.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Gut microbiota: A consensus paper to regulate the 'wild west' of diagnostic tests
The gut microbiota might perhaps one day become a routine tool for the early diagnosis of many diseases and to guide treatment, but at present there is a lack of solid scientific evidence to support these claims. Yet, day by day, there are more and more offers of commercial kits for do-it-yourself testing, at the moment totally lacking in meaning and scientific solidity.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
How Measles, Whooping Cough, and Worse Could Roar Back on RFK Jr.'s Watch
The availability of safe, effective covid vaccines less than a year into the pandemic marked a high point in the 300-year history of vaccination, seemingly heralding an age of protection against infectious diseases.
December 6th, 2024 — Source or Source
Single mutation in H5N1 influenza surface protein could enable easier human infection
NIH-funded study finds risk of human infection continues to remain low.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Therese Canares, Bus '21 (MBA), a pediatric emergency physician, has a grand vision: to save people from having to make an unnecessary trip to the doctor's office if they think they have strep throat.
#2693
December 6th, 2024 — Source
US to start nationwide testing for H5N1 flu virus in milk supply
Feds can compel any company that handles pre-pasteurized milk to share samples.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 2nd, 2024
Considerable scale-up needed to achieve 2025 goals for HIV PrEP
Considerable scale-up is needed to achieve the 2025 goals for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), according to research published in the Nov. 28 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
COVID lockdowns affected adolescents' brain structures, says research
A recent study reported the somewhat alarming observation that the social disruptions of COVID lockdowns caused significant changes in teenagers' brains.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Enterococcus helps E. coli 'armor up' in dog, poultry co-infections
A new study finds that two subtypes of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) produce five to 16 times more protective capsular 'slime' when Enterococcus faecalis (EF) is present. The finding could lead to targeted therapies for E. coli infections specific to dogs and poultry.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Genomic analysis reveals trigger for cytokine storm in lethal COVID-19
As part of the COVID-19 International Research Team, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pittsburgh and Weill Cornell Medicine discovered a novel cause of cytokine storm—the extreme inflammatory response associated with increased risk of death in COVID-19 infection.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
HIV: There's hope for a cure—where we stand now
With the help of Sourcenew scientific and technological developments, the HIV/Aids research community is increasingly turning to an ambitious goal: finding a cure for HIV/Aids.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Mental health and HIV in teens: Strategies to end stigma and discrimination
The UNAIDS report shows that Indonesia recorded 540,000 HIV cases as of 2023. That year saw a record high of 57,299 new HIV cases, with 5.5% (3,151) of these cases affecting adolescents aged 15–19.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Minority genetic variation in tuberculosis offers new insights for improving outbreak tracking
Study highlights the potential of minority variation and alternative sequencing methods to enhance epidemiological understanding of TB transmission
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Natural proteins may offer new way to treat covid-19 and autoimmune disorders
Some people naturally have higher levels of proteins that protect them from covid-19. New studies at Umeå University of our immune system may pave the way for more personalized treatments of both covid-19 and autoimmune disorders.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
New antibody discovery offers hope against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants
Researchers at Kumamoto University have discovered a monoclonal antibody capable of neutralizing a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the elusive omicron subvariants. This antibody, named K4-66, was isolated from a delta breakthrough infection case.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Nutrients related to vitamin B12 influence microbial growth and reshape soil microbiomes, research finds
Communities of microbes (microbiomes), particularly in soils, can be startlingly diverse, with as many as 10,000 species in just a cup of material. Scientists are working to understand how microbiomes and their members respond to their environments. These processes can profoundly shape the properties and composition of soils.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover new cause of cytokine storm in COVID-19
As part of the COVID-19 International Research Team, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pittsburgh and Weill Cornell Medicine discovered a novel cause of cytokine storm -; the extreme inflammatory response associated with increased risk of death in COVID-19 infection.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover a natural flu defense mechanism that activates in the nasal cavity during pregnancy
McGill University scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Severe COVID-19 may be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis
COVID-19 may be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). This has been shown by new research at Örebro University and Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. The study is published in the journal Brain Communications.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Soil-bacteria-derived molecules found to modulate health and lifespan in C. elegans study
The abundant and varied microbial communities within the human gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in influencing both overall health and aging. The utilization of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotic supplementation has gained traction in disease therapy in humans and prolonged lifespan in mice.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Vaccines can put an end to HIV. African governments must take the lead in developing them
Nowhere is this more evident than in southern and eastern Africa, where the majority of people living with HIV reside. Here new HIV infections remain alarmingly high despite significant advances in prevention and treatment.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 29th, 2024
Bacteria modify their ribosomes in response to the antibiotics
Bacteria modify their ribosomes when exposed to widely used antibiotics, according to research published today in Nature Communications. The subtle changes might be enough to alter the binding site of drug targets and constitute a possible new mechanism of antibiotic resistance.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Best time for COVID-19 booster depends on where you live, infection history
A one-size-fits-all approach for scheduling COVID-19 booster shots may not be the most effective, according to a new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). The best time for people to get a booster actually varies based on where they live and their personal infection history.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Global review charts lethal impact of fungal infection after lung disease
About 32% of people who have had prior damage from lung diseases will die after five years if they also get a common fungal infection, a major global review has found. The review also finds that 15% of people with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) die in the first year following other lung diseases.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Here's everything coming from Apple in December
December's biggest releases are the OS updates that expand Apple Intelligence.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Long COVID appears to be driven by 'long infection.' Here's what the science says
Around 5%--10% of people with COVID infections go on to experience long COVID, with symptoms lasting three months or more.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Microfluidic system offers a '48-hour solution' to antimicrobial resistance evolution
A team of researchers has developed a microfluidic system to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Operating at the picoliter scale, the system condenses billions of bacterial cells into a confined microenvironment, accelerating the experimental evolution of resistance.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Report: Flu, RSV trending upward and COVID remains flat as holiday season arrives
Coronavirus cases have been flat locally, likely due to the outsized surge that occurred this past summer, but the flu appears to be ramping up on its traditional trajectory, indicating that the latest spike of cases will be seen in late December and early January.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Why is a cure for HIV so elusive?
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry researchers are on the cutting-edge of the study of HIV, working toward treatments and a better understanding of how the virus works.
November 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 27th, 2024
Air pollution linked to longer duration of long-COVID symptoms
Exposure to air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of persistent long-COVID symptoms, partly due to its impact on the severity of the acute infection.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Clinical trial reveals twice-yearly injection reduces risk of HIV infection by 96%
For oral medications that prevent new HIV infection to be effective, the patient must take certain actions, including attending doctor's visits every three months and—most importantly—consistency.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?
COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu have many similar symptoms. Find out about some of the important differences between these illnesses.
November 27th, 2024 — Source or Source
Flu vaccine estimated to be 21% effective against flu spread to household members
A study of 700 people who tested positive for influenza suggests that their risk of infecting household contacts was 18.8% and that the estimated effectiveness of flu vaccines against secondary infections is 21.0%.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
For people living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis is still the leading cause of death
The latest World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report released in November 2024 painted a sobering picture; approximately 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2023, the highest number since the organization began global TB monitoring in 1995. TB is the leading cause of death among those with HIV/AIDS worldwide. According to the WHO, in 2023, 161,000 people died of HIV-associated TB.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Is bird flu a risk to people yet?
The term "bird flu" refers to a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A, classified as H5N1. Wild birds carry and transmit this flu, though most do not get sick from it. However, it has been detected in birds and mammals at farms such as poultry and dairy cows and has the potential to cause disease in people.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Nanorobot hand made of DNA grabs viruses for diagnostics and blocks cell entry
A tiny, four-fingered "hand" folded from a single piece of DNA can pick up the virus that causes COVID-19 for highly sensitive rapid detection and can even block viral particles from entering cells to infect them, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers report. Dubbed the NanoGripper, the nanorobotic hand also could be programmed to interact with other viruses or to recognize cell surface markers for targeted drug delivery, such as for cancer treatment.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Newly designed nanocrystals can kill bacteria under visible light
Newly developed halide perovskite nanocrystals (HPNCs) show potential as antimicrobial agents that are stable, effective and easy to produce. After almost three years, Rice University scientist Yifan Zhu and colleagues have developed a new HPNC that is effective at killing bacteria in a biofluid under visible light without experiencing light- and moisture-driven degradation common in HPNCs.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Researchers characterize 28 bacteria that produce bioactive substances, offering pharmaceutical potential
Researchers led by Dr. Imen Nouioui and Prof. Dr. Yvonne Mast from the Department Bioresources for Bioeconomy and Health Research at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH have characterized 28 actinomycetes and investigated their biotechnological potential.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals key protein substitutions affect SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in mammals
Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. Zoonotic transmission of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been found to result in infections in more than 30 mammalian species. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds to the host's angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cell surface receptor to gain entry into the cell. ACE2 protein sequence conservation has therefore been evaluated across species, and species with amino acid substitutions in ACE2 were ranked low for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Telehealth significantly boosts treatment success for hepatitis C in rural patients
New research reveals a dramatic improvement in diagnosing and curing people living with hepatitis C in rural communities using both telemedicine and support from peers with lived experience in drug use.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Telemedicine and peer support show promise in treating hepatitis C in rural areas
New research reveals a dramatic improvement in diagnosing and curing people living with hepatitis C in rural communities using both telemedicine and support from peers with lived experience in drug use.
November 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 25th, 2024
Case Western Reserve secures $1.5 million NIH grant to improve bacterial vaginosis treatments
Bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most prevalent condition affecting the female reproductive system in women aged 15 to 44, is linked to such serious health risks as preterm birth, gynecological malignancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Cyanobacterial circadian clock uses an AM radio-like mechanism to control cellular processes
Cyanobacteria, an ancient lineage of bacteria that perform photosynthesis, have been found to regulate their genes using the same physics principle used in AM radio transmission.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Electrical nerve stimulation eases long COVID pain and fatigue, study finds
Wearable TENS system 'offered immediate, on-demand relief,' say researchers
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Detroit health professionals urge the community to act and address the dangers of antimicrobial resistance
Wayne State University's Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (CEID) is launching its participation in World AMR Awareness Week with an urgent message: the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance requires immediate community action, so it is critical to educate, advocate, and act now.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Farmworkers diagnosed with rare animal-borne disease in California's Ventura County
A cluster of workers at Ventura County berry farms have been diagnosed with a rare disease often transmitted through sick animals' urine, according to a public health advisory distributed to local doctors by county health officials.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Genetic clues explain why children develop rare post-COVID condition
Scientists have uncovered genetic variants that help to explain why some children with mild COVID-19 go on to develop a severe inflammatory condition weeks after their infection.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
New malaria vaccine shows high protection in clinical trial
Researchers at Leiden University Medical Center and Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands have demonstrated promising safety and efficacy of a late-liver-stage attenuated malaria parasite vaccine in a small clinical trial.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Online health care reviews turned negative following COVID pandemic
Researchers showed online reviews of health facilities took a negative turn after COVID and remain that way.
November 25th, 2024 — Source or Source
Research on key host pathways has implications for Ebola and beyond
Mortality rates from Ebola outbreaks can be as high as 90%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 55 people died in the most recent outbreak in Uganda in 2022.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Therapy using donor T cells stops deadly inflammation in rare brain infection
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but serious brain infection. It gradually destroys brain tissue and often leads to death within a few weeks. It is caused by the human polyomavirus 2—also known as the John Cunningham (JC) virus.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Wearable electrical nerve stimulation device eases long COVID pain and fatigue, say researchers
A wearable electrical nerve stimulation device can provide relief to people experiencing the persistent pain and fatigue linked to long COVID, a study co-led by UCLA and Baylor College of Medicine researchers suggests.
November 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 24th, 2024
Risk perception and antibiotic resistance: Bridging knowledge and action
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats of our time. With microbes increasingly evading the effects of the drugs designed to combat them, we risk losing the ability to treat even common infections effectively. While the urgency of this issue is clear, addressing it requires innovative and targeted approaches, particularly in education.
November 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 23rd, 2024
California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child
Health officials on Friday confirmed bird flu in a California child—the first reported case in a U.S. minor.
November 23rd, 2024 — Source
Listeria outbreak tied to Yu Shang Food leaves California infant dead and 10 people sick
A California infant has died and at least 10 other people have been sickened in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that include chicken feet, duck neck, beef shank and pork hock, federal health officials reported Friday.
November 23rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 21st, 2024
Breakthrough discovery could lead to novel malaria vaccines and therapies
Malaria, particularly in its severe forms, remains a global health and economic burden. It causes the deaths of more than 600,000 people every year – most of them African children under five. In a new study, published in the journal Nature, researchers from EMBL Barcelona, the University of Texas, the University of Copenhagen, and The Scripps Research Institute have discovered human antibodies that can recognize and target some of the proteins that cause severe malaria. This breakthrough could pave the way for future vaccines or anti-malaria treatments.
November 21st, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 mortality higher for leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome patients
The risk for COVID-19 hospitalization is low in adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but these individuals have a high mortality risk, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in Frontiers in Oncology.
November 21st, 2024 — Source
Global city mobility study reveals COVID-19's impact on transportation habits
COVID-19 reshaped mobility patterns worldwide, affecting walking, driving and public transit use, finds a new study published in The Lancet Public Health. The research, led by an international team including researchers in the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, analyzed data from nearly 300 cities to understand how urban transportation habits adapted during the pandemic.
November 21st, 2024 — Source
New thesis on MAIT cells provides insights into immunity and COVID-19
Tobias Kammann from the Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM) at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) is defending his thesis titled "The diversity of MAIT cells across the human body and in COVID-19," on 29 November, 2024. His main supervisor is Johan Sandberg (MedH).
November 21st, 2024 — Source
Novel nano-vaccine administered as nasal spray found to be effective against all major COVID-19 variants
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an effective, inexpensive, and simple COVID-19 vaccine that can be stored at room temperature and administered as a nasal spray
November 21st, 2024 — Source
Scientists implicate a novel cellular protein in hepatitis A infection
Viruses have thrived in humans for tens of thousands of years, evolving to take advantage of the machinery of cells to replicate and survive inside us. Some can slip past our defenses and invade without even causing symptoms.
November 21st, 2024 — Source
Using artificial intelligence to personalize infection treatment and address antimicrobial resistanceNew research from the Centers for Antimicrobial Optimization Network (CAMO-Net) at the University of Liverpool has shown that using artificial intelligence (AI) can improve how we treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), and help to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
#2693
November 21st, 2024 — Source
Why is it so difficult to make a new antibiotic?
The discovery of antibiotics is one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. Before antibiotics, childbirth, a urinary tract infection, or a simple cut could lead to death from infection.
November 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 18th, 2024
Amid record year for dengue infections, study finds climate change responsible for 19% of rising dengue burden
Climate change is having a massive global impact on dengue transmission, accounting for 19% of the current dengue burden, with a potential to spark an additional 40–60% spike by 2050—and by as much as 150–200% in some areas—according to a new study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Antibacterial material restores the efficacy of antibiotics against resistant bacteria
Research from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, shows that resistant bacteria can regain susceptibility to antibiotics when the treatment is combined with a material equipped with antibacterial peptides. The study, performed in a laboratory environment, shows that antibiotics can achieve a 64-fold increase in bactericidal effect when used together with the material, whose antibacterial properties are also greatly enhanced by this combination.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Antibiotic resistance threatens to 'undo a century of medical progress': Five essential reads
Who hasn't been prescribed antibiotics by a doctor—for a chest infection or perhaps a sore throat? It's terrifying to think that these infections can become life threatening if the antibiotic drugs needed to treat them stop working.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
As California taps pandemic stockpile for bird flu, officials keep close eye on spending
California public health officials are dipping into state and federal stockpiles to equip up to 10,000 farmworkers with masks, gloves, goggles, and other safety gear as the state confirms at least 21 human cases of bird flu as of early November. It's the latest reminder of the state's struggle to remain prepared amid multibillion-dollar deficits.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Bird flu detected in Netherlands for first time in 2024
Bird flu was detected on an organic chicken farm in the center of the Netherlands for the first time this year, the government said on Monday.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Carrot E. Coli Recall Grows Larger: Get the Full List of Recalled Products
Grimmway Farms has added four bag sizes of organic carrots to the voluntary recall for E. coli.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
EU health agency urges stepped-up antibiotic resistance fight
The European Union health agency on Monday warned that Europe was set to miss goals on reducing the use of antibiotics, calling for action to prevent antimicrobial resistance from undermining health care.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Get chronic UTIs? Future treatments may add more bacteria to your bladder to beat back harmful microbes
Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world suffer from urinary tract infections every year. Some groups are especially prone to chronic UTIs, including women, older adults and some veterans.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Global antibiotic consumption has increased substantially since 2016, study finds
A new study highlights the recent but fluctuating growth in global human antibiotic consumption, one of the main drivers of growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR results in infections that no longer respond to antibiotics (and other antimicrobial medicines) and often leads to longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and higher mortality rates. AMR is estimated to be associated with nearly five million global deaths annually.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
H5N1 bird flu infects 5 more humans in California, and 1 in Oregon
As H5N1 bird flu spreads among California dairy herds and southward-migrating birds, health officials announced Friday six more human cases of infection: five in California and one in Oregon — the state's first.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Microbiome changes in chronic liver disease highlight need for personalized treatment
The bacterial changes also correlate with increased antibiotic resistance, highlighting the need for better targeting of antibiotic treatment.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Nanoplastics can impair the effect of antibiotics
(Nanowerk News) Minuscule particles of plastic are not only bad for the environment. A study led from Umeå University, Sweden, has shown that the so-called nanoplastics which enter the body also can impair the effect of antibiotic treatment. The results also indicate that the nanoplastics may lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Even the indoor air in our homes contains high levels of nanoplastics from, among other things, nylon, which is particularly problematic.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
New cell model reveals how hepatitis E viruses affect nerve cells
Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) typically cause liver infections. They can, however, also infect other organs and cause neurological disorders. Little is yet known about how this process works.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
New nasal vaccine shows promise in curbing whooping cough spread
As whooping cough cases rise in the U.S., a new nasal vaccine developed by Tulane University may hold the key to reducing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory disease.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
New uses for existing drugs could help combat antimicrobial resistance
In his recent doctoral thesis, defended at the University of Helsinki, Matej Zore investigated two drugs, fingolimod and etrasimod—initially developed to treat autoimmune diseases—for their potential to fight drug-resistant bacterial infections. Both drugs showed notable antibacterial effects, including against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Oropouche virus transmission to unborn child confirmed
The first confirmed case of vertical transmission of Oropouche virus (OROV) has been reported by 23 researchers from eight distinct institutions in Brazil.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Rising temperatures fuel global spread of dengue infections
Climate change is having a massive global impact on dengue transmission, accounting for 19% of the current dengue burden, with a potential to spark an additional 40%-60% spike by 2050 -; and by as much as 150%-200% in some areas -; according to a new study presented today at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
November 18th, 2024 — Source
RSV immunizations and new ways to protect babies
Nearly all children get infected with respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV, at least once by the time they are 2 years old. The virus can be dangerous for infants and some young children. In fact, RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization in infants under 1 year old.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Study uncovers key mechanism behind HIV latency
An immune response that likely evolved to help fight infections appears to be the mechanism that drives human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into a latent state, lurking in cells only to erupt anew, researchers at Duke Health report.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Walking pneumonia, whooping cough surge in San Diego County
San Diego County's public health department warned local doctors Friday that the region is in the midst of a significant increase in walking pneumonia cases, especially among children ages 2 to 4, echoing a national trend recently observed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And this surge has not arrived alone. Whooping cough is also making a significant appearance this fall.
November 18th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 17th, 2024
Best Vitamins and Supplements for Joint Health in 2024
To support your joint health as you age, talk to your doctor about these vitamins and supplements.
November 17th, 2024 — Source
How to Claim Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Before Flu Season Peaks
Be sure to snag your free COVID tests from the US Postal Service before cases spike with December's arrival.
November 17th, 2024 — Source
RSV hospitalizations linked to considerable burden in adults
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with a considerable burden of hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and in-hospital deaths among adults, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
November 17th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 16th, 2024
New study shows how salmonella tricks gut defenses to cause infection
A new UC Davis Health study has uncovered how Salmonella bacteria, a major cause of food poisoning, can invade the gut even when protective bacteria are present. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explains how the pathogen tricks the gut environment to escape the body's natural defenses.
November 16th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 15th, 2024
A new experimental infection model in flies offers a fast and cost-effective way to test drugs
Researchers at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and Hospital have characterized and developed a new study model using Drosophila that will enable the evaluation of various infectious agents.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Antarctic bacteria show promise as biocontrol agents for combating banana wilt
A recent study conducted by scientists at ESPOL has unveiled the biotechnological potential of microorganisms from Antarctica. In this remote continent, where life thrives under extreme conditions, researchers isolated 77 microbial strains from 162 cultures, identifying 49 species, predominantly actinomycetes (66.23%).
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Burden of superficial cutaneous fungal infection quantified in US
The burden of superficial cutaneous fungal infections (SCFIs) among outpatient visits in the United States is high and increasing, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Chlamydia vaccine shows early promise in mice
An experimental vaccine has shown promise in protecting against the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, researchers report.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Falling vaccination rates brings spikes in measles worldwide
Waning vaccine coverage has fueled a 20% spike in measles cases worldwide, with 10.3 million people struck by the preventable illness in 2023, health officials reported Wednesday.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
French territory Guadeloupe declares dengue epidemic
The overseas French territory of Guadeloupe declared a dengue epidemic on Thursday, with authorities noting the outbreak was being driven by a less common strain of the mosquito-borne disease.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Health care database analysis highlights lingering symptoms long after COVID-19 infection
A new international study has shed light on the significant burden of post-acute COVID-19 symptoms across North America, Europe and Asia.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
In vitro model enables study of age-specific responses to COVID mRNA vaccines
mRNA vaccines saved lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, but older people had less of an immune response to the vaccines than did younger adults. Why? Boston Children's researchers, led by Byron Brook, Ph.D., and Ofer Levy, MD, Ph.D., have found some answers, while providing proof-of-concept of a new system that can model vaccine responses in a dish.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Researchers focus on occupational burnout from hurricanes and COVID
After Hurricane Helene sent its storm surge into Florida's west coast in late September, local emergency responders and health care workers pulled long hours on the job. Then came Hurricane Milton right behind it, with Category 3 winds and rains wreaking havoc not just to property, but the patience and nerves of those same exhausted crews.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Scientists propose drug-free method to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Recent estimates indicate that deadly antibiotic-resistant infections will rapidly escalate over the next quarter century. More than 1 million people died from drug-resistant infections each year from 1990 to 2021, a recent study reported, with new projections surging to nearly 2 million deaths each year by 2050.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Students who use dating apps take more risks with their sexual health, research finds
In May, the WHO raised the alarm over the rise in the incidence of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) in many regions of the world, currently running at more than a million new cases per day. Among high-income countries, the US has one of the highest prevalence of STIs, and this problem is getting worse.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Microbial density in our gut shapes how diseases are linked to gut health
Using machine learning, researchers have developed a way to predict the total number of microbes in our gut from sequencing data, revealing that microbial density, influenced by factors like age and diet, is a major contributor to gut microbiome variation and could reshape how we study disease connections.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Study of Scotland's last plague reveals humanity in face of 'Black Death'
A new study led by the University of Aberdeen has provided greater understanding of Scotland's final deadly brush with the plague.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Study uncovers first evidence of resistance to standard malaria treatment in African children with severe malaria
An international team of researchers has uncovered evidence of partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives -- the primary treatment for malaria -- in young children with severe malaria.
November 15th, 2024 — Source
Zinc deficiency promotes Acinetobacter lung infection, mouse study shows
Dietary zinc deficiency promotes lung infection by Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria—a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia, according to a study published Nov. 15 in the journal Nature Microbiology.
November 15th, 2024 — Source or Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 12th, 2024
Bird flu decimates seals, leaving grim scenes of dead animals
"We were totally appalled."
November 12th, 2024 — Source
California Dengue Cases Prompt Swift Response From Public Health Officials
Jason Farned and his team at the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District had spent years preparing for the likely arrival of dengue, a dangerous virus typically found in tropical climates outside the mainland United States.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
From pets to pests: Researchers explore new tool to fight disease-carrying insects
Arkansas researchers are testing a product commonly used to treat ticks and fleas on pets to target fly and mosquito larvae with the goal of helping reduce the spread of diseases carried by these insects.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
Goblet cells could be the guardians of the gut
In a recent study, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have provided new insights into the central role of goblet cells—specialized cells that line the gut—in maintaining a healthy and balanced immune environment within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
How immune cells 'sniff out' pathogens: Signaling study could speed up the search for new drugs
Immune cells are capable of detecting infections just like a sniffer dog, using special sensors known as Toll-like receptors, or TLRs for short. But what signals activate TLRs, and what is the relationship between the scale and nature of this activation and the substance being detected?
November 12th, 2024 — Source
Metagenomic sequencing test proves effective in diagnosing almost any kind of pathogen
A genomic test developed at UC San Francisco to rapidly detect almost any kind of pathogen—virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite—has proved successful after a decade of use.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
Multidrug-resistant strain of K. pneumoniae detected in Northeast Brazil
A strain of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from an 86-year-old woman with a urinary infection admitted to hospital in Brazil's Northeast region in 2022 proved resistant to all available antibiotics. The patient died 24 hours after being hospitalized.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
STD epidemic slows as new syphilis and gonorrhea cases fall in US
The U.S. syphilis epidemic slowed dramatically last year, gonorrhea cases fell and chlamydia cases remained below prepandemic levels, according to federal data released Tuesday.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
Uncovering the mechanisms behind T cell differentiation
T helper (TH) cells are essential immune cells that help other immune cells function effectively. When activated in response to environmental stimuli, these cells can differentiate into either TH1 cells, which fight against viruses and intracellular pathogens, or TH2 cells, which fight against extracellular pathogens like bacteria and parasites.
November 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 10th, 2024
Canada reports first case of bird flu in a person
A teenager in British Columbia has become the first person in Canada to test positive for bird flu, authorities said Saturday.
November 10th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 8th, 2024
Biomarker study confirms HNL Dimer's efficacy in monitoring sepsis treatment
The biomarker human neutrophil lipocalin HNL was previously shown to be a useful indicator of bacterial infections. Now, the dimeric form of HNL may also be used to effectively monitor the success of antibiotic treatment in sepsis.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 linked to long-term risk for autoimmune, autoinflammatory disease
COVID-19 is associated with long-term risk for autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in JAMA Dermatology.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Examining two cases of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the rapid development and administration of various vaccines worldwide, with some reports linking these vaccines to immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria changes may foreshadow rheumatoid arthritis
Changes in the gut microbiome before rheumatoid arthritis is developed could provide a window of opportunity for preventative treatments, new research suggests.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Gut microbiome changes linked to onset of clinically evident rheumatoid arthritis
Changes in the make-up of the gut microbiome are linked to the onset of clinically evident rheumatoid arthritis in those at risk of the disease because of genetic, environmental, or immunological factors, suggests research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
H5N1 Bird Flu Is Infecting More People Than We Know
New CDC research suggests that a small but significant percentage of dairy farmers working near infected cows have recently contracted H5N1, often without knowing.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Link between COVID-19 and long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders
The study suggests that long-term monitoring and patient management are crucial after COVID-19.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
New AI tool identifies additional undiagnosed cases of long COVID from patient health records
Investigators at Mass General Brigham have developed an AI-based tool to sift through electronic health records to help clinicians identify cases of long COVID, an often mysterious condition that can encompass a litany of enduring symptoms, including fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog after infection from SARS-CoV-2.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
New medical AI tool identifies more cases of long COVID from patient health records
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to unveil the elusive traces of long COVID in patients' health records using 'precision phenotyping'
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Public trust in COVID-19 vaccine science influences vaccine uptake in the US
Study emphasizes the importance of bolstering trust in health communication from public sources like the CDC and addressing emotional impacts of loss.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Research points to correlation between preeclampsia and COVID-19 in pregnant women
During the COVID-19 pandemic, above all before vaccines were available, an alarm was sounded regarding a possible correlation between severe cases of COVID-19 in pregnant women and preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) in the expectant mother and high levels of protein in her urine (proteinuria). It can entail dangerous complications for mother and baby.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
SARS-CoV-2 'steals' our proteins to protect itself from the immune system, study reveals
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and the Medical University of Innsbruck discovered that SARS-CoV-2 hijacks three important host proteins that dampen the activity of the complement system, a key component of early antiviral immunity.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Scientists in Japan develop new SARS-CoV-2 variant detection method
Scientists in Japan develop new SARS-CoV-2 variant detection method
November 8th, 2024 — Source
SARS-CoV-2 hijacks host proteins to escape immune clearance
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and the Medical University of Innsbruck discovered that SARS-CoV-2 hijacks three important host proteins that dampen the activity of the complement system, a key component of early antiviral immunity. This significantly impairs viral clearance which may affect the course of both acute COVID-19 infections and post-COVID-19 sequelae. The study was recently published in the journal "Emerging Microbes & Infections".
November 8th, 2024 — Source
SARS-CoV-2 'steals' our proteins to protect itself from the immune system
Virus hijacks three important host proteins that dampen the activity of the complement system
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura cases after CoronaVac raise concerns over vaccine safety
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the rapid development and administration of various vaccines worldwide, with some reports linking these vaccines to immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). This report presents two cases of TTP occurring after the administration of the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech, highlighting the potential association between this type of vaccine and TTP.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Trial shows safety of getting COVID and flu vaccines at same time
Results from a randomized control trial published Nov. 6 in JAMA Network Open show that participants who received mRNA COVID-19 and inactivated influenza vaccines simultaneously had no more adverse effects than those who received the two shots sequentially, 1 or 2 weeks apart.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Washington state reports nearly 1,200 whooping cough cases so far this year
This year could shape up to be the worst year for whooping cough Washington has seen in over a decade.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
WHO study lists top endemic pathogens for which new vaccines are urgently needed
A new World Health Organization (WHO) study published in eBioMedicine names 17 pathogens that regularly cause diseases in communities as top priorities for new vaccine development. The WHO study is the first global effort to systematically prioritize endemic pathogens based on criteria that included regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk and socioeconomic impact.
November 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 7th, 2024
Bird flu infects 1 in 14 dairy workers exposed; CDC urges better protections
About 7% of dairy workers exposed to the avian flu that is spreading through U.S. herds have become infected themselves, federal experts estimate.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Could vitamin D help COVID-19 patients? Meta-analysis highlights potential ICU reduction
New study suggests vitamin D supplementation may lower ICU and intubation rates in COVID-19 patients, with greater benefits seen in older and severe cases.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 burden in hospitals affects risk for in-hospital adverse events
Greater hospital COVID-19 burden is associated with an increased risk for in-hospital adverse events (AEs) among patients with and without COVID-19 in the United States, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in JAMA Network Open.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
DNA sequencing reveals significant decrease in gut bacterial diversity during aging
A new study has revealed that gut bacteria may play a key role in aging, and that specific microbes could be targeted to promote healthy aging.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Don't wait for a holiday surge. Now is a good time to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines
If you missed the early fall push for flu and COVID-19 vaccines, it's not too late.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Garbage dumps may produce next pandemic, warn epidemiologists
Scientists say the expansion of garbage dumps in low-income countries concentrates people, waste and animals in the same areas and dumps could be dangerous reservoirs for diseases such as COVID-19.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Hepatitis C screenings shown to be uncommon among opioid overdose patients
New research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine indicates that accidental opioid overdose patients in central Missouri have high rates of hepatitis C infections, despite only 40% of patients having a history of testing.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Hexavalent vaccine can reduce spread of whooping cough
Comprehensive coverage of the hexavalent vaccine can protect against whooping cough and polio, averting disease resurgence, writes Esther Nakkazi.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Nanoparticle-Enabled Rapid and Sensitive COVID-19 Detection
Researchers at the Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (IBB-UAB) have developed a new class of nanostructures capable of trapping and neutralizing significant amounts of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, both in liquid solutions and on material surfaces.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Men who have sex with men in Europe still vulnerable to hepatitis A and B
Research analyzing European survey data from 113,884 men who have sex with men (MSM) and published in Eurosurveillance indicates that while most MSM have a basic understanding of viral hepatitis, only 44% report having been vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B. The data highlight notable immunization gaps despite available vaccination and recommendations. Strong public health support and creating an open environment that enables MSM to follow recommendations will be crucial to reduce outbreaks among MSM and eliminate hepatitis B.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
New antibiotic-resistant bacteria strain may be spreading across Asia
A virulent new strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes severe disease could be spreading widely across Asia - posing significant challenges to global public health, a new study reveals.
November 7th, 2024 — Source or Source
Spread of dengue fever in Bangladesh worries medics
Bangladesh is struggling to tamp down a surge in dengue cases as climate change turns the disease into a year-round crisis, leaving some pediatric wards packed with children squeezed two to a bed.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Surveillance study traces COVID-19's impact on global flu patterns and evolution
Seasonal influenza epidemics impose substantial burdens on health care systems and cause >5 million hospitalizations of adults each year. The current approach to influenza vaccine development requires comprehensive surveillance of circulating strains, which are constantly moving from continent to continent.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Toddler's backyard snakebite bills totaled more than a quarter million dollars
This spring, a few days after his 2nd birthday, Brigland Pfeffer was playing with his siblings in their San Diego backyard.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Tribal health leaders say feds haven’t treated syphilis outbreak as a public health emergency
Natalie Holt sees reminders nearly everywhere of the serious toll a years-long syphilis outbreak has taken in South Dakota. Scrambling to tamp down the spread of the devastating disease, public health officials are blasting messages to South Dakotans on billboards and television, urging people to get tested.
November 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 5th, 2024
Bird flu detected in pigs—here's why virologists are concerned
H5N1 influenza has now been detected in pigs. This was something virologists had been worrying about ever since this highly pathogenic strain of bird flu started its rapid global spread in 2020. But why were we worrying specifically about pigs? And does this case—detected on a farm in Oregon on October 29—change anything?
November 5th, 2024 — Source or Source
Gut microbes play key role in regulating stress responsiveness throughout the day, research finds
A pioneering study has uncovered the vital role that gut microbiota plays in regulating stress responses by interacting with the body's circadian rhythms.
November 5th, 2024 — Source
Scientists identify immune molecule that keeps metabolism in tune and on time
Recent research reveals that the immune system interacts with the body's internal clock, influencing both fat storage and temperature regulation.
November 5th, 2024 — Source
Stopping mpox: Wild meat markets are a root cause and must be made safer, say researchers
In many countries around the world, wild animals are sometimes killed for food, including monkeys, rats and squirrels.
November 5th, 2024 — Source
Study finds pandemic contribution from voluntary sector is 'under-valued'
A study has found that the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector played a "crucial" role supporting Greater Manchester communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout—but that their contribution has been undervalued and under-recognized by the wider health system.
November 5th, 2024 — Source
The Most Dangerous Germs Without Effective Vaccines
Researchers at the World Health Organization have identified 17 pathogens most in need of new or improved vaccines, including threats like HIV, malaria, and influenza.
November 5th, 2024 — Source
WHO identifies priority pathogens for new vaccines development
The World Health Organization on Tuesday listed 17 pathogens that cause widespread disease and death, including HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, for which it said new vaccines were "urgently needed".
November 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 3rd, 2024
Enhanced screening protocols for Candida auris improve hospital infection control
Mount Sinai researchers have enhanced hospital screening protocols for Candida auris, an often-drug-resistant fungal pathogen the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers an urgent global health threat. These new guidelines, published in an analysis in the American Journal of Infection Control on October 31, could promote early detection of the harmful fungus in high-risk patients and prevent hospital outbreaks.
November 3rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 2nd, 2024
Researchers shed light on increased rates of severe human infections caused by Streptococcus subspecies
A concerning increase in global rates of severe invasive infections becoming resistant to key antibiotics has a team of infectious disease researchers at the Houston Methodist Research Institute studying a recently emerged strain of bacteria called Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE). SDSE infects humans via the skin, throat, gastrointestinal tract and female genital tract to cause infections ranging in severity from strep throat (pharyngitis) to necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease).
November 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — November 1st, 2024
AI tackles huge problem of antimicrobial resistance in intensive care
Artificial intelligence (AI) can provide same-day assessments of antimicrobial resistance for patients in intensive care—critical to preventing life-threatening sepsis.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Beat the bug: Expert tips for managing cold and flu season
As cold and flu season approaches, people face the challenge of keeping themselves—and, in the case of those who are parents, their children—healthy amidst rising illness rates. With viruses becoming increasingly prevalent during this time of year, understanding how to effectively manage symptoms and prevent the spread of illness is crucial.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Climate shifts and urbanisation drive Nepal dengue surge
Nepal is fighting a surge in dengue cases, a potentially deadly disease once unheard of in the country's high-altitude Himalayan regions, as climate change and urbanization nurture fever-bringing mosquitoes in new zones.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 sharply boosts risk for blood-fat disorders, find researchers
A study led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine involving more than 200,000 adults found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 29% increase in risk for developing dyslipidemia, a condition involving abnormal lipid (fat) levels in the blood.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
How Indigenous knowledge helped solve a mysterious outbreak
When a mysterious and deadly illness began to sicken members of the Navajo community in the Four Corners region of the Southwestern U.S. in 1993, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigators were stumped.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Human histones show promise in fighting bacterial infections
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives from infectious diseases and are considered one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. However, as the use (and abuse) of antibiotics has increased over the years, many bacteria have developed resistance to these drugs.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Iron supplements may boost brain development in children with HIV
A University of Minnesota Medical School research team has found that giving iron supplements to children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa could be an important first step in optimizing brain development.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Pandemic-linked worldwide declines in childhood vaccination not yet recovered
Countries with COVID-19 pandemic-associated reductions in childhood immunization coverage have not yet recovered, according to research published in the Oct. 31 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Research finds flu vaccine coverage 80.7% for health workers in acute care hospitals
Influenza and 2023 to 2024 COVID-19 vaccination coverage is 80.7 and 15.3%, respectively, among health care personnel at acute care hospitals and is lower among health care personnel at nursing homes, according to research published in the Oct. 31 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Rwanda steps up measures against Rift Valley Fever
Rwanda has been stepping up measures to combat Rift Valley Fever (RVF) following the country's second outbreak in two years, amid concerns it could spread to humans.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Scientists successfully reverse liver fibrosis in mice
Cirrhosis, hepatitis infection and other causes can trigger liver fibrosis—a potentially lethal stiffening of tissue that, once begun, is irreversible. For many patients, a liver transplant is their only hope. However, research at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles may offer patients a glimmer of hope. Scientists there say they've successfully reversed liver fibrosis in mice.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Some COVID test expiration dates have been extended, FDA says
Don't automatically throw out that old COVID-19 at-home test you just came across in your medicine cabinet.
November 1st, 2024 — Source
What you need to know about 'walking pneumonia'
Do you have a runny nose and nagging cough that has persisted for weeks but you've still managed to drag yourself to work and school?
November 1st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 30th, 2024
An Old Foe Dethrones Covid-19 as the World’s Leading Infectious Killer
The WHO's latest report on tuberculosis shows that it's once again the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
First case of latest mpox variant detected in UK: health authority
An infection with the latest mpox variant, clade 1b, has been detected in the United Kingdom for the first time, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced on Wednesday.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
For kids and teens, extra weight could mean a higher chance of long COVID
Study of 172,136 children and young adults finds elevated BMI linked to increased PASC risk: 25.4% higher for obesity and 42.1% for severe obesity.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Immune system review provides insight into more effective biotechnology
Macrophage cells are the immune system's frontline soldiers, early on the scene to protect the body from foreign invaders. These cells answer the immune system's critical question for the rest of its troops: friend or foe?
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Once again, tuberculosis becomes world's top infectious disease killer
In the highest tally ever recorded for tuberculosis cases, the World Health Organization report that over 8 million people worldwide were diagnosed with the lung disease last year.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Researchers show nanoplastics can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics
In a recent study, an international research team with significant involvement from MedUni Vienna has investigated how nanoplastic particles deposited in the body affect the effectiveness of antibiotics.
October 30th, 2024 — Source or Source
Scientists describe how mycobacteria evade the effects of antibiotics
One of the main challenges of contemporary medicine is posed by the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics. An important step in countering it has now been made by researchers from IOCB Prague, in collaboration with colleagues from the Institute of Microbiology and the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Study finds nirmatrelvir-ritonavir reduces severe COVID-19 and long COVID risks in high-risk patients
New research highlights the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in lowering hospitalization rates and long COVID symptoms in non-hospitalized, high-risk COVID-19 patients.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals increased mental health issues among university students during COVID-19
PhD in Public Health candidate Elaine Russell and her mentor Kenneth Griffin, professor in the department of Global and Community Health, in George Mason University's College of Public Health, worked with Tolulope Abidogun, also a PhD in Public Health student, and former Global and Community Health professor Lisa Lindley, now of Lehigh University, to analyze data from the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA III) in an effort to understand how university students' mental health needs changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Tuberculosis infected 8 million people last year, the most WHO has ever tracked
More than 8 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis last year, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, the highest number recorded since the U.N. health agency began keeping track.
October 30th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 28th, 2024
Bovine H5N1 influenza from infected worker transmissible and lethal in animal models
Some antiviral drugs highly effective against bovine H5N1.
October 28th, 2024 — Source
Emails reveal how health departments struggle to track human cases of bird flu
Bird flu cases have more than doubled in the country within a few weeks, but researchers can't determine why the spike is happening because surveillance for human infections has been patchy for seven months.
October 28th, 2024 — Source
Get Your Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests in Time for the Holidays
If you have 2 minutes, you can request free COVID tests from the US Postal Service.
October 28th, 2024 — Source
New class of encrypted peptides exhibits significant antimicrobial properties
#2693In a significant advance against the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers have identified a novel class of antimicrobial agents known as encrypted peptides, which may expand the immune system's arsenal of tools to fight infection.
October 28th, 2024 — Source
Studies pinpoint immune cells and proteins linked to long COVID
Researchers at the University of Alberta have pinpointed two proteins that could serve as markers for identifying patients with long COVID—a discovery that may lead to treatments that will bring better quality of life for the millions of people suffering from the debilitating condition.
October 28th, 2024 — Source
Vaccines for children program offers free immunizations when cost is a barrier
Vaccines are a safe and highly effective way to prevent common diseases that used to seriously harm or even kill infants, children and adults. When children have all their recommended vaccines on schedule, that helps ensure that everyone stays healthy. But what if your family can't afford them?
October 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 25th, 2024
Bacterial pathogen must balance between colonizing airways and developing antibiotic tolerance, study reveals
Imagine trying to settle into a new home while constantly being attacked. That's what the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa faces when it infects the lungs, and it can't both spread and protect itself from antibiotics at the same time.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
CDC confirms second human bird flu case in Missouri with no known exposure to farm animals
A second person in Missouri who wasn't exposed to either poultry or dairy cows has been infected with bird flu, U.S. health officials reported Thursday.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
CDC says some people may need extra dose of COVID vaccine
Some Americans should get more than one shot of the updated COVID vaccines because their age or certain health conditions make them more vulnerable to severe infections, U.S. health officials advised this week.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's quarter pounders widens to 75 cases in 13 states as 22 hospitalized
An outbreak of E. coli illness linked to onions used in McDonald's Quarter Pounders has expanded to now include 75 cases across 13 states, U.S. health officials announced Friday.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Emails reveal how health departments struggle to track human cases of bird flu
Bird flu cases have more than doubled in the country within a few weeks, but researchers can't determine why the spike is happening because surveillance for human infections has been patchy for seven months.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Experts develop laboratory toolkit for patients with viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Marburg virus disease
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) such as Marburg virus disease have been in the news recently, with more than 60 cases of Marburg confirmed in Rwanda.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Hepatitis C treatment in Australian pharmacies could boost diagnosis and cure rates
A new Burnet Institute study finds that introducing a hepatitis C outreach and treatment program in Australian community pharmacies, particularly those offering opioid agonist therapy, could significantly increase testing, diagnosis, and cure of those living with the blood-borne virus.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Is It COVID, Flu or Allergies? How to Detect What's Making You Sick
Symptoms of viruses like COVID and flu overlap with each other, but there are ways you can narrow it down to get the treatment you need.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Malicious social media bots increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, finds study
The information environment in Finland during the coronavirus pandemic was exceptional and intense in many ways. The spread of disinformation and the number of actors involved reached unprecedented levels.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Over 2,700 suspected new mpox cases in one week in Africa
A total of 2,729 new suspected cases of the disease mpox have been reported in Africa over the period of one week, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
'Perfect storm' of distrust deepened inequalities during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccination rollout enabled a "perfect storm" for deepening health inequalities in Greater Manchester, the results of a study have shown.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Post-acute infection syndrome is not unique to COVID-19, study shows
Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 often report a wide range of symptoms months after their initial illness. But a new study from NDORMS shows that post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS) is not unique to COVID-19 and can also occur after other respiratory infections.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Vaccinating children for mpox would significantly reduce deaths in the DRC, say researchers
Vaccinating children under five-years-old in endemic mpox regions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) would significantly reduce the number of deaths in the country, according to an analysis by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health, published in The Lancet Global Health.
October 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 22nd, 2024
Discovery of new bacterial toxins opens path to novel infection treatments
Researchers have discovered a new group of bacterial toxins that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi, opening the door to potential new treatments for infections. These toxins, found in over 100,000 microbial genomes, can destroy the cells of bacteria and fungi without harming other organisms.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Going viral: Undergrads immersed in the wide, weird world of phages
Armed with sterile tubes, students at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine fanned out across Canada's capital city collecting soil samples. They were on the hunt for "bacteriophages," viruses one-fortieth the size of a typical bacterium that bear a striking resemblance to landing alien spacecraft from a 1950s science fiction movie.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
How SARS-CoV-2 defeats the innate immune response
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has an enzyme that can counteract a cell's innate defense mechanism against viruses, explaining why it is more infectious than the previous SARS and MERS-causing viruses. A Kobe University discovery may point the way to the development of more effective drugs against this and possibly similar, future diseases.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
How the coronavirus defeats the innate immune response
SARS-CoV-2 has an enzyme that can counteract a cell's innate defense mechanism against viruses, explaining why it is more infectious than the previous SARS and MERS-causing viruses. The discovery may point the way to the development of more effective drugs against this and possibly similar, future diseases.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Listeria danger spurs nationwide recall of frozen waffles
Treehouse Foods Inc. has recalled dozens of frozen waffle products because of potential listeria contamination.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
New research reveals GPR31's role in immune response to gut infections
Researchers from Osaka University discover that the GPR31 path in 'gut surveillance' cells detects bacterial metabolites and triggers immune responses, opening new possibilities for drug development, vaccines, and probiotics to fight infections.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
New research uncovers how coronavirus evades immune defense
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has an enzyme that can counteract a cell's innate defense mechanism against viruses, explaining why it is more infectious than the previous SARS and MERS-causing viruses. The Kobe University discovery may point the way to the development of more effective drugs against this and possibly similar, future diseases.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
New CDC report highlights disparities in flu hospitalization and vaccination
Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults in the United States are more likely to be hospitalized with flu, as well as less likely to be vaccinated against flu, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. CDC is working to increase flu vaccination rates by using proven strategies to raise awareness of how serious flu can be and break down barriers to vaccination.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Newer mpox strain poses bigger risk to young women, study shows
Girls and young women may be more susceptible to an infectious subvariant of the virus that causes mpox that has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries, a study showed.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Researcher finds special proteins are key when antibiotic resistance spreads
Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem globally. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that some bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics have the ability to spread that resistance to other bacteria via secretion systems. A new thesis (PDF) from Umeå University analyzes how special proteins are used in this process where antibiotic resistance spreads.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Structural biology analysis of a Pseudomonas bacterial virus reveals a genome ejection motor
The viruses that infect bacteria are the most abundant biological entities on the planet. For example, a recent simple study of 92 showerheads and 36 toothbrushes from American bathrooms found more than 600 types of bacterial viruses, commonly called bacteriophages or phages. A teaspoon of coastal seawater has about 50 million phages.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Success of long-lasting HIV drug hinges on pricing
Affordability and mass distribution will be critical to the success of a long-lasting injectable HIV prevention drug that has proven highly effective in human trials, say global health specialists.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
The mosquito-borne virus 'triple E' continues its spread, worrying state health officials
Mosquito-borne illnesses are a growing concern in Northeastern states, with health officials monitoring cases and advising residents to avoid outdoor activities near standing water and other environments prone to mosquito spread.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Washington becomes 6th state to report bird flu in humans
Four farm workers who helped cull poultry on an commercial egg farm in Washington are presumed to have been infected with bird flu, making that state the sixth in the country to report human H5N1 infections this year.
October 23rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 20th, 2024
Rwanda says no community transmission of Marburg virus, with zero new infections in recent days
Rwanda's health minister said Sunday that an outbreak of the Marburg virus is not spreading in the country, citing the absence of new infections or deaths in the past six days.
October 20th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 18th, 2024
1 in 5 Australians admit they don't wash their hands every time they use the toilet
Do you wash your hands every time you use the toilet? How about before you handle food? Be honest.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Exclusion of indigenous voices hinders HIV progress in Latin America
Indigenous communities in Latin America say they are being excluded from the global HIV/AIDS response, leaving them without access to life-saving medicines and prevention tools.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Indigenous people with HIV 'invisible' in Latin America
Indigenous communities in Latin America say they are being excluded from the global HIV/AIDS response, leaving them without access to life-saving medicines and prevention tools.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
New diagnostic approach for bacterial infections shows promise in the clinic
For patients with bacterial infections, the sooner they are treated with the appropriate antibiotics, the better they will fare. Current methods for determining which drugs might work for each patient rely on growing bacteria from the patient in the lab and take days to yield results. In the meantime, patients are often given broad-spectrum antibiotics, which encourage drug-resistant infections, a significant public health threat.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Study links social vulnerability and race to lower vaccination rates
Vaccination for influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is less likely with an increasing social vulnerability index (SVI) and Black race, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDWeek), held from Oct. 16 to 19 in Los Angeles.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Sweden becomes first country to meet global HIV targets
Sweden has reached the UNAIDS and WHO targets for the HIV epidemic, according to a study in Eurosurveillance by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and others. According to the researchers, Sweden is the first country in the world to achieve these targets.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Sweden meets U.N. targets for combating HIV epidemic: Study
Sweden has reached the UNAIDS and WHO targets for the HIV epidemic, according to a study in Eurosurveillance by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and others. According to the researchers, Sweden is the first country in the world to achieve these targets.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Team develops promising new form of antibiotic that makes bacterial cells self-destruct
To address the global threat of antibiotic resistance, scientists are on the hunt for new ways to sneak past a bacterial cell's defense system. Taking what they learned from a previous study on cancer, researchers from the University of Toronto (U of T) have developed novel compounds that trigger bacterial cells to self-destruct.
October 18th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 16th, 2024
Bacteriophages unveil auxiliary genes critical for infection
Viruses that infect bacteria—known as bacteriophages - could be used in a targeted manner to combat bacterial diseases. They also play an important ecological role in the global biogeochemical cycles. Recent research by researchers at the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) have identified a previously unknown auxiliary metabolic gene in aquatic phages, thereby significantly expanding the previous understanding of these bacterial predators.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Blood analysis study may help boost performance and reduce side effects of mRNA vaccines
A study led by researchers from RMIT University and the Doherty Institute has provided the first detailed analysis of how mRNA vaccines circulate and break down in the human bloodstream. The research aimed to help improve the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines, including reducing the side effects that people commonly experience such as headaches, fever and fatigue.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Cholera confirmed in Lebanon, risk of spread 'very high': WHO
The risk of cholera spreading in Lebanon is "very high", the World Health Organization warned Wednesday, after a case of the acute and potentially deadly diarrheal infection was detected in the conflict-hit country.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
HIV diagnosis linked to higher risk of meth use in gay and bisexual men
People assigned male at birth who belong to a sexual or gender minority group were twice as likely to use methamphetamine following an HIV diagnosis, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Mpox vaccine is safe and generates a robust antibody response in adolescents
NIH clinical trial addresses knowledge gap on vaccine use in adolescent populations
October 16th, 2024 — Source or Source
NHS England warned about plans to extend Covid-era rules for patient data access
Governance and public consultation need work before rule change goes ahead
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Part of the GBHSH community in Spain uses doxycycline to prevent sexually transmitted diseases
The increasing incidence of sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs) is a major public health problem worldwide. Currently, among the therapies being studied is the use of the antibiotic doxycycline as a method of post-exposure prophylaxis after unprotected sex—known as DoxyPEP.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Rwanda starts first ever clinical trial for Marburg treatment: WHO
Rwanda has begun the world's first clinical trial for a treatment of the Ebola-like Marburg virus, which has killed more than a dozen people in the country, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Threat of mosquito-borne diseases rises in US with global temperature
Crisper fall weather is descending, signaling the coming end of another mosquito season that this year saw modest outbreaks of West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
'Two for the price of one'—scientists discover new process to drive anti-viral immunity
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a new process in our immune systems that leads to the production of an important family of anti-viral proteins called interferons. They hope the discovery will now lead to new, effective therapies for people with some autoimmune and infectious diseases.
October 16th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 13th, 2024
Study links children's bedtimes to gut health, finds early sleepers have greater microbial diversity in gut flora
Researchers from the Department of Child Rehabilitation, China, have found significant differences in the gut microbiota of children who go to bed early compared to those who stay up late. The study revealed that children with earlier bedtimes had greater microbial diversity in their gut flora.
October 13th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 12th, 2024
Inside RSV: Researchers pinpoint markers of more severe cases
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the top cause of hospitalization among young children, leading to respiratory issues like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. However, the reasons why some children experience only mild symptoms while others suffer from severe disease are not well understood.
October 12th, 2024 — Source
Researchers uncover mechanism of protein GBP1 in immune defense
The protein GBP1 is a vital component of our body's natural defence against pathogens. This substance fights against bacteria and parasites by enveloping them in a protein coat, but how the substance manages to do this has remained unknown until now. Researchers from Delft University of Technology have now unravelled how this protein operates.
October 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 11th, 2024
Almost 10 million pounds of meat recalled due to Listeria danger
Oklahoma meat processor BrucePac is recalling close to 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry that may have been contaminated with the Listeria bacterium.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
Framework reveals how neglecting income, education and ethnicity affects disease spread predictions on COVID-19 data
An international team of researchers have developed an innovative approach to epidemic modeling that could transform how scientists and policymakers predict the spread of infectious diseases. Led by Dr. Nicola Perra, Reader in Applied Mathematics, the study published in Science Advances introduces a new framework that incorporates socioeconomic status (SES) factors—such as income, education, and ethnicity—into epidemic models.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
New bluetongue virus serotype, BTV-12, identified in the Netherlands
A new variant of the bluetongue virus has been identified in a sheep in Kockengen. It was identified as bluetongue serotype BTV-12, according to research by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR, part of Wageningen University & Research). The European Bluetongue Reference Laboratory in Madrid confirmed that the animal in question was infected with BTV-12.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
Possible trigger of Crohn's disease discovered: Dysfunctional mitochondria disrupt the gut microbiome
Disruptions of mitochondrial functions have a fundamental influence on Crohn's disease. This connection has now been demonstrated by researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). In a study published in Cell Host & Microbe, they show that defective mitochondria in mice trigger symptoms of chronic intestinal inflammation and influence the microbiome.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover how innate immunity envelops bacteria
The protein GBP1 is a vital component of our body's natural defense against pathogens. This substance fights against bacteria and parasites by enveloping them in a protein coat, but how the substance manages to do this has remained unknown until now.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
Typhoid vaccine trial confirms sustained protection for older children
A single dose of typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) offers safe, effective protection against typhoid two years after vaccination in all children, and sustained protection for older children at three to five years post immunization, according to a report by researchers at the Oxford Vaccine Group and the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). But it also shows a decline in protection at the later timepoints among children vaccinated at younger ages.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
Unprotected sex boosts mpox danger for gay men as drug-resistant strain spreads
Infection with the mpox virus is five times more likely among gay and bisexual men who engage in unprotected anal sex as the receptive partner, a new analysis reveals.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
What to know about bats and rabies
Bats play an important role in many ecosystems around the world. They are a major predator of night-flying insects, including pests that cost farmers billions of dollars annually. However, bats pose the biggest rabies threat in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most bats are not rabid. However, because rabies can only be determined by laboratory testing, there is concern about possible exposure.
October 11th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 10th, 2024
AI Discovers 160,000 New RNA Virus Species
Researchers from China, Hong Kong, and Australia have discovered over 160,000 new species of RNA viruses using advanced artificial intelligence (AI).
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Community leaders' training increases vaccine uptake
Training community leaders in Fiji to promote and educate others about the benefits of vaccines builds trust and could be key to eradicating preventable diseases, according to a new study.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Faulty 'fight or flight' response drives deadly C. difficile infections, research reveals
The portion of our nervous systems responsible for the "fight or flight" response can shape the severity of potentially deadly C. difficile infections, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
First wave of COVID-19 increased risk of heart attack, stroke up to three years later
NIH-funded study focused on original virus strain, unvaccinated participants during pandemic.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
New study reveals long-term brainstem damage in COVID-19 survivors using advanced MRI scans
Groundbreaking MRI study links brainstem damage to long COVID symptoms in survivors.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Rwanda's Marburg outbreak is under control, Africa's health chief says
An outbreak in Rwanda of the Ebola-like Marburg fever is under control and travel bans targeting the East African country are unnecessary, the head of Africa's top public health agency said Thursday.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Single atom engineered antibiotics offer hope against resistant bacteria
(Nanowerk Spotlight) Antibiotic resistance is emerging as one of the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. As bacteria develop mechanisms to evade conventional drugs, treatments that were once reliable are becoming ineffective. This growing crisis has forced scientists to rethink how antibiotics are developed, moving beyond the limitations of traditional drugs and exploring advanced technologies that offer new ways to combat bacterial infections.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
UVA research reveals nervous system's role in C. difficile infections
The portion of our nervous systems responsible for the "fight or flight" response can shape the severity of potentially deadly C. difficile infections, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Vaccine uptake influenced by politics and socioeconomics, study finds
COVID-19 vaccination rates have varied significantly based on partisanship and socioeconomic factors, with Democrats getting vaccinated faster and at higher percentages than Republicans and Independents.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Your bathroom is a hidden haven of untapped viral biodiversity
A new study found over 600 different viruses in samples from showerheads and toothbrushes, with no two samples being the same.
October 10th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 8th, 2024
Even when HIV is undetectable, it may remain transmissible via breast milk
In the first report of its kind, researchers from the University of Buenos Aires evaluated the HIV reservoir in the breast milk cells of two women living with HIV (WLWH) who had been on successful long-term treatment. While the researchers did not find any signs of intact or active HIV that could potentially cause infection in others, the risk for transmission in breast milk could not be entirely ruled out.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
How the rapid development of COVID vaccines prepares us for future pandemics
Since COVID was first reported in December 2019, there have been more than 775 million recorded infections and more than 7 million deaths from the disease. This makes COVID the seventh-deadliest pandemic in recorded history.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Is it COVID-19? Flu? At-home rapid tests could help with deciding on a treatment plan
A scratchy, sore throat, a relentless fever, a pounding head and a nasty cough—these symptoms all scream upper respiratory illness. But which one?
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Long COVID symptoms found to be prevalent among health care workers
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London, and University College London has found that 33.6% of surveyed health care workers in England report symptoms consistent with post-COVID syndrome (PCS), more commonly known as long COVID. Yet only 7.4% of respondents reported that they have received a formal diagnosis.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Many patients expecting antibiotics for common symptoms lack knowledge of risk
Lack of knowledge of antibiotic risks contributes to primary care patients' expectations of antibiotics for common symptoms, according to a study published online in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Mouse model suggests bacterial-derived metabolites may promote prostate cancer
Every year, over 1.5 million new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed throughout the world. As one of the leading causes of death for men in multiple countries, understanding the risk factors for prostate cancer has become paramount. While the primary factors are genetic and can be linked to a family history of the disease, many lifestyle factors can greatly increase the odds of developing prostate cancer.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Research team develops metallodrug-antibiotic combination strategy to combat superbugs
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacterial infections have become a serious problem threatening human health worldwide. The overuse of antibiotics has promoted drug-resistant mutations in bacteria, causing almost all clinically used antibiotics to develop resistance in different strains.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Rates of a tick-borne parasitic disease are on the rise, researchers find
Rates of babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic disease, increased an average of 9% per year in the United States between 2015 and 2022, and 4 in 10 patients were found to be co-infected with another tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Study finds telehealth effective for HIV patients
A Rutgers Health study suggests telehealth could be a viable long-term option for people living with HIV, potentially saving them time, effort and expense related to in-person medical visits.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
TRGO/ZnO Nanocomposites: A Promising Antibacterial Solution for Wound Healing
In a recent article published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers investigated the potential of thermally reduced graphene oxide/zinc oxide (TRGO/ZnO) nanocomposites as effective antibacterial agents.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Understanding symptoms: Is it hay fever, COVID or something else?
Hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis) affects 24% of Australians. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose (which may feel blocked or stuffy) and itchy eyes. People can also experience an itchy nose, throat or ears.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
When medicines don't work: Eliminating neglected tropical diseases will reduce drug resistance—a win for all
A major health challenge of our time is when drugs no longer work to treat infections. This happens when the agents that cause infections—they may be bacteria, viruses or fungi—become resistant to the drugs.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
West Nile infections are spiking—here's why the percentage of severe cases is so small
The U.S. is currently in the midst of yet another West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak, with the CDC documenting 880 cases across 46 states so far this year.
October 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 7th, 2024
Antigenic mapping sheds light on SARS-CoV-2 immunity differences
A person's immune response to variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, depends on their previous exposure - and differences in the focus of immune responses will help scientists understand how to optimise vaccines in the future to provide broad protection.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Bird flu patient had no apparent contact with animals—there's still no evidence of sustained human-to-human spread
Six health care workers in the US who were in close contact with a patient known to have bird flu developed mild respiratory symptoms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The patient was not known to have had contact with livestock or other animals, raising the possibility of human-to-human spread.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Getting antivirals for COVID too often depends on where you live and how wealthy you are, says researcher
Medical experts recommend antivirals for people aged 70 and older who get COVID, and for other groups at risk of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
How naturally abundant biopolymers can help develop biomass-derived antimicrobials
In a bid to combat the rising threat of antibacterial resistance, researchers from the Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), have delved into the characteristics and applications of biomass-derived antibacterial agents. The study, led by Nissa Nurfajrin Solihat and a team of international collaborators, presents a comprehensive analysis of how naturally abundant biopolymers can be harnessed to develop sustainable antibacterial solutions.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Long COVID patients with abnormal lung CT scans could prove key to preventing pulmonary fibrosis
Long COVID occurs in approximately a third of COVID-19 survivors, with the CDC estimating one in 13 adults in the United States have long COVID symptoms such as brain fog, shortness of breath and chest pain. In a new study published in Nature Immunology, pulmonologists at the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive COVID-19 Center (CCC) noticed that many patients referred to the CCC for long COVID symptoms had persistently abnormal CT scans of their lungs.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Researchers confront new US and global challenges in vaccinations of adults
Vaccines to prevent common and serious infectious diseases have had a greater impact on improving human health than any other medical advance of the 20th century, surpassing even sanitation and potable water. From the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 to the unprecedented development of effective and safe mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, vaccinations have played crucial roles in preventing millions of premature deaths and hospitalizations in adults and children.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Smokers have a higher level of harmful oral bacteria, study finds
A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 8 million people die annually from smoking related complications. Despite efforts by governments and various organizations to create awareness about the dangers, around 1.3 billion people still use some form of tobacco and 80% of them live in low to middle income countries.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Systematic review uncovers 299 alternative substrates for bacterial cellulose production
In a significant advancement for sustainable industrial practices, a team of international researchers have conducted a systematic review, uncovering 299 alternative substrates across 12 industries for the production of bacterial cellulose, a versatile biomaterial used in various sectors including food, textiles, and medicine.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Valley fever is a growing risk in Central California: Few visitors ever get a warning
The incidence and range of valley fever has grown dramatically over the last two decades, and some experts warn that the fungus is growing increasingly resistant to drugs—a phenomenon they say is due to the spraying of antifungal agents on area crops.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
What turns bacteria into spirals?
A protein determines the shape of bacteria
October 7th, 2024 — Source
WHO plans second round of polio vaccinations in Gaza
The World Health Organization, or WHO, is negotiating with Israel for new ceasefires in the Gaza Strip to vaccinate children against polio for a second time.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Whooping cough cases skyrocketing in Pennsylvania, which has more than any other state
Pennsylvania has seen more cases of whooping cough than any other state this year, with 2,165 cases of the serious bacterial infection reported as of late September.
October 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 6th, 2024
Mpox epidemic: from first cases to vaccinations
As the Democratic Republic of Congo launches a vaccination campaign amid a flare-up of the sometimes deadly illness mpox, AFP looks at how the virus developed.
October 6th, 2024 — Source
Rwanda will deploy Marburg vaccine under trial as death toll rises to 12
Rwandan health authorities will begin a vaccine study against the Marburg hemorrhagic fever, officials said Sunday, as the East African country tries to stop the spread of an outbreak that has killed 12 people.
October 6th, 2024 — Source
Scientists develop mRNA vaccine that protects mice against intestinal C. difficile bacteria
A large team of microbiologists, pathologists and infectious diseases specialists affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has developed an mRNA vaccine that has thus far been found able to protect mice against intestinal Clostridioides difficile bacterial infections.
October 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — October 5th, 2024
DR Congo launches mpox vaccination drive, hoping to curb outbreak
The Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of an mpox epidemic, launched a vaccination campaign against the virus on Saturday in the eastern city of Goma, AFP journalists said.
October 5th, 2024 — Source
Novavax Is Here for the COVID Fight: What to Know About the Vaccine
Novavax's protein-based shot is an option for COVID vaccination this season, joining refreshed formulas from Moderna and Pfizer.
October 5th, 2024 — Source
Vaccines for adults: Which do I need?
Vaccines can protect your health. Find out more about the vaccines that are recommended for adults.
October 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 28th, 2024
Can addressing gut issues treat long COVID in children?
Study hopes to answer questions about connection between GI and neurological symptoms.
September 28th, 2024 — Source
EEE is still a threat in Massachusetts, horse tests positive: 'People shouldn't let their guard down'
With October only a few days away, EEE remains a threat in the Bay State.
September 28th, 2024 — Source
Minnesota reports rare human death from rabies
A Minnesota resident who came into contact with a bat in July died of rabies, the state's department of health announced Friday.
September 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 25th, 2024
Campylobacter jejuni-specific antibody gives hope to vaccine development
Bacterial infections resulting in enteritis, and sometimes extra-intestinal infections such as sepsis, continue to be a global health concern. A leading cause of diarrheal and extra-intestinal infectious mortality among children aged under 5 and elderly persons is infection with Campylobacter bacteria, against which there is no effective vaccine or medication.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Chemical genetics uncovers promising anti-COVID compounds
This new article publication from Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, discusses the identification of novel small-molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 by chemical genetics.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Cryo-ET study provides viral close-up of HTLV-1, the 'overlooked cousin of HIV'
In collaboration with the University of Minnesota and Cornell University, Martin Obr and Florian Schur from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) provide new details into the architecture of HTLV-1 (Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1) using Cryo-Electron Tomography (Cryo-ET)—a method to analyze the structures of biomolecules in high resolution.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
It's time to roll up sleeves for new COVID, flu shots
Fall means it's time for just about everybody to get up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines—and a lot of older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Most Americans won't get vaccinated as flu, COVID season looms: Survey
Most Americans don't plan to get vaccinated against the flu or COVID-19 this season, a new survey has found.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Most at-risk populations for HIV discussing the topic in negative, risky ways get the most social media attention
As the old saying goes, bad news travels fast. Research shows that saying holds true when it comes to young men discussing HIV on social media. An analysis of viral tweets from young men and adolescents, the most at-risk group for new infections in the United States, revealed a wider propagation and greater audience engagement for tweets entailing a negative message—particularly, tweets using humor to stigmatize people or promote risky behaviors.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Novel nasal spray shows promise in preventing respiratory infections
New research published in Advanced Materials reports a novel nasal spray for preventing respiratory infections. The spray works by forming a protective coating on the nasal cavity, which captures airborne respiratory droplets and acts as a physical barrier against viruses and bacteria, while effectively neutralizing them.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Researchers gain new understanding of how immune cells respond to heat during fever
Study reveals that moderate fever temperatures (39°C) improve metabolism, proliferation, and effector function of CD4 T cells while reducing regulatory T cell suppression.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Researchers uncover key to combat Campylobacter infections
Bacterial infections resulting in enteritis, sometimes extra-intestinal infections such as sepsis, continue to be a global health concern. A leading cause of diarrheal and extra-intestinal infectious mortality among children under 5 and elderly persons is infection with Campylobacter bacteria, against which there is no effective vaccine or medication.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Preclinical studies suggest a drug-free nasal spray could ward off respiratory infections
A new study details how a nasal spray formulated by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital may work to protect against viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Based on their preclinical studies, the researchers say the broad-spectrum nasal spray is long-lasting, safe, and, if validated in humans, could play a key role in reducing respiratory diseases and safeguarding public health against new threats.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Sending home COVID-positive nursing home staff means worse outcomes for patients, study says
Sending nursing staff home who are mildly ill with COVID-19 could lead to unnecessary patient hospitalizations, deaths, and costs, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
What is whooping cough?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are on the rise. The U.S. is beginning to return to the level of cases reported before the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC says roughly four times as many cases of pertussis have been reported in 2024 compared to the same time last year.
September 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 23rd, 2024
Can our stockpiles of Tamiflu protect against a bird flu pandemic?
Governments are banking on this old drug in the event of an H5N1 outbreak.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 hits older adults hardest; which ones want the updated vaccine?
The newly updated COVID-19 vaccine just arrived in pharmacies and clinics nationwide, and a new poll suggests nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get it. But some older adults with high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest varies widely by age group, education level, race and ethnicity, and other factors, the poll shows.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Expert discusses mosquito-borne diseases and prevention measures
Rhode Island's least favorite summer guests have arrived: mosquitos, especially those carrying eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Florida's New Covid Booster Guidance Is Straight-Up Misinformation
In what has become a pattern of spreading vaccine misinformation, the Florida health department is telling older Floridians and others at highest risk from covid-19 to avoid most booster shots, saying they are potentially dangerous.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source or Source
Nearly half of people older adults plan to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, poll suggests
The newly updated COVID-19 vaccine just arrived in pharmacies and clinics nationwide, and a new poll suggests nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get it. But some older adults with high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest varies widely by age group, education level, race and ethnicity, and other factors, the poll shows.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
New COVID-19 XEC variant circulating just before fall
A new COVID-19 variant, XEC, has arrived just before fall.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
No perinatal risks seen with influenza vaccination in successive pregnancies
Influenza vaccination in successive pregnancies is not associated with increased risk for prespecified adverse perinatal outcomes, according to a study published online Sept. 19 in JAMA Network Open.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Researchers 'turbocharge' vaccine delivery by jolting 'bystander' immune cells into action in animal models
Monash University researchers have developed a new technique to boost the effectiveness of both traditional and mRNA-based vaccines in animal models.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Second health care worker linked to Missouri bird flu case also had symptoms: CDC
Another health care worker who was exposed to a Missouri patient who tested positive for bird flu developed respiratory symptoms but wasn't tested for the flu, U.S. health officials reported Friday.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Study sheds new light on immune dysfunction in children with severe infections and inflammatory diseases
A new study led by King's College London, Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh, has characterized the similarities and differences between immune cell profiles in children with different infections and inflammatory diseases.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Tackling antimicrobial resistance with non-antibiotic therapeutic approaches and AI
Artificial intelligence and non-antibiotic therapeutic approaches could play a role in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to new research.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
You can get an at-home flu 'shot' starting next year
The FDA has approved the FluMist nasal vaccine for self-administration, but it will still require a prescription for home deliveries.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
You Can Order At-Home COVID-19 Tests From USPS for Free
It takes just two minutes to request the free tests from the US Postal Service.It takes just two minutes to request the free tests from the US Postal Service.
September 23rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 22nd, 2024
A new genetic analysis of animals in the Wuhan market in 2019 may help find COVID-19's origin
Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people, an effort they hope could allow them to trace the outbreak back to its source.
September 22nd, 2024 — Source
Protect the prosciutto: Italy battles swine fever
Pig farmer Alberto Cavagnini has slaughtered 1,600 of his hogs due to swine fever, a virus threatening the 20-billion-euro pork industry in Italy, including its world-famous prosciutto.
September 22nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 21st, 2024
Drug-resistant superbugs projected to kill 39 million by 2050
Infections of drug-resistant superbugs are projected to kill nearly 40 million people over the next 25 years, a global analysis predicted on Monday, with the researchers urging action to avoid this grim scenario.
September 21st, 2024 — Source
Niger latest African country to launch malaria vaccine
Niger has become the latest West African country to roll out malaria vaccines to try to stifle the potentially deadly disease, an official source told AFP on Friday.
September 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 19th, 2024
Brain-infecting parasite found in two LA County residents: What to know about 'racoon roundworm'
Two people in Los Angeles County are sick with a rare parasitic infection known as "raccoon roundworm," according to officials.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 job losses impacted early withdrawal from retirement accounts: Study
Having a robust emergency savings fund could help people weather financial shocks, such as job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Genetic tracing at the Huanan Seafood market further supports COVID animal origins
A new international collaborative study provides a list of the wildlife species present at the market from which SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, most likely arose in late 2019. The study is based on a new analysis of metatranscriptomic data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
September 19th, 2024 — Source
How plants keep viruses from passing to their progeny
Scientists have learned how plants keep viruses from being passed to their offspring, a finding that could ensure healthier crops. The discovery could also help reduce the transmission of diseases from mothers to human children.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Los Angeles area sees more dengue fever in people bitten by local mosquitoes
Health officials warned Wednesday that the Los Angeles area is seeing more dengue fever cases in people who have not traveled outside the U.S. mainland, a year after the first such case was reported in California.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Light-induced immunoassay can selectively detect coronavirus spike proteins in five minutes
Like moths to a flame, microbes can also be moved by light. Using this knowledge, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University's Research Institute for Light-induced Acceleration System (RILACS) have demonstrated a method to detect the presence of viruses quickly and using only a small sample.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
New testing system uses Janus particles to rapidly and accurately detect COVID-19
The importance of testing for diseases was thrust into the limelight during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us have undergone a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) or ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test within the past four years.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Origami paper sensors could help early detection of infectious diseases in new simple, low-cost test
Researchers at Cranfield University have developed an innovative new method for identifying biomarkers in wastewater using origami-paper sensors, enabling the tracking of infectious diseases using the camera in a mobile phone. The new test device is low-cost and fast and could dramatically change how public health measures are directed in any future pandemics.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Samples from Huanan Seafood Market provide further evidence of COVID-19 animal origins
A new international study provides a shortlist of the wildlife species present at the market from which SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, most likely arose in late 2019.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Why is Congo struggling to contain mpox?
Health authorities have struggled to contain outbreaks of mpox in Congo, a huge central African country where a myriad of existing problems makes stemming the spread particularly hard.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
World better positioned against mpox than for COVID: vaccine alliance
Lessons learned from the COVID pandemic have left the world in a much better position to tackle the current mpox epidemic raging in Africa, according to the Gavi vaccine alliance.
September 19th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 16th, 2024
Avian flu first found in Central Valley is spreading, with new California cases confirmed
State and federal officials have identified new cases of Avian influenza at three Central Valley dairies as the number of infected cows continues to climb in California.
September 16th, 2024 — Source
Expert advice on preparing for the fall COVID, flu season
People should prepare for the fall cold and flu season by getting the updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, an infectious diseases expert says.
September 16th, 2024 — Source
Single dose of MVA-BN vaccine offers 58% protection against mpox
Study confirms effectiveness of single-dose MVA-BN vaccine in reducing mpox infections in high-risk populations, highlighting the need for expanded access and targeted interventions.
September 16th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 15th, 2024
WHO flags limited mpox testing in epicenter DRC
Limited capacity is keeping Mpox testing coverage low in the DR Congo—the epicenter of the international emergency—the World Health Organization said Saturday in its latest situation report.
September 15th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 13th, 2024
COVID-19 vaccines for kids: What you need to know
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are available to children in the U.S. Here's what parents need to know about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, the possible side effects, and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
September 13th, 2024 — Source
How bacteria actively use passive physics to make biofilms
When we think about bacteria, we may imagine single cells swimming in solution. However, similarly to humans, bacterial cells often socialize, using surfaces to coalesce into complex heterogeneous communities called biofilms.
September 13th, 2024 — Source
Ignore antifungal resistance in fungal disease at your peril, warn scientists
Without immediate action, humanity will potentially face further escalation in resistance in fungal disease, a group of scientists from across the world has warned. The commentary—published in The Lancet—was coordinated by scientists at The University of Manchester, the Westerdijk Institute and the University of Amsterdam.
September 13th, 2024 — Source
Morocco sees first mpox case in N.Africa during emergency: CDC
Morocco has recorded a case of mpox in the tourist city of Marrakesh, the first in north Africa since the WHO declared an international emergency last month, the Africa CDC said Friday.
September 13th, 2024 — Source
Twice-yearly injection cuts HIV risk by 96%, but will cost cut access?
It could be a real breakthrough for people at risk for HIV infection: A shot given every six months that reduces their risk by a whopping 96%.
September 13th, 2024 — Source
WHO grants first mpox vaccine approval to ramp up response to disease in Africa
The World Health Organization said Friday it has granted its first authorization for use of a vaccine against mpox in adults, calling it an important step toward fighting the disease in Africa.
September 13th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 9th, 2024
Controlling mpox requires inclusive, global efforts
In 2022, mpox (formerly called monkeypox) dominated the news as outbreaks of the disease cropped up in more than 120 countries. Then, as case counts dwindled in countries like the U.S.—thanks to the speedy rollout of educational measures and vaccines to at-risk populations—so did the media coverage.
September 9th, 2024 — Source
Discovery could help treat fatal, drug-resistant pneumonia and sepsis
Bacterial pneumonia and sepsis are leading causes of hospitalization and death. Researchers in Kansas State University's Division of Biology have discovered that dysfunction of the body's immune response to bacterial infection may be part of the problem.
September 9th, 2024 — Source
Found dead in the snow: How microbes can help pinpoint time of death for forensic investigations in frigid conditions
What happens to a dead body in an extremely cold environment? Does it decompose? How do these conditions affect how forensic scientists understand when the person died?
September 9th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 7th, 2024
COVID-19 in babies and children
Anyone can get COVID-19, also called coronavirus disease 2019, including children. Find out about the symptoms, testing and medical issues linked to COVID-19 in children. And learn how to help prevent COVID-19, especially in children at high risk of serious illness.
September 7th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts
Looking to get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines? Here's what you need to know about the different vaccines and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
September 7th, 2024 — Source
Debunking COVID-19 myths
Chances are good that you've heard a lot of ways to avoid, treat or cure COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). If what you heard doesn't mention a COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 medicine from your healthcare professional, it could be a myth.
September 7th, 2024 — Source
Different types of COVID-19 vaccines: How they work
Curious about how mRNA vaccines and other types of COVID-19 vaccines can help you develop immunity to the COVID-19 virus? Understand how different technologies work with the immune system to provide protection.
September 7th, 2024 — Source
Missouri patient tests positive for bird flu despite no known exposure to animals
A hospitalized patient in Missouri was infected with bird flu despite having had no known contact with dairy cows or other animals associated with an ongoing outbreak, health officials said Friday.
September 7th, 2024 — Source
Pregnancy and COVID-19: What are the risks?
You may wonder how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could affect your risk of illness, birth plan or time bonding with your baby. You also might have questions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. Here's what you need to know.
September 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 6th, 2024
COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts
Looking to get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines? Here's what you need to know about the different vaccines and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
September 6th, 2024 — Source
Green Nanoparticles: A Promising Solution Against Antibiotic Resistance
In a recent review article published in Biomolecules, researchers explored advancements in green nanoparticle technology and highlighted their effectiveness against clinical phytopathogens. By utilizing natural resources for nanoparticle synthesis, researchers aim to develop safer and more effective antimicrobial agents that can address the limitations of traditional treatments.
September 6th, 2024 — Source
Novel monoclonal antibody appears effective at neutralizing numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants
A monoclonal antibody appears effective at neutralizing the numerous variants of SARS-CoV-2, as well as related viruses in animals that could pose a threat if they were to begin spreading in people. The antibody, called SC27, was recently described in Cell Reports Medicine.
September 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 3rd, 2024
Examining experiences of the pandemic requires a more critical eye, says researcher
The coronavirus pandemic was, in many ways, a unique period whose impacts are still being seen and felt today. The effects of the pandemic live on in people's memories, fears, hopes, and bodies.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source
Expert discusses updated COVID-19 vaccines
As a summer surge of COVID-19 outbreaks is underway, new vaccines for the virus have been released.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source
Flu shots play an important role in protecting against bird flu—but not for the reason you might think
A current strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has become a global problem. The virus has affected many millions of birds, some other animal species, and a small number of people.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source
Neon's 2073 paints a bleak picture of the future in new trailer
Director Asif Kapadia's new feature is equal parts documentary and dystopian sci-fi thriller.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source or Watch Video
NIH awards will support innovation in syphilis diagnostics
Initiative to simplify testing process for an accelerated public health response.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source
Severe COVID-19 can involve either exacerbated lung inflammation or high viral replication, study finds
According to an article published in the journal PLOS Pathogens, severe COVID-19 patients can be divided into two distinct groups: those with a high viral load and relatively little inflammation, and those who continue to suffer from inflammatory complications even after the virus has been completely eliminated.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source
What is the EEE mosquito-borne virus?
New England is on alert following one death and a handful of infections of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.
September 3rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — September 2nd, 2024
Early viral activity plays critical role in long COVID, study suggests
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers explored the roles of acute-phase virological dynamics and host immunological responses in post-acute infection sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (PASC).
September 2nd, 2024 — Source
Childhood HIV vaccination strategy shows promise in study
Research at Weill Cornell Medicine suggests that childhood immunization against HIV could one day provide protection before the risk of contracting this potentially fatal infection dramatically increases in adolescence.
September 2nd, 2024 — Source
More than half of HIV-positive Americans are over 50: Figuring out care is complex
In the late 1980s, Linda Rose Frank began working with HIV-positive individuals at the University of Pittsburgh. At the time, those affected were mainly young men with a terrifying prognosis.
September 2nd, 2024 — Source
Study identifies key predictors of severe mpox cases
A recent study published in eBioMedicine explored the clinical and laboratory predictors of mpox severity and duration. It also tested the correlation between viral load and disease severity in biological fluids.
September 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 27th, 2024
4 Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites and Reduce the Risk of West Nile Virus This Summer
Mosquitos can carry disease, so avoiding contact with them will help you stay healthy during long summer days and nights.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
AI spots cancer and viral infections with nanoscale precision
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence which can differentiate cancer cells from normal cells, as well as detect the very early stages of viral infection inside cells.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Berry extracts and nanocellulose as skin sprays and dressings to prevent microbes
VTT has developed a skin spray, based on nanocellulose and antimicrobial compounds from wild berries, which can be used to treat wounds and eliminate hospital-acquired bacteria such as MRSA before surgery. The product can also be applied as a cream, transdermal patch or wound dressing.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Free COVID Tests in the Mail Are Coming Back: How It Will Work
The US government will again start shipping free COVID-19 tests through the US Postal Service next month.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Lyme disease early detection could get boost from simpler, faster testing technology
For some unlucky people, time in the great outdoors leads to Lyme disease, an illness causing head, joint and muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and sometimes a rash. Left untreated, those effects can turn debilitating and expand to include paralysis, inflammation of the brain and heart, and problems with memory, hearing and vision that can last for years.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
MP Biomedicals announces the launch of advanced gastrointestinal diseases diagnostic kitsMP Biomedicals completes its range of in vitro diagnostic tests for infectious diseases with new immunochromatographic-based qualitative rapid tests.The new diagnostic kits by MP Biomedicals leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver precise results, enabling healthcare professionals a rapid and accurate detection of Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 and O139.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Needle-free COVID-19 intranasal vaccine provides broad immunity, study finds
A next-generation COVID-19 mucosal vaccine is set to be a gamechanger not only when delivering the vaccine itself, but also for people who are needle-phobic.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
New study shines light on the immune response to gonorrhea
A ground-breaking study involving Kenyan sex workers has shone a light into the immune response to gonorrhoea, paving the way for more effective vaccines.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
RSV is linked to asthma in children—but we can't say one causes the other yet
As winter rolls on in Australia, respiratory viruses are everywhere. One of the main culprits is respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which has causedmore than 145,000 infections around the country so far this year. Most are in children under five.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Spain to donate 500,000 mpox vaccines to Africa
Spain will donate 500,000 mpox vaccine doses to countries in central Africa suffering from a surge in cases, the government said Tuesday.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Vaccine shows promise in treating high blood sugar for those with long COVID
Researchers at Tulane University have discovered a new approach to tackling a lingering health challenge faced by some with long-term COVID: high blood sugar levels.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
WHO unveils plan to end African mpox outbreak
As an mpox outbreak continues to rage in Africa, the World Health Organization on Monday launched a six-month plan to quell its spread.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
With only gloves to protect them, farmworkers say they tend sick cows amid bird flu
In early August, farmworkers gathered under a pavilion at a park here for a picnic to celebrate Farmworker Appreciation Day. One sign that this year was different from the others was the menu: Beef fajitas, tortillas, pico de gallo, chips, beans — but no chicken.
August 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 26th, 2024
A hybrid arrowhead against immune disorders: Bacterially derived natural product inhibits cellular immune response
The so-called immunoproteasome is essential for the cellular immune response. In autoimmune diseases, however, it is overactive. Until now, it has not been possible to selectively inhibit the immunoproteasome without disrupting other cellular mechanisms.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Experts address the global health threat of Chagas disease
Chagas disease, once thought to be confined to South and Central America, is now an emerging public health threat in the United States, making it more important than ever for local physicians to understand the history of the disease and how to recognize it when caring for patients.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Hybrid imaging approach reveals microbes in 3D
Caltech researchers have developed a new method to create three-dimensional images of complex communities of bacteria and plant roots. The technology synthesizes two traditional methods of imaging: visualizing microbes with fluorescence and a noninvasive technique called quantitative phase imaging.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Mpox: African countries have beaten disease outbreaks before—here's what it takes
Barely over a year after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that mpox was no longer a public health issue of international concern, it is back in the news. This time with a diversity of variants, new modes of transmission and new populations infected.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Researchers find e-cigarette use disrupts the nasal microbiome
The nose plays more roles than merely allowing us to smell and shaping our facial profiles. It also acts as a gatekeeper for the respiratory tract, capable of preventing bacteria and other pathogens from leaving the nasal passage and taking up residence in the lungs.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Study highlights mental health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination
In a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry, a team of scientists from the United Kingdom (U.K.) investigated whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was associated with mental health illnesses and whether the association was modified based on COVID-19 vaccination status among the general population, as well as among patients who were hospitalized due to the disease.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
The New Covid Vaccine Is Out. Why You Might Not Want To Rush To Get It.
The FDA has approved an updated covid shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, with the latest covid outbreak sweeping the country, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave?
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Vaccination coverage for teens similar in 2023 and 2022
In 2023, vaccination coverage for adolescents with all routine vaccines was similar to coverage in 2022, according to research published in the Aug. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
WHO launches plan to stanch mpox transmission and says the virus can be stopped
The U.N. health agency on Monday launched a six-month plan to help stanch outbreaks of mpox transmission, including ramping up staffing in affected countries and boosting surveillance, prevention and response strategies.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
WHO says mpox outbreaks 'can be stopped'
Outbreaks of mpox in Central Africa "can be stopped", the World Health Organization said on Monday, but $135 million of funding may be needed to tackle the disease's spread.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
US will offer free COVID tests by mail by late September
As a summer surge in COVID cases begins to ebb and Americans brace themselves for yet another wave of infections this winter, more free COVID tests will soon be available to all, federal health officials announced Friday.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Viruses can work where antibiotics don't—new research tells us more about how they fight bacteria
As the globe faces a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria—making traditional antibiotics ineffective—specific viruses could offer a solution.
August 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 25th, 2024
A rare but deadly mosquito virus infection has Massachusetts towns urging vigilance
A rare but deadly disease spread by mosquitoes has one town in Massachusetts closing its parks and fields each evening. Four other towns are urging people to avoid going outdoors at night.
August 25th, 2024 — Source
Mpox cases in Australia are less severe than in Africa: Here's what to know about the strain spreading
Western Australia and Victoria both issued health alerts this week over cases of mpox. WA has seen two cases, while Victoria has recorded 125 cases so far this year. New South Wales, which has had 135 cases, also published a public health notice on mpox this month.
August 25th, 2024 — Source
New COVID Vaccines Are Here: Here's What's Different This Time
Health officials are streamlining guidance for new vaccines and what to do when you're sick. Here's what's changed and what's ahead for fall 2024.
August 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 24th, 2024
Flu shots: Especially important if you have heart disease
If you have heart disease, a flu shot can reduce your risk of influenza complications. Learn the benefits of a flu shot and when to get one.
August 24th, 2024 — Source
This year's new COVID shot has been approved by FDA
This year's newly formulated COVID vaccines are expected to start shipping in the next few days after the FDA on August 22 officially approved and authorized the new shots.
August 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 22nd, 2024
Common fatty acid could improve treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis infections
In a recent study published in the Cell, a group of researchers investigated oleic acid (OA) as a potential treatment to inhibit Lactobacillus iners (L. iners) and promote Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) dominance in bacterial vaginosis (BV).
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
Identifying the true danger of antimicrobial resistance in Australian kids
One out of every 10 children with a bloodstream infection are infected with a multi-drug resistant organism in the nation's first-ever surveillance study investigating the prevalence of pediatric antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
Mpox vaccine maker gets European order for 440,000 dosesDanish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic said Wednesday it had signed a contract to supply 440,000 doses of its mpox vaccine to an "undisclosed European country".
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
Mpox vaccine maker says 'better prepared' than in 2022
Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic said Thursday that it was "better prepared" to supply its mpox vaccine for the current surge of the virus than it was for the 2022 epidemic.
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
One diet might cut your odds for COVID-19
COVID cases have surged this summer, but a new study suggests that following the Mediterranean diet might spare you from infection.
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
T cells can manipulate the memory of innate immune cells, researchers show
Research from Radboud university medical center reveals that T cells from the adaptive immune system can manipulate the memory of innate immune cells. Previously, it was believed that the memory of innate immune cells operated independently.
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
Town urges curfew over mosquito-spread disease that kills up to 50% of people
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is very rare in the US, but when it strikes, it's bad.
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
Universal flu vaccine candidate protects against infection in mice
A new flu vaccine candidate incorporates proteins from 8 strains of influenza.
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
What is 'sloth fever?' And how can I avoid it when traveling to South America?
International authorities are issuing warnings about "sloth fever." Despite the name, it's not contracted via contact with sloths. Rather, you should avoid contact with mosquitoes and biting midges.
August 22nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 21st, 2024
Bacteria make thermally stable plastics similar to polystyrene and PET for the first time
Bioengineers around the world have been working to create plastic-producing microbes that could replace the petroleum-based plastics industry. Now, researchers from Korea have overcome a major hurdle: getting bacteria to produce polymers that contain ring-like structures, which make the plastics more rigid and thermally stable.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Cautious Optimism in San Francisco as New Cases of HIV in Latinos Decrease
For years, Latinos represented the biggest share of new HIV cases in this city, but testing data suggests the tide may be turning.
August 21st, 2024 — Source or Source
CDC and local experts anticipate new fall COVID vaccines in September
As COVID-19 settles into a permanent presence in our lives, annual vaccinations are becoming the norm.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Collaborative study brings effective gonorrhea vaccine step closer
A study involving Kenyan sex workers illuminates the immune response to gonorrhea, paving the way for more effective vaccines.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Congo reports more than 1,000 new mpox cases in a week. African authorities ask for vaccines
Congo reported more than 1,000 new mpox cases in the last week up to Tuesday as African health authorities asked for desperately needed vaccines to help fight its "growing" threat on the continent. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreaks in Africa a global emergency.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Is there a vaccine for mpox? Who can get the shot and where? How to find it in Florida
Should you get an mpox vaccine? The World Health Organization this month declared a global health emergency for mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as scientists monitor a more contagious form of the virus that is spreading across Africa, with at least one reported case in Sweden.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
New COVID Vaccines Are Here: Here's What's Different This Time
Health officials are streamlining guidance for new vaccines and what to do when you're sick. Here's what's changed and what's ahead for fall 2024.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
NIH-funded study finds long COVID affects adolescents differently than younger children
Adolescents were most likely to experience low energy/tiredness while children were most likely to report headache.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
One person dies from mpox in I.Coast: authorities
Ivory Coast health authorities on Tuesday reported 28 cases of mpox, with one person dying from the virus that has killed hundreds in Democratic Republic of Congo.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Philippines says new mpox case 'not' deadly variant
The first mpox case reported by the Philippines this year is a mild variant and not the deadly strain sparking global alarm, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Wednesday.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Study determines most common long COVID symptoms in children and teens
A research team led by the National Institutes of Health's RECOVER Initiative and supported by its Clinical Science Core (CSC) at NYU Langone Health, has designed a new way to identify which school-age children and adolescents most likely have long COVID.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Thailand confirms Asia's first known case of new mpox strain
Thailand on Thursday confirmed Asia's first known case of a new, deadlier strain of mpox in a patient who had travelled to the kingdom from Africa.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
This week could bring FDA approval of fall COVID-19 vaccines
Updated COVID-19 vaccines may receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week.
August 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 16th, 2024
Antibody could offer sweeping protection against evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus
Researchers at Northeastern say they've discovered how an antibody could provide broad protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19—even as it evolves to outwit other of the body's chemical defenses.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Antiretroviral therapies impact gut microbiome in people living with HIV, study finds
A study published in Scientific Reports by researchers at Karolinska Institutet reveals that different antiretroviral therapies (ART) influence the gut and oral microbiome, as well as body mass index (BMI), in people living with HIV.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
China to screen arrivals for mpox symptoms
China announced Friday it will begin screening people and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months, just two days after the World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Europe warned to prepare for mpox as Pakistan reports first case
Health authorities warned Europe Friday to get ready for more cases of a deadly strain of mpox that has killed hundreds of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Expanding use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines could save 700,000 children, modeling study finds
Utilizing pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) could save almost 700,000 children's lives between the time of their introduction to the year 2030, according to a new modeling study. This would be equivalent to the average number of babies born in the UK each year.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Exploring the potential of natural anticoagulants for COVID-19 treatment
The treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 infection remains difficult. Severe inflammatory reactions and thrombotic complications (blood clots) in particular can be life-threatening. Classic anticoagulants such as heparin often cannot prevent these complications.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
FDA authorizes first at-home test for syphilis
As syphilis cases surge throughout the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first diagnostic at-home test to spot the bacterial disease.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
In COVID-19 patients, neurological symptoms may last up to three years
Scientists from Northwestern Medicine and the School of Medicine at CES University and CES Clinic in Colombia have determined that more than 60% of people who contracted COVID-19 have neurological symptoms that impact their cognitive function and quality of life, even two and three years after COVID-19.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Mpox vaccine maker seeks approval for use in teens
Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic said Friday it was seeking European approval to use its mpox vaccine in children aged 12 to 17, after the WHO declared the current virus surge a global public health emergency.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Newly discovered mechanism for propagation of flaviviruses reveals potential therapeutic target
Viruses of the family Flaviviridae, including Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), and tick-borne encephalitis virus, are significant arthropod-borne pathogens. These viruses are known to cause severe diseases, including fatal neurological conditions such as Guillain–Barré syndrome, microcephaly, and dengue fever.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Nigeria records 39 mpox cases this year
Nigeria has recorded 39 cases of mpox since the beginning of the year, a health official said as concern mounts over the global spread of the disease.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Now that mpox is a global health emergency, will it trigger another pandemic?
The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing outbreaks of mpox in Congo and elsewhere in Africa to be a global emergency, requiring urgent action to curb the virus' transmission.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Pakistan's health ministry confirms a case of mpox but more tests are being done for its variant
Pakistan's health ministry said Friday it has identified a case of mpox, but sequencing is being done to determine whether it is a new variant, days after the World Health Organization declared the spread of mpox a global health emergency.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Structure of a key 'trigger' of immune response solved
An international collaboration, involving researchers from Monash University and the University of Oxford, has led to a breakthrough in our understanding of how immune responses are started. The study has been published in Nature.
August 16th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 14th, 2024
A new global health emergency: What is mpox, where are the outbreaks and will the virus spread?
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the increasing spread of mpox in Africa is a global health emergency, warning the virus might ultimately spill across international borders.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Back-to-school vaccination checkup
As schools are getting ready for students to return, it's important for parents to think about their children's back-to-school vaccination checklist.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
CDC warns of resurgence of common respiratory virus, with risks for particular groups
Parvovirus B19, a seasonal respiratory virus that subsided during the pandemic, is making a comeback, U.S. health officials warned Tuesday.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
City birds found to be carriers of antimicrobial resistant bacteria
Research led by scientists at the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research at Oxford University has found that wild birds such as ducks and crows living close to humans, for example in cities, are likely to carry bacteria with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This creates an urgent need for policy makers and health services to consider the different ways antibiotic resistant bacteria can spread outside hospital settings.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 vaccine rollout phases linked to decreased anxiety and depression in US adults
In a recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health -- Americas, researchers evaluated whether the various coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine rollout phases impacted the prevalence of depression and anxiety at the population level among adults in the country.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of post-COVID complications, finds study
Based on the UK Biobank cohort of more than 68,000 people, a new study led by Dr. Junqing Xie evaluated the impact of various lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, BMI, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep duration, and dietary habits on post-COVID complications, hospitalization, and death.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Hydrometeorology and location affect hospitalizations for waterborne infectious diseases in the US, data show
An analysis of 12 years of data collected from over 500 hospitals in 25 different states shows that weather, geographic location, and urban or rural location all appear to influence hospitalizations for waterborne infectious diseases, according to a study published August 7, 2024 in the journal PLOS Water, by Victoria Lynch and Jeffrey Shaman from Columbia University.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Immune cell regulator discovery could lead to treatments for arthritis and severe COVID
The discovery of a new regulator affecting immune cells could lead to new treatments to reduce inflammation in diseases including arthritis and severe COVID 19.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Impact of physical activity on gut microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome
In a recent review published in Nutrients, a group of authors evaluated the impact of different types and intensities of physical exercise on the gut microbiota and symptom alleviation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (a digestive disorder causing abdominal pain and altered bowel habits).
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Inactive bird flu virus found in 17% of US dairy foods in study
One in six dairy products in U.S. retail stores contained signs of inactive bird flu virus this summer, regulators said, slightly lower than the numbers seen in a different survey when the pathogen was first found in the nation's dairy herds.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
New imaging method detects fungal infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus sooner
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Center and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have developed and tested a new imaging method that will allow specific detection of Aspergillus fumigatus fungal infections in a timely manner in the future, without the need for invasive procedures. Delays in diagnosing fungal infections caused by Aspergillus and other fungi can put immunocompromised patients at risk for more serious illnesses or even death.
August 14th, 2024 — Source or Source
Outbreak of insect-borne illness in South America linked with fatalities—as first-ever cases confirmed in Europe
Health officials have issued a warning to travelers after 19 cases (PDF) of the insect-borne illness Oropouche virus were confirmed for the first time ever in Europe. Those who had tested positive for the virus had recently returned from holiday in Cuba and Brazil.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Safety tips for attending school during COVID-19
As with other illnesses that spread from person to person, COVID-19 outbreaks can happen in schools. There are ways your child's school can help prevent or stop infections. And there are ways you can help your family avoid getting sick.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Study finds no clinically useful biomarkers for long COVID in routine lab tests
The millions of people impacted by the chronic aftereffects of COVID-19 following infection with SARS-CoV-2 present a significant public health challenge.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Research reveals the gaps in Australia's pre-COVID quarantine planning
New research by Deakin University has found Australia's COVID-19 quarantine response was seriously let down by the failure to prepare and plan for isolation measures beyond home quarantine.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Researchers find more effective way to deplete B-cells for the treatment of autoimmune disorders
B-cells protect your body from infection. But sometimes, they misfire and cause debilitating disease. Now, University of Connecticut researchers have shown that a single protein might be able to defuse B-cells gone bad.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Researchers report potential new treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant TB meningitis
In a preliminary study with a small number of humans, rabbits and mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center say they have developed four new regimens that have the potential to treat and save the lives of people with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculous (TB) meningitis.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Study finds shingles increases risk of subsequent cognitive decline
A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system, found that an episode of shingles is associated with about a 20% higher long-term risk of subjective cognitive decline.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Study shows a mouse brain under stress sends messages to the gut that reduce levels of beneficial bacteria
A team of medical researchers from the U.S., China and Germany reports that when a mouse feels stressed, its brain sends signals to a gut gland that leads to elimination of a type of bacteria that prevents inflammation and an unnecessary immune response.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Tracking influenza in its first battleground: The nose
The answer to curbing influenza could be right under our noses—or, more accurately, inside them. New research maps happenings in the nose during the course of influenza in exquisite detail, and could potentially lead to new targets and more effective nasal flu vaccines.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Trojan horse method gives malaria parasites a taste of their own medicine
More than a quarter of Australians over the age of 50 take cholesterol-lowering drugs to prevent heart disease and strokes, but our bodies also need cholesterol to survive. Now, scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) say its role as a basic building block of life holds the key to treating deadly diseases caused by parasites, including malaria.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
WHO declares mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency as a new form of the virus spreads
The World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency on Wednesday, with cases confirmed among children and adults in more than a dozen countries and a new form of the virus spreading. Few vaccine doses are available on the continent.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
WHO experts debate whether mpox now a global health emergency
The World Health Organization on Wednesday held a meeting of experts to decide whether the mpox surge in Africa should be declared a global public health emergency.
August 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 8th, 2024
3D bioprinting advances research on respiratory viruses
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted our lives, claiming nearly 7.1 million lives globally. Scientists and medical professionals have been working tirelessly to understand the virus, its transmission pathways, and effective treatments.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Back to school 2024 amid a COVID surge: Latest symptoms and guidelines
As children go back to school this month, COVID is surging again in California and around the country. The latest surge is fueled by a group of FLiRT subvariants that are proving to be the most infectious strains we have seen since COVID turned our world upside down in 2020.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Common antibiotics carry small but serious risks of life-threatening drug reactions, but some are safer than others
Two classes of commonly prescribed oral antibiotics are associated with the greatest risk for severe drug rashes that can lead to emergency department visits, hospitalizations and even death, according to a new study.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Lens-free fluorescence instrument detects deadly microorganisms in drinking water
Researchers have shown that a fluorescence detection system that doesn't contain any lenses can provide highly sensitive detection of deadly microorganisms in drinking water. With further development, the new approach could provide a low-cost and easy-to-use way to monitor water quality in resource-limited settings such as developing countries or areas affected by disasters.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
New insights into antibody roles could improve malaria vaccines for children
The first malaria vaccine approved by the World Health Organization—known as RTS,S—was a big step forward in the fight against the disease. While the vaccine protects young children, it is moderate and wears off approximately 18 months after vaccination.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Predicting metabolic potential in bacteria from limited genome data
How bacteria eat food, and what kinds of products they can make from that food, is dictated by the metabolic network of enzyme patterns encoded in their genomes. Using computational methods to learn these patterns across a large number of known bacteria allows the genome of a new bacteria to be analyzed.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Researchers report potent antibiotic that overcomes resistance
Science Translational Medicine has published a study by researchers from the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) on a potent new antibiotic that can overcome resistance. "The idea was to tweak the original antibiotic and create a next-generation drug," says Nathaniel Martin, professor of Biological Chemistry. He is already considering ways to bring the new antibiotic to market.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Saliva test outperforms blood test in indicating the severity of recurrent respiratory infections in children
A saliva test can more accurately indicate the severity of recurrent respiratory infections in children than the standard blood test. If saliva contains too few broadly protective antibodies, a child is more likely to suffer from pneumonia episodes. This is reported by researchers from Radboudumc Amalia Children's Hospital and UMC Utrecht Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in the European Respiratory Journal.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Study examines impacts of long-term parasitic bladder infection on vesicovaginal fistula repair in AngolaA first-of-its-kind study led by researchers from McMaster University investigated the impact of chronic schistosomiasis, a long-term parasitic bladder infection, on the outcomes of surgery for a common, severe, and preventable childbirth injury in Angola.
August 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 6th, 2024
Babies in Nigeria are being born with antibiotic resistant bacteria
Sepsis occurs when one's immune system has an extreme response to an infection. It's a life-threatening condition: globally, it accounts for about 11 million deaths—20% of all deaths per year.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 ad ban in Germany led to 6% reduction in grocery sales
In spring 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Germany's 16 federal states instituted an ad ban, forcing retailers to stop all print advertising in that state for three weeks. The state did so under the assumption that such a ban would limit contacts during the pandemic.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
Farmer-led badger vaccination could revolutionize mission to tackle bovine TB
A new study highlights the need for government support for large-scale badger vaccination to eradicate bovine tuberculosis.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
Measuring blood plasma viscosity in COVID-19 using Brillouin light scattering spectroscopyA research team led by MedUni Vienna has shown in a study that purely optical measurements of the viscosity of blood plasma may provide information about the severity and progression of COVID-19. The employed technique, Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy, can analyze the smallest amounts of plasma in less than a second, making it a promising method for monitoring severely ill patients./span>
August 6th, 2024 — Source
New optical method measures blood plasma viscosity to assess COVID-19 severity
A research team led by MedUni Vienna has shown in a study that purely optical measurements of the viscosity of blood plasma may provide information about the severity and progression of COVID-19.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
New study reveals how fear and vaccine hesitancy could fuel conspiracy beliefs
New research has shown that fear around vaccination can increase vaccine hesitancy, where conspiracy beliefs may then be used to justify not vaccinating, with these findings likely helping to inform more effective public health messaging.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
Researchers create new treatment and vaccine for flu and various coronaviruses
In back-to-back papers in Nature Communications, the team—from the lab of Navin Varadarajan, M.D. Anderson Professor of William A. Brookshire Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering—reports the development and validation of NanoSTING, a nasal spray, as a broad-spectrum immune activator for controlling infection against multiple respiratory viruses; and the development of NanoSTING-SN, a pan-coronavirus nasal vaccine, that can protect against infection and disease by all members of the coronavirus family.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
Study finds long-term cognitive and psychiatric issues persist in COVID-19 patients two to three years post-infection
A recent The Lancet Psychiatry study investigated whether psychiatric and cognitive symptoms commence or persist beyond a year of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related hospitalization. They investigated early aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that predict long-term symptoms and relationships between the symptoms and occupational functioning.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
Very slow malaria pathogens could be suitable as a vaccine
Scientists have successfully tested a new approach for a malaria vaccine in animal experiments. They used genetically modified malaria parasites that developed normally in the mosquito but at a significantly slower rate in the mouse.
August 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 3rd, 2024
State-level COVID-19 restrictions helped save lives
Stringent state-level COVID-19 restrictions were associated with substantial decreases in pandemic mortality, according to a study published online July 26 in JAMA Health Forum.
August 3rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — August 2nd, 2024
CEPI and WHO call for urgent global research to prepare for the next pandemic
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today called on researchers and governments to strengthen and accelerate global research to prepare for the next pandemic.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
HPAI H5N1 virus could pose significant threat to Georgia's poultry farms, warns expert
The recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) virus has raised concerns among poultry producers and food safety experts. The virus is highly contagious among birds and poses a significant risk despite stringent biosecurity measures, according to Georgia Tech food safety and agriculture expert Wendy White.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Impact of early COVID-19 job loss on later mental health uncovered
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers investigated how income or job loss during the initial phases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is linked to subsequent psychological distress.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
T-cells with a license to kill viruses
A research group led by Kyoto University has produced the world's first pluripotent stem cell-derived killer T-cell drug to treat COVID-19. The University has filed a patent application ahead of full-scale drug development.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
First deaths recorded as mutated Oropouche virus spreads from Amazon
The world's first deaths have been recorded from Oropouche fever, caused by a mosquito-borne virus that has spread silently from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, raising alarm among scientists.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Lanzhou lily virus disease reveals influence of virus on growth and nutritional quality
Lanzhou lily (Liliumdavidii var. unicolor) is a perennial herbaceous crop that serves as an economic plant with both medicinal and edible uses. However, it is highly susceptible to pathogenic infections during growth, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which might cause a decrease in yield and quality.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Researchers make breakthrough in bid to develop vaccines and drugs for neglected tropical disease
Scientists have developed a new, safe and effective way to infect volunteers with the parasite that causes leishmaniasis and measure the body's immune response, bringing a vaccine for the neglected tropical disease a step closer.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover a population of macrophages that participate in alveolar regeneration
Researchers at the University of Liège (Belgium) have discovered a new population of macrophages, important innate immune cells that populate the lungs after injury caused by respiratory viruses. These macrophages are instrumental in repairing the pulmonary alveoli.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Study highlights factors associated with higher tuberculosis risk in South Africa
Tuberculosis is the world's top infectious killer. About 10 million people fall ill with the disease every year, and roughly 1.5 million people die because of it, according to the World Health Organization. Additionally, about one-quarter of the world's population is infected with the disease's causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Using a drone to release mosquitoes infected with deadly bacteria into the wild
An international team of infectious disease researchers with the World Mosquito Program, working with colleagues from WeRobotics, has developed a way to release large numbers of mosquitoes infected with a mosquito-killing bacteria into the wild much more efficiently than current methods.
August 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 31st, 2024
AI opens door to safe, effective new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria
In a hopeful sign for demand for more safe, effective antibiotics for humans, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have leveraged artificial intelligence to develop a new drug that already is showing promise in animal trials.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Calculate your personal long COVID risk
The University of Queensland-led and developed COVID-19 Risk Calculator has been updated to determine a person's risk of developing long COVID.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Early antibiotic use linked to 'microbial scar' in preterm infants
According to a new publication in Nature Communications, early antibiotics and prolonged hospitalization leave a "nasopharyngeal microbial scar" in preterm infants. Results underscore the critical role of antibiotic stewardship and infection control within neonatal intensive care units, highlighting the need to balance life-saving antibiotic use with the potential impact on the developing nasopharyngeal microbiome.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
European airport traffic returns to pre-Covid levels
The European airport market has become 'extremely fragmented', with only 53 percent of them having fully recovered their pre-pandemic passenger volumes by June, a trade body said.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Florida's RSV Season Has Started, and It's Coming Soon to the Rest of US. Here's a Primer.
Many people have gotten used to rolling up their sleeves for flu and covid-19 vaccines.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Heteroresistance: An insidious form of antibiotic resistance
Heteroresistance: An insidious form of antibiotic resistance
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Incidence of heart attacks and strokes was lower after COVID-19 vaccination, finds study of 46 million adults
A new study, published today in Nature Communications and involving nearly the whole adult population of England, has found that the incidence of heart attacks and strokes was lower after COVID-19 vaccination than before or without vaccination.
July 31st, 2024 — Source or Source or Source
New method for disinfecting surfaces and hands in hospitals makes transmission paths visible
The spread of bacteria and viruses in hospitals is an invisible danger. A new validation method for disinfecting surfaces and hands makes transmission paths visible. Now, the hospital staff can take targeted measures for containment.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Researchers identify new principle for treating tuberculosis
Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have together succeeded in identifying and synthesizing a group of molecules that can act against the cause of tuberculosis in a new way.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Scientists pioneer new method for measuring immune memory and SARS-CoV-2 response in the nasal passage
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have published the first-ever, in-depth analysis of immune cell memory in the upper airways of adult volunteers. Among these immune cells, the researchers spotted "tissue resident" memory cells, which stand ready to defend the airway from SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory diseases.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Stem cell therapy advances: MSCs show potential in managing COVID-19 and influenza infections
Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. The emergence of infectious diseases, including viral zoonoses, has allowed intensive research into novel therapeutic approaches.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Survey shows trust in physicians and hospitals declined over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic
A cross-representative survey of adults in the United States showed decreasing levels of trust in physicians and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic—and the lower the trust, the less likely an individual was to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or influenza.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
The CDC's test for bird flu works, but it has issues
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a glitch in its bird flu test hasn't harmed the agency's outbreak response. But it has ignited scrutiny of its go-it-alone approach in testing for emerging pathogens.
July 31st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 29th, 2024
A Black California man thought HIV would kill him: What he learned could save lives
MacArthur Flournoy has lived with HIV since 1988, though a nurse at the time told him that he would likely die within two years.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
Avoid Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus This Summer: 4 Tips to Help Repel Mosquitos
Mosquitos are more than pesky -- they can carry disease. Here are simple ways you can reduce your risk of bites while continuing to enjoy time outdoors.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
Brain fog, fatigue and fear of crowds: COVID survivors talk about post-pandemic life
It may seem hard to believe, but it's been over four years since the COVID-19 pandemic ground our world to a halt, forcing us indoors and apart, and ultimately changing the way we live.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 drives high mortality rate in Australia
COVID-19 is still driving Australia's above-average mortality rate, research showed on Monday, with experts predicting the disease's impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
July 29th, 2024 — Source or Source
COVID-19 on the upswing in Chicago again this summer
If it seems like you suddenly know a lot of people with COVID-19 this summer, it's not just you.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
Despite risk, many unsure of temperature to heat food to prevent illness
With bird flu virus detected in cow's milk, U.S. health authorities have warned the public against potential sources of exposure, including drinking raw or unpasteurized milk, and have reiterated a general warning that consuming uncooked or undercooked poultry or beef products can make you sick.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
Hospital-acquired infections are rising—here's how to protect yourself in health care settings
A new study from the National Institutes of Health shows a jump in both hospital-acquired infections and resistance to the antibiotics used to treat them. The findings are based on data gathered at 120 U.S. hospitals from January 2018 to December 2022, a five-year period that included the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
New project launched to accelerate development and accessibility of H5N1 mRNA vaccine candidates
A new project aiming to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries has been launched today. The Argentinian manufacturer Sinergium Biotech will lead this effort leveraging the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.
July 29th, 2024 — Source or Source
Researchers develop 3D printed model for targeted antibiotic therapy against follicular infections
Hair follicle infections are often difficult to treat because bacteria settle in the gap between hair and skin, where it is difficult for active substances to reach them.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
SARS-CoV-2 detected in common wildlife species
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is widespread among wildlife species, according to Virginia Tech research published Monday (July 29, 2024) in Nature Communications. The virus was detected in six common backyard species, and antibodies indicating prior exposure to the virus were found in five species, with rates of exposure ranging from 40 to 60 percent depending on the species.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
The summer COVID-19 surge is here: How to stay safe
The numbers at the Northeast Georgia Health System don't lie. The COVID-19 summer surge is here.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
US measles cases are already triple those of last year
With five months still to go, the number of U.S. measles cases reported so far this year has already triple that of all the cases seen in the country last year, federal health officials report.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
Wearing surgical face masks in public spaces reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms
In a recent study published in BMJ, a team of Norwegian researchers conducted a pragmatic randomized trial to examine whether wearing surgical face masks while in public spaces resulted in a lower incidence of self-reported respiratory infection symptoms than not wearing a face mask.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
What shapes a virus's pandemic potential? SARS-CoV-2 relatives yield clues
Two of the closest known relatives to SARS-CoV-2—a pair of bat coronaviruses discovered by researchers in Laos—may transmit poorly in people despite being genetically similar to the COVID-19-causing virus, a new Yale study reveals.
July 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 26th, 2024
Brazil records world's first Oropouche virus deaths: Ministry
Brazil has recorded the world's first Oropouche virus deaths, the country's health ministry said Thursday, after two women died of the illness spread by infected flies and mosquitos.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
Experimental drug shows promise in clearing HIV from brain
An experimental drug originally developed to treat cancer may help clear HIV from infected cells in the brain, according to a new Tulane University study.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
HIV Testing: How to Get a Free Home HIV Test, Who Should Take One and More
A study finds promising results on a new HIV prevention drug that's injected just twice a year. In the meantime, here's everything to know about HIV testing.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
How Staphylococcus slips around between biological environments
It's an unpleasant fact that most of us are happy to ignore: Our mouths and noses are the natural homes to infectious and antibiotic resistant bacteria.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: What to know about long COVID and how to reduce your risk
UC San Francisco scientists have found that SARS-CoV-2 can linger in the body for years and could be driving a global epidemic in long COVID.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
Scientists control bacterial mutations to preserve antibiotic effectiveness
Scientists have discovered a way to control mutation rates in bacteria, paving the way for new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
The CDC's Test for Bird Flu Works, but It Has Issues
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has quietly worked since April to resolve a nagging issue with the test it developed, even as the bird flu virus has swept through dairy farms and chicken houses across the country and infected at least 13 farmworkers this year.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
The human virome: Why viruses could be as important for good health as gut bacteria
We often hear about the importance of the human microbiome—the vast collection of bacteria and fungi that live on and inside us—when it comes to our health. But there's another, equally important part of this microbial community that remains far less known: the virome.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
What we know about Oropouche virus after first deaths
The first-ever deaths from the Oropouche virus, a little-known disease spread by the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes, have been recorded in Brazil.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
What you need to know about listeria
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an alert after a listeria outbreak in several states. There have been at least two fatalities, and dozens have become sickened.
July 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 24th, 2024
Arizona health officials warn of uptick in hantavirus cases
Arizona health officials are reporting an increase in hantavirus infections, which are spread by rodents and can cause severe respiratory illness.
July 24th, 2024 — Source
Blue light could kill at least 99% of bacteria linked to dog ear infections, new research shows
New research from the University of Nottingham and University of Birmingham has highlighted that blue light has the ability to kill antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria isolated from ear infections in dogs.
July 24th, 2024 — Source
Challenging antibiotic resistance with dual-action macrolones
A new antibiotic that works by disrupting two different cellular targets would make it 100 million times more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance, according to new research from the University of Illinois Chicago.
July 24th, 2024 — Source
Here's What We Know About Bird Flu in People
Although the risk to the general public remains low, a handful of human cases in Colorado sparks renewed concerns about the virus' spread to people.
July 24th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals skin bacteria's role in chronic bone infections after joint surgery
In individuals who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgery, clinicians are noticing increasing numbers of chronic bone infections linked to a bacterial strain commonly found on the skin. A new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research provides insights into the mechanisms involved.
July 24th, 2024 — Source
What's the difference between 'strep throat' and a sore throat? A vaccine is being developed for one of them
It's the time of the year for coughs, colds and sore throats. So you might have heard people talk about having a "strep throat."
July 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 22nd, 2024
Q&A: Gene editing could add new power to a 100-year-old tuberculosis vaccine
Tuberculosis dates back more than 9,000 years. It is the most infectious bacterial disease, and in 2022 10.6 million people fell ill with it. Of these cases, 23% occurred in Africa.
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
Designing healthier cities with good bacteria
The urbanization of towns could be contributing to poor health outcomes in our communities, research from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University has found.
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
It's not just humans—bacteria also have memory, study suggests
A recent study led by Dr. Ilana Kolodkin-Gal from the Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology at Reichman University has found that beneficial bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis—which is used, among other things, as a probiotic and a biological control agent—have memory.
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
Peptide cocktails show promise in combating antibiotic resistance
Antibiotics are essential tools in modern medicine, regularly used to treat bacterial infections and prevent infections during surgery. However, the widespread use of antibiotics has led to many bacteria developing resistance, posing a significant threat to public health.
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
Polio in Gaza: What does this mean for the region and the world?
As war continues to devastate Gaza and its people, we learnt last week that a variant of poliovirus has been detected in the region. The virus was isolated in six sewage samples collected in late June from Khan Younis and Deir al Balah.
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
Research uncovers dengue's surprising invasion strategies
Mosquito-borne viral infections once confined to tropical regions are spreading. Dengue virus infects up to 400 million people worldwide each year according to World Health Organization estimates, and no available treatments exist for this disease. Now, research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has uncovered surprising strategies for how dengue and hundreds of other viruses replicate in their hosts, with the potential to aid in developing novel antiviral treatments and vaccines.
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
Unit4 ends support for research costing tool used to plan the Covid vaccine
UK university users face migration path following plan to withdraw support for product some build £1M solutions around
July 22nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 20th, 2024
Two deaths linked to listeria food poisoning from meat sliced at deli counters
At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters, federal health officials said Friday.
July 20th, 2024 — Source
Two more bird flu cases reported in Colorado, but elsewhere a study finds no asymptomatic infections
U.S. health officials on Friday announced two more bird flu cases among farmworkers, but they also said a new study in Michigan suggested the virus is not causing silent infections in people.
July 20th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 19th, 2024
Elite Controllers: Do their genomes hold the key to curing HIV?
Although South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV worldwide, strides have been made in controlling the epidemic, especially in the reduction of HIV incidence, testing, and treatment. Equipped with MGI's advanced sequencing tools and technologies, researchers from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) are inching closer to finding the answer to the natural control of HIV infection, leading to improved health outcomes and quality of life amongst South Africans.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Historical smallpox vaccination may confer some protection against mpox disease
Researchers studying the mpox virus have made an interesting observation which may relate back to an outbreak of smallpox in Glasgow in 1950.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
'Hong Kong's Dr Fauci' sounds alarm on next pandemic
Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung has done battle with some of the world's worst threats, including the SARS virus he helped isolate and identify. And he has a warning.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Scientists pinpoint new drug target for RSV
Scientists have discovered how the dangerous Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) defuses our immune response and, in doing so, they have pinpointed an exciting new target for drug developers.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Studies support use of daily antibiotic to prevent STDs in high-risk groups
It's long been known that popping the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of a risky sexual encounter can greatly reduce a person's risk for a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Study highlights association between urinary and vaginal pathogenic E. coli in recurrent cystitis
The human body hosts a diverse array of microorganisms that maintain a delicate balance crucial for overall health. This microbial harmony can be disrupted by factors such as infections, aging, and hormonal changes, leading to dysbiosis—a condition where microbial communities become imbalanced and harmful to health.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals a promising approach to developing universal influenza vaccine
New research led by Oregon Health & Science University reveals a promising approach to developing a universal influenza vaccine -; a so-called "one and done" vaccine that confers lifetime immunity against an evolving virus.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Study shows promise for a universal influenza vaccine: Scientists validate theory using 1918 flu virus
New research led by Oregon Health & Science University reveals a promising approach to developing a universal influenza vaccine—a so-called "one and done" vaccine that confers lifetime immunity against an evolving virus.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Study unravels clinical, genomic characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Europe
A multinational European study provides the first comprehensive clinical and genomic data on the Mycobacterium avium complex from continental Europe. The data reveal the population structure of this group of pathogens and indicate that plasmids play a significant role in their evolution and might contribute to resistance and virulence of these bacteria.
July 19th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 18th, 2024
Finland is offering farmworkers bird flu shots: Some experts say the US should, too
As bird flu spreads among dairy cattle in the U.S., veterinarians and researchers have taken note of Finland's move to vaccinate farmworkers at risk of infection. They wonder why their government doesn't do the same.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Google backs Danish startup using ancient bacteria to ferment CO2 into valuable chemicals
The company claims its bioreactor slashes emissions from chemical-making by up to 80%
July 18th, 2024 — Source
New model explains precise timing of viral cell bursting
New research from Rice University scientists is shedding light on how viruses ensure their survival by precisely timing the release of new viruses. The discovery offers a new theoretical framework for understanding these dynamic biological phenomena.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
New studio Blue Scarab raises $7m in funding round
Developer will use funds raised to support its debut MMORPG title
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Researchers identify structural characteristics of newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to adapt to the herd immunity background and evolve into numerous sub-variants.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Learning from the COVID pandemic: On the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against pathogens
In the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of government-ordered measures to contain the pandemic, such as regular testing and the wearing of medical masks, was repeatedly called into question.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Study identifies unpredicted immune responses to adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines
Researchers from the University of Liverpool's Center for Drug Safety Science have identified unpredicted T-cell immune responses to the adenoviral (Oxford/AstraZeneca and Janssen) COVID-19 vaccines, but not to the mRNA vaccines.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Seventh person likely 'cured' of HIV, doctors announce
A 60-year-old German man is likely the seventh person to be effectively cured from HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant, doctors announced on Thursday.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Study shows small animals use 'stolen' genes from bacteria to protect against infection
Certain small, freshwater animals protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes "stolen" from bacteria, according to new research by a team from the University of Oxford, the University of Stirling and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole.
July 18th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 9th, 2024
COVID-19 and metallic taste: Study connects immunoglobulin levels to sensory impairment
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers investigated whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related sensory deficiencies are associated with transcriptome changes in the foliate papillae area of the tongue.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Cow's milk may spread H5N1 flu, but airborne transmission is limited
While H5N1 avian influenza virus taken from infected cow's milk makes mice and ferrets sick when dripped into their noses, airborne transmission of the virus between ferrets -; a common model for human transmission -; appears to be limited.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Elucidating host-microbe interactions to address vector-borne diseases
In a new study, Yale researchers identify the targets in the human body to which pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors bind. Their findings, they say, could help address the rising threat of vector-borne diseases, a leading cause of death worldwide.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
'Sacrifice' of virus data clears the path to open a disease discovery pipeline
Tens of millions of still-unknown or misunderstood viruses can cause diseases—including new pandemics—and affect the health of valuable terrestrial and marine environments.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
New bio-based tool quickly detects concerning coronavirus variants
Researchers have developed a bioelectric device that can detect and classify new variants of coronavirus to identify those that are most harmful. It has the potential to do the same with other viruses, as well.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Newly identified enzyme helps pathogenic fungus build protective cell wall
Researchers at the School of Medicine have identified a novel enzyme involved in building the cell wall of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes lung infections and potentially deadly cases of meningitis, primarily in people with AIDS. About 150,000 people worldwide die every year of cryptococcal infections.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Public health researchers detail a post-pandemic way forward
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. public health system must focus on critical questions of accountability, politicization and updating data systems if it is to do its job well and maintain the trust of the American people, according to a new report from the Colorado School of Public Health.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Receptors make dairy cows a prime target for influenza, team finds
As highly pathogenic avian influenza has spread in dairy herds across the U.S., the virus is being detected in raw milk. A new study by a broad team of researchers at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine helps explain why.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
South Africa drops probe of J&J after it agrees to lower price of TB drug and withdraws patent
Medical advocacy groups welcomed Johnson & Johnson's decision not to enforce its patent on a critical tuberculosis medication, allowing its production at much lower prices, after South African authorities opened an investigation into the conglomerate.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Study: American diets got briefly healthier, more diverse during COVID-19 pandemic
American diets may have gotten healthier and more diverse in the months following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Whispers in the wind: New method for diagnosing tuberculosis in children shows promise but faces challenges
In 2022, about 10.6 million people worldwide contracted tuberculosis, including 1.3 million children. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in adults is usually made from sputum (sputum) in the microbiology laboratory. In children, however, the diagnosis is usually made clinically, as the disease often cannot be detected using standard laboratory tests.
July 9th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 5th, 2024
Baby boys more likely to achieve HIV cure or remission after in-utero infection
Baby girls are more likely to acquire HIV from their mothers during pregnancy or childbirth than infant boys, who are conversely more likely to achieve cure or remission, researchers say in a new study that sheds light on the gender differences in immune systems.
July 5th, 2024 — Source
New deadly strain of mpox found in DRC could spread exponentially among humans
Concerns are growing about an outbreak of deadly mpox caused by a novel, sexually transmitted strain of the virus in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
July 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 4th, 2024
Getting bacteria into line
Researchers at Finland's Aalto University have found a way to use magnets to line up bacteria as they swim. The approach offers more than just a way to nudge bacteria into order -- it also provides a useful tool for a wide range of research, such as work on complex materials, phase transitions and condensed matter physics.
July 4th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — July 2nd, 2024
Know your status: The importance of HIV testing
It's not making major news headlines like in the '80s, but HIV remains a significant health concern. About 38 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the World Health Organization.
July 2nd, 2024 — Source
New lab test to detect persistent HIV strains in Africa may aid search for cure
A multinational team led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators developed a test that will help measure the persistence of HIV in people affected by viral strains found predominantly in Africa—a vital tool in the search for an HIV cure that will benefit patients around the world.
July 2nd, 2024 — Source
Predicting new pandemics through data analysis of recombinant virus genomes
A study published in Nature Communications presents the promising results of RecombinHunt, a new data-driven method developed by the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of the Politecnico di Milano and the University of Milan, which can identify, with high accuracy and computational efficiency, recombinant SARS-CoV-2 genomes with one or two breakpoints.
July 2nd, 2024 — Source
Sound stimulation aids saccular dysfunction with Meniere disease
Sound stimulation of 75 dB at a frequency of 100 Hz leads to improvement in cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) amplitude in patients with definitive Meniere disease, according to a study published online June 24 in Acta Oto-Laryngologica.
July 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 29th, 2024
Best Pull-Up Bars for Your Doorway
They're a great space saver if you want to do chin-ups and pull-ups at home.
June 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 28th, 2024
CDC advises updated COVID vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age
As a summer wave of COVID infections rolls across the country, U.S. health officials have recommended that all Americans over the age of 6 months get one of the updated COVID vaccines when they become available this fall.
June 28th, 2024 — Source
Physicians can significantly reduce antibiotic use without compromising treatment
Older GPs are more likely to prescribe antibiotics than their younger colleagues. A more cautious approach will not degrade treatment—and it can help fight antibiotic resistance that could soon kill millions of people annually. The discovery was made in a new study from the Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen.
June 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 26th, 2024
A new method to study immune cells offers hope for finding new disease treatments
Macrophages play a critical role in the immune system by fighting infections and aiding in tissue repair. Understanding how these cells are activated in different scenarios is important for developing new medical treatments. However, identifying and studying macrophage activation has been challenging due to the complex nature of these cells and their responses.
June 26th, 2024 — Source
CSF1R marker enables study of Macrophage Activation Mosaicism
Macrophages play a critical role in the immune system by fighting infections and aiding in tissue repair. Understanding how these cells are activated in different scenarios is important for developing new medical treatments. However, identifying and studying macrophage activation has been challenging due to the complex nature of these cells and their responses.
June 26th, 2024 — Source
Fears new 'most dangerous' mpox strain could cross borders
A new deadlier strain of mpox that transmits more easily between people is killing children and causing miscarriages in the Democratic Republic of Congo and may have already spread to neighboring countries, researchers have warned.
June 26th, 2024 — Source
Following the 'BATT Signal:' A new signaling pathway controlling planarian germ cells
Biogenic monoamines—molecules like dopamine and serotonin—are famous for their role as the brain's emissaries of mood, learning and memory, stress mechanisms, and fight-or-flight responses in the body.
June 26th, 2024 — Source
Scientists reveal why some people with the flu may be more contagious
EPFL scientists have discovered that in indoor spaces, droplets containing the flu virus will remain infectious for longer when they also contain certain types of bacteria found in our respiratory tract. This finding provides important insight into how respiratory infections are transmitted and can enhance estimates of exposure risk.
June 26th, 2024 — Source
Survey finds many have misconceptions about sexually transmitted infection risk
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in the U.S., including an 80% increase in syphilis over a five-year period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds many Americans have misconceptions on how STIs are spread and who should be treated.
June 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 24th, 2024
Healthy gut bacteria linked to fewer infection-related hospitalizations, study finds
In a recent study published in The Lancet Microbe, researchers investigated the association between gut microbiota composition and risk of infection-related hospitalization. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, they characterized the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria in two large, independent, European population-based cohorts.
June 24th, 2024 — Source
How many days does it take for mosquitoes in Greater Paris to transmit arboviruses?
The number of imported cases of dengue in the Greater Paris region increased significantly in the first few months of 2024. In the run-up to the Olympic Games, with huge numbers of international visitors set to come to Paris, especially from endemic dengue countries, scientists say we need to be vigilant.
June 24th, 2024 — Source
Scientists identify molecules associated with recurrence in malaria patient blood samples
The most common type of malaria in Brazil is caused by the parasite Plasmodium vivax. Although vivax malaria is milder than the variant caused by P. falciparum, the ability of P. vivax to produce dormant forms in the host's liver that can be reactivated months after the end of treatment makes it very hard to control. According to the scientific literature, such recurrence may account for some 90% of cases in Brazil.
June 24th, 2024 — Source
Social media found to be associated with more frequent vaccination
Both scholars and journalists have raised concerns that social media use might push down vaccination rates by spreading misinformation about vaccines. The relationship between social media use and vaccine uptake has never been properly examined, however.
June 24th, 2024 — Source
Twice-a-year injection gives women full protection against HIV, trial finds
Just two injections a year of a new HIV drug protected young women in Africa from infection with the sexually transmitted disease, new trial results show.
June 24th, 2024 — Source
US military launched a secret anti-vax campaign in the Philippines—here's why one researcher isn't surprised
Reuters recently published the bombshell report that in the spring of 2020, the US military began a social media disinformation campaign in the Philippines that aimed to undermine China's influence in the country by casting doubt on the effectiveness of the COVID relief aid China had delivered.
June 24th, 2024 — Source
Young gay Latinos see rising share of new HIV cases, leading to call for targeted funding
June 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 22nd, 2024
Growth factors linked to stem cell aging in bone marrow study
Our bone marrow—the fatty, jelly-like substance inside our bones—is an unseen powerhouse quietly producing 500 billion new blood cells every day. That process is driven by hematopoietic stem cells that generate all of the various types of blood cells in our bodies and regenerating themselves to keep the entire assembly line of blood production operating smoothly.
June 22nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 21st, 2024
Azithromycin: How to manage while this antibiotic is in short supply for children
Antibiotic shortages have become a big challenge for child health. For example, amoxicillin and cephalexin are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for children, used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Both have had shortages of their liquid formulations in recent years.
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Boost your immune system with this centuries-old health hack: Vaccines
There are a dizzying number of tips, hacks and recommendations on how to stay healthy, from dietary supplements to what color of clothes promotes optimal wellness. Some of these tips are helpful and based on good evidence, while others are not.
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Community-centered approach to providing vaccine education and resources to homeless persons during COVID-19
A community-support model for providing health resources and education is a way to continuously engage unhoused people and other underserved groups who are particularly vulnerable during health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Decoding depression amidst COVID-19: A comprehensive analysis of genetic and environmental stressors
As a strategic initiative under IGTP, GCAT (Genomes for Life) continues to make substantial contributions to public health knowledge. The latest GCAT study, conducted through the COVICAT initiative, signed by Ximena Goldberg and Rafael de Cid, sheds light on the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental stressors in determining depression risk, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown.
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Human fleas found to be a culprit in plague outbreaks
The plague might be most commonly associated with the devastating European pandemic of the 1300s known as the "Black Death".
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Mailed HIV self-tests can improve access to testing in priority audiences
Mailed HIV-self tests (HIVSTs) can increase testing among persons who have never received testing for HIV or have not received testing in the past year, according to research published in the June 20 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Will the New COVID FLiRT variant lead to a summer surge? Watch for these symptoms, experts say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says wastewater detection of COVID-19 is high or very high in eight states, but whether that means a summer surge in cases remains to be seen.
June 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 20th, 2024
Americans with HIV are living longer: Federal spending isn't keeping up
Malcolm Reid recently marked the anniversary of his HIV diagnosis on Facebook. "Diagnosed with HIV 28 years ago, AND TODAY I THRIVE," he wrote in a post in April, which garnered dozens of responses.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Antibiotic resistance: An extremely concerning situation in sub-Saharan African children
Two meta-analyses undertaken by the Geneva University Hospital (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have revealed very worrying numbers of children in Sub-Saharan Africa who are carriers of multi-resistant bacterial strains.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria might discourage binge drinking
Binge drinking significantly increases the risk of alcohol addiction. In a study published in Microbiome on June 17In a study published in Microbiome on June 17, a team led by University of Connecticut School of Medicine researchers reports that valeric acid, a substance made by gut bacteria, reduces binge drinking in mice. Their findings open a new avenue in the search for treatments for alcohol abuse.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Hidden partners: Symbiodolus bacteria found in various insect orders
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology report the discovery of at least six orders of endosymbiont Symbiodolus clandestinus, which lives inside insect cells. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, they showed that Symbiodolus is present in all life stages and tissues of infected insects.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Less healthy intestinal flora could increase the risk of serious infection
The composition of the intestinal flora can predict the chances of developing serious infections such as pneumonia. Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and the University of Turku, Finland, followed more than 10,000 people for 6 years. More than 600 people who had less healthy intestinal flora developed a serious infection, with this leading in some cases to death.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
New $1.2 bn plan to boost African vaccine production launched
A new $1.2 billion program to massively boost vaccine production in Africa was launched on Thursday, aiming to give the continent more sovereignty to fight numerous diseases including a cholera resurgence.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Several key policies to stop the spread of COVID-19 were generally a good idea in hindsight according to majority of Americans
In a recent report posted on the Harvard University website (PDF), the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation present findings from a national poll they conducted to obtain public views on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related policies.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Study suggests fewer good gut bacteria increase the risk of serious infection
The composition of the intestinal flora can predict the chances of developing serious infections such as pneumonia. Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and the University of Turku, Finland, followed more than 10,000 people for six years. More than 600 people who had less healthy intestinal flora developed a serious infection, with this leading in some cases to death.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
'We're flying blind': CDC has 1M bird flu tests ready, but experts see repeat of covid missteps
It's been nearly three months since the U.S. government announced an outbreak of the bird flu virus on dairy farms. The World Health Organization considers the virus a public health concern because of its potential to cause a pandemic, yet the U.S. has tested only about 45 people across the country.
June 20th, 2024 — Source or Source
Will California remember the lessons of the COVID health emergency?
Inside secret warehouses strategically placed around the state, California is storing a massive cache of vital medical supplies, including masks, gloves and life-saving medicines, seeking to be better-equipped than it was during the COVID crisis.
June 20th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 17th, 2024
Americans With HIV Are Living Longer. Federal Spending Isn't Keeping Up.
Malcolm Reid recently marked the anniversary of his HIV diagnosis on Facebook. "Diagnosed with HIV 28 years ago, AND TODAY I THRIVE," he wrote in a post in April, which garnered dozens of responses.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Exploring the advancements of Traditional Chinese Medicine to combat African Swine Fever
African Swine Fever (ASF) poses a grave threat to the swine industry, with the virus causing severe economic and agricultural disruptions since its emergence in China in 2018. The disease, transmitted by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), has become endemic with a high mortality rate nearing 100%. Despite extensive efforts, the development of effective vaccines or treatments has been hindered by the virus's complex nature.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
How a deadly strain of salmonella fine-tunes its infection tactics
Disease-causing microbes have evolved sophisticated strategies for invading the body, flourishing in often hostile environments and evading immune defenses. In a new study, Professor Cheryl Nickerson, her Arizona State University colleagues and collaborators at the University of Cincinnati and NASA Johnson Space Center delve into the physical forces guiding this behavior in a multidrug-resistant strain of salmonella, a bacterial pathogen.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Majority of Americans retrospectively support key COVID-19 policies, poll reveals
A majority of Americans say that several key policies to stop the spread of COVID-19 were generally a good idea in hindsight, according to a new national poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation. The poll also found, however, that views varied across policies, and many say the policies had negative impacts.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Mosquito-Fighting Drones Take Flight In Florida To Fight The Bite
Broward County in Florida is now incorporating drones in its efforts to control the mosquito population, according to the South Florida SunSentinel. It's an important development as the county looks to fend off viruses delivered by the pests that lead to illnesses such as dengue, zika, and yellow fever. It will also alleviate the pressures of an ever-expanding mosquito season brought on by increasing temperatures.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Over $1 bn to be pledged for Africa vaccine sovereignty: France
More than one billion dollars will be pledged towards ramping up vaccine production in Africa at a summit held in Paris later this week, France said on Monday.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Study sheds light on factors that may predispose some COVID patients to recover more slowly
Early in the pandemic, many people who had SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 began to report that they couldn't shake off their symptoms even after a month or more—unusually long for a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract—or developed new, persistent symptoms soon after the infection cleared.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
When bacteria are buckling: Study supports propulsion based on adhesion forces rather than slime extrusion
Filamentous cyanobacteria buckle at a certain length when they encounter an obstacle. This was discovered by the research group of Stefan Karpitschka, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization and professor at the University of Konstanz. The results, appearing in eLife, provide an important basis for the use of cyanobacteria in modern biotechnology.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Why don't people disclose STIs to a sexual partner? Stigma has a lot to do with it
Globally, more than 1 million curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are contracted every day in people aged 15--49. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, among others.
June 17th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 16th, 2024
In South Africa, traditional healers join the fight against HIV. Stigma remains high in rural areas
The walls of Shadrack Mashabane's hut in the rural South African town of Bushbuckridge are covered with traditional fabrics, with a small window the only source of light. What stands out among the herbs and medicines in glass bottles is a white box containing an HIV testing kit.
June 16th, 2024 — Source
NIH-funded intervention did not impact opioid-related overdose death rates over evaluation period
A data-driven intervention that engaged communities to rapidly deploy evidence-based practices to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths -- such as increasing naloxone distribution and enhancing access to medication for opioid use disorder -- did not result in a statistically significant reduction in opioid-related overdose death rates during the evaluation period, according to results from the National Institutes of Health"s HEALing (Helping to End Addiction Long-Term) Communities Study.
June 16th, 2024 — Source or Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 15th, 2024
Despite improved WHO regulations, the world remains ill-prepared for the next pandemic
The international community's recent failure to conclude a global pandemic agreement leaves large gaps in our capacity to deal with the next major infectious disease emergency.
June 15th, 2024 — Source
Saturday Citations: Bacterial warfare, a self-programming language model, passive cooling in the big city
There's a lot of science news in seven days, so just because a new study isn't cited here on Saturday morning doesn't mean it didn't happen. A lot more has happened. But also, check out these four stories:
June 15th, 2024 — Source
'Tis the season for swimming and bacteria alerts in lakes, rivers
With summer about to start, many people flocking to their favorite swimming holes may also want to read up on bacteria warnings.
June 15th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 14th, 2024
Bird flu is highly lethal to some animals, but not to others. Scientists want to know why
In the last two years, bird flu has been blamed for the deaths of millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide. It's killed legions of seals and sea lions, wiped out mink farms, and dispatched cats, dogs, skunks, foxes and even a polar bear.
June 14th, 2024 — Source
Bird flu tests are hard to get: Researchers warn US could be caught off guard by a pandemic
Stanford University infectious disease doctor Abraar Karan has seen a lot of patients with runny noses, fevers, and irritated eyes lately. Such symptoms could signal allergies, COVID, or a cold. This year, there's another suspect, bird flu—but there's no way for most doctors to know
June 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 12th, 2024
AI revolutionizes malaria diagnosis with 97.57% accuracy using EfficientNet
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, a team of researchers proposed using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that uses deep learning to examine red blood cell images in blood smears for the timely detection of malaria.
June 12th, 2024 — Source
How the Paris Olympics could become a super-spreader event for dengue
In September 2023, several people came down with dengue fever in Paris, France. The presence of this mosquito-borne disease was notable for two reasons. It was the most northerly outbreak ever recorded, and none of the people had traveled recently. This demonstrated it is now possible for dengue to be transmitted locally in northern Europe.
June 12th, 2024 — Source
Ingestible microbiome sampling pill technology advances toward human clinical trials
Significant progress has been made at Tufts University School of Engineering in the development of a small device, about the size of a vitamin pill, that can be swallowed and passed through the gastrointestinal tract to sample the full inventory of microorganisms in an individual's gastro-intestinal tract.
June 12th, 2024 — Source
One dead as mpox outbreak hits South Africa
An outbreak of mpox has killed one person and infected four more in South Africa, the government said on Wednesday, adding it was trying to secure more treatment drugs as a precaution.
June 12th, 2024 — Source
Tiny robot enables unlocks secrets of the gut microbiome, one sample at a time
The complex community of microorganisms inhabiting the human digestive tract, known as the gut microbiome, plays a vital role in health and disease. In recent years, research into the gut microbiome has intensified as scientists have uncovered its far-reaching influence on everything from digestive disorders to mental health.
June 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 8th, 2024
Girl in Australia, 2, struck with H5N1 bird flu: WHO
A two-and-a-half-year-old girl tested positive for H5N1 bird flu and needed hospital intensive care treatment in Australia after traveling to India, the World Health Organization said on Friday.
June 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 7th, 2024
A man in Mexico died with one form of bird flu, but US officials remain focused on another
The mysterious death of a man in Mexico who had one kind of bird flu is unrelated to outbreaks of a different type at U.S. dairy farms, experts say.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Build non-contact haptic feedback projects using Synjets
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has become increasingly aware of the potential for germ transmission through physical contact in public spaces. This heightened awareness has accelerated the demand for touchless technology, which allows users to interact with devices and systems without the need for direct contact.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
CDC urges clinicians to remain on the lookout for mpox virus infections
Among emergency department patients evaluated for an mpox-compatible rash, the prevalence of mpox is 1.5 percent, according to research published in the June 6 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
First case of bird flu detected in Minnesota dairy cows
Bird flu has infected a Benton County dairy herd, marking the first confirmed detection of the virus in cows in Minnesota.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
First human case of H5N2 bird flu died from multiple factors: WHO
A man infected with H5N2 bird flu, the first confirmed human infection with the strain, died from multiple factors, the WHO said on Friday, adding that investigations were ongoing.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Increasing COVID-19 vaccinations through community-based solutions
The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to face challenges due to inequity and vaccine hesitancy.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Mpox is still circulating among U.S. gay men, report warns
Though not at numbers seen in the 2022 outbreak, mpox cases are still circulating in the United States, largely among gay and bisexual men, new government data shows.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
New HIV reporter model: Visualizing HIV viral dynamics in cells with dual fluorescence
Kumamoto University researchers have developed a novel viral reporter system named HIV-Tocky (Timer of Cell Kinetics and Activity). This innovative system allows for real-time visualization of HIV dynamics post-viral infection.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
New insights into how cyanobacterial proteins cycle carbon in changing conditions
The products of photosynthesis are easy to point out. Plants, algae and cyanobacteria create the air we breathe and the fuel for food webs as they turn carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugars. How photosynthesis works, though, is much harder to pin down.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Potential drug targets identified in African swine fever virus enzyme study
African swine fever virus is the only mammalian infectious virus that encodes type II DNA topoisomerase and has caused serious damage to the global swine industry in recent years. Safe and effective commercial vaccines and drugs are still lacking.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Pandemic preparedness policy statements: A step toward global health resilience
The patchwork systems of global and domestic monitoring for the next infectious disease threat should be expanded, linked and better funded; and public and private health agencies must improve coordination to be prepared for the next global disease threat, according to position statements from the Society for Health care Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Study finds no association between COVID-19 vaccines and stillbirths
In a new study, researchers from Yale and 11 other institutions found "no association between COVID-19 vaccination and stillbirth."
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Understanding inequities in nurses' moral distress during COVID-19
Research has shown that, when nurses feel they are being prevented from taking a morally justifiable action or achieving an ethical outcome, it contributes to poor mental health, burnout, and intent to leave one's job. Surveys from the COVID-19 pandemic found that a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and lack of perceived support from hospital administrators were associated with higher levels of this moral distress.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
University of South Florida picked as HQ for international virus, pandemic research network
The University of South Florida will be the new headquarters of the Global Virus Network, a coalition of more than 80 virology research centers in 40 countries, as well as home to its co-founder: Robert Gallo, who is credited as one of the co-discoverers of HIV.
June 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — June 6th, 2024
Novel lipopeptide proves lethal against Staphylococcus aureus
A novel antibacterial lipopeptide produced by the bacterium Serratia marcescens has been shown to be highly effective in killing Staphylococcus aureus—one of the most important pathogens occurring in humans.
June 6th, 2024 — Source
Positive test not needed for long COVID diagnosis, experts conclude
People do not need to have tested positive for the coronavirus to be considered for a diagnosis of long COVID, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine concludes.
June 6th, 2024 — Source
Researchers create brain organoid to investigate effects of COVID-19 in people with Down syndrome
A first-of-its kind brain organoid grown at The University of Queensland has helped researchers identify therapies that reduce the impact of COVID-19 on people with Down syndrome.
June 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 31st, 2024
AI model confirms vaccination is key to cutting COVID in prisons
A new study has found vaccination and prompt lockdown to be the most effective strategies to minimize COVID-19 spread in prisons. However, a combination of other measures is needed to contain the spread of the disease in confined settings.
May 31st, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 associated with higher risk of erectile dysfunction
A recent study published in International Journal of Impotence Research reports that men previously infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are at a greater risk of developing new-onset erectile dysfunction.
May 31st, 2024 — Source
EU watchdog green lights first vaccine against Chikungunya
Europe's medicines watchdog Friday gave the thumbs up for the continent's first vaccine against the mosquito-born Chikungunya virus, warning climate change could boost the spread of the disease.
May 31st, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover virus-like nanoparticles control the multicellular organization and reproduction of host bacteria
Researchers from University of Tsukuba have discovered that virus-like nanoparticles can promote the multicellular organization and reproduction of host bacteria. These particles, which are evolutionarily related to phages (viruses that infect bacteria), contain an enzyme that helps shape the multicellular architecture and ultimately enhances morphological differentiation. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.
May 31st, 2024 — Source
The chicken and egg problem of fighting another flu pandemic
They worried about them in 2005, and in 2009, and they're worrying now. That's because millions of fertilized hen eggs are still the main ingredient in making vaccines that, hopefully, will protect people against the outbreak of a new flu strain.
May 31st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 30th, 2024
A novel diagnostic for fish herpesvirus diagnostics and treatment
Researchers at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have established a highly permissive cell line GiCS derived from the skin tissue of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio). This cell line, along with a novel diagnostic method, offers robust tools for the early detection and study of Carassius auratus herpesvirus (CaHV), according to two studies published in Water Biology and Security.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Guillain-Barre syndrome 'more common than expected' with RSV vaccine in older people, CDC reiterates
Reports of a rare nervous system disorder were "more common than expected" in older U.S. adults who got the new RSV vaccines, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Thursday that's similar to what the organization said earlier this year.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
New findings show risk of death from COVID-19 lessens, but infection still can cause issues three years later
New findings on long COVID—long-term effects on health experienced by many who have had COVID-19—present a good-news, bad-news situation, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Novel vaccine concept generates immune responses that could produce multiple types of HIV neutralizing antibodies
Using a combination of cutting-edge immunologic technologies, researchers have successfully stimulated animals' immune systems to induce rare precursor B cells of a class of HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). The findings, published today in Nature Immunology, are an encouraging, incremental step in developing a preventive HIV vaccine.
May 30th, 2024 — Source or Source
Pharma firm urged to share new 'game-changer' HIV drug
More than 300 politicians, health experts and celebrities on Thursday called for US pharmaceutical giant Gilead to allow cheap, generic versions of a promising new HIV drug to be produced so it can reach people in developing countries most affected by the deadly disease.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Study examines surge in RSV cases after the COVID-19 pandemic
The surge in RSV cases following the COVID-19 pandemic may have been, in part, caused by increased testing and changes to the RSV genome, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Communications.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Study shows effectiveness of updated COVID-19 vaccines wanes moderately over time, is lower against current variants
Boosters that target the omicron subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 are still providing reasonably durable protection against infection, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, according to new data from a study led by researchers at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Study shows N95 masks near-perfect at blocking escape of airborne COVID-19
In a head-to-head comparison of masks worn by people with active COVID-19, the inexpensive "duckbill" N95 came out on top, stopping 98% of COVID-19 particles in the breath of infected people from escaping into the air. Led by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Public Health (SPH), results showed other masks also performed well, blocking at least 70% of viral particles from escaping from the source—an infected person's exhaled breath.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
The case of the armadillo: Is it spreading leprosy in Florida?
In an open-air barn at the edge of the University of Florida, veterinarian Juan Campos Krauer examines a dead armadillo's footpads and ears for signs of infection.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Traveler carries measles through LAX as cases rise around the US
A traveler carrying measles flew from Munich, Germany, through Los Angeles on the way to Fresno Yosemite International Airport this May, exposing thousands of California travelers to the highly infectious disease, health officials have confirmed.
May 30th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 29th, 2024
Evaluating the efficacy of harmol in treating herpes simplex virus-induced keratitis
In a recent study published in the Virology Journal, a group of researchers evaluated the antiviral efficacy and therapeutic potential of harmol in treating herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induced keratitis, including drug-resistant strains, and its ability to enhance the effects of acyclovir (ACV).
May 29th, 2024 — Source
Farmworkers Face High-Risk Exposures to Bird Flu, but Testing Isn"t Reaching Them
Farmworkers face some of the most intense exposures to the bird flu virus, but advocates say many of them would lack resources to fall back on if they became ill.
May 29th, 2024 — Source
Germany scraps a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for military servicepeople
Germany has scrapped a requirement for its military servicepeople to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a mandate that had been in place since late 2021, the government said Wednesday.
May 29th, 2024 — Source
New antibiotic kills pathogenic bacteria, spares healthy gut microbes
Researchers have developed a new antibiotic that reduced or eliminated drug-resistant bacterial infections in mouse models of acute pneumonia and sepsis while sparing healthy microbes in the mouse gut. The drug, called lolamicin, also warded off secondary infections with Clostridioides difficile, a common and dangerous hospital-associated bacterial infection, and was effective against more than 130 multidrug-resistant bacterial strains in cell culture.
May 29th, 2024 — Source
Ticks and the diseases they carry
In many regions of the U.S. and the world, enjoying the great outdoors comes with a hidden risk: ticks and the diseases they carry. Ticks can carry pathogens like Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, which can cause Lyme disease in humans. Lyme disease is the most common tickborne illness, but there are also dozens of other diseases that ticks can transmit to humans.
May 29th, 2024 — Source
Vaccines will be best defense against bird flu, experts say
Humanity's best protection against bird flu will be the development of effective vaccines, a new study says.
May 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 28th, 2024
Four ways vaccine skeptics mislead on measles and more
Measles is on the rise in the United States. In the first quarter of this year, the number of cases was about 17 times what it was, on average, during the same period in each of the four years before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half of the people infected— mainly children—have been hospitalized.
May 28th, 2024 — Source
Study demonstrates how cytokines produce long lasting humoral immunity following vaccination
A new study conducted by researchers from the German Rheumatology Research Center Berlin, an institute of the Leibniz Association, and the Charite—Universitätsmedizin Berlin has shed new light on how cytokines, in particular interleukin 21(IL-21), shape long lasting humoral immunity following vaccination.
May 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 27th, 2024
Second person dies of cholera on French island of Mayotte
A 62-year-old woman has died of cholera in Mayotte, bringing to two the death toll from the epidemic on the French island in the Indian Ocean, health authorities said on Sunday.
May 27th, 2024 — Source
Sharjah University patents application for distance COVID-19 diagnosis
The University of Sharjah has been granted a patent for inventing a smart gadget with the ability to filter user information that will allow doctors to diagnose COVID-19 and other ailments from a distance.
May 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 25th, 2024
As COVID cases rise again, what do I need to know about the new FLiRT variants?
We've now been living with COVID for well over four years. Although there's still much to learn about SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) at least one thing seems clear: it's here to stay.
May 25th, 2024 — Source
Bird flu virus detected in beef from an ill dairy cow, but USDA says meat remains safe
Bird flu has been detected in beef for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday, but officials said the meat from a single sickened dairy cow was not allowed to enter the nation's food supply and beef remains safe to eat.
May 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 24th, 2024
After mice drink raw H5N1 milk, bird flu virus riddles their organs
No, really, drinking raw milk during the H5N1 outbreak is a bad idea.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
Century-old vaccine protects type 1 diabetics from infectious diseases
Researchers conducted a Phase III trial to test the 100-year-old Bacillus Calmette-Gu rin (BCG) vaccine in people with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
Covid pandemic cut global life expectancy by nearly two years: WHO
Covid-19 cut global life expectancy by almost two years when it raged from 2019 to 2021, wiping out a decade of progress, the World Health Organization said Friday.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
Harnessing the power of viruses to kill cancers
In the global hunt for both a cure and cancer treatments, researchers are finding it may be the very viruses we try to shield ourselves against that hold great promise in fighting the deadly disease.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
High H5N1 influenza levels found in mice given raw milk from infected dairy cows
Mice administered raw milk samples from dairy cows infected with H5N1 influenza experienced high virus levels in their respiratory organs and lower virus levels in other vital organs, according to new findings.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
How COVID-19 'breakthrough' infections alter your immune cells
New research from scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests people who received COVID-19 vaccines and then experienced "breakthrough" infections are especially well armed against future SARS-CoV-2 infections.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
How family economic insecurity can hurt child mental health
Study examines cascading effects of COVID-19 money issues
May 24th, 2024 — Source
HPV vaccination positively affecting more than just cervical cancer risk
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is associated with reduced odds of several types of HPV-related cancers, not just cervical cancer, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held from May 31 to June 4 in Chicago.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
New global targets proposed to reduce AMR-linked deaths and improve access to essential antibiotics
Access to effective antibiotics is essential to all health systems in the world. Antibiotics prolong lives, reduce disabilities, limit health care costs and enable other life-saving medical interventions such as surgery. However, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens this backbone of modern medicine and is already leading to deaths and disease which would have once been prevented.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
New immunogenic strain of vaccinia virus unveils potent cancer therapy potential New immunogenic strain of vaccinia virus unveils potent cancer therapy potential
Vaccinia viruses are therapeutic tools with different biomedical applications depending on the susceptibility characteristics. For example, the strain called MVA (modified vaccinia Ankara), which is unable to replicate in mammalian cells, triggers a potent immune system response and is used to develop vaccines against COVID-19 or AIDS.
May 24th, 2024 — Source or Source
New small molecule offers hope in combating antibiotic resistance
Researchers from the University of Oxford have developed a new small molecule that can suppress the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and make resistant bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics. The findings have been published in the journal Chemical Science.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
Rare health condition cases surge during COVID-19 pandemic
A rare condition surged among previously unaffected groups of people during the COVID-19 pandemic and led to the deaths of nine patients, researchers say. The condition is a type of autoimmune response linked to the body immune system mistakenly attacking itself. Intriguingly, the system being attacked normally works as a sentinel or guard, whose job it is to detect invading viruses.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals burden and geographic patterns of sepsis among hospitalized non-child cancer patients in China
Sepsis, a life-threatening complication of infections, poses a severe threat to cancer patients, whose compromised immune systems make them highly susceptible. In a study published in Science Bulletin, researchers led by Hong-Da Chen from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College have revealed the substantial burden and geographic disparities of sepsis among hospitalized non-child cancer patients in China.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
The case of the armadillo: Is it spreading leprosy in Florida?
In an open-air barn at the edge of the University of Florida, veterinarian Juan Campos Krauer examines a dead armadillo's footpads and ears for signs of infection.
May 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 23rd, 2024
Bird flu is hitting Australian poultry farms—the first human case has been reported in Victoria
The first human case of avian influenza (bird flu) in Australia was reported yesterday in Victoria. A child acquired the H5N1 strain of the virus in India and became ill upon returning home to Australia in March this year.
May 23rd, 2024 — Source
Children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in womb or as newborns may face increased social and respiratory problems
Children who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) while in the womb or as newborn babies may face greater difficulties with social skills and have more respiratory symptoms than non-exposed children, according to a new University of Bristol-led study published in eClinicalMedicine.
May 23rd, 2024 — Source
Clues From Bird Flu's Ground Zero on Dairy Farms in the Texas Panhandle
In early February, dairy farmers in the Texas Panhandle began to notice sick cattle. The buzz soon reached Darren Turley, executive director of the Texas Association of Dairymen: "They said there is something moving from herd to herd."
May 23rd, 2024 — Source
Study explores how different modes of cell division evolved in close relatives of fungi and animals
Cell division is one of the most fundamental processes of life. From bacteria to blue whales, every living being on Earth relies on cell division for growth, reproduction, and species survival. Yet, there is remarkable diversity in the way different organisms carry out this universal process. A new study from EMBL Heidelberg's Dey group and their collaborators, recently published in Nature, explores how different modes of cell division evolved in close relatives of fungi and animals, demonstrating, for the first time, the link between an organism's life cycle and the way their cells divide.
May 23rd, 2024 — Source
The bacteria in your mouth are important for your health—four diseases linked to your oral microbiome
Your mouth is one of the most diverse habitats in the human body. It contains over 700 known species of bacteria, as well as yeasts, viruses and some protozoa. This community is collectively referred to as the oral microbiome—and like your gut microbiome, the bacteria in your mouth play an important role in your health.
May 23rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 21st, 2024
A boost for HIV vaccine research: Studies present comprehensive platform for validating next steps
HIV has proven a hard target for vaccine design. The most promising approach, germline-targeting (GT), proposes a series of immunizations: a first shot to activate inexperienced B cells—antibody-producing white blood cells—followed by a sequence of immunogens that are more and more like the HIV Envelope (Env) protein.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Body lice may be bigger plague spreaders than previously thought
A new laboratory study suggests that human body lice are more efficient at transmitting Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague, than previously thought, supporting the possibility that they may have contributed to past pandemics.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Drug-like inhibitor shows promise in preventing flu
Currently available flu medications only target the virus after it has already established an infection, but what if a drug could prevent infection in the first place? Now, scientists have designed drug-like molecules to do just that, by thwarting the first stage of influenza infection.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Hepatitis C: Thousands of people are undiagnosed—here's what you need to know about the virus
Demand for hepatitis C tests has surged in the UK following the publication of the infected blood inquiry findings in May 2024. According to the BBC, "1,750 people in the UK are living with an undiagnosed hepatitis C infection after being given a transfusion with contaminated blood." Globally, there are thousands more unknowingly living with virus.
May 21st, 2024 — Source or Watch Video
Hope for a cure for visceral leishmaniasis, an often fatal infectious disease
A discovery by Simona Stäger's team could help come up with a treatment for the most serious form of leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease affecting a growing number of people worldwide. Each year, between 700,000 and 1 million new cases are reported. Caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania, which is transmitted to humans by the simple bite of a sand fly, leishmaniasis comprises three clinical forms, of which the visceral form is the most serious.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Long COVID definitions, care models are evolving
Definitions of long COVID and care models are evolving, but considerable variability is seen in these models, according to a review published online May 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Matcha mouthwash shown to inhibit bacteria that cause periodontitis
Periodontitis is an inflammatory gum disease driven by bacterial infection and left untreated it can lead to complications including tooth loss. The disease has also been associated with diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. One of the chief bacterial culprits behind periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis, which colonizes biofilms on tooth surfaces and proliferates in deep periodontal pockets.
May 21st, 2024 — Source or Source
New tool may help prioritize high-risk infants for RSV immunization
On the heels of a shortage of nirsevimab for infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) prevention, a new tool may help identify newborns at highest risk for developing serious RSV LRTI, according to research published at the ATS 2024 International Conference.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Pandemic worsens depression in teenage boys, not girls
There was an increase in depressive symptoms in boys beyond the expected age-related trajectory, which emerged later in the first year of the pandemic and then early into the second year. In contrast, the overall increase in depressive symptoms for girls was within the expected natural age-related increase.
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Study finds COVID-19 shutdown flipped drug overdose mortality rates among industries
Drug overdose deaths spiked following Kentucky's COVID-19 stay-at-home and business closure orders of March 2020. But the industries that suffered the most overdose deaths were surprising, according to research conducted by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH).
May 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 17th, 2024
A trial HIV vaccine triggered elusive and essential antibodies in humans
Finding points the way toward a successful vaccine that elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies
May 17th, 2024 — Source
Bacterial proteins shed light on antiviral immunity
A unique collaboration between two UT Southwestern Medical Center labs—one that studies bacteria and another that studies viruses—has identified two immune proteins that appear key to fighting infections. The findings, published in PLOS Pathogens, could lead to new strategies for treating microbial infections and even cancer, the authors said.
May 17th, 2024 — Source
Cell types and molecules usually associated with autoimmune diseases found to be normal components of gut immunity
Researchers in the Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology have identified that features of the immune system that were previously considered to be characteristics of autoimmune diseases are normal components of the immune system in human gut that interact with each other alongside bacteria. The study is published in Nature.
May 17th, 2024 — Source
More leptospirosis cases occur after floods, study shows
A recent study, published by researchers at the Faculty of ITC in the International Journal of Health Geographics, has shown that flooding leads to increased leptospirosis cases.
May 17th, 2024 — Source
Research finds human activity over natural inputs determines the bacterial community in an ice core
The Tibetan Plateau (TP) has the third-largest number of glaciers after the Antarctic and Greenland. Bacteria, deposited on glacier surfaces through dry and wet deposition, undergo in-situ growth and are subsequently preserved in ice cores following environmental selection pressures such as UV radiation and low temperatures.
May 17th, 2024 — Source
Trial HIV vaccine triggers elusive and essential antibodies, pointing the way toward a successful vaccine
An HIV vaccine candidate developed at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute triggered low levels of an elusive type of broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies among a small group of people enrolled in a 2019 clinical trial.
May 17th, 2024 — Source
'Zombie cells' in the sea: Viruses keep the most common marine bacteria in check
Marine microbes control the flux of matter and energy essential for life in the oceans. Among them, the bacterial group SAR11 accounts for about a third of all the bacteria found in surface ocean waters.
May 17th, 2024 — Source or Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 14th, 2024
154 million lives saved in 50 years: Five charts on the global success of vaccines
We know vaccines have been a miracle for public health. Now, new research led by the World Health Organization has found vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives in the past 50 years from 14 different diseases. Most of these have been children under five, and around two-thirds children under one year old.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Injectable HIV medication is superior to oral medication for patients who frequently miss doses, study finds
When a person is diagnosed with HIV, they are placed on a lifelong HIV treatment regimen, called antiretroviral therapy, to keep the virus under control. But for many people, having to take medicine every day can be a struggle for a variety of reasons, resulting in missed doses that could potentially lead to a decline in their health.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Experts Watching Bird Flu Carefully in Case It Takes Off
So far, the unexpected jump of bird flu to cattle has not emerged as a new human flu pandemic. Yes, a dairy worker got pink eye this year after being infected, but a larger threat to all of us has not yet materialized.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Finding the chink in coronavirus's armor—experiment reveals how the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 protects itself
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in millions of deaths. Despite an unparalleled collaborative research effort that led to effective vaccines and therapies being produced in record-breaking time, a complete understanding of the structure and lifecycle of the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 is still lacking.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
First case of highly pathogenic avian influenza transmitted from cow to human confirmed
in March a farm worker who reported no contact with sick or dead birds, but who was in contact with dairy cattle, began showing symptoms in the eye and samples were collected by the regional health department to test for potential influenza A. Experts have now confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from a mammal (dairy cow) to a human.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
New mechanism discovered to weaken pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence
The opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is dangerous due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics. A research team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and Jülich Research Center (Forschungszentrum Jülich -- FZJ) has now found a mechanism that makes it possible to weaken the virulence of the pathogen.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Nursing homes wield pandemic immunity laws to duck wrongful death suits
In early 2020, with reports of covid-19 outbreaks making dire headlines, Trever Schapers worried about her father's safety in a nursing home in Queens.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Persistent strain of cholera defends itself against forces of change, scientists find
New clues to longstanding mystery about the longest-running cholera epidemic
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Scientists demystify why subsequent bouts of dengue are worse than a first-time infection
A massive upsurge in dengue cases marked by multiple outbreaks is occurring worldwide and raising new questions about who is at elevated risk of severe forms of the mosquito-transmitted disease.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Scientists unlock mystery behind a deadly strain of cholera bacteria
A deadly strain of cholera bacteria that emerged in Indonesia back in 1961 continues to spread widely to this day, claiming thousands of lives around the world every year, sickening millions -; and, with its persistence, baffling scientists. Finally, in a study published today in Nature, researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have discovered how this dangerous strain has held out over decades.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Study finds some children were prescribed nonrecommended meds for COVID-19
Despite national guidelines, a small proportion of children were prescribed ineffective and potentially harmful medications for acute COVID-19, according to a study published online May 8 in Pediatrics.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals unintended consequences of antibiotic choice in sepsis treatment
In emergency rooms and intensive care units across the country, clinicians make split-second decisions about which antibiotics to give a patient when a life-threatening infection is suspected. A new U-M study reveals that these decisions may have unintended consequences for patient outcomes.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Study shows virus that causes COVID-19 can penetrate blood-retinal-barrier and could damage vision
The blood-retinal barrier is designed to protect our vision from infections by preventing microbial pathogens from reaching the retina where they could trigger an inflammatory response with potential vision loss. But researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered the virus that causes COVID-19 can breach this protective retinal barrier with potential long-term consequences in the eye.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Texas Tech lab helps detect first case of avian influenza transmission from mammal to human
Texas Tech University's Biological Threat Research Laboratory (BTRL) played a key role in detecting the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) transmitted from a mammal (dairy cow) to a human.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
The COVID-19 Test The FDA Now Says You Can't Trust
San Diego-based medical tech company, Cue Health, bragged about receiving an industry-first De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its at-home COVID-19 test kit. Less than a year later, the FDA has now asked medical professionals as well as regular users to stay away from it due to the risks of false test results.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
UK says proposed pandemic treaty 'not acceptable'
A proposed World Health Organization treaty on preparing for future pandemics is currently "not acceptable" to Britain, a UK health minister said on Tuesday.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Wildlife traffickers carried on their illegal trade during COVID lockdown—what can we learn from their resilience?
The world literally stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. But while countries locked down to keep coronavirus at bay, wildlife traffickers carried on their illegal activities. Global risk governance and criminology academics Annette Hübschle and Meredith Gore studied the traffickers' methods and share lessons from their resilience.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Zika virus-specific synthetic molecule can differentiate between prior infections with different flaviviruses
A newly discovered Zika virus-specific synthetic molecule is capable of differentiating Zika-immune patient samples from samples of patients previously infected with the related dengue virus. The technology may lead to the development of better diagnostics and vaccine candidates, scientists announced today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
May 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 13th, 2024
Child measles case at Sacramento hospital may have exposed 200 people, health officials say
At least 200 Northern California residents may have been exposed to measles after a child with the airborne disease came to the UC Davis Medical Center's emergency department twice during the past week, Sacramento County health officials said May 9.
May 13th, 2024 — Source
Cholera outbreak intensifying in Yemen, UN warns
The United Nations on Monday expressed fears at what it called a "rapidly worsening" outbreak of cholera in war-ravaged Yemen, with more than 40,000 suspected cases since October, mainly in areas controlled by Huthi rebels.
May 13th, 2024 — Source
New study shows certain combinations of antiviral proteins are responsible for lupus symptoms
In a new study, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have uncovered insights as to why lupus symptoms and severity present differently in individuals with the autoimmune condition, which affects up to 1.5 million Americans. The team says this is a crucial step forward in understanding biological mechanisms behind lupus and may also lead to shifts in how clinicians treat patients with the condition.
May 13th, 2024 — Source
Probability of developing Lyme disease is genetically influenced, research suggests
Lyme disease is the most common disease transmitted by tick bites in Germany. Whether a particular genetic predisposition plays a role in the development of the disease and which immunological processes in the body are involved is not yet sufficiently understood.
May 13th, 2024 — Source
Study highlights need for cell-type-specific therapies in treatment of HIV
Researchers from the University of Illinois have demonstrated the importance of cell-type-specific targeting in the treatment of HIV. Their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is one of the first to examine the differential or cell-type specific effects of HIV latency modulation on myeloid cells, a type of immune cell made in bone marrow.
May 13th, 2024 — Source
There's a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant: Could FLiRT lead to a summer uptick?
Two new COVID-19 subvariants, collectively nicknamed FLiRT, are increasingly edging out the winter's dominant strain ahead of a possible summer uptick in coronavirus infections.
May 13th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 11th, 2024
New vaccine could protect against coronaviruses that haven't even emerged yet
The rapid development of vaccines that protect against COVID was a remarkable scientific achievement that saved millions of lives. The vaccines have demonstrated substantial success in reducing death and serious illness after COVID infection.
May 11th, 2024 — Source
Study finds COVID-19 vaccine can help people with heart failure live longer
Heart failure patients who are vaccinated against COVID-19 have an 82% greater likelihood of living longer than those who are not vaccinated, according to research presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), held 11–14 May in Lisbon, Portugal. Heart Failure is a life-threatening syndrome affecting more than 64 million people worldwide.
May 11th, 2024 — Source
Study traces an infectious language epidemic
"Sticks and stones may break my bones," the old adage goes. "But words will never hurt me." Tell that to Eugenia Rho, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, and she will show you extensive data that prove otherwise.
May 11th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 10th, 2024
Analysis reveals new insights into global surge of Strep A infections
Strep A (Group A Streptococcus) is a common type of bacteria that typically causes throat infections and scarlet fever. While most infections are mild, in rare cases Strep A can cause invasive infections that can be fatal.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Can vitamin D3 supplementation reduce COVID-19 severity?
In a recent study published in the Nutrients, a group of researchers assessed the effectiveness of Vitamin D3 supplementation in reducing intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related mortality through a meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Children in Utah develop E. coli illness from playing around lawn sprinklers
Happily jumping around lawn sprinklers or playing with garden hoses on a hot summer day: An idyllic childhood scene.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Cows Are Potential Spreaders of Bird Flu to Humans
Cow udders have the same receptors for flu viruses as humans and birds, raising concerns that cows could become "mixing vessels" that help the bird flu virus spread between people.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Five things to know about bird flu
As a new virus takes center stage at the heart of a global outbreak, it's easy to get flashbacks of March 2020.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
French, US drug firms team up for Covid-flu shot
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and struggling US rival Novavax announced Friday an alliance to sell a COVID vaccine and develop another that combines with a flu shot.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Hepatitis E virus detected for the first time in urban Norway rats in South Korea
A team of researchers from Korea University College of Medicine, including Professor Jin-Won Song from the Department of Microbiology, Professor Ji Hoon Kim from the Department of Internal Medicine, and Researcher Kyungmin Park, has identified hepatitis E virus (HEV) in urban Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
How herpes hijacks a ride into cells
Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered how herpes viruses hijack cellular transport processes to infiltrate the nervous system, as described in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
New research traces the spread of HIV in and from Indonesia
The HIV variant dominant in Indonesia was introduced from Thailand over multiple events. A Kobe University study traces where it came from and how it spread from there, offering possible insights into the development of treatments against the disease.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Researchers shed new light on carboxysomes in key discovery that could boost photosynthesis
A research team led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has discovered how carboxysomes—carbon-fixing structures found in some bacteria and algae—work. The breakthrough could help scientists redesign and repurpose the structures to enable plants to convert sunlight into more energy, paving the way for improved photosynthesis efficiency, potentially increasing the global food supply and mitigating global warming.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals need to review temperature control measures in hospitals to manage Legionella
New work has disclosed significant findings on the survival of the Legionella pneumophila bacterium in hospital water systems. Recently published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, the study suggests adjustments to control policies to effectively combat legionellosis.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
WHO issues landmark guidelines for preventing catheter-associated infections
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes the first global guidelines to prevent the occurrence of bloodstream and other infections caused by use of catheters placed in minor blood vessels during medical procedures.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 8th, 2024
An adjuvant made in yeast could lower vaccine cost and boost availability
Vaccines save lives, as proven during the recent pandemic, but one component of most vaccines—including the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine—goes unheralded: a molecule or other compound that primes the immune system to mount a more robust defense against infection.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
AstraZeneca withdraws Covid vaccine as demand dives
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca on Wednesday said it was withdrawing COVID vaccine Vaxzevria, one of the first produced in the deadly pandemic, citing "commercial reasons" following a slump in demand.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 pandemic changed attitudes toward wearable health devices, study finds
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased interest in wearable health-monitoring devices among low-income Hispanic and Latine adults living in the U.S., a new Northwestern University study has found.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 study examines link between insurance, race and vaccination trends
Research from recent graduate Brock Santi of the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) explored the link between COVID-19, insurance coverage, race, ethnicity and vaccination, shedding light on previously unexplored aspects of the pandemic's impact in Hawaiʻi.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Future pandemics will have same human causes as ancient outbreaks—lessons from anthropology can prevent them
The last pandemic was bad, but COVID-19 is only one of many infectious diseases that emerged since the turn of this century.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Marine bacteria team up to produce a vital vitamin
A German-American research team led by microbiologist Dr. Gerrit Wienhausen from the University of Oldenburg (Germany) has come an important step closer to a better understanding of highly complex interactions between marine microorganisms. The researchers conducted various experiments to analyze the interaction between two species of marine bacteria from the North Sea in the synthesis of vitamin B12, and published their findings in the journal Nature.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
NIH to open long COVID clinical trials to study sleep disturbances, exercise intolerance, and post exertional malaise
Part of the NIH RECOVER Initiative, trials will test four treatments.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Researchers may have found an Achilles heel for Hepatitis B
Tiny, dangerous, and easily transmitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically affects about 296 million people and kills about 1 million every year. This stealthy virus invades the liver and remains largely asymptomatic until it culminates in cirrhosis or cancer.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Swarms of miniature robots clean up microplastics and microbes, simultaneously
When old food packaging, discarded children's toys and other mismanaged plastic waste break down into microplastics, they become even harder to clean up from oceans and waterways. These tiny bits of plastic also attract bacteria, including those that cause disease.
May 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 7th, 2024
Doc who claimed COVID shots cause magnetism gets medical license back
She also claimed cities liquified dead bodies and poured them into the water supply.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Experts provide facts about avian influenza for dairy producers
While a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been detected in dairy cattle in nine states—not including New York state—the commercial milk supply continues to be safe, according to a panel of Cornell, New York state and dairy industry experts.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Group-based interventions address HIV stigma
Group-based interventions have the potential to address HIV-related stigma among adolescents living with the virus, finds a recent study from researchers at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and Makerere University in Uganda.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria metabolite shows promise in fighting inflammatory bowel disease
Gut microbiota or the population of microbial inhabitants in the intestine, plays a key role in digestion and maintenance of overall health. Any disturbance in the gut microbiota can, therefore, have a systemic impact. Intestinal microbes metabolize dietary components into beneficial fatty acids (FAs), supporting metabolism and maintaining host body homeostasis.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Ion channel discovery offers hope for long COVID patients
Researchers from Griffith University's National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) have made a discovery that could bring relief to those struggling with long COVID.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Key role found for gut epithelial cells in the defense against deadly diarrheal infections
Intestinal epithelial cells line the inner wall of the gut, creating a barrier against dangerous bacteria like enteropathogenic E. coli that seek to attach to and destroy this barrier. Such pathogens pose significant risks to human health, including infant deaths due to diarrhea, particularly in developing countries.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Planters peanut products under recall due to listeria risk
Planters peanut products sold at Publix and Dollar Tree in five states are being recalled due to the risk of Listeria contamination, maker Hormel announced.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Study identifies signifiers of severe COVID-19 disease and death
Why do some people with COVID-19 experience little more than a sniffle while others end up on a ventilator? And among critically ill patients, why do some eventually recover while others do not?
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Vitamin D receptor polymorphism found to influence COVID-19 severity
In a recent case-control study published in Scientific Reports, researchers compared single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene between mild and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
May 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 3rd, 2024
Advancing responsive colloidal nanomaterials with virus-polymer crystals
Researchers have demonstrated a simple yet powerful method for creating highly organized nanomaterials by combining bacteriophages -- viruses that infect bacteria -- with synthetic polymers.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Bird flu is bad for poultry and dairy cows. It's not a dire threat for most of us — yet.
Headlines are flying after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cows around the country. Tests have detected the virus among cattle in nine states, mainly in Texas and New Mexico, and most recently in Colorado, said Nirav Shah, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a May 1 event held by the Council on Foreign Relations.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source or Source
Doctors describe Texas dairy farm worker's case of bird flu
Doctors in Texas are describing the only known human case of H5N1 avian flu connected to the ongoing outbreak of the disease in dairy cows.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
How E. coli get the power to cause urinary tract infections
New research examines how the bacteria Escherichia coli, or E. coli -- responsible for most UTIs -- is able to use host nutrients to reproduce at an extraordinarily rapid pace during infection despite the near sterile environment of fresh urine.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
How E. coli get the power to cause urinary tract infections
Through a quirk of anatomy, women are especially prone to urinary tract infections, with almost half dealing with one at some point in their lives.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Inflammatory disease not major risk factors for severe COVID-19, focus on comorbidities urged
In a recent study published in The Lancet Digital Health, a group of researchers analyzed severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), focusing on the effects of medications, comorbidities, and vaccination status during different pandemic phases.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Novel triple drug combination effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Scientists at the Ineos Oxford Institute (IOI) have found a new potential combination therapy to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by targeting two key bacterial enzymes involved in resistance. The study, "The Triple Combination of Meropenem, Avibactam, and a Metallo-&beta-Lactamase Inhibitor Optimizes Antibacterial Coverage Against Different &beta-Lactamase Producers," has been published in Engineering.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover compounds produced by gut bacteria that can treat inflammation
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found naturally occurring compounds in the gut that can be harnessed to reduce inflammation and other symptoms of digestive issues. This can be achieved by binding the compounds to an important, but poorly understood, nuclear receptor.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Study reveals how COVID-19 vaccines prevent severe disease
A study by scientists at the University of Oxford, has unveiled crucial insights into the way that COVID-19 vaccines mitigate severe illness in those who have been vaccinated.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Towards transparent and antimicrobial surfaces for touch displays
Researchers report the development of a durable and transparent antimicrobial surface containing copper nanoparticles. The nanostructured surface was obtained by dewetting ultrathin metal copper films on a glass substrate.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source or Source
We still don't understand how one human apparently got bird flu from a cow
A genetic analysis and case report reveal new insights and big gaps in our knowledge.
May 3rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — May 1st, 2024
Chinese scientist who published COVID-19 virus sequence allowed back in his lab after sit-in protest
The first scientist to publish a sequence of the COVID-19 virus in China said he was allowed back into his lab after he spent days locked outside, sitting in protest.
May 1st, 2024 — Source
Closing the US/Mexico border during COVID-19 increased HIV transmission, study finds
The border crossing separating San Diego, California, from Tijuana, Mexico, is a dynamic place. When it was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, drug tourism from San Diego to Tijuana continued. This provided a flow of people in both directions, bringing with them not only the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) but also the virus that causes AIDS (HIV).
May 1st, 2024 — Source
Father's gut microbes affect the next generation in mouse study
A study from the Hackett group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Rome shows that disrupting the gut microbiome of male mice increases the risk of disease in their future offspring.
May 1st, 2024 — Source
Fungal resistance in plants associated with heritable differences in microbiota abundances
Sunflowers aren't just beautiful symbols of summer—they are also economically significant, ranking as the fourth most important oilseed crop in the world, and new research suggests that some bacteria might help protect the crop from white-mold destruction.
May 1st, 2024 — Source
Identifying risks of human flea infestations in plague-endemic areas of Madagascar
Madagascar is one of the last places where outbreaks of human bubonic plague still happen regularly. Fleas carrying the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis can spread the disease through their bites. And while a species commonly known as "the rat flea" has been fingered as the main culprit in plague outbreaks, a species known as "the human flea" may play a secondary role.
May 1st, 2024 — Source
More than half of cats on farm died after drinking milk from cows infected with bird flu
In yet another sign that bird flu is spreading widely among mammals, a new report finds more than half of cats at the first Texas dairy farm to have cows test positive for bird flu this spring died after drinking raw milk.
May 1st, 2024 — Source
Organic walnuts tied to serious E. coli illnesses
Organic walnuts from a California grower that were distributed to health food and co-op stores in 19 states have been linked to serious cases of E. coli illness, federal officials reported Tuesday.
May 1st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 30th, 2024
Researchers suggest that mechanical pressure triggers a key event in HIV infection
It has been more than 40 years since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and scientists still don't fully understand how HIV enters and replicates in human cells, which has hindered the development of treatments.
April 30th, 2024 — Source
Study highlights importance of early interventions to combat HIV
A study has compared the development of HIV reservoirs—locations in the body where the virus persists in a latent state—between patients who receive either early or late medical interventions. The findings highlight the importance of timely treatments for managing the virus.
April 30th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 29th, 2024
Cholera cases on French island of Mayotte grow to 26
Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean, said Sunday it had identified a total of 26 cases of cholera, stretching its care capabilities to the limit.
April 29th, 2024 — Source
Research uncovers Blautia bacteria's crucial role in gut health and disease protection
A low-fiber "Western diet" causes damage to the protective mucus barrier in the gut, and such damage can increase the risk of inflammation and infection. By studying the gut bacteria of people who increased their intake of dietary fiber, researchers at Umeå University have found that the intestinal bacterium Blautia plays a key role in protecting the mucus barrier. The results are published in the journal Nature Communications.
April 29th, 2024 — Source or Source
'Vampire facials' were linked to cases of HIV. Here's what to know about the beauty treatment
Three women were diagnosed with HIV after getting "vampire facial" procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report last week, marking the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through cosmetic services using needles.
April 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 27th, 2024
Lower dose of mpox vaccine is safe and generates six-week antibody response equivalent to standard regimen
Study highlights need for defined markers of mpox immunity to inform public health use.
April 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 26th, 2024
20% of grocery store milk has traces of bird flu, suggesting wider outbreak
The milk is still considered safe, but disease experts are alarmed by the prevalence.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
CRISPR is promising to tackle antimicrobial resistance, but bacteria can fight back
In his presentation "How to use CRISPR-Cas to combat AMR" at the ESCMID Global Congress, Assistant Prof. Ibrahim Bitar, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Plzen, Charles University in Prague, Plzen, Czech Republic, will give an overview of the molecular biology of CRISPR technology in explaining how it can used to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Experimental malaria monoclonal antibody protective in Malian children
One injected dose of an experimental malaria monoclonal antibody was 77% effective against malaria disease in children in Mali during the country's six-month malaria season, according to the results of a mid-stage clinical trial.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Experimental NIH malaria monoclonal antibody protective in Malian children
Mid-stage trial shows treatment prevents infection, disease.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
How buildings influence the microbiome and human health
Over the last 20 years, the life sciences have come to realize that all living beings—from the simplest animal and plant organisms to humans—live in close association with a multitude of microorganisms. Together with the multicellular host organism, these symbiotic bacteria, viruses and fungi, which colonize on and in their tissues and form the so-called microbiome, constitute a primarily beneficial community in the form of a metaorganism.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Long flu season winds down in US
The U.S. flu season appears to be over. It was long, but it wasn't unusually severe.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
New structures offer insight into how a bacterial motor powers bacterial chemotaxis, a key infectious process
Bacteria existed for millennia before humans and have been infecting us from the beginning. Although we can treat infections through pharmaceuticals, bacteria continue to become resistant to treatment thanks to their rapid evolution. Bacterial infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in 2024, resulting in nearly eight million annual deaths globally.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Revvity unveils a new era of automated tuberculosis testing
Revvity, Inc. has announced the launch of the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handler from Allsheng for use with the T-SPOT.TB test. The Auto-Pure 2400 platform is easy to use and designed to provide efficient workflows in the lab. When the accuracy of the T-SPOT.TB test is combined with the efficiency of the Auto-Pure 2400 system, labs, clinicians and ultimately patients, benefit from the resultant powerful solution.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Study suggests host response needs to be studied along with other bacteriophage research
A team of micro- and immunobiologists from the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Yale University, and the University of Pittsburgh has found evidence suggesting that future research teams planning to use bacteriophages to treat patients with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections need to also consider how cells in the host's body respond to such treatment.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
USDA tells producers to reduce salmonella in certain frozen chicken products
Poultry producers will be required to bring salmonella bacteria in certain chicken products to very low levels to help prevent food poisoning under a final rule issued Friday by U.S. agriculture officials.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Vaccines have a crucial role in tackling antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In 2019, it caused over 1 million deaths globally and was linked to almost 5 million.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
WHO and Government of France host high-level meeting to combat meningitis
Global leaders highlight the need to defeat meningitis -- a leading cause of disability -- at a high-level meeting co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Government of France, under the High Patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. The event is taking place on 26-27 April 2024 at the Institut Pasteur and is supported by prominent athletes advocating on the cause ahead of the Paris Paralympics.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 24th, 2024
Bird flu viral fragments found in pasteurized milk: US officials
US health authorities said Tuesday they had discovered fragments of bird flu virus in the nation's pasteurized cow milk supply during the course of a large study, but the samples likely posed no health risk to humans.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
Giant virus discovered in wastewater treatment plant infects deadly parasite
The single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri ranks among the deadliest human parasites. Researchers around Matthias Horn and Patrick Arthofer from the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science at the University of Vienna, in an international collaboration, have discovered viruses that infect this harmful microbe.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
New study uses AI to predict malaria outbreaks in South Asia
Researchers from NDORMS in collaboration with international institutions have demonstrated the potential of using environmental measurements and deep learning modeling to predict malaria outbreaks in South Asia. The study offers promising insights into improving early warning systems for one of the world's deadliest diseases.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
Scientists team up to expand vaccine science's role in the fight against MRSA and other infections
Driven by the overuse of antimicrobials, pathogens are quickly building up resistances to once-successful treatments. It's estimated that antimicrobial-resistant infections killed more than 1 million people worldwide in 2019, according to the World Health Organization.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
Study finds X's (formerly Twitter's) community notes provide accurate, credible answers to vaccine misinformation
As the proliferation of misinformation continues to pose a significant challenge on social media platforms, a beacon of hope emerges in research from the University of California San Diego.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 22nd, 2024
Researchers uncover details of how bacteria build protective barriers, may inform new antibiotics
Yale researchers have uncovered new details on how bacteria like E. coli build their protective barriers, which will inform new antibiotic development.
April 22th, 2024 — Source
RSV burden in children under 5 increased in 2021 and 2022 versus 2015--2019
For children younger than 5 years, the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization increased in 2021 and 2022 compared with 2015 to 2019, according to a study published online April 18 in JAMA Network Open.
April 22th, 2024 — Source
Study Identifies Mutated Drug-Resistant Bacteria Infesting ISS
The extreme environment of the ISS may be helping make bacteria more extreme as well.
April 22th, 2024 — Source
WHO publishes report introducing updated terminology for airborne pathogens
Following consultation with public health agencies and experts, the World Health Organization (WHO) publishes a global technical consultation report introducing updated terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air.
April 22th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 19th, 2024
Doctors underutilize next-gen antibiotics to fight resistant infections in U.S. hospitals
NIH scientists find clinicians still rely often on older and toxic medicines.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
H5N1 strain of bird flu found in milk: WHO
The H5N1 bird flu virus strain has been detected in very high concentrations in raw milk from infected animals, the WHO said Friday, though how long the virus can survive in milk is unknown.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
Retrospective genomic characterization of the 2020 Ebola outbreak
Epidemiology researchers are harnessing tools developed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, to untangle the origins of the 2020 Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). An article in The Lancet Microbe explores how advanced tools developed by APL are revolutionizing infectious disease outbreak response and research.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
Sluggish uptake of new antibiotics threatens future development and supply for highly resistant infections
A large retrospective cohort pharmacoepidemiologic study found that despite approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for seven new gram-negative antibiotics between 2014 and 2019, clinicians in U.S. hospitals still treated more than 40% of patients battling highly resistant pathogens exclusively with older, generic agents. Furthermore, nearly 80% of the time these older agents are already known to be highly toxic or sub-optimally effective.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 17th, 2024
Broadband gold nanogap sensor revolutionizes material testing and virus detection
A research team consisting of Professor Kyoung-Duck Park and Taeyoung Moon and Huitae Joo, PhD candidates, from the Department of Physics at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has engineered "broadband nanogap gold spectroscopic sensor" using a flexible material capable of bending to create a controlled gap.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Discovery of bacterial proteins that induce asexual reproduction in insects
From microbes in the human gut to symbiotic algae in coral reefs, research in recent decades has increasingly revealed the pivotal roles that microorganisms (or microbial species) play in shaping the biology of host organisms and of broader ecosystems.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Improved mid-infrared nanoscopy enables 30 times clearer view of the insides of bacteria
A team at the University of Tokyo have constructed an improved mid-infrared microscope, enabling them to see the structures inside living bacteria at the nanometer scale. Mid-infrared microscopy is typically limited by its low resolution, especially when compared to other microscopy techniques. Their work has been published in Nature Photonics.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Multi-drug resistant bacteria found on International Space Station mutate to become functionally distinct
Principal Investigator Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory led a team that studied 13 strains of the bacterial species Enterobacter bugandensis that were isolated from the International Space Station (ISS). E. bugandensis is a bacterium notorious for being multi-drug resistant.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
New class of antimicrobials discovered in soil bacteria
Scientists have mined Streptomyces for antibiotics for nearly a century, but the newly identified umbrella toxin escaped notice
April 17th, 2024 — Source
New nets 'prevent' 13 mn malaria cases in Africa: Project
A new kind of mosquito net delivered across sub-Saharan Africa averted an estimated 13 million malaria cases and nearly 25,000 deaths over three years, the project's backers said Wednesday.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
New study uncovers why boys born to mothers with HIV are at greater risk of health problems and death in infancy
Researchers have found that children of women with HIV infection have an increased risk of immune abnormalities following exposure to maternal HIV viremia, immune dysfunction, and co-infections during pregnancy. The research is published in Nature Communications.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Real-time detection of infectious disease viruses by searching for molecular fingerprinting
A research team has engineered a "broadband nanogap gold spectroscopic sensor" using a flexible material capable of bending to create a controlled gap. With the developed technology, it is possible to rapidly test various types of materials, including infectious disease viruses, using only a single nano-spectroscopic sensor to find molecular fingerprints. The research findings have been published in Nano Letters.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover how soil microbes survive in harsh desert environments
Prolonged droughts followed by sudden bursts of rainfall—how do desert soil bacteria manage to survive such harsh conditions? This long-debated question has now been answered by an ERC project led by microbiologist Dagmar Woebken from the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Silver-based micromotors eliminate bacteria moving freely in aqueous media
In ancient Greece, over 3000 years ago, wise men used silver salts to prevent wounds from becoming infected. These salts continued to be used until Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic "just" 100 years ago.
April 17th, 2024 — Source or Source
Study investigates coronavirus dynamics in bats: Lower biodiversity means more pathogens
The loss of biodiversity poses a challenge for nature and humans alike. A study led by Ulm University shows that a decline in biodiversity promotes the spread of potentially zoonotic pathogens.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 15th, 2024
Breakthrough aerosol human infection model gives hope for future TB vaccine development
University of Oxford researchers have for the first time established a controlled human infection model for tuberculosis (TB) that infects people via the lungs—the way TB enters the body.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Canada likely to miss WHO's hepatitis C elimination target, research shows
Canada will not reach the original World Health Organization's (WHO) target of eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030 and lags in comparison to other developed countries, a new study led by researchers at the University of Waterloo has found.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Czech whooping cough spread accelerates, three dead
The Czech Republic has been hit by a soaring number of whooping cases and the fast growing outbreak has killed three people, health authorities said on Monday.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Large study finds antibiotics aren't effective for most lower tract respiratory infections
Use of antibiotics provided no measurable impact on the severity or duration of coughs even if a bacterial infection was present, finds a large, prospective study of people who sought treatment in U.S. primary or urgent care settings for lower-respiratory tract infections.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Nigeria first to rollout new Men5CV vaccine against meningitis
In a historic move, Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out a new vaccine (called Men5CV) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile, and supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
New vaccine strategy may mean the end of the line for endless boosters
Scientists at UC Riverside have demonstrated a new, RNA-based vaccine strategy that is effective against any strain of a virus and can be used safely even by babies or the immunocompromised.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals lasting lung damage in tuberculosis survivors NewsGuard 100/100 Score
New research being presented at this year's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April) has found compelling evidence that tuberculosis (TB) can have a lasting impact on the lungs of individuals who have been successfully treated for the disease.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 12th, 2024
Asia-Pacific gets new weapon in fight against drug-resistant TB
A faster and vastly more effective treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis is being rolled out in the Asia-Pacific region, raising hopes of a "new era" in tackling one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Blocking polyphosphates could help treat chronic infections
Most disease-causing bacteria are known for their speed: In mere minutes, they can double their population, quickly making a person sick. But just as dangerous as this rapid growth can be a bacterium's resting state, which helps the pathogen evade antibiotics and contributes to severe chronic infections in the lungs and blood, within wounds, and on the surfaces of medical devices.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Chlamydia vaccine shows promise in early trial
A chlamydia vaccine has triggered immune responses in an early trial, raising hopes that one day it might help curb the spread of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Dermatologist recommendations for controlling rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness on a person's face.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Meningococcal disease on the rise in the US
A rise in invasive serogroup Y meningococcal disease has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a health advisory for health care providers.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
New insights on B cells: Researchers explore building better antibodies and curbing autoimmune diseases
Four new studies led by Harvard Medical School researchers at Boston Children's Hospital reveal details about how B cells in the immune system churn out antibodies that become increasingly potent and specific after we're vaccinated or exposed to an infection.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Novel model provides a comprehensive framework for studying viral epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics
Understanding the mutation and evolution of viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) is crucial for effective public health management and response. Traditional epidemiological models often assume that viral transmissibility and pathogenicity remain constant during disease transmission, ignoring the fact that viruses continuously evolve through natural selection and random mutations.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Rising antibiotic resistance prompts shift to ecological research strategies in infection control
In a recent article published in The Lancet Microbe, researchers discussed the need to enhance research on the interactions between bacterial pathogens and commensals within human microbiomes and host biology to develop innovative infection prevention and treatment strategies.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Robotic lung transplantation: A paradigm shift in surgical approach
While debating the pros and cons of robotically assisted lung transplantation, Albert Jauregui, MD, PhD told attendees at the Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), today in Prague that the time for robotic surgery is now.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Unveiling the key role of RNA modification in HIV-1 survival and replication
A chemical modification in the HIV-1 RNA genome whose function has been a matter of scientific debate is now confirmed to be key to the virus's ability to survive and thrive after infecting host cells, a new study has found.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Visualizing centriole genesis with microscopy and kinematic reconstruction techniques
Cells contain various specialized structures - such as the nucleus, mitochondria or peroxisomes - known as "organelles''. Tracing their genesis and determining their structure is fundamental to understanding cell function and the pathologies linked to their dysfunction. Scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have combined high-resolution microscopy and kinematic reconstruction techniques to visualize, in motion, the genesis of the human centriole.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 11th, 2024
Blood stem cells unlock clues for helping sepsis patients fight recurring infections
Severe sepsis from bacterial or viral infections can be life-threatening and even people recovering from severe sepsis may experience long-lasting effects on the immune system, making them more susceptible to recurrent infections. The causes for this sepsis-induced immune suppression are not well understood and lack an effective treatment.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Elucidating the link between Guillain–Barré syndrome and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy that can cause permanent disability and even death and be quite severe to manage. In this acute disorder, which typically triggers after a respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection, the body's immune system attacks its own peripheral nerves, damaging the myelin sheaths or axons that constitute peripheral nerves. If left unchecked, GBS can lead to weakness, numbness, and ultimately paralysis.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
FDA approves Dovato for teens living with HIV
The approval is for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adolescents aged 12 years and older (weighing ≥25 kg) with no antiretroviral (ARV) treatment history or to replace the current ARV regimen in those who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on a stable ARV regimen with no history of treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to the individual components of Dovato.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
From RSV to meningococcal B, we must ensure equitable access to childhood immunizations
As we look towards the peak season for respiratory viruses, the announcement of new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization programs for children in a number of Australian states is welcome news.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Infections after surgery are more likely due to bacteria already on your skin than from microbes in the hospital: Study
Health care providers and patients have traditionally thought that infections patients get while in the hospital are caused by superbugs they're exposed to while they're in a medical facility.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Measles could once again become endemic in the US, the CDC warns
This year's measles cases are over 17x higher than cases seen in the first quarters of 2000 to 2023.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
New study reveals novel approach for combating 'resting' bacteria
Most disease-causing bacteria are known for their speed: In mere minutes, they can double their population, quickly making a person sick. But just as dangerous as this rapid growth can be a bacterium's resting state, which helps the pathogen evade antibiotics and contributes to severe chronic infections in the lungs and blood, within wounds, and on the surfaces of medical devices.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Researchers resolve old mystery of how phages disarm pathogenic bacteria
Bacterial infections pose significant challenges to agriculture and medicine, especially as cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to rise. In response, scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research are elucidating the ways that bacteria-infecting viruses disarm these pathogens and ushering in the possibility of novel treatment methods.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover first nitrogen-fixing organelle
Modern biology textbooks assert that only bacteria can take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a form that is usable for life. Plants that fix nitrogen, such as legumes, do so by harboring symbiotic bacteria in root nodules. But a recent discovery upends that rule.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Study confirms how RNA chemical modifications benefit HIV-1
A chemical modification in the HIV-1 RNA genome whose function has been a matter of scientific debate is now confirmed to be key to the virus's ability to survive and thrive after infecting host cells, a new study has found.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
US measles cases are up in 2024. What's driving the increase?
Measles outbreaks Sourcein the U.S. and abroad are raising health experts' concern about the preventable, once-common childhood virus.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 10th, 2024
Global increase in deaths from viral hepatitis revealed in WHO report
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis is increasing. The disease is the second leading infectious cause of death globally -- with 1.3 million deaths per year, the same as tuberculosis, a top infectious killer.
April 10th, 2024 — Source
Largest-ever global deployment of cholera rapid diagnostic tests for better disease control
The arrival of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for cholera in Malawi today signals the start of a global programme that will see more than 1.2 million tests distributed to 14 countries at high risk for cholera over the next several months. Countries that will receive kits in the coming weeks in this largest-ever global deployment include those currently severely impacted by cholera outbreaks, such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Syria, and Zambia.
April 10th, 2024 — Source
Modeling viral evolution: A novel computational model with application to SARS-CoV-2 dynamics
Understanding the mutation and evolution of viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) is crucial for effective public health management and response. Traditional epidemiological models often assume that viral transmissibility and pathogenicity remain constant during disease transmission, ignoring the fact that viruses continuously evolve through natural selection and random mutations. This simplification limits the accuracy of these models in predicting epidemic trends, especially when facing rapidly mutating viruses.
April 10th, 2024 — Source
New book helps citizen scientists navigate complexities of infectious disease outbreaks
Citizen scientists have long contributed to the collection and observation of natural events—from weather watchers to wildlife trackers—with thousands of organized community projects spanning decades. Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to an explosion of novice infectious disease detectives, adding to the collection of science enthusiasts.
April 10th, 2024 — Source
Study identifies factors that affect antibiotic prescribing for acne
Multiple salient factors affect long-term antibiotic prescribing practices for acne, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology.
April 10th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 6th, 2024
Desperate to dodge dengue, Argentines run out of repellent
Insect repellent has become a hot commodity in Argentina, which is besieged by dengue-carrying mosquitoes and facing shortages that have sparked supermarket brawls, rations and homemade concoctions.
April 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 5th, 2024
A human contracted bird flu—how worried should you be about the virus?
Bird flu is always a concern for health officials, not only for its effects on food supply chains, but for its potential for causing infections in humans. However, rarely, if ever, do humans contract this virus.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
High blood pressure linked to increased risk of malaria in mice
Hypertensive mice with abnormal red blood cells are at greater risk for developing malaria, according to a new study published ahead of print in the journal Function.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Improving infectious disease testing with gold nanoparticles
By harnessing the power of composite polymer particles adorned with gold nanoparticles, a group of researchers have delivered a more accurate means of testing for infectious diseases.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Mass General Hospital develops clinical decision support tool for mpox diagnosis
Diagnosing infectious conditions can be challenging. Diagnosis is especially challenging for uncommon and emerging infectious diseases for which there's limited clinical experience. Nevertheless, successfully identifying patients with infectious diseases, especially communicable ones, is critical, so patients can be isolated to reduce disease spread.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Researchers develop handheld device for rapid bacterial detection
Hear the words E. coli or salmonella and food poisoning comes to mind. Rapid detection of such bacteria is crucial in preventing outbreaks of foodborne illness. While the usual practice is to take food samples to a laboratory to see the type and quantity of bacteria that forms in a petri dish over a span of days, an Osaka Metropolitan University research team has created a handheld device for quick on-site detection.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Tracking ticks in Georgia to help monitor emerging diseases
The most common tick found on humans in Georgia is the lone star tick—an aggressive seeker of blood that can spread dangerous pathogens through its bites.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 4th, 2024
Cystic fibrosis: Why infections persist despite therapy
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes serious and sometimes fatal respiratory and digestive disorders. A new treatment, available since 2020, improves lung function and quality of life. However, it does not always eradicate the bacteria responsible for respiratory infections.
April 4th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: How worried should we be about US measles outbreaks?
It's one of the most contagious viral diseases in the world—and outbreaks are popping up across the United States. More than 60 measles cases have been reported so far this year in 17 states, from Washington to Florida; that's more than were confirmed in all of 2023. The spike comes amid an ominous jump in global infections: last November, the World Health Organization reported an 18% increase in cases from 2021 to 2022, to 9 million, and a 43% jump in deaths, to 136,000.
April 4th, 2024 — Source
Small protein plays big role in chronic HIV infection
NeuroHIV refers to the effects of HIV infection on the brain or central nervous system, and to some extent, the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. A collection of diseases, including neuropathy and dementia, neuroHIV can cause problems with memory and thinking and compromise our ability to live a normal life.
April 4th, 2024 — Source
Understanding the mechanisms behind cystic fibrosis infections
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes serious and sometimes fatal respiratory and digestive disorders. A new treatment, available since 2020, improves lung function and quality of life. However, it does not always eradicate the bacteria responsible for respiratory infections. By studying 3D models of human lung cells, scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) discovered that this drug does not prevent the development on the surface of the respiratory tract of ''docking stations'' to which bacteria attach themselves to infect the body.
April 4th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — April 2nd, 2024
Certain gut bacteria may help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk
Changes in the gut microbiome have been implicated in a range of diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Now, a team of researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard along with Massachusetts General Hospital has found that microbes in the gut may affect cardiovascular disease as well.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Far-UVC light can virtually eliminate airborne virus in an occupied room, study shows
Far-UVC light is a promising new technology for reducing airborne virus levels in occupied indoor spaces, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated in real-life scenarios.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria that strongly influence obesity are different in men and women, study finds
New research being presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, Italy (12--15 May) identifies changes in the composition of gut bacteria that may play a key role in the onset and development of obesity, with differences in men and women, which might affect the metabolism of different nutrients and therefore the presence of bioactive molecules in the gut that influence the development of metabolic disease.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Novel pre-clinical models help advance therapeutic development for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections
The A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs) and the Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation have teamed up to shed light on a concerning health issue—infections caused by a type of bacteria known as Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp).
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Researchers recommend update of dental antibiotic guidelines to protect high-risk heart patients
Research led by the University of Sheffield found that dental patients at high risk of infective endocarditis, a life-threatening infection, should be given antibiotics before undergoing invasive dental treatment.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Researchers synthesize new compounds within living cells using light
Plants harness chlorophyll to capture sunlight and kickstart photosynthesis, a crucial process on our planet that converts luminous energy into chemical fuel while producing oxygen. This pivotal chemical energy is subsequently utilized by plants, algae, and select bacteria to metabolize carbon dioxide and water into sugars.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Researchers explain how green algae and bacteria together contribute to climate protection
A research team at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany has now found a bacterium that forms a team with a green alga. Both microorganisms support each other in their growth. Additionally, the bacterium helps the microalga to neutralize the toxin of another, harmful bacterium.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 29th, 2024
Cases of drug-resistant gonorrhea have tripled in China, posing a global threat
A strain of highly antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea first emerged in China in 2016, and cases of this tough-to-treat infection have tripled there in just five years, Chinese researchers report.
March 29th, 2024 — Source
High-resolution images reveal similarities in protein structures between Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome
More than 90% of people with Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal disorder in humans and the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability, are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by ages 55--60.
March 29th, 2024 — Source
Scientists have a new tool in the race to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have identified distinct molecular signatures associated with the clinical signs of sepsis that could provide more accurate diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis, as well as help to target specific therapies at patients who would benefit most, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April).
March 29th, 2024 — Source
Study identifies protein responsible for gas vesicle clustering in bacteria
Gas vesicles are hollow structures made of protein found in the cells of certain microorganisms, and researchers at Rice University believe they can be programmed for use in biomedical applications.
March 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 28th, 2024
Bacterial RNAs have shorter lifetimes than expected
The decay of ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a crucial mechanism for controlling gene expression in response to environmental stresses. Researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) have developed a statistical approach that allows a more accurate prediction of RNA half-lives in bacteria.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Biochemists discover first new antibacterial class in decades
Vanderbilt biochemists are part of a team taking a stride toward the development of antibacterials to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections, a pervasive bacterial infection that affects 50%--60% of women in their lifetime.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
China has a big problem with super gonorrhea, study finds
Drug-resistant gonorrhea is a growing problem—one that doesn't heed borders.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Exploring the relationship between HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and the incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis
In their research article published in Eurosurveillance, von Schreeb et al. challenge existing assumptions regarding the relationship between the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI).
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Generative AI develops potential new drugs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria
With nearly 5 million deaths linked to antibiotic resistance globally every year, new ways to combat resistant bacterial strains are urgently needed.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
New method uses nanofibrils on magnetic microparticles to isolate HIV particles
Researchers at Leipzig University and Ulm University have developed a new method to isolate HIV from samples more easily, potentially making it easier to detect infection with the virus. They focus on peptide nanofibrils (PNFs) on magnetic microparticles, a promising tool and hybrid material for targeted binding and separation of viral particles. They have published their new findings in Advanced Functional Materials.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
New 'Silicon Spikes' Can Destroy Almost All Virus Particles
The spikes rip apart some viruses while preventing others from replicating. Both could help prevent the spread of disease.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
New study shows how the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with JLP Health and others, have identified how the tick-borne Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells. The results are published in Nature Microbiology and are an important step in the development of drugs against the deadly disease.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
New TB skin test could offer cheaper and easier way to detect the disease
Detecting tuberculosis early could play a significant role in eradicating the world's most deadly infectious disease. The World Health Organization says 1.5 million people die from this devastating disease each year.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Puerto Rico declares dengue epidemic as cases climb
Puerto Rico has declared a dengue epidemic following a surge in cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. territory.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Researchers uncover potential treatment targets for Zika virus--related eye abnormalities
A study published in the journal iScience presents crucial insights into the ocular effects of Zika virus infection during pregnancy and offers promising avenues for therapeutic intervention.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Study finds wild nematode worms learn to avoid harmful bacteria—and their offspring inherit this knowledge
The nematode worm C. elegans will stay away from dangerous bacteria in its environment when exposed to certain bacterial RNAs—and can transmit that learned behavior to future generations. A team led by Coleen Murphy at Princeton University report these findings in a new study, published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Thailand sounds alarm after anthrax outbreak in Laos
Thailand ordered a close watch on livestock on Thursday after an outbreak of anthrax in neighboring Laos, where more than 50 suspected human cases have been reported.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
US mpox cases rising again as vaccinations lag
Mpox cases are climbing again in the United States, with the number of reported infections now twice as high as they were at this time last year, new government data shows.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
US officials warn of increase in bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis and possibly death
U.S. health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses than can lead to meningitis and possible death.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
US tuberculosis cases were at the highest level in a decade in 2023
The number of U.S. tuberculosis cases in 2023 were the highest in a decade, according to a new government report.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 27th, 2024
Colistin resistant bacteria found in mothers and newborn babies in Nigeria
Researchers from the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research (IOI) and Cardiff University have found evidence that bacteria resistant to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, were present in mothers and babies under a week old in Nigeria in 2016, despite limited clinical use of colistin at that time in the country.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Gut microbiome: Meet Ruminococcus bromii, the microbe that loves carbs
The fascinating human gut bacterium Ruminococcus bromii is one of the ten most common bacterial species found in the colon.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Half of those with HIV in developed countries are at least age 50, at higher risk of frailty and multiple comorbidities
A new research review to be presented at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will focus on the growing prevalence of HIV in older adults, with—using England as an example—half of adults accessing care aged now 50 years and older, and around 1 in 11 aged 65 years and older.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Inappropriate diagnosis of pneumonia common in hospitalized adults
Inappropriate diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized adults is common, especially among older adults and those with dementia, according to a study published online March 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Millions in the UK are being urged to get vaccinations during a surge in measles cases
U.K. health officials on Monday urged millions of parents to book their children for missed measles, mumps and rubella shots during a sharp increase in the number of measles cases and the lowest vaccination rates in a decade.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
More older adults being diagnosed with STIs such as gonorrhea and syphilis
A new research review presented at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024, Barcelona, 27-30 April) will look at how to manage the rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in older people, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and genital warts.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Old immune systems revitalized in mouse study, may improve vaccine response in the elderly
Planes, trains, boats, automobiles and even feet. During the past decades and centuries, global travel and human migration have made all of us more worldly—from our broadening awareness of the world beyond our birthplaces, to our more sophisticated palates, to our immune systems that are increasingly challenged by unfamiliar bacteria and viruses.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Research finds T cell subset significantly expands in spleen and brain after virus infection
It is currently unclear where T cells in the brains of teleosts originate from. While viewing the central nervous system (CNS) as immune privileged has been widely accepted, previous studies suggest that T cells residing in the thymus but not in the spleen of the teleost play an essential role in communicating with the peripheral organs.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Research team designs silicon spikes that can take out 96% of virus particles
An international research team led by RMIT University has designed and manufactured a virus-killing surface that could help control disease spread in hospitals, labs and other high-risk environments.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Viral host jumps: Humans to animals transmission more common than previously thought
In a recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, researchers harnessed publicly available viral genomic data, using a comprehensive suite of network and phylogenetic analyses to investigate the evolutionary mechanisms underpinning recent viral host jumps.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 25th, 2024
A promising new approach to data sharing in neuroscience research
Loren Frank's HHMI lab at UCSF has pioneered an ambitious framework for sharing vast neuroscience datasets and complicated analysis methods, a step toward tipping the culture of science toward more effective and fruitful collaboration.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Deep learning enables faster, more accurate decisions for treatment of shoulder abnormalities
QUT scientists have developed a deep learning framework to detect shoulder abnormalities such as fractures in X-ray images with 99% accuracy to enable clinicians to make correct and speedy decisions in emergency situations.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Gut microbiota and antibiotics: Missing puzzle piece discovered
The intricacies of how intestinal bacteria adapt to their environment have yet to be fully explored. Researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) in Würzburg and the University of California, Berkeley, U.S., have now successfully closed a gap in this knowledge.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
New compound extracted from African catfish skin mucas exhibits powerful antibacterial properties
Scientists report they have extracted a compound with powerful antibacterial properties from the skin of farmed African catfish. Although additional testing is necessary to prove the compound is safe and effective for use as future antibiotic, the researchers say it could one day represent a potent new tool against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Novel electrochemical sensor detects dangerous bacteria
Each year, bacterial infections claim several million lives worldwide. That is why detecting harmful microorganisms is crucial -- not only in the diagnosis of diseases but also, for example, in food production.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Novel study compares fracture patterning in fatal, survived intimate partner violence cases
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an underreported global human rights issue that affects approximately 25% of women and 10% of men and is the leading cause of homicides among women worldwide. Multiple interventional studies have been conducted to screen for IPV. However, fractures associated with intimate partner homicide (IPH) have not been studied from a forensic anthropological perspective.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Students lead new study on barriers facing Black medical students pursuing surgical residency
A study led by fourth-year undergraduate medical students at the University of Toronto (U of T) is shedding light on the experiences of Black medical students in applying for a surgical residency in Canada.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Study describes structure of antiviral drug bulevirtide bound to hepatitis B and D virus receptor protein NTCP
A recent article in the journal Nature Communications describes the structural basis of mimicked HBV/HDV viral peptide drug interaction with its receptor NTCP.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Study shows impact of cessation of universal BCG vaccination on pediatric TB epidemiology in Ireland
A new study from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin has explored the effects of stopping universal Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination in Ireland.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
There's only one syphilis medication for pregnant people and the supply is running out
The government has a role to play in solving the shortage of the only medication that can treat syphilis in pregnant people, Northeastern University experts say.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Experts advocate three-pronged approach to identifying missing tuberculosis cases
In the journey towards a world free of Tuberculosis (TB), the crucial first step begins with identifying individuals affected by the disease.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 22nd, 2024
Scientists close in on TB blood test which could detect millions of silent spreaders
Millions of people are spreading tuberculosis unknowingly - now scientists say they are close to developing a new test that is as simple as the lateral flows used during the Covid pandemic.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 20th, 2024
AI can help predict responses to specific tuberculosis treatments, paving way for personalized care
Tuberculosis is the world's deadliest bacterial infection. It afflicted over 10 million people and took 1.3 million lives in 2022. These numbers are predicted to increase dramatically because of the spread of multidrug-resistant TB.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Bioluminescence technology reveals role of protein in immune response modulation
Cutting-edge bioluminescence technology pioneered at The University of Western Australia has been used to uncover a potential game-changer in immunotherapy.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Experts warn climate change will fuel spread of infectious diseases
A team of infectious diseases experts called for more awareness and preparedness in the medical field to deal with the impact of climate change on the spread of diseases. Their article, published in JAMA raises the alarm about the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens. The authors also urge the medical community to update their education and training and take steps to combat global warming.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Friends don't let friends use an AI STI test
No app will be as useful as just peeing in a cup.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
How the body's immune response to bacterial infections could cause detrimental inflammation
Researchers co-led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the University of Toulouse, France, have uncovered how bacteria and their toxins prompt the human immune response, leading to inflammation.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Laboratory model enables researchers to explore the mouth's response to oral disease
Researchers have created a three-dimensional model of the oral mucosa that can be used in studies to test its response to a range of bacterial and other infections. They report their results in the Journal of Tissue Engineering.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Pandemic and Costs Limited Use of Shingles Vaccine
Since its rollout, the Shingrix vaccine has been hailed as a breakthrough in preventing shingles.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Research suggests natural electrical grid deep inside Earth enables many types of microbes to survive
To "breathe" in an environment without oxygen, bacteria in the ground beneath our feet depend upon a single family of proteins to transfer excess electrons (produced during the "burning" of nutrients) to electric hairs called nanowires projecting from their surface.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Researchers develop early detection method for rare Borna virus
Researchers at Augsburg University Medicine have discovered a possible early detection method of the rare Borna virus. Their results have been published in The Lancet. In humans the virus triggers inflammation in the brain which is almost always deadly and is transmitted to humans by shrews.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Routine genomic surveillance at antenatal care can be a cost-effective approach to detect changes in malaria transmission
Genetic diversity of the malaria parasite in pregnant women and children declined in an area targeted for malaria elimination in Mozambique, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by "la Caixa" Foundation and the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM).
March 20th, 2024 — Source
New tuberculosis study offers a novel paradigm for understanding bacterial transcription
The bacterium behind tuberculosis is a wily foe, adept at bobbing and weaving around the immune system and antibiotics alike. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has been notoriously difficult to eradicate, often dormant in the body for years only to reactivate when the time is ripe.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Study maps main genes involved in immune response to infection by dengue virus
By comparing data for the immune response to natural infection by dengue virus to data for activation of the immune system by dengue vaccines, researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) have identified molecular markers that could be used in the development of novel vaccines and treatments for dengue.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals how ulcer bacteria's ability to attach to inflamed stomach is affected by pH
A study by Anna Arnqvist's research group at Umeå University reveals molecular details about the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori's ability to bind to an inflamed stomach and how this is controlled by the stomach's pH. An increased understanding of how H. pylori bacteria can cause a persistent lifelong infection is an important piece of the puzzle in order to ultimately identify the characteristics that contribute to disease.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Tracking and tracing members of the plant microbiome with DNA barcodes
A research team led by Paul Schulze-Lefert from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany, developed a modular toolkit for tracking bacterial strains colonizing plant tissue in competition with other microbiome members. The study is now published in Nature Microbiology.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Unique bacteria colonize the gut shortly after birth and make serotonin to educate gut immune cells NewsGuard 100/100 Score
A recent Science Immunology study revealed that neonatal gut bacteria produce serotonin and down-regulate monoamine oxidase A (MOA) to limit serotonin breakdown, thereby promoting immune tolerance.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Watch: Many Americans Are Unaware of HIV Prevention Medication
Celine Gounder, KFF Health News' editor-at-large for public health, explained on "CBS Mornings" why many at-risk Americans do not know about medication to prevent HIV infection through sexual contact or do not have access to it.
March 20th, 2024 — Source or Watch Video
WHO calls for 'immediate action' over cholera vaccine shortage
Immediate action is needed to stem a spike in cholera cases amid worldwide shortages of vaccines, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 18th, 2024
A new antibody capture method reveals G-quadruplex landscape and its regulation
A new research paper was published in Oncotarget entitled, "G-quadruplex landscape and its regulation revealed by a new antibody capture methodSource."
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Bacteria commonly found in the body contribute to stomach cancer, finds study
A new study has discovered that a type of bacteria commonly found in the body, which usually does not pose problems for healthy people, plays a significant role in causing stomach cancer, the fifth most common cancer in the world. The findings are published in the journal Cell.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Dosing software accelerates antibiotic effects in ICU patients treated for sepsis
University of Queensland researchers have used dosing software to accelerate the effects of antibiotics in patients being treated for sepsis in Intensive Care Units.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
How is climate change influencing the spread of vector-borne diseases?
In a recent review published in Nature Reviews Microbiology, researchers discussed the impact of climate change, weather, and other anthropogenic factors on vector-borne illness spread globally.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
How the anti-vaccine movement pits parental rights against public health
Gayle Borne has fostered more than 300 children in Springfield, Tennessee. She's cared for kids who have rarely seen a doctor—kids so neglected that they cannot speak. Such children are now even more vulnerable because of a law Tennessee passed last year that requires the direct consent of birth parents or legal guardians for every routine childhood vaccination.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Genes identified that allow bacteria to thrive despite toxic heavy metal in soil
Some soil bacteria can acquire sets of genes that enable them to pump the heavy metal nickel out of their systems, a study has found. This enables the bacteria to not only thrive in otherwise toxic soils but help plants grow there as well.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Gut microbiome: Meet Roseburia intestinalis—the energy-producing bacterium that helps us fight against disease
The hundreds of species of microorganisms that comprise the microbiome all have different, unique roles.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Measles outbreaks have CDC tweaking travel guidelines
As millions of Americans prepare to travel abroad this summer and measles outbreaks increase worldwide, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tightened its guidance on how travelers should handle the potential health threat.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Newly identified yeast could prevent fungal infections by outcompeting rivals, study suggests
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have identified a yeast that could be used to prevent invasive candidiasis, a major cause of death in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, shows that the novel yeast lives harmlessly in the intestines of mice and humans and can displace the yeast responsible for candidiasis, Candida albicans.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Rising antifungal resistance heightens concerns over invasive fungal infections
A global wave of infections caused by fungi growing drug-resistant has the medical community issuing precautions on how to protect yourself.
March 18th, 2024 — Source or Source
Study shows how heteroresistance can act as a precursor to antibiotic resistance
A new study shows how heteroresistance, a transient resistance common in many bacteria, can act as a precursor to the development of antibiotic resistance. According to researchers at Uppsala University, this is the first time this link has been demonstrated.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 15th, 2024
Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children
Viral infections trigger more cases of intussusception, the common cause of bowel blockages in young children, than previously thought, according to a new study.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Czechs see record spread of whooping cough
More than 3,000 Czechs have caught whooping cough so far this year, the highest figure since the 1960s, with teenagers the worst hit, health authorities said Friday.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Research team identifies three bacteria species in the human gut that can break down cellulose
An international team of biotechnologists and evolutionary specialists has discovered three types of bacteria in the human gut that help to break down cellulose. In their project, reported in the journal Science, the group studied the genomes of bacteria found in human and ruminates.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover key metabolic process responsible for rapid immune responses
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) identified a key metabolite in cells that helps direct immune responses and explains at a single cell level why immune cells that most efficiently recognize pathogens, vaccines, or diseased cells grow and divide faster than other cells.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Study shows that antibiotics targeting the same enzyme elicit varied responses
There is an urgent need for new antimicrobial strategies to keep pathogens in check. This applies specifically to Gram-negative bacteria, which are protected from antibiotic intervention by a thick second membrane.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 14th, 2024
Bacterial diseases a lethal threat during the Stone Age
Bacterial poisoning via food and water—but also via contact such as kisses—caused a lot of suffering during the Stone Age. Diseases that today can be treated with antibiotics were then fatal, concludes new study published in Scientific Reports.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children, finds study
Viral infections trigger more cases of intussusception, the common cause of bowel blockages in young children, than previously thought, according to a new study.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria and tryptophan diet can play a protective role against pathogenic E. coli
Gut bacteria and a diet rich in the amino acid tryptophan can play a protective role against pathogenic E. coli, which can cause severe stomach upset, cramps, fever, intestinal bleeding and renal failure, according to a study published March 13 in Nature.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria important for overcoming milk allergy, study suggests
Researchers led by Hiroshi Ohno at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have discovered a link between gut bacteria and the success of milk-allergy oral immunotherapy.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Infections from nontuberculous mycobacteria are on the rise: New blood test cuts diagnosis time from months to hours
Inhaling nontuberculous mycobacteria is common for most people. The bacteria are found in water systems, soil and dust worldwide and, for many, cause no harm.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Nanozyme-enabled nanodecoys: A new strategy for fighting urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), affecting millions worldwide, are predominantly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). These infections are characterized by bacterial adhesion and colonization in the urinary tract, evading host immune responses. Researchers from Nanjing University have recently reported a new approach to combating UTIs through the development of bioinspired nanozymes acting as nanodecoys.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
New study explores next-generation vaccine technology for RSV
Calder Biosciences, Inc., a next-generation vaccine company, has published an article that debuts and validates the application of Calder's '3D Vaxlock' platform technology. When applied to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F protein as a vaccine immunogen, Calder's 3D Vaxlock technology achieves an unprecedented 11X more potent immune response than the standard industry comparator.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: The rising rates of immunosuppression among US adults
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, as it became clear that people with suppressed immune systems were particularly vulnerable to the worst of the virus, public health officials prioritized their protection. Leaders presented stay-at-home orders and masking requirements as measures to prevent the virus from spreading to high-risk individuals. And when vaccines became available, many governments placed immunocompromised people near the front of the line.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Republic of Congo reports its first mpox virus cases, in several regions
The Republic of Congo has recorded its first cases of mpox in several regions, the health ministry said, an indication of how the disease may be spreading across Africa since sexual transmission was first confirmed on the continent last year.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Scientists compete to make best predictions about pertussis vaccine
Scientists love a challenge. Or a friendly competition. Now, scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have recently published the results of a competition that put researchers to the test. For the competition, part of the Computational Models of Immunity network, teams of researchers from different institutions offered up their best predictions regarding B. pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 11th, 2024
A catalog of coral microbes and metabolites paves the way to monitoring reef health
Researchers may have a new way to monitor the health of reefs around HawaiÊ»i. A study co-led by a University of HawaiÊ»i at MÄnoa doctoral student has revealed that each type of coral and algae from a coral reef produced a unique suite of chemical compounds.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Close research partnership with African scientists helps solve mystery of malaria-like illnesses
Malaria prevalence has decreased drastically over the past two decades, but clinics in West Africa are still full of patients with fevers and symptoms similar to, but not exactly like, malaria.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Gut microbiome: Meet Ruminococcus gnavus, the bacteria with a sweet tooth
Having a sweet tooth isn't just a human characteristic. It turns out our gut microbes can have a preference for sweets, tooâ€"and one of these selfish, sugar-loving bacteria is Ruminococcus gnavus.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Higher bacterial counts detected in single-serving milks
Cornell University scientists have detected higher bacterial counts in commercial, paperboard single-serving containers two weeks after processing than in milk packaged in larger containers from the same facilities.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
How quickly could measles outbreak spread? Here's what 'worst-case scenario' looks like
How quickly could measles actually spread in South Florida?
March 11th, 2024 — Source
How to Beat a Bad Cold or the Flu
Here, remedies to help ease your aches, coughing, and fever—and sometimes even shorten a viral infection
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Improving care of hospitalized patients with HIV in Tanzania
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have shown that three months of social worker follow-up support to people hospitalized with HIV in Tanzania had health benefits at low cost. The protocol shortened the time it took participants to attend an HIV clinic and to start on antiretroviral therapy after discharge.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
'Molecular Rosetta Stone' reveals how our microbiomes 'talk' to us
Researchers from Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego have uncovered thousands of previously unknown bile acids, a type of molecule used by our gut microbiome to communicate with the rest of the body.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Nurse-led strategy found to reduce cardiovascular risk factors for people with HIV
Nurse-led management can lower cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy, according to a study published online March 5 in JAMA Network Open.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Why do some vaccines work better than others?
If someone is vaccinated against the measles virus, they likely won't get measles.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 8th, 2024
MIT Scientists Enhance Vaccines with Novel Nanoparticles
Numerous vaccines, such as those for whooping cough and hepatitis B, contain bits of bacterial or viral proteins. These vaccines also often contain adjuvants, which are molecules that help enhance the response of the immune system to the proteins.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: Prescription drugs and the gut microbiome—getting the right balance
Pills and the gut microbiome sometimes don't mix. Oral prescription drugs often disturb the gut microbiome, killing off some species or changing the balance in a way that impacts patient health. In other combinations, bacteria get the upper hand and disable a drug's active ingredient.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Researchers open new leads in anti-HIV drug development, using a compound found in nature
A team of University of Michigan researchers has successfully modified a naturally occurring chemical compound in the lab, resulting in advanced lead compounds with anti-HIV activity.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Versatile antibody technology allows design of long-acting antibodies with tailored target-dependent mode of actions
Antibody therapeutics are a rapidly growing class of drugs used to treat infections as well as a range of diseases. Among them are cancer and autoimmunity particularly important, and the use of antibody therapeutics transforms the lives of patients.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Women with high-risk HPV and metabolic syndrome have almost three times risk for mortality: Study
Using large-scale U.S. data following patients for more than a decade, York University Faculty of Health researchers found that women with both metabolic syndrome and high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are at a 2.6 times higher risk for mortality than women without either condition, suggesting a need to look at chronic disease comorbidity when it comes to HPV-related cancers.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Zika virus vaccine emerges as an unlikely hero in battling brain cancer
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) have developed a new approach using the Zika virus to destroy brain cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth, while sparing healthy cells. Using Zika virus vaccine candidates developed at Duke-NUS, the team discovered how these strains target rapidly proliferating cells over mature cells—making them an ideal option to target fast-growing cancerous cells in the adult brain.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 6th, 2024
Airflow dynamics are as important as the volume of air flow in dispersing pathogens, study finds
If you've ever wondered why some folks never catch the office or school cold, where they're sitting might be keeping them from the path of pathogens, according to new UBC Okanagan research.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Children surpass a year of HIV remission after treatment pause
NIH-funded trial shows promising outcomes with treatment started promptly after birth.
March 6th, 2024 — Source or Source
Endolymphatic hydrops, nystagmus can help ID subgroups of Meniere disease
Subgroups of Meniere disease (MD) can be made based on the presence or absence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and nystagmus, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in Frontiers in Neurology.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
First atom-level structure of packaged viral genome reveals new properties and dynamics
A computational model of the more than 26 million atoms in a DNA-packed viral capsid expands our understanding of virus structure and DNA dynamics, insights that could provide new research avenues and drug targets, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers report in the journal Nature.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Long-acting HIV treatment benefits adults with barriers to daily pill taking and adolescents with suppressed HIV
NIH-funded research networks provide evidence on cabotegravir and rilpivirine in additional populations.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Metal-organic framework nanoparticles make vaccines more powerful
Many vaccines, including vaccines for hepatitis B and whooping cough, consist of fragments of viral or bacterial proteins. These vaccines often include other molecules called adjuvants, which help to boost the immune system's response to the protein.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Research reveals novel herpesvirus in South American pinnipeds
New research in PLOS ONE uncovers an important discovery in the study of marine mammal health by being the first study to detect Otariid gammaherpesvirus 1 (OtGHV1) in free-ranging South American pinnipeds, as well as a novel herpesvirus Otariid gammaherpesvirus 8 (OtGHV8) in South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) in the Southern Hemisphere.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Scientists use a new type of nanoparticle that can both deliver vaccines and act as an adjuvant
Many vaccines, including vaccines for hepatitis B and whooping cough, consist of fragments of viral or bacterial proteins. These vaccines often include other molecules called adjuvants, which help to boost the immune system's response to the protein.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 4th, 2024
Bacterial genes responsible for breaking down metformin in sewer water discovered
A team of biochemists at the University of Minnesota has discovered which two bacterial genes are responsible for producing proteins capable of breaking down metformin in sewer water. In their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group isolated genes likely to be involved in creating the target proteins.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
In Rio, rife with dengue, bacteria-infected mosquitoes are making a difference
Since Rio de Janeiro declared a public health emergency after an outbreak of dengue fever last month, the city has ramped up testing capacities, opened up a dozen dengue health centers and trained medical staff to attend to the ever-growing needs of its population.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
Novel material degrades a widely used antibiotic that contaminates water
Levofloxacin is a widely used antibiotic prescribed to treat pneumonia, bacterial rhinosinusitis, bacterial prostatitis, pyelonephritis, urinary tract infections, skin disorders, and skin structure infections, among other conditions. The drug is prevalent in aqueous environments owing to its low degradability in wastewater treatment plants and is therefore considered an emerging pollutant.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
Tools underestimate cardiovascular event risk in people with HIV
NIH trial reveals need for more accurate screening in Black people and cisgender women
March 4th, 2024 — Source
US conspiracy theorists monetize 'Disease X' misinformation
Coined by the World Health Organization to denote a hypothetical future pandemic, "Disease X" is at the center of a blizzard of misinformation that American conspiracy theorists are amplifying—and profiting from.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
What is mpox, and how you can protect yourself
An outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) across Europe and North America made headlines in 2022.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 3rd, 2024
Measles is one of the deadliest and most contagious infectious diseases—and one of the most easily preventable
"You don't count your children until the measles has passed." Dr. Samuel Katz, one of the pioneers of the first measles vaccine in the late 1950s to early 1960s, regularly heard this tragic statement from parents in countries where the measles vaccine was not yet available, because they were so accustomed to losing their children to measles.
March 3rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 2nd, 2024
Dengue cases in Peru are surging, fueled by mosquitoes and high temperatures brought by El Niño
Residents of Pedregal Grande, a poor neighborhood in the Peruvian city of Piura, receive water for only 30 minutes a day because of shortages, forcing them to collect it in plastic tanks that have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source
Only nine percent of older Americans were vaccinated against RSV before the disease hit this fall and winter
A new study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that only 9 percent of older Americans had been vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prior to this fall and winter, despite the threat of increased rates of hospitalization and deaths nationwide from the virus.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — March 1st, 2024
2023 to 2024 seasonal influenza vaccine effective for reducing risk, research finds
The 2023 to 2024 seasonal influenza vaccine is effective for reducing the risk for medically attended influenza virus infection, according to research published in the Feb. 29 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
An overgrowth of nerve cells appears to cause lingering symptoms after recurrent UTIs
A perplexing problem for people with recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) is persistent pain, even after antibiotics have successfully cleared the bacteria.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
How signaling proteins get to the mitochondrial surface
Mitochondria are organelles that are known for providing the energy currency that fuels chemical reactions within cells, but they are also involved in other important processes vital for cell health including the innate immune response to pathogens like viruses, programmed cell death, and communication with the rest of the cell—processes that all play a role in health and disease.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
New antibodies target 'dark side' of influenza virus protein
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus, shedding light on the relatively unexplored "dark side" of the neuraminidase (NA) protein head. The antibodies target a region of the NA protein that is common among many influenza viruses, including H3N2 subtype viruses, and could be a new target for countermeasures.
March 1st, 2024 — Source or Source
Newly identified antibodies target a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus, shedding light on the relatively unexplored "dark side" of the neuraminidase (NA) protein head. The antibodies target a region of the NA protein that is common among many influenza viruses, including H3N2 subtype viruses, and could be a new target for countermeasures.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
Post-pandemic vaccine hesitancy fueling latest measles outbreak
Cases of measles are rising across the country and seem to be striking counties at random, but experts say there is one thing the public health system can do to turn the tide, and that's to stem the post-pandemic vaccine lag and get parents to vaccinate their kids.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
Research team develops nanoparticle-based sonodynamic therapy for H. pylori infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common pathogen that can be transmitted from person to person. Long-term H. pylori infection has been recognized as a Class I human carcinogen. Currently, the standard clinical treatments for H. pylori infection (i.e., triple and quadruple therapy) rely on oral antibiotics to clear H. pylori from the stomach.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 28th, 2024
Avian influenza virus is adapting to spread to marine mammals
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has adapted to spread between birds and marine mammals, posing an immediate threat to wildlife conservation, according to a study from the University of California, Davis, and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Expedition finds Tibetan lakes harbor bacteria that produce antibiotics
Skoltech researchers and their colleagues from China and Russia have discovered that the waters and soils of the Tibetan Plateau are teeming with bacteria that produce antibiotics. While none of the antimicrobial compounds identified by the team are new to science, the findings bring certain hope amid the outbreak of bacterial resistance triggered by irresponsible drug use.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Eyes serve as immunological barrier in fight against brain pathogens, finds study
The eyes have been called the window to the brain. It turns out they also serve as an immunological barrier that protects the organ from pathogens and even tumors, Yale researchers have found.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
How AI and FHIR can help reduce sepsis mortality rates
Yusuf Tamer, principal data and applied scientist at the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation, offers a sneak preview of his HIMSS24 session, which offers a detailed look at one of artificial intelligence's most promising use cases.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
How does vaccination thwart pneumococcal infection? Animal model uncovers 'capture and kill' scenario
In findings that are nothing short of surprising, scientists have demonstrated that the liver is the site where the immune system unleashes its assault on pneumococcal bacteria following vaccination against the potentially lethal pathogens.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: Supercomputer simulations find new starting point for HIV therapies
Molecular simulations on the JUWELS supercomputer show how the HIV-1 virus is able to evade the human immune system. The newly discovered mechanism could prove to be the Achilles' heel of the virus and open new doors for HIV therapies.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Researchers develop a new toolkit of fruit flies to study Zika virus
To study how Zika virus proteins hijack and disrupt host developmental pathways during infection and disease progression, Dr. Shinya Yamamoto, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine and principal investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; Dr. Nichole Link, assistant professor at the University of Utah; and colleagues have generated a toolkit of transgenic flies expressing all ten Zika virus proteins.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
The 'switch' that keeps the immune system from attacking the body
A microscopic battle rages in our bodies, as our cells constantly fend off invaders through our immune system: a complex system of cells and proteins designed to protect us from harmful pathogens. One of its central components is the enzyme cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), which acts as a sentinel, detecting foreign DNA and initiating an immune response.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
What is measles, and how can I shield myself & my family?
Once thought to be a bygone disease, measles is making a comeback in the United States and globally as folks shun a safe, surefire way to prevent it: The measles vaccine.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 27th, 2024
Bile acid breakthrough: Researchers team up for microbiome discoveries
Ask someone what they think of when they hear the phrase "bile acids," and you might get a few unpleasant answers.
February 27th, 2024 — Source
Nanotweezers accelerate phage therapy
With antibiotic resistance looming as a formidable threat to our health, scientists are on a constant quest for alternative ways to treat bacterial infections. As more and more bacterial strains outsmart drugs we have been relying on for decades, a possible alternative solution may be found in bacteriophages, which are viruses that prey on bacteria.
February 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 26th, 2024
'Artificial tongue' detects and inactivates common mouth bacteria
From the fuzzy feeling on your teeth to the unfortunate condition of halitosis, bacteria shape mouth health. When dental illnesses take hold, diagnosis and treatment are necessary, but identifying the microorganisms behind an infection can be a lengthy and expensive process.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Biodiversity of gut bacteria is associated with sexual behavior
The human body is colonized by a variety of different microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi. All these microbial co-inhabitants—known as the microbiome or microbiota—are important for our health: For example, the microbiome in the gut supports digestion and helps to make nutrients available.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Blindness from some inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, news study suggests
Sight loss in certain inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, and is potentially treatable by antimicrobials, finds a new study in mice co-led by a UCL and Moorfields researcher.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Feds eye Texas as cases of syphilis surge in newborns
Syphilis is on the rise in Texas and nationally, causing serious medical complications, especially for newborn babies who contract the disease during pregnancy.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Gut bacteria may be responsible for sight loss in certain inherited eye diseases
Sight loss in certain inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, and is potentially treatable by antimicrobials, finds a new study in mice co-led by a UCL and Moorfields researcher.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Improving public understanding of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is an open, national surveillance system used by medical professionals as well as the public at large to self-report potential adverse medical events following vaccination. These events are entered as unconfirmed reports to VAERS, which is managed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Isolating and genotyping Leptospira bacteria for the first time in Austria
Leptospirosis is a globally distributed infectious disease that affects both animals and humans. While the infection is endemic in tropical regions, its incidence seems to increase in temperate regions. The serological diagnostic test used in routine to detect antibodies against the bacteria responsible for the disease performs better when local variants are used. In Austria, however, no locally circulating strain has been available to date.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
New analysis shows anti-vaccination conspiracy theories gain political weight due to social media
Heightened use of social media during the coronavirus pandemic brought with it an unprecedented surge in the spread of misinformation. Of particular significance were conspiracy theories surrounding the virus and vaccines made to combat it. Though conspiracy theories about vaccines are not a new phenomenon, this was the first time they were observed becoming elevated to the level of national political discourse.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Structure of HSV-1 gB bound to a potent neutralizing antibody reveals a conservative antigenic domain across herpesvirus
Human herpesviruses comprise the alpha, beta, and gamma subfamilies and are a widely prevalent group of DNA-enveloped viruses capable of establishing lifelong latent infections in humans and causing various diseases. Among them, herpes simplex virus (HSV) belongs to the alpha herpesvirus group and infects a wide population, causing symptoms like oral or genital herpes.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals BCG vaccine's unexpected role in fighting influenza
As Canada's flu season collides with record strep A cases and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, a new study is shedding light on our understanding of respiratory immune responses. Scholars from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) have discovered a surprising facet about a century-old vaccine for tuberculosis, Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG).
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Walking pneumonia: What you should know
Not all medical conditions have names that spell out their meaning, but "walking pneumonia" seems to be an exception.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Why confirmed cases of Lyme disease have increased
Recent tracking rule changes led to a significant increase in reported Lyme disease cases in the U.S.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Zika virus detected in Singapore neighborhood: 15 cases spark renewed vigilance
In a recent study published in eBioMedicine, researchers conducted entomological, wastewater, and case surveillance of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in Singapore.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 24th, 2024
Researchers develop promising recombinant flu vaccine using nanoliposome technology
Recombinant protein vaccines, like the Novavax vaccine used to fight COVID-19, offer several advantages over conventional vaccines.
February 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 23rd, 2024
AI tool helps develop the most complete map of the bacterial essential interactome
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) researchers have produced the most complete map of the bacterial essential interactome, i.e. how proteins combine and interact to perform functions essential for their survival. The research, published in the journal eLife, used the artificial intelligence tool AlphaFold to predict and model more than 1,400 interactions. The results have revealed previously unknown details of these mechanisms and offer potential targets for the development of new antibiotics.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Bacteria can develop resistance to drugs they haven't encountered before. Scientists figured this out decades ago
Do bacteria mutate randomly, or do they mutate for a purpose? Researchers have been puzzling over this conundrum for over a century.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Fibroblast cells play a key role in resolving joint inflammation, new study finds
In a significant breakthrough in inflammatory arthritis research, a study published today (Feb. 23) in Nature Immunology has revealed that inflammation-associated fibroblasts—a type of cell in connective tissues—can switch phenotype and stabilize specific immune cell populations in the joint, promoting the resolution of inflammation.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Florida Defies CDC in Measles Outbreak With Fraught Advice to Parents
With a brief memo, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has subverted a public health standard that's long kept measles outbreaks under control.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Fungal keratitis prevalence twice as high in rural versus nonrural areas
Fungal keratitis prevalence appears to be twice as high in rural versus nonrural areas, according to a research letter published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Key link discovered between spread of antibiotic resistance genes and drug resistance evolution
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have uncovered a key link between the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and the evolution of resistance to new drugs in certain pathogens.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Percentage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections up since September 2023, research shows
The percentage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections decreased during the pandemic, but has increased since September 2023, according to research published in the Feb. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Research reveals bacteria's dynamic defense duo against phage viruses
Scientists at the University of Southampton have discovered that bacteria can pair up their defense systems to create a formidable force, greater than the sum of its parts, to fight off attack from phage viruses. Understanding how bacteria react to this type of virus is a big step in combatting antimicrobial resistance.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Should you worry about measles in South Florida? What to know as school cases found
It often starts with a cough. Red, watery eyes. A high fever. You might think it's a normal cold. Perhaps it's the flu.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Study: 'Hexaplex' vaccine aims to boost flu protection
Recombinant protein vaccines, like the Novavax vaccine used to fight COVID-19, offer several advantages over conventional vaccines. They're easy to produce precisely. They're safe and potentially more effective. And they could require smaller doses.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 21st, 2024
AGA guideline endorses fecal microbiota transplant as treatment for recurrent C. diff infection
In the first comprehensive evidence-based guideline on the use of fecal microbiota-based therapies for gastrointestinal disease, the American Gastroenterological Association recommends fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for most patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Australian citizen scientists hop to it with rabbit virus tracking project
Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, is calling on rural and regional Australians to join in the longest-running citizen science survey of rabbit diseases in the world, to help keep the invasive pest in check.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Comprehensive analysis of immune checkpoint inhibitors reveals endocrine toxicity patterns
Announcing a new publication for Acta Materia Medica journal. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment but pose a challenge of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), particularly endocrine toxicity, that can severely compromise patient well-being. Existing research has often been limited in scope and has not provided comprehensive safety profiles across the diverse range of ICI therapies.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Dengue fever: An expert explains the mosquito-borne infection
Recent outbreaks of dengue fever in Brazil have prompted public health officials to launch an immunization campaign targeting children ages 10 to 11.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Digital DNA melting analysis can be a faster and more reliable tool for pathogen detection
A new analysis method can detect pathogens in blood samples faster and more accurately than blood cultures, which are the current state of the art for infection diagnosis. The new method, called digital DNA melting analysis, can produce results in under six hours, whereas culture typically requires 15 hours to several days, depending on the pathogen.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Harnessing siRNA-Loaded Nanomedicine to Target HIV
During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and medical professionals used mRNA to deliver a vaccine for the virus within a year, demonstrating to the public the importance of mRNA.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Long-acting HIV treatment demonstrates efficacy in people with challenges taking daily medicine as prescribed
Long-acting antiretroviral therapy (ART) with cabotegravir and rilpivirine was superior in suppressing HIV replication compared to daily oral ART in people who had been unable to maintain viral suppression through an oral daily regimen, according to interim data from a randomized trial. Upon review of these findings, an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended halting randomization and inviting all eligible study participants to take long-acting ART.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
NIH study offers new clues into the causes of post-infectious ME/CFS
In-depth study finds brain, immune, and metabolic abnormalities linked to debilitating chronic disease.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Possible trigger for autoimmune diseases discovered: B cells teach T cells which targets must not be attacked
Immune cells must learn not to attack the body itself. A team of researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) has discovered a previously unknown mechanism behind this: other immune cells, the B cells, contribute to the "training" of the T cells in the thymus gland.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Researchers reveal what makes some bacteria life-threatening
Queensland researchers have discovered that a mutation allows some E. coli bacteria to cause severe disease in people while other bacteria are harmless, a finding that could help combat antibiotic resistance.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Study examines medical mystery of child hepatitis outbreak
An analysis of the sudden global outbreak of hepatitis in children finds that although the primary suspect is highly likely to be an infection by multiple viruses, many questions still puzzle researchers.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Study offers new clues into the causes of post-infectious chronic fatigue syndrome
In a detailed clinical study, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found differences in the brains and immune systems of people with post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (PI-ME/CFS). They also found distinct differences between men and women with the disease.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
TB vaccine shrinks liver cancer tumors in mice
A UC Davis Health study found that a single dose of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the vaccine for tuberculosis (TB), reduced liver tumor burden and extended the survival of mice with liver cancer. The study, published in Advanced Science, is the first to show the promising effects of the vaccine in treating liver cancer.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
VPNVax: Crafting enhanced viral structure in vaccines through polymer restructuring
Generally speaking, the higher the degree of information restoration of a vaccine to a virus, the greater its potential efficacy. The virus itself is the most authentic vaccine, such as the varicella-zoster virus, which provides lifelong immunity after a single infection. However, viruses also evolve mechanisms to evade immune surveillance during their long evolutionary history, such as evading the immune system's pursuit by frequently changing disguises through high mutability.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections? And why are chronic UTIs so hard to treat?
Dealing with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) means facing more than the occasional discomfort. It's like being on a never ending battlefield against an unseen adversary, making simple daily activities a trial.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Worse overall survival seen for adults with leukemia with CNS involvement
For adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), those with central nervous system (CNS) involvement have worse overall survival, according to a review published in the February issue of Leukemia Research.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Worse survival rates, different care for cancer patients who live further from the hospital in Scotland
Patients who live further away from cancer centers are likely to receive different care and experience worse outcomes than those who live closer according to new research on patients in the north-east of Scotland and the Northern Isles. This is despite patients from further away being referred and diagnosed as quickly as people close to the center.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 19th, 2024
CDC studies show effectiveness of flu vaccines across all age groups
The prospect of the worrisome triple threat of COVID, RSV and flu was assuaged last year by the effectiveness of flu vaccines. Two recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's VISION Network have found that flu vaccines were effective for all ages against both moderate and severe flu in the U.S. during the 2022-2023 flu season.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Discovery of new enzymes related to bacterial cell walls could lead to novel antibiotics
Bacterial cell walls form mesh-like structures, shielding cells from rupturing under high internal pressure and safeguarding against external threats. The cell wall is comprised of sugar and amino acid molecules interconnected by various types of cross-links. These cross-links play a crucial role in providing strength and stability to the cell wall, while also enabling bacteria to adapt to diverse environments and stressors.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
HIV among older South Africans in rural areas: Large study shows there's a problem that's being neglected
South Africa continues to have a high prevalence of HIV among all age groups. About 8.2 million people or 13.7% of the population live with HIV, one of the highest rates in the world.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Rare case of opossum infected by rabies sounds alarm regarding circulation of this virus in urban environments
A female white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) found dead in 2021 in Bosque dos Jequitibás Park in the center of Campinas, one of the largest cities in São Paulo state, Brazil, died from rabies meningoencephalitis, according to a group of researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL), the regional reference laboratory, working with health professionals affiliated with public institutions in São Paulo city and Campinas.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Revealing global barriers to curative hep C treatment access
Almost 90% of the 57 million people living with hepatitis C live in low- and middle-income countries, but only half of these countries currently provide curative treatments at an accessible cost, according to a study by UNSW Sydney's Kirby Institute.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Without social distancing, how do bacteria survive a viral epidemic?
Like humans struggling to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, bacterial cells need social distancing to thwart viruses. But in some situations, such as inside elevators or within the candy-colored bacterial structures known as "pink berries," staying apart just isn't feasible.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 14th, 2024
Antiseptic mouthwash reduces periodontitis bacteria in diabetes patients
More than bad breath, there is growing evidence that ongoing inflammation in the mouth, like with gum disease, is associated with serious diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or type 2 diabetes. Now, researchers from Osaka University have identified an easy way to fight bacteria that might cause such problems.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Case study features successful treatment of the oldest patient to achieve remission for leukemia and HIV
City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, treated the oldest person to be cured of a blood cancer and then achieve remission for HIV after receiving a blood stem cell transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine today demonstrates that older adults with blood cancers who receive reduced intensity chemotherapy before a stem cell transplant with donor cells that are resistant to HIV may be cured of HIV infection.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Data show 2016 to 2022 saw increase in rate of maternal syphilis
There was an increase in maternal syphilis rates in women giving birth in the United States from 2016 to 2022, according to a February data brief published by the National Center for Health Statistics.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Fluid-filled lung sac found to be the hub for virus-eating cells
Scientists have long thought of the fluid-filled sac around our lungs merely as a cushion from external damage. Turns out, it also houses potent virus-eating cells that rush into the lungs during flu infections.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
New research advances potential HIV cure strategy
Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, new research led by the University of Minnesota Medical School offers a new avenue of hope in the fight against chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Research team creates novel rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-02-case-drug-resistant-bacteria-phage.html
A research team led by the University of California, Irvine has created 20 new recombinant rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping that offer a range of significant advantages over existing tools, including the ability to detect microstructural changes in models of aging and Alzheimer's disease brain neurons.
February 14th, 2024 — February 14th, 2024
Scientists discover hidden army of lung flu fighters
Scientists have long thought of the fluid-filled sac around our lungs merely as a cushion from external damage. Turns out, it also houses potent virus-eating cells that rush into the lungs during flu infections.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Study finds climate change has contributed to the spatial expansion of West Nile virus in Europe
West Nile virus is an emerging pathogen in Europe and represents a public health threat in previously non-affected European countries. Occurring in a cycle involving transmission between bird and mosquito species, this virus can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and induce West Nile fever.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
What is Alaskapox? Recent death brings attention to virus seen in small animals
For nine years, Alaska health officials have been aware of an unusual virus causing rare, relatively mild illnesses in the Fairbanks area. But a recent case in another part of the state—this one resulting in a man's death—has brought new attention to the so-called Alaskapox virus.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 12th, 2024
Cambodia reports a new bird flu case, the brother of a 9-year-old who died of the virus
The brother of a boy who died last week from bird flu has tested positive for the virus, Cambodia's Health Ministry said Monday.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Disparities in mpox vaccine uptake could leave many vulnerable to resurgence
A study by CUNY SPH researchers found that, even as availability of the mpox vaccine increased toward the end of the 2022 outbreak in the U.S., uptake remained low.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Lack of access to health care is partly to blame for skyrocketing HIV rates among gay Black men
Over the past 20 years, people living with HIV in the United States have seen a drastic improvement in their overall quality of life
Massachusetts doctors push for measles vaccination after cases reported in several states
Local doctors are urging families to get vaccinated against measles following a troubling rise in measles cases across several U.S. states and Europe.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Multimodal AI model may guide personalized treatments for tuberculosis
A team of University of Michigan researchers has developed a multimodal AI model to predict treatment outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) patients. Their analysis of worldwide patient data may lead to personalization of TB treatment.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Researchers offer new insights into how antibodies function against herpes simplex virus
Findings from a new study conducted by a team of researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and Thayer School of Engineering and published in Cell Reports Medicine offer new insights into how antibodies function in combating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Scientists develop model to distinguish between two strikingly similar diseases blamed for skin lesions
Scientists have developed a deep learning (DL) model capable of quickly and accurately distinguishing between monkeypox and chickenpox skin lesions, which often exhibit striking similarities.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Scientists identify "universal network" of microbes for decomposing flesh
Findings could help forensic scientists better determine a body's precise time of death.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Tuberculosis cases rise, but public health agencies say they lack the resources to keep up
Until COVID-19, tuberculosis was the world's deadliest infectious disease, killing about 1.5 million people annually.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
"Very sick" pet cat gave Oregon resident case of bubonic plague
The person's cat was reportedly extremely ill and had a draining abscess.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 9th, 2024
CARB-X awards $1.8 million to Visby Medical to develop a portable rapid PCR test for gonorrhea
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) will award up to US$1.8 million to biotechnology company, Visby Medical, to develop a portable rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic to detect the presence of the pathogen that causes gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and its susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, a former frontline oral antibiotic that can no longer treat resistant NG.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Drug repurposing research offers new hope in the fight against RSV
Every year in the winter months, there are waves of infection with RSV. In healthy adults and adolescents, the infection is usually harmless. Not so with small children: Around 1% of them who are exposed to the pathogen for the first time become so seriously ill that they have to be hospitalized.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Flu hangs on in US, fading in some areas and intensifying in others
The flu virus is hanging on in the U.S., intensifying in some areas of the country after weeks of an apparent national decline.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Research links prison time with increase of TB
Tuberculosis, the main cause of death due to a single pathogen globally, causes more than 1.5 million deaths each year. New research from the University of Cincinnati finds that being in prison or being a former prisoner is responsible for high rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Vaccine shows promise against cytomegalovirus, a virus that causes birth defects
An experimental mRNA vaccine against human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can infect babies during pregnancy, elicited some of the most promising immune responses to date of any CMV vaccine candidate, according to a study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 7th, 2024
Bacteria in the mouth linked to pulmonary fibrosis survival
Bacteria in the mouth may play a role in survival from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), finds a new study led by researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Cases of syphilis hit dangerous record high, CDC says: Why it's not just another STD
Cases of syphilis have hit record high numbers following a five-year trend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Creating a virus-resistant bacterium using a synthetic engineered genome
Genome engineering allows scientists to modify the genetic code of microbes. Now, researchers have engineered the genome of the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) to make it immune to viral infections. These infections often cause bacterial cultures to fail.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Investigating the impact of perceived experts as anti-vaccine influencers on social media
While medical professionals and scientific researchers are some of the most effective sources encouraging vaccination, a study finds that individuals who appear to be biomedical experts may also be important anti-vaccine influencers on social media.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Prior Zika infection ups risk of severe dengue, study finds
A study led by Brazilian researchers shows that people who have had Zika run a higher risk of subsequently having severe dengue and being hospitalized. The finding is highly relevant to the development of a zika vaccine.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Researchers identify a new approach to controlling bacterial infections
The team found a way to turn on a vital bacterial defense mechanism to fight and manage bacterial infections. The defense system, called cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (CBASS), is a natural mechanism used by certain bacteria to protect themselves from viral attacks. Bacteria self-destruct as a means to prevent the spread of virus to other bacterial cells in the population.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Researchers uncover how deadly MRSA pneumonia inhibits body's antimicrobial activity
In a recent study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, a group of researchers examined how heparan sulfate (HS)shedding impacts cathelicidin efficacy in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Trust in doctors key to boosting vaccination rates
While this expression has become an advertising slogan and meme, physicians and nurses continually rank among the most trusted professions in the U.S.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 5th, 2024
A puzzling illness paralyzed US kids every other year—until it didn't
Researchers braced for a surge in 2022 that never came—and no one knows why.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
An infectious gibbon ape leukemia virus found to be colonizing a rodent's genome in New Guinea
A research team has caught a glimpse of a rare case of retrovirus integration. Retroviruses are viruses that multiply by incorporating their genes into the genome of a host cell. If the infected cell is a germ cell, the retrovirus can then be passed on to the next generation as an "endogenous" retrovirus (ERV) and spread as part of the host genome in that host species.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Bacterial research: Novel antibiotic producers discovered in German collection
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, led by Dr. Yvonne Mast and Dr. Imen Nouioui, have published scientific descriptions for five new antibiotic-producing bacteria.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Bacterial test for raw, organic milk may require more precision
Cornell food scientists show that a standard quality test used for raw, organic milk is insufficient for distinguishing between specific groups of bacteria, suggesting that the criteria for determining milk quality at processing plants need to be updated.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Burn injury disrupts gut microbiome and weakens intestinal mucus barrier, finds study
In a study published in the journal Burns & Trauma, researchers employed a combination of techniques to analyze the effects of burn injury on the gut microbiota and mucus barrier in mice.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
HIV patients have been less vaccinated with the full initial regimen against COVID-19
In December, the journal Vaccines published an analysis of COVID-19 vaccination coverage among people with HIV in Catalonia between December 2020 and July 2022. The article, resulting from a study funded by the Fundació La Marató de TV3 and led by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies on HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), a group from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), in collaboration with researchers from the PISCIS Cohort group, evaluates the primary, monovalent, and booster doses.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Measles vaccine uptake must increase in UK, says expert
Following an increase in reported cases of measles across the U.K., the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national incident and initiated a public campaign to increase childhood vaccination against the disease.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
New E. coli strain will accelerate evolution of the genes of your choice
Strain eliminates the trade-offs of a high mutation rate.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Researchers uncover the architecture of poxvirus cores
A recent re-emergence and outbreak of mpox brought poxviruses back as a public health threat, underlining an important knowledge gap at their core. Now, a team of researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) lifted the mysteries of poxviral core architecture by combining various cryo-electron microscopy techniques with molecular modeling.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Sexually transmitted infections among older adults pose a global public health challenge, study says
The incidence of HIV and other STIs among people aged 60 to 89 years is increasing in some regions of the world. More awareness about the issue, stigma reduction and preventive measures are needed, according to a new study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Virus ancestry could aid bid to predict next pandemic, study finds
Virus family history could help scientists identify which strains have potential to become the so-called Disease X that causes the next global pandemic.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Virus ancestry could help predict next pandemic
Virus family history could help scientists identify which strains have the potential to become the so-called Disease X that causes the next global pandemic.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 2nd, 2024
High efficacy and good safety profile for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in African children
Phase III trial results of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine developed by Oxford University and Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd, leveraging Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, has confirmed high efficacy and supported regulatory approvals and licensure in several African countries.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Many with Meniere's disease based on ICD-10 do not meet AAO-HNS criteria
Many patients with a Meniere's disease diagnosis based on the "International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10)" do not meet the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) diagnostic criteria, according to a study published online Jan. 18 in The Laryngoscope.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Possibility of wildlife-to-human crossover heightens concern about chronic wasting disease
Each fall, millions of hunters across North America make their way into forests and grasslands to kill deer. Over the winter, people chow down on the venison steaks, sausage, and burgers made from the animals.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Research team uses AI to improve sepsis detection and effective treatment
Sepsis acquired in clinical settings threatens the lives of tens of millions of people worldwide every year. The condition, in which the body responds to an infection by essentially going into overdrive, inadvertently attacks the body by overzealously releasing chemicals to defend it.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Scientists see an ultra-fast movement on surface of HIV virus
As the HIV virus glides up outside a human cell to dock and possibly inject its deadly cargo of genetic code, there's a spectacularly brief moment in which a tiny piece of its surface snaps open to begin the process of infection.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Studies find that people living with HIV have been less vaccinated with the full initial regimen against COVID-19
In December, the journal Vaccines published an analysis of COVID-19 vaccination coverage among people with HIV in Catalonia between December 2020 and July 2022. The study led by the Center for Epidemiological Studies on HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), a group from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), in collaboration with researchers from the PISCIS Cohort group, evaluated the primary, monovalent, and booster doses.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Using machine learning to battle COVID-19 bacterial co-infection
University of Queensland researchers have used machine learning to help predict the risk of secondary bacterial infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The research is published in The Lancet Microbe.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Vaccine skepticism, equity issues hinder cervical cancer fight
Cervical cancer is the only cancer that is vaccine-preventable and curable, but the United States is lagging in its efforts to meet the World Health Organization's 2030 targets to effectively eliminate the disease.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 1st, 2024
Microfluidic chip reveals that bacteria swim toward large, complex polymers
Using a novel microfluidic chip, ETH researchers led by Professor Roman Stocker and Estelle Clerc have shown that bacteria not only recognize small food molecules, but also swim towards large, complex polymers. A startup is now using these findings and applying the technology to find microbes in the environment that can break down pollutants.
February 1st, 2024 — Source
Surge in Syphilis Cases Leads Some Providers to Ration Penicillin
Vials of injectable penicillin in cold storage at the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville, Tennessee. Injectable penicillin is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only treatment considered safe for pregnant people with the disease. In mid-2023, the health department began rationing the injectable to just pregnant women because of a nationwide antibiotic shortage.
February 1st, 2024 — Source
The right bacteria turn farms into carbon sinks
A company works with farmers to treat fields with bacteria that sequester carbon.
February 1st, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 31st, 2024
Add bacteria to the list of things that can run Doom
Frame rate would be even worse than the original, though. MUCH worse
January 31, 2024 — Source
"Can it run Doom?" (Gut bacteria edition)
Simulated 1-bit, 32x48 cellular grid runs at a blazing 0.00003 fps.
January 31, 2024 — Source or Watch Video
Engineering viruses to kill deadly pathogens
Study marks critical step in creating new therapies to treat antibiotic-resistant infections
January 31, 2024 — Source
Measles is on the rise around the world. We can't let vaccination rates falter
In recent weeks a series of measles alerts have been issued around Australia, including in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, after the identification of a small number of cases in travelers returning from overseas.
January 31, 2024 — Source
New and highly infectious E. coli strain resistant to powerful antibiotics
A new type of E. coli that is both highly infectious and resistant to some antibiotics has been discovered.
January 31, 2024 — Source
The US eliminated measles in 2000: Why is it back now?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging health care providers to be "on alert" for patients with symptoms of measles—a virus declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000—after nearly two dozen cases have been reported across the country in the past month.
January 31, 2024 — Source
When and how immune cells form 'memories' of pathogen encounters and respond upon reinfection
Unexpected findings have emerged about how and when certain infection-killing white blood cells decide to form memories about their encounters with a pathogen.
January 31, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 29th, 2024
Controlling respiratory syncytial virus: Real-life data from Luxembourg
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main reasons leading to hospitalization among young children worldwide and each year, an estimated 101,000 children below the age of 5 years die due to RSV infections. Since the end of 2022, the use of a long-acting monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) in infants as means of passive immunization against RSV has been allowed in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).
January 29, 2024 — Source
Researchers control biofilm formation using optical traps
Biofilms—slimy layers formed when bacteria stick together on a surface—allow bacteria to shield themselves from extreme environments and even evade antibiotics. In a new study, researchers have shown that laser light in the form of optical traps can be used to control biofilm formation. The findings could allow scientists to harness these microbial layers for various bioengineering applications.
January 29, 2024 — Source
Link found between cold snaps during Roman Empire era and pandemics
A team of geoscientists, Earth scientists and environmental scientists affiliated with several institutions in Germany, the U.S. and the Netherlands has found a link between cold snaps and pandemics during the Roman Empire.
January 29, 2024 — Source
The impact of gut microbiota on the risk of erectile dysfunction
A recent International Journal of Impotence Research study has validated the potential association between gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED), which is one of the most prevalent sexual disorders in men.
January 29, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 26th, 2024
Clinical study supports the long-lasting impacts of typhoid conjugate vaccine
A single dose of the typhoid conjugate vaccine, Typbar TCV®, provides lasting efficacy in preventing typhoid fever in children ages 9 months to 12 years old, according to a new study conducted by researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine's (UMSOM) Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) and led by in-country partners at the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust (MLW) Clinical Research Programme.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Discovery of a third RNA virus lineage in extreme environments
There are numerous RNA virus species on Earth. However, their diversity and evolution as well as roles in the ecosystem remain unclear.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Shortened antibiotic treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients just as effective as standard course
Less is also better—that is what researchers have found while conducting a tri-nation clinical trial to see if shorter courses of antibiotics are as effective as longer prescriptions of the drug to treat ventilator-associated pneumonia.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 24th, 2024
Altered light-harvesting complex in a cyanobacterium allows low-energy light use
Researchers have isolated and determined the molecular structure of the light-harvesting antenna that helps some cyanobacteria—formerly referred to as blue-green algae—produce energy through photosynthesis even in lower-energy light.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Community-acquired pneumonia: Machine learning enhances early risk prediction in hospitalized patients
Pneumonia remains one of the most significant health challenges globally, being a primary cause of hospitalization and leading to severe respiratory failure. Traditional tools for assessing the severity of pneumonia, such as the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), primarily focus on mortality risks. However, these tools often fall short in predicting the need for advanced respiratory support, leaving a crucial gap in patient care.
January 24, 2024 — Source
How does HIV get into the cell's center to kickstart infection?
UNSW medical researcher Dr. David Jacques and his team have discovered how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) breaches the cell nucleus to establish infection, a finding that has implications beyond HIV biology.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Nanoparticle spray reduces risk of airborne bacterial infections caused by air filtration systems
A novel nanoparticle spray coating process has been shown to all but eliminate the growth of some of the world's most dangerous bacteria in air filtration systems, significantly reducing the risk of airborne bacterial and viral infections.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Researchers engineer bacteria that eat plastic, make multipurpose spider silk
Move over Spider-Man: Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a strain of bacteria that can turn plastic waste into a biodegradable spider silk with multiple uses.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Tiny hitchhikers: Scientists uncover new 'mini-satellites' in sea bacteria
Microbiologists led by Universite de Montreal biologist Frederique Le Roux have made an underwater breakthrough, discovering what they're calling "mini-satellites" in sea bacteria.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Strep A explainer: Why invasive cases are increasing, how it spreads and what symptoms to look for
A jump in the number of people with serious illness caused by group A Streptococcus—also referred to as Streptococcus pyogenes or Strep A—has made headlines recently.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Zambia further delays school reopening over cholera
Zambia postponed the start of the school year for the second time on Wednesday due to a cholera outbreak that has claimed more than 500 lives.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 22nd, 2024
Cameroon launches historic large-scale malaria jab campaign
Cameroon on Monday launched the first malaria vaccination program to be offered nationwide and as a matter of routine, in a step the WHO has described as "historic".
January 22, 2024 — Source
Cameroon starts world's first malaria vaccine program for children
Cameroon will be the first country to routinely give children a new malaria vaccine as the shots are rolled out in Africa.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Information about the salmonella outbreak involving meats sold at Costco and Sam's Club
The salmonella outbreak previously linked to charcuterie meats sold at Sam's Club also has been connected to meats from the same company sold at Costco. And, the CDC says, the outbreak's reached 22 states.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Risk factor control may modify link between HIV status and heart disease
Control of dyslipidemia and diabetes, but not hypertension, reduces the association of HIV status with cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published online Jan. 16 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Study finds S. aureus' surface-sticking ability not evenly distributed over cell envelope
Infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus have a significant impact on human health, with tens of thousands of hospital patients dying every year from infections due to the S. aureus "superbug." Stopping the spread of bacteria like S. aureus will require not only the development of new antibiotics to which antimicrobial resistance has not been established, but also a better understanding of how these germs adhere to surfaces and from where they can enter the human body.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Study reveals how some bacterial infections become chronic
In the early 1900s, a cook named Mary Mallon, better known as "Typhoid Mary," spread Salmonella Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever, to dozens of her patrons even though she showed no symptoms. Many people today harbor pathogenic Salmonella bacteria for years without feeling sick, making them potential sources of new infections.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Millions in the UK are being urged to get vaccinations during a surge in measles cases
U.K. health officials on Monday urged millions of parents to book their children for missed measles, mumps and rubella shots during a sharp increase in the number of measles cases and the lowest vaccination rates in a decade.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Microgravity may make space veggies more prone to bacteria
Lettuce and other leafy green vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet -; even for astronauts on a mission.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Novel approach identifies people at risk of developing TB
A novel approach to studying the progression of tuberculosis (TB) from infection to disease has identified and treated people at increased risk of developing the disease that current methods of testing would not.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Unveiling hidden TB risk with cutting-edge techniques
A novel approach to studying the progression of tuberculosis (TB) from infection to disease has identified and treated people at increased risk of developing the disease that current methods of testing would not.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 19th, 2024
Bacteria's "suicidal" immune system boosts antibiotic power against cholera
Bacteria have an immune system that protects them against viruses known as bacteriophages. A research team from the Universities of Tübingen and Würzburg has now shown how this immune system enhances the effect of specific antibiotics against the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae. The immune system is the reason why this bacterium is particularly sensitive to one of the oldest known classes of antibiotics - the antifolates.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Bacterial immune system boosts antibiotic effectiveness against cholera, study reveals
Bacteria have an immune system that protects them against viruses known as bacteriophages. A research team from the Universities of Tübingen and Würzburg has now shown how this immune system enhances the effect of specific antibiotics against the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Exploding kamikaze bacteria: How a few 'soldier' cells confer virulence to a population by sacrificing themselves
You suddenly feel sick—pathogenic bacteria have managed to colonize and spread in your body. The weapons they use for their invasion are harmful toxins that target the host's defense mechanisms and vital cell functions. Before these deadly toxins can attack host cells, bacteria must first export them from their production site—the cytoplasm—using dedicated secretion systems.
January 19, 2024 — Source
How 'late-rising' T cells combat a stubborn virus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pathogen that likes to lurk. Most adults already carry CMV, and they show no symptoms at all. The trouble comes when the virus infects a pregnant person for the first time and passes through the placenta. Babies born with congenital CMV can develop deafness and life-long health problems.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Humans can get their pets sick: Reverse zoonoses more common than once thought
For as long as humans have been domesticating animals, there have been zoonoses, also known as infectious diseases that jump from animals to humans. Recent public health stories about COVID-19, avian flu and swine flu have thrust zoonoses back into the spotlight, sparking conversations about how animals like pets, rodents, birds or livestock might make humans sick.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Molecular switch found to play central role in bacterial dysentery
Bacteria of the genus Shigella, closely related to the well-known Escherichia coli, are the second most common cause of fatal bacterial diarrheal diseases, with over 200,000 victims worldwide every year. There are repeated outbreaks of strains that are resistant to common antibiotics.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Monitoring microorganisms on the International Space Station
Crew members on the International Space Station have a lot of company—millions of bacteria and other microbes. The human body contains 10 times more microbes than human cells, and bacteria and fungi grow in and on just about everything around us on Earth.
January 19, 2024 — Source
New York City virus database may advance research into factors contributing to respiratory illness severity
Virome Data Explorer visualizes longitudinal viral respiratory infection data from New York City cohort
January 19, 2024 — Source
One in three children who contract bacterial meningitis live with permanent disability: Study
One in three children who suffer from bacterial meningitis live with permanent neurological disabilities due to the infection. This is according to a new epidemiological study led by Karolinska Institutet and published in JAMA Network Open.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover rare phages that attack dormant bacteria
In nature, most bacteria live on the bare minimum. If they experience nutrient deficiency or stress, they shut down their metabolism in a controlled manner and go into a resting state. In this stand-by mode, certain metabolic processes still take place that enable the microbes to perceive their environment and react to stimuli, but growth and division are suspended.
January 19, 2024 — Source
'The number of people avoiding vaccination is a concern': Public health expert discusses measles
Dr. Sophie Martucci is an expert in Public Health from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick. As part of her agents of infectious disease module and science communication model, she covers the MMR Vaccine and the unnecessary controversy around the vaccination.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Virus Soup: Many Respiratory Viruses Peaking in Early 2024
The familiar symptoms are back again -- a runny nose, coughing, aches, congestion, and maybe a fever. When the at-home COVID-19 test comes back negative, you head to the doctor to see if they can figure out what you've caught. At the doctor, though, the typical COVID and flu tests also come back negative. It could seem like a new mysterious respiratory illness is making the rounds.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 16th, 2024
Amsterdam UMC project aims for first effective HIV vaccine with Gates funding
Worldwide, an estimated, 40 million people live with HIV. Two-thirds of this group on the African continent. In 2022, more than 600,000 people died from HIV-related causes and more than 1.3 million were infected. There is no vaccine against the world's second most deadly infection, after TB. Thanks to a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Amsterdam UMC's Rogier Sanders leads a project that aims to develop the first effective HIV vaccine.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Benin gets first malaria vaccines
Benin has received its first doses of a vaccine for malaria, the leading cause of infant mortality in the country, and will begin administering them soon, officials said late on Monday.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Controlling inflammation to conquer lung infection
The latest studies at Hudson Institute of Medical Research have identified a novel therapy that controls the body's response to the influenza virus, limiting damaging inflammation and promoting recovery from severe infection.
January 16, 2024 — Source
First polar bear to die of bird flu: What are the implications?
Climate change is a threat to polar bear's survival. Now they have a new deadly challenge facing them: bird flu. It was recently confirmed that a polar bear from northern Alaska has died from the disease.
January 16, 2024 — Source
People deprived of liberty are at very high risk of tuberculosis, even years after release, finds study
Incarcerated people are at an alarmingly high risk of tuberculosis (TB) and this risk persists for years after their release, according to a study conducted in Paraguay and led by the Universidad Nacional de Asunción and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).
January 16, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover new antibiotic-resistant species of bacteria
Researchers at University of Limerick in Ireland have discovered a new species of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Risk factors and diagnostic methods of H. pylori in Saudi Arabia
Dr. Mutasim E. Ibrahim from the University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia, has recently conducted an extensive study on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), published in Biomolecules and Biomedicine, which brings new insights into its epidemiology, pathogenicity, risk factors, and treatment methodologies.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Ultrasensitive tools detect asymptomatic malaria
Researchers in the U.S. and Uganda have developed tools that can detect the slightest traces of malaria in people who harbor the disease but do not show signs of sickness.
January 16, 2024 — Source
We need a staph vaccine: Here's why we don't have one
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is an extremely common bacterial infection; about 30% of people have colonies of SA living in their nose. SA is often harmless, but it is also a leading cause of hospital-acquired and community-associated infections.
January 16, 2024 — Source
You rarely see them and might not even remember being bitten, but ticks can pose a serious threat, reveals study
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers used serum samples to investigate the prevalence of common tick-borne diseases (TBDs) among Johnston County citizens.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 15th, 2024
Flu activity slows down, but season far from over: CDC
Following weeks of increases in flu activity, the latest U.S. government data shows "a single-week decrease" for the first time in months.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Maturation instead of cell death: Defective signaling pathways disrupt immune cell development
In the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system not only attacks pathogens, but also the body's own cells. Researchers at the University of Freiburg—Medical Center have now been able to show that defective signaling pathways in the body play a decisive role in the development of immune cells, a discovery that opens up new therapeutic approaches for autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS).
January 15, 2024 — Source
Novel regulator of immune evasion in cancer identified
Northwestern Medicine investigators have identified a previously unknown regulator of tumor immune evasion, which may help improve the efficacy of current and future anti-tumor immunotherapies, according to recent findings published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
January 15, 2024 — Source or Source
Study finds that HIV populations in people with higher viral loads also have higher rates of viral recombination
In a recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, researchers investigated whether denser intrahost human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) populations had a higher incidence of coinfection and recombination.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Study shows western honey bee synthesizes food for its intestinal bacteria
Bacteria have adapted to all terrestrial environments. Some have evolved to survive in the gut of animals, where they play an important role for their host; they provide energy by degrading indigestible food, they train and regulate the immune system, they protect against invasion by pathogenic bacteria, and they synthesize neuroactive molecules that regulate the behavior and cognition of their host.
January 15, 2024 — Source
UTI: This common infection can be serious
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is common, but it can be serious.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 15th, 2024
Concealing sexual identity may have impeded mpox care for some men
Openly gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men were more likely than those who conceal their sexual orientation to seek care for mpox last year during a global outbreak of the disease that disproportionately affected their community, researchers from Cornell and the University of Toronto found.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Expert discusses increasing levels of respiratory infections
The new year is bringing a significant rise in respiratory virus activity across the U.S. Many are experiencing coughs, fever and congestion—some of the telltale signs of COVID-19 and influenza. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases expert, explains why this surge is happening, what still may be to come, and how to protect you and your family.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 13th, 2024
Many more infected by TBE virus than previously known
The number of infections by the tick-borne TBE virus that are not detected by health services is far higher than previously assumed. This has been shown in a new study of Swedish blood donors.
January 13, 2024 — Source
New estimate doubles likely deaths from fungal disease globally
The annual total of deaths from fungal disease worldwide has risen to 3.75 million, double the previous estimate, according to a new study.
January 13, 2024 — Source
New insights into what helps Salmonella cause infections
In a new study, researchers have discovered how a system of proteins, called TamAB, helps Salmonella survive under the harsh conditions inside macrophages.
January 13, 2024 — Source
Novel type 2 oral polio vaccine secures WHO prequalification for broader rollout
The novel type 2 oral polio vaccine (nOPV2), developed by a team including scientists from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has today (9 January) been quality-assured (prequalified) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
January 13, 2024 — Source
Overuse of antifungal skin meds could be driving drug-resistant disease
U.S. doctors are prescribing antifungal creams to patients with skin complaints at rates so high they could be contributing to the rise of drug-resistant infections, new research shows.
January 13, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 12th, 2024
Many more infected by tick-borne encephalitis virus than previously known, finds Swedish blood donors study
The number of infections by the tick-borne TBE virus that are not detected by health services is far higher than previously assumed. This has been shown in a new study of Swedish blood donors from Uppsala University and the University Hospital in Uppsala.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Nutritional acquired immunodeficiency (N-AIDS) found to be the leading driver of the TB pandemic
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious killer worldwide, with 10.6 million cases and 1.6 million deaths in 2021 alone. One in five incident TB cases were attributable to malnutrition, more than double the number attributed to HIV/AIDS. Like HIV/AIDS, malnutrition is a cause of secondary immunodeficiency, known as nutritionally acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (N-AIDS). However, N-AIDS remains the neglected cousin of HIV/AIDS in global TB elimination efforts.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Smallpox vaccine efficiently induces immunity against mpox virus infection in people living with HIV
Researchers from the Infection Biology Lab at the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University and the HIV Unit at Hospital del Mar Research Institute have shown that intradermal vaccination with the JYNNEOS vaccine against smallpox is the best option to protect people living with HIV from contracting the monkeypox virus.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Team explores role of 'stimulator of interferon genes' in body's innate immune system
When pathogens attack the body, the innate immune system goes to work protecting against the invading disease. The innate immune system is the first line of defense. It detects precisely what the virus or bacteria is and then activates the proteins that fight the pathogens. Wanting to better understand how the body's innate immune system works, a team of scientists undertook a study of STING, a protein that plays a vital role in innate immunity.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 11th, 2024
Blocking sugar molecules stops flu virus spread in mice
Scientists have long known that some viruses and bacteria begin infections by latching first onto sugar molecules on the surfaces of cells lining the sinuses and throat of mammals, including humans. Viral particles, for instance, can attach to these molecules, called sialic acids, or SAs, like keys fitting into locks.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Experiments in infant mice suggest new way to prevent spread of flu in people
Scientists have long known that some viruses and bacteria begin infections by latching first onto sugar molecules on the surfaces of cells lining the sinuses and throat of mammals, including humans. Viral particles, for instance, can attach to these molecules, called sialic acids, or SAs, like keys fitting into locks.
January 11, 2024 — Source
First-in-human vaccine trial for deadly Nipah virus launched
The University of Oxford has launched a new clinical trial to test a vaccine to protect people against deadly Nipah virus.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Scientists Engineer Skin Bacteria to Treat Acne
Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterial strain known to cause pimples, can be edited to counteract its own side effects.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Study discovers how a system of proteins helps Salmonella survive inside macrophages
Salmonella is notorious for surviving and replicating in macrophages, which are normally lethal to invading bacteria because of their inhospitable environment. In a new study, researchers have discovered how a system of proteins, called TamAB, helps Salmonella survive under the harsh conditions inside macrophages.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Study finds tafenoquine is a cost-effective treatment option for malaria
A new study led by Menzies School of Health Research has provided further insight into the cost-effectiveness of a new malaria medication, tafenoquine, to treat vivax malaria.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Study reveals unexpected strategy in competition between bacteria and viruses
If you've seen the original Star Wars movie, you might wonder whether the iconic Tie fighter was modeled after the Gabija protein complex, a bacterial defense system.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Unlocking the mechanisms of HIV in preclinical research
Mayo Clinic researchers have unraveled the molecular mechanisms that affect which cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) die and which survive, a discovery heralded as a step toward eliminating all HIV-infected cells from the body.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Unraveling the skin microbiome's impact on aging
The effects of aging and external factors like UV exposure on skin are well documented. As people age or spend more time in the sun, their skin tends to become drier and more wrinkled,
January 11, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 10th, 2024
A step closer to treatment for severe bacterial infections and sepsis
In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers demonstrate how they can neutralize toxic substances from bacteria by mimicking a substance naturally present in the body and thereby mitigate harmful inflammation that could otherwise lead to sepsis.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Combined vaccination and behavior change efforts averted 64% of US mpox cases, study reveals
In a recent article published in the eClinicalMedicine Journal, researchers assessed the effectiveness of the combination of current preventive responses against monkeypox (Mpox) in the United States (US) at the population level.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Health officials warn of measles outbreak in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is tracking a measles outbreak, which so far has sickened eight city residents.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Is it the flu or COVID? Does it matter? Five questions about winter viruses
With COVID-19 and flu both surging across the country, chances are you or someone close to you is sick or getting over a virus.
January 10, 2024 — Source
New study finds maternal vaccine and monoclonal antibody effective against RSV in infants
In a recent article published in The Lancet Regional Health Journal, researchers compared the impact and cost-effectiveness of maternal vaccination (MV) to long-acting monoclonal antibody (la-mAB) therapy against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in young children in England and Wales.
January 10, 2024 — Source
New study reveals key blood markers for sepsis diagnosis in burn patients
A recent study published in Scientific Reports, evaluated the efficacy of Complete Blood Count (CBC) parameters in diagnosing sepsis and predicting mortality among burn patients.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Notorious cell subpopulation key to antibiotic failure, say scientists
Antibiotic overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, but classic antibiotic resistance might not completely explain why antibiotics sometimes fail. Sub-populations of bacteria called persister cells can survive in the presence of lethal doses of antibiotics for prolonged periods.
January 10, 2024 — Source
The Nano Machines Made to Fight Antibiotic-Resistance and Cancer
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were responsible for nearly 5 million deaths globally in 2019, as detailed in The Lancet. The rise and fall of antibiotics is a topic that is deeply personal to Dr. Ana Santos, who led the EU-funded project REBELLION.
January 10, 2024 — Source
The value of information gathering in phage--bacteria warfare
Phages, the viruses that infect bacteria, will pay a high growth-rate cost to access environmental information that can help them choose which lifecycle to pursue, according to a study.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Viruses aren't always harmful. Six ways they're used in health care and pest control
We tend to just think of viruses in terms of their damaging impacts on human health and lives. The 1918 flu pandemic
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 9th, 2024
Fighting superbugs with medical nanomachines
Instruments smaller than a human hair are being designed to eradicate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fight cancer.
January 9, 2024 — Source
How to maintain a healthy gut microbiome in 2024
We all know by now that the pillars of a healthy lifestyle are regular exercise, eating enough fruit and vegetables, a good night's sleep and staying hydrated. All of these things also support the gut microbiome—all the microbes that live in your digestive system—but there are some extras to consider if you want to optimize your gut health.
January 9, 2024 — Source
New research calls for antimicrobial resistance to be reframed as a sustainability issue
From a wartime spread of antimicrobial resistant disease in Ukraine, to superbugs in China causing "white lung" pneumonia in children, 2023 brought no shortage of new evidence that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a pressing problem globally, and this pattern shows no sign of abating in 2024 unless a radical shift occurs.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Rabies is an ancient, unpredictable and potentially fatal disease—two rabies researchers explain how to protect yourself
A feral kitten in Omaha, Nebraska, tested positive for rabies in November 2023. It died of the raccoon variant of the virus, which is typically found only in the Appalachian Mountains. Detecting this variant hundreds of miles away in the Midwest raised concerns about a potential outbreak and launched a public health task force to vaccinate all raccoons in the area.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Researchers engineer skin bacteria that are able to secrete and produce molecules that treat acne
International research led by the Translational Synthetic Biology Laboratory of the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University has succeeded in efficiently engineering Cutibacterium acnes, a type of skin bacterium, to produce and secrete a therapeutic molecule suitable for treating acne symptoms.
January 9, 2024 — Source or Source
Researchers find Zika virus is effective when used to treat a type of childhood cancer in mice
Injecting neuroblastoma tumors with Zika virus shrank or eliminated those tumors in studies with mice, suggesting that the virus could someday serve as an effective cancer therapy, according to a study led by Nemours Children's Health researchers and published in Cancer Research Communications.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Spain re-imposes masks in hospitals as flu cases surge
Wearing masks will be obligatory again in Spain's hospitals and other health care facilities from Wednesday, the health ministry said on Monday as the country faces a flu outbreak.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine highly effective
Two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) are effective against herpes zoster (HZ), with the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of two doses waning a little over four years of follow-up, according to a study published online on Jan. 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Vaccine boosts innate immunity in people with dormant immune cells, finds study
Humans are protected by two branches of the immune system. Innate immunity provides built-in defense against widespread characteristics of bacteria and viruses, while adaptive immunity memorizes individual pathogens that a person has already encountered. Vaccines teach the adaptive immune system about new pathogens without having to go through an actual infection.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 8th, 2024
Bacteriophage-powered micromotors for rapid and selective Point-of-Care bacteria detection
Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of bacterial infections have long challenged medicine, contributing to antibiotic resistance and poor patient outcomes. Clinicians lack rapid, selective diagnostic tests to target narrow-spectrum antibiotics early in illness.
January 8, 2024 — Source or Watch Video
Bacterial "freight elevator" unpacked: How pathogens hide from the immune system
Some bacterial membrane transporters work almost like freight elevators to transport substances through the cell membrane into the interior of the cell. The transporter itself spans the bacterial membrane. Like a forklift, a soluble protein outside the bacterium transports the substance to the "elevator" and unloads its cargo there
January 8, 2024 — Source
Engineered virus-like particles power up gene editing, correcting blindness in mice
Prime editing, a versatile form of gene editing that can correct most known disease-causing genetic mutations, now has a new vehicle to deliver its machinery into cells in living animals.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Immunoengineering researchers decode the 'cytokine storm' in sepsis
Sepsis—when an infection causes the immune system to improperly target the body—is one of the leading causes of death in the ICU.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Important membrane transport mechanism in pathogenic bacteria
Some bacterial membrane transporters work almost like freight elevators to transport substances through the cell membrane into the interior of the cell. The transporter itself spans the bacterial membrane. Like a forklift, a soluble protein outside the bacterium transports the substance to the 'elevator' and unloads its cargo there. The freight elevator transports it to the inside of the cell, in other words to another floor.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Less than half of pregnant women get the flu shot: New data from UPMC Children's might change that
John Williams knows the risks associated with riding motorcycles, but they don't deter him. Neither do warnings from physician friends, who hope their chiding might prevent him from becoming a statistic.
January 8, 2024 — Source
New antibiotic zosurabalpin shows promise against drug-resistant bacteria: An expert explains
Researchers have identified an entirely new class of antibiotic that can kill bacteria that are resistant to most current drugs.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Out-of-pocket cost increase could put HIV prevention medications out of reach
Increasing patients' out of pocket costs for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medications, which have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection, could lead to a significant reduction in PrEP use and a rise in HIV infection rates, according to a new study co-led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover important membrane transport mechanism in pathogenic bacteria
Some bacterial membrane transporters work almost like freight elevators to transport substances through the cell membrane into the interior of the cell. The transporter itself spans the bacterial membrane. Like a forklift, a soluble protein outside the bacterium transports the substance to the "elevator" and unloads its cargo there. The freight elevator transports it to the inside of the cell, in other words to another floor.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover molecular 'barcode' used by bacteria to secrete toxins
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a molecular "barcode" system used by disease-causing bacteria to distinguish between beneficial and toxic molecules.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Researchers identify bacterial strain that demonstrates a potentially protective role in celiac disease
Researchers from Mass General for Children (MGfC) and 13 other institutions have identified a strain of Bacteroides vulgatus that may protect the gut intestinal barrier against the break in tolerance that occurs when gluten is introduced into the diet of genetically at-risk children.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Rising out-of-pocket costs for PrEP threaten key strategy in ending the HIV epidemic
Increasing patients' out of pocket costs for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medications, which have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection, could lead to a significant reduction in PrEP use and a rise in HIV infection rates, according to a new study co-led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Scientists unveil the hidden respiratory mechanisms of gut bacteria
In a recent study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers use a genome-mining technique to investigate respiratory electron acceptor utilization in the human gut microbiota.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Study finds Epstein-Barr virus T-cells prevalent in early multiple sclerosis
The body's immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a role in causing damage in people with multiple sclerosis, according to a new study led by UTHealth Houston.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 5th, 2024
A new approach can address antibiotic resistance to Mycobacterium abscessus
Scientists have created analogs of the antibiotic spectinomycin that are significantly more effective against these highly resistant bacteria.
January 5, 2024 — Source
The evolution of photosynthesis better documented thanks to the discovery of the oldest thylakoids in fossil cyanobacteria
Researchers have identified microstructures in fossil cells that are 1.75 billion years old. These structures, called thylakoid membranes, are the oldest ever discovered. They push back the fossil record of thylakoids by 1.2 billion years and provide new information on the evolution of cyanobacteria which played a crucial role in the accumulation of oxygen on the early Earth.
January 5, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 5th, 2024
Experimental antibiotic kills deadly superbug, opens whole new class of drugs
The relatively large molecule clogs a transport system, leading to lethal toxicity.
January 5, 2024 — Source
University of Louisville scientists aim to disarm Yersinia pestis, the bubonic plague bacteria
When the body encounters bacteria, viruses or harmful substances, its innate immune cells, neutrophils, assemble at the site to combat the invader.
January 5, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 4th, 2024
Treating tuberculosis when antibiotics no longer work
A research team has detected various substances that have a dual effect against tuberculosis: They make the bacteria causing the disease less pathogenic for human immune cells and boost the activity of conventional antibiotics.
January 4, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 30th, 2023
Vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic
Questions about vaccination? Here's what you need to know about vaccines that are recommended for you.
December 30, 2023 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 30th, 2024
A better COVID treatment for the immunocompromised? Researchers create a non-toxic potential alternative to Paxlovid
A combination of two antiviral compounds may be a promising alternative to Paxlovid when treating COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients, according to Karen S. Anderson, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and of molecular biophysics & biochemistry at Yale School of Medicine.
April 30th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 in babies and children
Anyone can get COVID-19, also called coronavirus disease 2019, including children. Find out about the symptoms, testing and medical issues linked to COVID-19 in children. And learn how to help prevent COVID-19, especially in children at high risk of serious illness.
April 30th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?
Advanced age and some health conditions can raise the risk of serious COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) illness.
April 30th, 2024 — Source
Study identifies immunity threshold for protection against COVID-19 in children
As COVID-19 becomes endemic, an important group of people who continue to require vaccination is future birth cohorts of children. Yet, in the face of everchanging variants, as well as the waning of antibodies with time after each dose, key questions remain: What is the threshold of immune response against SARS-CoV-2 needed to protect against COVID-19 and how many doses of mRNA vaccination are required to reach that threshold?
April 30th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 29th, 2024
Do SARS-CoV-2 infections cause long-term loss of smell and taste?
In a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, researchers aimed to quantitatively assess the long-term smell and taste-associated outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using validated psychophysical tests to circumvent the inaccuracies that could occur with self-reported taste dysfunction.
April 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 26th, 2024
Did California's pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program reduce reported cases and hospitalizations?
In a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, researchers investigated whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 years, which was approved in May 2021, was associated with changes in the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and related hospitalizations among the pediatric population in California, United States (U.S.).
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Undocumented Latinx patients got COVID-19 vaccine at same rate as US citizens, study finds
For undocumented Latinx patients who sought care in the emergency room during the pandemic, the reported rate of having received the COVID-19 vaccine was found to be the same as U.S. citizens, a new UCLA Health study found.
April 26th, 2024 — Source
WHO data reveals extensive antibiotic overuse during COVID-19 pandemic
New evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows the extensive overuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, which may have exacerbated "silent" spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
April 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 24th, 2024
COVID-19 virus disrupts protein production: Researcher discusses her recent findings
Despite huge advances in our understanding of COVID-19 over the past four years, the disease is still very much among us—and there remains a lot to learn.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
Engineers muffle invading pathogens with a 'molecular mask'
Vaccines remain the gold standard of protection against dangerous pathogens, but take considerable time and vast resources to develop. Rapidly mutating viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can blunt their effectiveness and even render them obsolete.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
New tARC-seq method enhances precision in tracking SARS-CoV-2 mutations
In a recent study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers developed a targeted accurate ribonucleic acid (RNA) consensus sequencing (tARC-seq) approach to precisely determine severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutation frequency and types in cell culture and clinical samples.
April 24th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 22nd, 2024
IT consultant-cum-developer in court over hiding COVID-19 loan
Syzmon Jastrzebski bagged six figures, money written off as he's left the country
April 22th, 2024 — Source
New technology uncovers mechanism affecting generation of new COVID variants
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID has the unsettling ability of often generating variants of itself. Other viruses also mutate, but as SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread throughout the entire human population during the pandemic, killing millions, the virus' dynamic evolution posed a serious problem: it repeatedly challenged our bodies' immune response and hindered the process of getting updated vaccines ready.
April 22th, 2024 — Source
Research analyzes government intervention and COVID-19 pandemic
While there's a strong determination worldwide to return to a new normal in a post-COVID world, the pandemic is nearly impossible to forget. A large amount of data also provides insight we may not want to move past just yet—how we handled it.
April 22th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 19th, 2024
COVID-19 found to increase the risk of severe cardiovascular problems in people with HIV
A study led by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies on STIs and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT)—a group from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), the Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions (FLI), and Odense University Hospital (OUH)—has revealed that people living with HIV who have experienced an episode of COVID-19 face a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the year following infection.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
Dozens of COVID virus mutations arose in man with longest known case, research finds
An immune-compromised man with a year-and-a-half-long COVID infection served as a breeding ground for dozens of coronavirus mutations, a new study discovered.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
Over 100 scientists rename airborne viruses after COVID-19 mistakes
Airborne viruses will be called "pathogens that transmit through the air" under new terminology the World Health Organization hopes will end a scientific rift that hampered the early response to COVID-19.
April 19th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 17th, 2024
Private COVID jabs lead to concerns about creeping privatization in the NHS
COVID boosters are now Sourceavailable to purchase from high-street pharmacies and private health care providers in England. This means that millions of people who don't qualify for a free COVID vaccine on the NHS will be able to access one.
April 17th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 15th, 2024
Specific nasal cells found to protect against COVID-19 in children
Important differences in how the nasal cells of young and elderly people respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, could explain why children typically experience milder COVID-19 symptoms, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Study finds significant overlap in neurochemicals from long COVID and ME/CFS patients
Researchers at the National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) at Griffith University have directly compared brain neurochemical levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients with healthy controls using MRI.
April 15th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 12th, 2024
Researchers find no link between COVID-19 virus and development of asthma in children
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families worried about the long-term effects posed by the SARS-COV-2 virus. Now, researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that a SARS-COV-2 infection likely does not increase the risk of asthma development in pediatric patients. The findings were published in the journal Pediatrics.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Study suggests staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations helps combat emerging variants
New research using live SARS-CoV-2 virus reveals an updated vaccine provides a strong immune response against previous strains and emerging variants.
April 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 11th, 2024
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness: Results from Norway demonstrate the reproducibility of federated analytics
Researchers from NDORMS and the University of Oslo have successfully replicated findings from recently published international studies on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent long COVID and post-acute complications.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals HDL-C and ferritin as crucial markers for long COVID-19 severity
Long COVID-19, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a global health phenomenon characterized by persistent symptoms following the acute phase of COVID-19.
April 11th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 10th, 2024
'An epidemic of loneliness': How the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for older adults
Years after the U.S. began to slowly emerge from mandatory COVID-19 lockdowns, more than half of older adults still spend more time at home and less time socializing in public spaces than they did pre-pandemic, according to new University of Colorado Boulder research.
April 10th, 2024 — Source
Congress likely to kick the can on covid-era telehealth policies
Nearly two hours into a Capitol Hill hearing focused on rural health, Rep. Brad Wenstrup emphatically told the committee's five witnesses: "Hang with us."
April 10th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 5th, 2024
More awareness and investment needed to support people with long COVID, says report
More long COVID awareness and education is needed among doctors, nurses, care providers and the public in Canada to reduce stigma around the condition and legitimize the disability, according to a new report from Simon Fraser University.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Pregnancy and COVID-19: What are the risks?
You may wonder how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could affect your risk of illness, birth plan or time bonding with your baby. You also might have questions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. Here's what you need to know.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Treating COVID-19 at home: Care tips for you and others
Providing care at home for a person sick with COVID-19? Or caring for yourself at home? Understand when emergency care is needed and what you can do to prevent the spread of infection.
April 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — April 4th, 2024
101 studies flagged as bogus COVID cure pusher sees career unravel
It's a past-due reckoning for French microbiologist Didier Raoult, critics say.
April 4th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 and your mental health
Worries and anxiety about COVID-19 can be overwhelming. Learn ways to cope as COVID-19 spreads.
April 4th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 29th, 2024
COVID-19 research: Study reveals new details about potentially deadly inflammation
A recent USC study provides new information about why SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic, may elicit mild symptoms at first but then, for a subset of patients, turn potentially fatal a week or so after infection. The researchers showed that distinct stages of illness correspond with the coronavirus acting differently in two different populations of cells.
March 29th, 2024 — Source
Do scientists respond faster than Google trends in discussing COVID-19 issues? A new approach to textual big data
A study in Health Data Science introduces an advanced research framework to dissect the vast textual landscape surrounding COVID-19. This methodology leverages keywords from Google Trends alongside research abstracts from the WHO COVID-19 database, offering a nuanced understanding of the pandemic's discourse dynamics.
March 29th, 2024 — Source
Micro-patterning: A new system to induce alveolar and airway epithelial cells
Professor Shimpei Gotoh and Junior Associate Professor Kazuo Takayama teamed up in study to construct a novel in vitro culture system for alveolar and airway epithelial cells, employing a biomaterials engineering method known as micro-patterning technique, and using the newly devised system to simulate viral infections by SARS-CoV-2 variants.
March 29th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 28th, 2024
COVID and Medicare payments spark remote patient BP monitoring boom
Billy Abbott, a retired Army medic, wakes at 6 every morning, steps on the bathroom scale, and uses a cuff to take his blood pressure.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 antibody discovery could explain long COVID
UVA Health researchers have discovered a potential explanation for some of the most perplexing mysteries of COVID-19 and long COVID. The surprising findings could lead to new treatments for the difficult acute effects of COVID-19, long COVID, and possibly other viruses.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
New South Wales may end its COVID vaccine mandate for health workers
Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organizations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the first to need two doses to keep their jobs.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Researchers race to develop Paxlovid replacement
Researchers from Rutgers believe they are among the leaders in a race to find an oral COVID-19 treatment to supplement or replace Paxlovid—an antiviral medication that helps keep high-risk patients out of the hospital.
March 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 27th, 2024
Bogus COVID-19 beliefs linked to stress, but purpose, hope and support could be antidote, say researchers
As Americans look back on the fourth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research from Rutgers University–Newark sheds light on why some people succumb to conspiracy theories and bogus beliefs and others don't.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Pandemic course improved COVID-19 knowledge, study finds
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,300 students enrolled in a three-week summer immersion course, "The Pandemic: Science and Society," at Washington University in St. Louis. The innovative course envisioned by Feng Sheng Hu, the Richard G. Engelsmann Dean of Arts & Sciences, brought together experts from across WashU and around the country.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Vaccination mistrust still widespread: Study
Four years after COVID-19 began to spread worldwide, a University of Texas at Arlington social worker says work still needs to be done to address the importance of getting vaccinated.
March 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 25th, 2024
COVID-19 pandemic has left an enduring imprint on colorectal cancer surgery
While the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer considered a public health emergency, pandemic-related stressors continue to impact cancer care across the board. New research published this week in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS) describes how surgery for colorectal cancer—the third most commonly diagnosed cancer—was considerably disrupted during the pandemic.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Overweight and obesity in 3- and 4-year-olds has decreased after the pandemic
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the group of 3- and 4-year-olds in Sweden has decreased after the pandemic. The increase during the pandemic thus appears to have been temporary. These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Study finds boys' mental health more impacted by COVID-19 pandemic than girls'
The COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on boys' mental health than girls, contrary to the findings of other studies, according to new research led by scientists at University of Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Reading, and King's College London.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Study finds less obesity in 3- and 4-year-olds after the pandemic
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the group of three- and four-year-olds in Sweden has decreased after the pandemic. The increase during the pandemic thus appears to have been temporary. These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University.
March 25th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 22nd, 2024
A boost to biomedical research with statistical tools: From COVID-19 analysis to data management
The Biostatistics Unit, a recent addition to the technologies and services offered by Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), consists of a team of statisticians and mathematicians who conduct and support biomedical research. They have recently published two notable articles.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source
Fewer cases of fungal diseases coincided with start of COVID-19
There were fewer reports of coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis coinciding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research published in the March 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source
Study explores characteristics associated with poor COVID-19 antibody response
Adults with certain socio-demographic and clinical characteristics may have weaker antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination, which could leader to a higher risk of infection, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source
UK study provides insights into COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children and young people
COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children and young people was low across all four UK nations, compared to other age groups, according to the first research study to look at data from all four UK nations.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 20th, 2024
AI can now detect COVID-19 in lung ultrasound images
Artificial intelligence can spot COVID-19 in lung ultrasound images, much like facial recognition software can spot a face in a crowd, new research shows.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Burden of neurologic disease found to be higher after influenza compared to COVID-19
People who have an influenza infection are more likely to need medical care for neurologic disorders within the next year than people who have a COVID-19 infection, according to a study published in the March 20, 2024, online issue of Neurology. The study looked at people who were hospitalized with either influenza or COVID-19. The study did not look specifically at outcomes associated with long COVID.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 viral load rebound can occur after VV116, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir
For patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, viral load rebound and symptom rebound can occur after a standard five-day course of treatment with VV116 or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, according to a study published online March 13 in JAMA Network Open.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Not even Antarctica could stop COVID: It's a crucial lesson
COVID-19 wasn't supposed to get to Antarctica. If any place had a hope of keeping the virus out, it would be a continent with no permanent residents and an annual visiting population of only 5,000. And every control measure was in place—testing, a strict quarantine of everyone visiting, as well as lots of deep sanitation, masks and social distancing.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Researchers report rare but persistent false positives on COVID-19 home antigen tests
UMass Chan Medical School researchers have documented a phenomenon that had confounded clinicians: Some people persistently test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on rapid home antigen tests despite obtaining concurrent negative PCR tests.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
SARS-CoV-2-associated ARDS can damage the heart without direct infection
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can damage the heart even without directly infecting the heart tissue, a National Institutes of Health-supported study has found. The research, published in the journal Circulation, specifically looked at damage to the hearts of people with SARS-CoV2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious lung condition that can be fatal. But researchers said the findings could have relevance to organs beyond the heart and also to viruses other than SARS-CoV-2.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Severe lung infection during COVID-19 can cause damage to the heart
NIH supported study shows that the virus that causes COVID-19 can damage the heart without directly infecting heart tissue.
March 20th, 2024 — Source or Source or Source
Study finds antibiotics combat gut bacteria that contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19
New research indicates that antibiotics can effectively target bacteria in the gut that harbor the virus that causes COVID-19 and produce toxin-like peptides that contribute to COVID-19-related symptoms.
March 20th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 18th, 2024
Addressing both flu and COVID-19 through a single, multitasking injection
In preparation for the winter season last year, the Korean Medical Association recommended that people with compromised immune systems receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines simultaneously. The prospect of receiving shots in both arms may have been a shock, especially for children. However, there is now exciting news about a multitasking substance capable of preventing and treating both flu and COVID-19 infections concurrently, and it is gaining momentum.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Can over-the-counter cold medicine treat COVID-19?
Research by Cardiff University shows that over-the-counter cold and flu treatments are safe and effective for managing mild COVID-19 symptoms at home and could help alleviate the burden on hospitals during high incidence of the illness in the population.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Covid and Medicare Payments Spark Remote Patient Monitoring Boom
For more than three years, Giovonne Branison has been monitoring his blood pressure, weight, and oxygen levels, with the measurements automatically sent to nurses at Frederick Health, a health system based in Frederick, Maryland. If anything appears abnormal, the nurses call him and, if needed, alert his doctor to make any changes in his medication for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 vaccine associated with reduced risk of cardiac and clot-related complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection
The risk of cardiac and clot-related complications following COVID-19 is substantially reduced in people who receive the COVID-19 vaccination compared with unvaccinated individuals, reports an observational study published online in the journal Heart.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 pandemic could have led to 20,000 prostate cancer diagnosis being missed
Prostate cancer diagnoses in 20,000 men could have been missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a new study published in BJU International from the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 took a mental health toll on mothers, young women and adolescent girls, researchers find
Two recent studies show that the non-pharmaceutical public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with increased mental health visits for mothers with young children, young women and adolescent girls.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Germ aversion found to have impacted 2020 election voting behavior
Voters opted to pick candidates in 2020 by mail-in ballots, avoiding poll sites due to COVID-19 concerns rather than because of political party efforts to promote specific voting methods, according to a new University of Michigan study.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Glucose fluctuations impact cognitive function in people with Type 1 Diabetes
A new study led by researchers at McLean Hospital and Washington State University used advances in digital testing to demonstrate that naturally occurring glucose fluctuations impact cognitive function in people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Results showed that cognition was slower in moments when glucose was atypical -- that is, considerably higher or lower than someone's usual glucose level.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
New AI tool predicts COVID-19 vaccine uptake
Findings of a new study led by researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Cincinnati could help public health officials lead more effective vaccination campaigns that overcome hesitancy.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Stem cell 'messages' fast-track healing of diabetic wounds
The increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to a rise in diabetic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, which are challenging to treat and can result in amputation. Traditional treatments have limited effectiveness, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Study shows glucose levels affect cognitive performance in people with type 1 diabetes differently
A new study led by researchers at McLean Hospital (a member of Mass General Brigham) and Washington State University used advances in digital testing to demonstrate that naturally occurring glucose fluctuations impact cognitive function in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Text nudges can increase uptake of COVID-19 boosters—if they play up a sense of ownership of the vaccine New research published in Nature Human Behavior suggests that text nudges encouraging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which had proven effective in prior real-world field tests, are also effective at prompting people to get a booster. Health — Diabetes — March 18th, 2024
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Potential novel biomarkers of coronary heart disease discovered
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide—especially in Europe: Here, it is responsible for nearly half of all deaths. Among middle-aged adults, individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a two to four times higher risk of developing CHD than people without T2D. The research team investigated the predictive performance of protein biomarkers on incident CHD in individuals with and without T2D.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Promoting diabetic wound healing using microneedles
The global population of patients with diabetic wounds is expected to rise to between 9.1 million and 26.1 million by 2030. Diabetic wounds severely impact patients' quality of life, both physically and mentally, while also imposing a substantial economic burden on health care systems.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Researchers identify novel protein biomarkers linked to coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a major global health problem, especially among people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers at the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Helmholtz Munich, and Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU) have identified novel protein biomarkers that are associated with the development of CHD in people with and without diabetes.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Researchers use algorithm to provide innovative insights into the heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes
A landmark study by the German Diabetes Center (DDZ), published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, sheds new light on the heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes. The researchers have employed an innovative algorithm to stratify people with type 2 diabetes using routine data and thus visualize the metabolic diversity of diabetes.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Team reports progress in developing specific immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes
Researchers from Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and Ahead Therapeutics SL have been exploring a treatment based on liposome-type nanoparticles to address the autoimmunity of type 1 diabetes for years. A study recently published in the Journal of Autoimmunity examines the response of macrophages to this immunotherapy, serving as a preliminary step before clinical trials.
March 18th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 15th, 2024
An online tool for long COVID support
A website to support people living with long COVID is launched today, on Long COVID Awareness Day (March 15), by a research team led by a Southampton professor with first-hand experience of the condition.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations prime immune cells to respond to subsequent variants
Findings on 'immunological imprinting' could affect future vaccine designs
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Marriages in the US are back to pre-pandemic levels, CDC says
U.S. marriages have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels with nearly 2.1 million in 2022.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Study conducted during the pandemic reveals the perceived effectiveness of various protective measures
An article by Giuseppe Alessandro Veltri of the Department of Sociology and Social Research of the University of Trento, focused on the public health guidelines adopted during the pandemic. The article, titled "Assessing the perceived effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions on SARS-Cov-2 transmission risk: an experimental study in Europe," was published in Scientific Reports.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 14th, 2024
Anti-inflammatory gene variant shields men under 75 from severe COVID-19
A certain variant of a key anti-inflammatory gene protects men under age 75 from severe illness and death when hospitalized from COVID-19, a genetic analysis of their blood shows.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Anxiety therapy prior to COVID-19 pandemic shields against increased stress
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented exposure to stressors driven by fears of a novel and deadly disease, intense uncertainty, and resulting isolation measures, which in turn resulted in increases in anxiety for many. According to new research however, individuals who were in therapy for anxiety prior to the start of the pandemic did not experience upticks in their symptoms throughout this exceptionally challenging time.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Harnessing the power of the biomolecular corona to advance lipid nanoparticle therapeutics
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have garnered widespread attention following their successful application in delivering mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to fully realize their potential for diverse therapeutic applications, scientists must overcome several clinical hurdles.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations prime immune cells to respond to subsequent variants, study finds
A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania shows that antibody responses to new SARS-CoV-2 variant infections and vaccinations are powerfully shaped by prior exposures to earlier SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Long COVID 'indistinguishable' from other post-viral syndromes a year after infection, researchers find
Long COVID appears to manifest as a post-viral syndrome indistinguishable from seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses, with no evidence of increased moderate-to-severe functional limitations a year after infection, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April).
March 14th, 2024 — Source
New bioengineered protein design shows promise in fighting COVID-19
A recent scientific breakthrough has emerged from the work of researchers aiming to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The study focuses on the design and development of a novel protein capable of binding to the spike proteins found on the surface of the coronavirus. The goal behind this innovative approach is twofold: first, to identify and recognize the virus for diagnostic purposes, and second, to hinder its ability to infect human cells.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
New drug candidate designed at the atomic level could help halt emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants NewsGuard 100/100 Score
Although COVID-19 has faded from the headlines, SARS-CoV-2 -- the coronavirus behind the pandemic -- is still rampantly infecting people around the world. Public health officials fear as the virus continues to evolve, it will eventually hit upon a diabolical mutation that renders current treatments ineffective, triggering a new wave of severe infection and social disruption.
March 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 11th, 2024
COVID-19 virus can stay in the body more than a year after infection
The COVID-19 virus can persist in the blood and tissue of patients for more than a year after the acute phase of the illness has ended, according to new research that offers potential clues to why some people develop long COVID.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Mathematicians use AI to identify emerging COVID-19 variants
Scientists at The Universities of Manchester and Oxford have developed an AI framework that can identify and track new and concerning COVID-19 variants and could help with other infections in the future.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: Time to finally stop worrying about COVID?
Is it finally time to stop worrying about COVID? The latest from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might leave that impression with some.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Sex hormones could be key to treating long COVID
Among the many mysteries about long COVID, one of the most vexing has been why women seem to experience the condition more often and more severely than men. Now, scientists are starting to think hormonesâ€"and the different ways they affect women and menâ€"could be part of the puzzle.
March 11th, 2024 — Source
Why Covid Patients Who Could Most Benefit From Paxlovid Still Aren't Getting It
Evangelical minister Eddie Hyatt believes in the healing power of prayer but "also the medical approach." So on a February evening a week before scheduled prostate surgery, he had his sore throat checked out at an emergency room near his home in Grapevine, Texas.
March 11th, 2024 — Source or Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 8th, 2024
Optimizing boosters: How COVID mRNA vaccines reshape immune memory after each dose
mRNA vaccines developed against the spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), displayed remarkable efficiency in combating coronavirus 19 (COVID-19). These vaccines work by triggering both cellular and humoral immune responses against the spike protein of the virus.
March 8th, 2024 — Source or Source
Why 'One Health' needs more social sciences: Pandemic prevention depends on behavior as well as biology
On March 11, 2024, it will be four years since the World Health Organization characterized the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as a pandemic. And while COVID-19 continues to impact people globally, it is only the most recent in a long history of pandemics with likely origins in animals.
March 8th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 6th, 2024
Chronic fatigue offers clues to long COVID
New research by La Trobe University has uncovered the intricate relationship between two debilitating conditions, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID; offering insights into disease pathologies and potential treatment avenues.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 exposes deep-rooted structural inequities affecting vaccine uptake among ACB groups
In a recent review published in Vaccines, researchers explored the influence of poor vaccination uptake among African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities on public health in high-income nations.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 physiological impacts vary by sex, wearable technology reveals
Men experience greater heart rate, skin temperature and breathing rate increases during infections
March 6th, 2024 — Source or Source
Eight common questions new parents ask about vitamin K
Vitamin K is a nutrient that helps blood clot or stop bleeding. Most adults get vitamin K from their food. Bacteria in the large intestines also make some vitamin K that the body can absorb.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Higher use of health care portal seen during COVID-19 pandemic
Health care portal use was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online on Feb. 29 in JAMA Network Open.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Impact of COVID on people with epilepsy: Higher rate of deaths and hospital admissions
People with epilepsy had a higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID and of dying from COVID during the first 15 months of the pandemic, new research led by Swansea University and the University of Edinburgh has found.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Investing in a universal COVID-19 vaccine would be worth it
Four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the disease is still responsible for more than 3,000 U.S. deaths a month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: Understanding the CDC's updated COVID isolation guidance
For the first time since 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID isolation guidance.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Study: Vaccinated people had lower risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes
Among people who had COVID-19, those who had received the latest vaccine had a lower risk of having a severe outcome than those who had not, according to new Cleveland Clinic research published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
March 6th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 4th, 2024
CDC shortens recommended COVID isolation period
New guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to routinely stay home for five days.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
How long do cognitive and memory dysfunctions persist after SARS-CoV-2 infection?
A recent New England Journal of Medicine study assessed whether cognitive deficits can be measured after severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
Low iron levels resulting from infection could be key trigger of long COVID
Problems with iron levels in the blood and the body's ability to regulate this important nutrient as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection could be a key trigger for long COVID, new research has discovered.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
Study provides rural perspective on COVID-19 vaccination rollout
Health initiatives in rural areas need to be geographically tailored, culturally anchored, and locally driven, academics argue.
March 4th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 2nd, 2024
The CDC has relaxed COVID guidelines. Will schools and day cares follow suit?
Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools and upended child care, the CDC says parents can start treating the virus like other respiratory illnesses.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source
Today Is Your Last Day to Order Free Covid Tests Through the USPS. Here's What to Know
The federal government is putting an end to its free rapid test program today. Here's how you can order your last round of tests.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — March 1st, 2024
COVID-19 no longer means five days in isolation, CDC says
Americans who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to stay in isolation for five days, U.S. health officials announced Friday.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
Does vitamin D have protective role against COVID-19?
In a recent study published in Nutrients, researchers investigated whether vitamin D supplementation before the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could provide benefits.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
Latest booster reduces adults' risk of moderate or severe COVID by more than half
The most recent COVID-19 booster shot reduces adults' risk of moderate or severe COVID by more than half, according to a new nationwide data study from September 2023 through January 2024, a period of JN.1 variant dominance.
March 1st, 2024 — Source or Source
Staffing shortages at nursing homes continue: Report
Although the pandemic has ended, staffing shortages and employee burnout still plague U.S. nursing homes, a new government report finds.
March 1st, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 28th, 2024
How the SARS-CoV-2 virus acquires its spherical shape
For centuries, coronaviruses have triggered health crises and economic challenges, with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that spreads COVID-19, being a recent example. One small protein in SARS-CoV-2, the membrane protein, or M protein, is the most abundant and plays a crucial role in how the virus acquires its spherical structure. Nonetheless, this protein's properties are not well understood.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Reanalyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the kidneys
In a new study, Yale researchers found that adults with COVID-19 who develop acute kidney injury have a lower risk of kidney disease progression and mortality over the longer term compared to those with AKI related to other causes.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Unintended consequences of NZ's COVID vaccine mandates must inform future pandemic policy
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy was being made in crisis management mode. Decisions had to be made faster than usual, and there was limited ability to undertake wider consultation and impact analysis.
February 28th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 27th, 2024
A pandemic that won't go away—as COVID enters its fifth year, NZ needs a realistic strategy
February 28 marks four years since COVID-19 was first reported in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many of us are probably surprised this virus is still causing a pandemic.
February 27th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 antiviral treatment should be taken for longer, says study
The currently recommended five-day course of molnupiravir, an antiviral treatment, may not be long enough to treat COVID-19, according to a new paper involving UCL researchers.
February 27th, 2024 — Source
Elusive immune cells dwelling in 'hidden niches' of the bone marrow may be key to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Although immunologists have developed a deep reservoir of knowledge illuminating how antibodies respond to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, little is known about the elusive cells that produce infection-fighting antibodies.
February 27th, 2024 — Source
You've Got Until March 8 to Order Free COVID-19 Tests From USPS
The federal government plans to shut down its free COVID rapid test program this Friday.
February 27th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 26th, 2024
Early COVID-19 research was riddled with poor methods and low-quality results, but the pandemic didn't cause the problem
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers flooded journals with studies about the then-novel coronavirus. Many publications streamlined the peer-review process for COVID-19 papers while keeping acceptance rates relatively high. The assumption was that policymakers and the public would be able to identify valid and useful research among a very large volume of rapidly disseminated information.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Long-term analysis reveals SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine-induced antibody responses are long-lasting
A long-term analysis conducted by leading microbiologists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reveals that antibody responses induced by COVID-19 vaccines are long-lasting. The study results, published online in the journal Immunity challenge the idea that mRNA-based vaccine immunity wanes quickly.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
National study reveals recovery hurdles for children following COVID-19 hospitalization
New research is showing just how difficult recovery is for children who are hospitalized due to COVID-19. Trailblazing data from a national multicenter survey shows that up to one-third of children did not fully recover and experienced persistent symptoms from 1 to 2 years after release from the hospital.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Risk profile tool provides clearer insight on hospitalized COVID-19 patients who benefit most from baricitinib treatment
A post-hoc analysis of ACTT-2 (Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial-2) found that the use of a risk profile may more precisely characterize high-risk patients who may benefit from the use of baricitinib. The analysis is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals early death predictors in COVID-19 patients with cardiac injury
Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. The activation of immune and thrombotic biomarkers at admission, and their ability to predict cardiac injury and mortality patterns in COVID-19, remains unclear.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Study finds sharp increase in antidepressant dispensing among adolescents and young adults during COVID-19 pandemic
Antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults increased sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic began -- particularly among females -- a new study finds.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
The prognostic puzzle of COVID-19: Fecal SARS-CoV-2 RNA's limited role
A recent study investigated the correlation between the specific anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG immune response resulting from vaccination or previous infection, viral load, and fecal virus excretion, as well as their impact on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients during the predominance of the omicron variant.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Vaping can increase susceptibility to infection by SARS-CoV-2
Vapers are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that spreads COVID-19 and continues to infect people around the world, a study by a research team at University of California, Riverside, has found.
February 26th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 23rd, 2024
CDC Could Cut COVID Isolation Time: What It Could Mean
Is shorter better? Or just more practical? The CDC is reportedly going to cut its COVID-19 isolation recommendations down from 5 days to 24 hours starting in April.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Increased paxlovid use could lead to significant hospitalization reductions and cost savings
Increased use of Paxlovid, the antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, could prevent hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and save tens of billions of dollars a year, according to a new epidemiological model published by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. In fact, epidemiologists found that treating even 20% of symptomatic cases would save lives and improve public health.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Model suggests increased use of Paxlovid could cut hospitalizations, deaths and costs
Increased use of Paxlovid, the antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, could prevent hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and save tens of billions of dollars a year, according to a new epidemiological model published by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Mouse study shows long COVID-19 infection linked with tangled protein that causes Alzheimer's disease
With a newly developed mouse model that more accurately represents human infection with COVID-19, Johns Hopkins scientists say they have found long-term infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in brain deposits of clumped and tangled Tau proteins commonly found in people with Alzheimer's disease
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Neonates of booster-vaccinated mothers have lower COVID-19 risk and better outcomes
An international study of COVID-19 in pregnancy, which included Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, found that neonates of booster-vaccinated mothers had less risk of being infected with COVID-19 compared to those of unvaccinated mothers. Babies of booster-vaccinated mothers also had the lowest rates of preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome and days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Researchers explore whether gut microbes cause some COVID-19 patients to have higher blood clot risk
A gut microbial metabolite called 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (2MBC) plays a role in exacerbating thrombosis—the formation of blood clots—researchers report February 23 in the journal Cell Metabolism. The results also revealed that 2MBC is accumulated in individuals with COVID-19, potentially explaining why these patients are at increased risk of thrombosis.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source
Study reveals over 134,000 missed cancer diagnoses in the U.S. during COVID-19 pandemic
Over 134,000 cancer cases went undiagnosed in the U.S. during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source or Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 21st, 2024
Q&A: COVID rebound can happen whether or not you take Paxlovid
What initially was referred to as "Paxlovid rebound"—a return of COVID symptoms or test positivity after starting a course of the antiviral—is now more accurately referred to as "COVID rebound," because rebound can happen regardless of whether someone takes antivirals.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Researchers find possible predictor of COVID-19 severity
The degree of severity to which someone experiences COVID-19 has a lot to do with the body's immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the infection it causes. Our immune system tailors antibodies to fight infections, so they are often used as an indicator to determine what type of illness we're up against or how sick it's likely to make us.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Study examines medical mystery of child hepatitis outbreak
An analysis of the sudden global outbreak of hepatitis in children finds that although the primary suspect is highly likely to be an infection by multiple viruses, many questions still puzzle researchers.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Study of usefulness of lockdowns during epidemics identifies alternate solution
The COVID-19 pandemic raised questions about when and to what extent costly nonpharmaceutical interventions (e.g., lockdowns) should be used to slow the contagious spread of the virus. In a new study, researchers tackled that question with a dynamic optimization model.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Study reveals high prevalence of persistent COVID-19 infections in general population
A new study led by the University of Oxford has found that a high proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the general population lead to persistent infections lasting a month or more.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Study reveals racial disparities in student enrollment trends amid COVID-19 policies
Student enrollment in districts that provided in-person schooling in fall 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a greater decline among nonwhite students than white students.
February 21st, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 19th, 2024
CDC may recommend COVID boosters for some this spring
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is weighing whether to recommend another COVID booster shot this spring, most likely for those who are vulnerable to severe illness.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Largest COVID vaccine study yet evaluates adverse events of special interest
Vaccines that protect against severe illness, death and lingering long COVID symptoms from a coronavirus infection were linked to small increases in neurological, blood, and heart-related conditions in the largest global vaccine safety study to date.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Q&A: Study finds women more likely than men to suffer from long COVID
A new study by Western researchers has drawn a link between higher body mass index (BMI) in women and the likelihood of long COVID, but did not find the same link in men.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Research finds flu vaccines were effective in 2022--2023 flu season
The prospect of the worrisome triple threat of COVID, RSV, and flu was assuaged last year by the effectiveness of flu vaccines. Two recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's VISION Network have found that flu vaccines were effective for all ages against both moderate and severe flu in the U.S. during the 2022-2023 flu season.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Study finds connection between COVID-19 and insomnia
Researchers in Vietnam have discovered a connection between COVID-19 cases and trouble sleeping in patients.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Study finds no higher risk of miscarriage after COVID-19
LUMC research has shown that women who previously had a miscarriage due to COVID-19 are not at increased risk of having another miscarriage or a stillbirth. Nor are preventive drugs needed during the pregnancy.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Study finds prevalence of long COVID varies geographically in the United States
There is geographic variation in the prevalence of long COVID in the United States, according to research published in the Feb. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Survey of US adults reveals common cognitive symptoms in post-COVID-19 patients, linked to impaired daily functioning and depression
In a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, a team of scientists examined how prevalent self-reported cognitive symptoms were in individuals with post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) condition as compared to individuals who had prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections but had not developed post-COVID-19 condition. They also evaluated the impact of these cognitive symptoms on mood, function, and employment status.
February 19th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 16th, 2024
Cognitive symptoms common with post-COVID-19 condition, study finds
For individuals with post-COVID-19 condition, cognitive symptoms are common, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
February 16th, 2024 — Source
Study finds Moderna vaccine reduces symptomatic COVID-19 in young adults
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the rapid development of different vaccines, including the messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273 vaccine produced by Moderna.
February 16th, 2024 — Source
Study finds neurological symptoms are not a direct result of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the brain
Scientists still are not sure how neurological symptoms arise in COVID-19. Is it because SARS-CoV-2 infects the brain? Or are these symptoms the result of inflammation in the rest of the body? A study by Charite—Universitätsmedizin Berlin has now produced evidence to support the latter theory.
February 16th, 2024 — Source
Study suggests patients with severe long COVID present with variable symptoms, do not cluster in relation to organs affected or immunological states
A new preprint, recently uploaded to the medRxiv* preprint server, reports significantly associated findings that may help predict severe long COVID and understand what causes it.
February 16th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 14th, 2024
CDC may consider loosening COVID isolation guidance
New, proposed guidance being weighed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to routinely stay home for five days.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Cleaned surfaces may be germ-free, but they're not bare
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, surfaces in public spaces are cleaned more often. While disinfectant solutions eliminate germs, they don't leave behind a truly bare surface. They deposit a thin film that doesn't get wiped up, even after giving the surface a good polish.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 tied to significant increase in outpatient health care
Outpatient use increases significantly in the month after COVID-19 infection when compared with uninfected individuals, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in JAMA Network Open.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 vaccination and boosting during pregnancy found to protect infants for six months
Women who receive an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination or booster during pregnancy can provide their infants with solid protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection for at least six months after birth, according to a study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.
February 14th, 2024 — Source or Source or Source or Source
Tobacco use in pregnancy linked to neurocognitive deficits in offspringTobacco use in pregnancy linked to neurocognitive deficits in offspring
Maternal tobacco use during pregnancy (MTDP) is associated with child neurocognitive deficits at ages nine to 12 years, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
University of Washington program tries unique approach to help older adults with depression
Sitting in his Capitol Hill apartment, Russ Welti knew the answer to his problem. Still, he felt stuck, as a familiar sensation weighed on him.
February 14th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 12th, 2024
High-dose inhaled nitric oxide decreases risk of death among critically ill Black patients with COVID-19: Study
In a first-of-its-kind study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, physician-scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine discovered that high-dose inhaled nitric oxide therapy may improve oxygenation and reduce the risk of mortality among critically ill Black patients with COVID-19.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Long COVID-19 is linked to chronic pain conditions, says study
Many patients continue to struggle in the wake of the pandemic as they grapple with ongoing symptoms triggered by COVID-19 infection, a condition commonly known as long COVID. However, the onset of symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, headache, and other types of pain is not unique to COVID infection, according to a new U-M study.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
New comprehensive report on pediatric long COVID symptoms published
Up to 5.8 million children and youth in the U.S. have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 that persisted long after initial infection. But diagnosing pediatric post acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC)-;known as long COVID-;in children remains challenging, as it can affect any organ system in the body, symptoms vary widely by individual, and little is known about its trajectory in patients over time.
February 12th, 2024 — Source or Source
Online physical, mental rehab aids quality of life with long COVID
An online, home-based group physical and mental health rehabilitation program improves health-related quality of life in adults with long COVID, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in The BMJ.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Trial investigates efficacy of online supervised group mental and physical rehabilitation program for long COVID patients
In a recent study published in the BMJ, researchers evaluated the efficacy of an online supervised group mental and physical rehabilitation program in adults with long COVID.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Using citizens' data securely in research: COVID-19 data donation projects show how it can be done
Smartphones, smartwatches and associated apps are constantly improving their ability to record and store personal health data. The initial proposal for the EU law for a European Health Data Space in 2022 would allow depersonalized health and wellness data to be shared without explicit consent in the future. There has been understandable pushback against it—not just from data protection officers.
February 12th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 9th, 2024
COVID-19 rapid tests: How good are they?
The COVID-19 pandemic marked the first time in the history of pandemics where self-testing was used as an essential component of a widespread public infection control and prevention strategy. Nearly four years into the pandemic, a study sheds light on the diagnostic accuracy and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests used for COVID-19 self-testing.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1 raises concerns with increased transmissibility and immune evasion
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1 has sparked global concern due to its distinct genetic features and heightened infectivity. Carrying more than 30 spike protein mutations, including the hallmark Leu455Ser, JN.1 exhibits substantial potential for immune evasion.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
MHRA authorizes COVID-19 vaccines: Comirnaty and Nuvaxovid gain approvals
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a change to the license of the Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 30 micrograms/dose (single-dose vials) after it was found to meet the UK regulator's standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
February 9th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 7th, 2024
Many excess deaths attributed to natural causes are actually uncounted COVID-19 deaths, new analysis reveals
The new study provides the most compelling data yet to suggest that excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses and other natural causes were actually driven by COVID-19 infections
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Study reveals high insomnia rates in non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors
In a recent study published in Frontiers in Public Health, researchers investigated insomnia prevalence and its association with anxiety and depression in the non-hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-recovered community.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Updated COVID-19 vaccine has effectiveness of 54 percent, according to new research
Updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccines offer vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 54 percent against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to research published in the Feb. 1 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
February 7th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 5th, 2024
Congressman Off-Base in Ad Claiming Fauci Shipped Covid to Montana Before the Pandemic
A fundraising ad for U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) shows a photo of Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, behind bars, swarmed by flying bats.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 researchers discover hidden natural immune defense pathway
An international cohort of scientists researching COVID-19 has uncovered a hidden part of the human immune system that creates anti-viral agents.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Immune response, not acute viral infections, responsible for neurological damage, researchers discover
For years, there has been a long-held belief that acute viral infections like Zika or COVID-19 are directly responsible for neurological damage, but researchers from McMaster University have now discovered that it's the immune system's response that is behind it.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Mental health care during the COVID-19 era remains inaccessible to many distressed US adults
U.S. adults experienced considerable psychological distress and adverse mental health effects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Pandemic linked to 14% increase in underweight children in India
Malnutrition of Indian children rose dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research from the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI).
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Study confirms fears that COVID pandemic reduced kindergarten readiness
Numerous studies have raised alarms about how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning, development and mental health among school-aged children. But few have focused on the effects felt by the 22 million children under age 6 who were not yet in school.
February 5th, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 2nd, 2024
Investigators explore what factors increase susceptibility to COVID-19
Investigators in the Department of Computational Biomedicine at Cedars-Sinai wanted to find out which factors influenced susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and disease severity the most. Was it genetics? Or was it home environment, meaning the germs circulating throughout your everyday life?
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
New COVID Vaccine 54% Effective at Preventing Symptoms
If you're in the minority of Americans who received the most recent COVID-19 vaccination, chances are you're in the majority not experiencing any COVID symptoms now or in the near future.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Using machine learning to battle COVID-19 bacterial co-infection
University of Queensland researchers have used machine learning to help predict the risk of secondary bacterial infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The research is published in The Lancet Microbe.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Vaccine effectiveness: Which COVID-19 shots are most protective against severe disease?
First boosters, second boosters, monovalent, bivalent. Just like the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, the vaccines to combat the virus are always changing—and perhaps confusing.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — February 1st, 2024
Immunologists advance research into long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome
Liisa Selin, MD, Ph.D., and Anna Gil, Ph.D., discovered similarities in immune system dysfunction as a potential biomarker among people living with long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The research also introduced a novel treatment and a method to track effective treatment interventions.
February 1st, 2024 — Source
Research finds higher customer support for companies that cut CEO pay, not jobs, during COVID
Hospitality businesses that treat employees with care and empathy during times of crisis can activate considerable brand loyalty and generate future business among customers with high ethical idealism, according to a new study co-authored by a researcher in the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
February 1st, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 31st, 2024
COVID-19 offers lessons to improve vaccine equity in Global South
Martin and co-authors of the BMJ Global Health analysis, "Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 to Reduce Mortality and Morbidity in the Global South: Addressing Global Vaccine Equity for Future Pandemics," detail actions and desired outcomes to improve global vaccine equity in the Global South and beyond before a future pandemic.
January 31, 2024 — Source
Study finds BIPOC individuals bear greater post-COVID burdens
A study appearing in Frontiers in Public Health reports that BIPOC individuals who were infected with COVID-19 experienced greater negative aftereffects in health and work loss than did similarly infected white participants.
January 31, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 29th, 2024
Breast milk may have potential protective effects against SARS-CoV-2, say researchers
The COVID-19 pandemic was an especially harrowing time for pregnant people and new parents.
January 29, 2024 — Source
Study finds reduced inpatient and severe respiratory disease visits during COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
In Wuhan, China, a stringent lockdown was implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19, transitioning to a normalized prevention and control strategy. Considering the shared transmission route through the respiratory tract, mask-wearing, social distancing, and personal hygiene have been linked to reduced transmission of respiratory pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2.
January 29, 2024 — Source
UK teens experienced spike in online harm during COVID-19 pandemic, report claims
A new pair of reports co-led by a UCL researcher highlights the scale of online harm faced by young people in the UK while also demonstrating the impact of educational workshops in equipping young people with tools to navigate the digital world.
January 29, 2024 — Source
Viral protein fragments may unlock mystery behind serious COVID-19 outcomes
There are many lingering mysteries from the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, why does SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the disease, cause severe symptoms in some patients, while many other coronaviruses don't? And what causes strange symptoms to persist even after the infection has been cleared from a person's system?
January 29, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 26th, 2024
Common cold or COVID-19? Some T cells are ready to combat both
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found direct evidence that exposure to common cold coronaviruses can train T cells to fight SARS-CoV-2. In fact, prior exposure to a common cold coronavirus appears to partially protect mice from lung damage during a subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
January 26, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 pandemic perceived as less serious than other health problems, suggests 7-country survey
Researchers from seven Environment for Development (EfD) centers plus the EfD Global Hub, located at the University of Gothenburg, have conducted an extensive survey on how serious people perceive COVID-19.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Immunocompromised patients and COVID infections: Who's at risk?
Early in the pandemic, clinicians noticed that certain immunocompromised patients were experiencing persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, some lasting weeks to months at a time.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Q&A: More Americans could benefit from Paxlovid for COVID infection
One of the best tools for preventing severe complications from COVID infection is the prescription antiviral drug Paxlovid. But not nearly as many people who could benefit from it are being prescribed it, says Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who specializes in infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Study explores how opposing viewpoints may have impacted vaccine hesitancy
As the COVID-19 pandemic raged throughout the country in 2020, politics, memes and public messaging converged to dramatically influence individuals' decisions regarding the in-development COVID vaccines, according to a new article by researchers at the University at Albany's Massry School of Business and Washington State University's Carson College of Business.
January 26, 2024 — Source
The association between handgrip strength and functional outcomes in long COVID-19
In a recent longitudinal study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from Brazil investigated the potential association between dynapenia (loss of muscle strength and power) with functional outcomes in patients with long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
January 26, 2024 — Source
UK Biobank research reveals significant impact of type 2 diabetes on COVID-19 outcomes
In a recent study published in Communications Biology, a team of scientists investigated how type 2 diabetes and genetic susceptibility to the disease impacted the severity of and mortality risk associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using data from the United Kingdom (U.K.) Biobank.
January 26, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 24th, 2024
COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy seems safe for infant neurodevelopment, finds study
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy seems safe in terms of neurodevelopment through 18 months of age, according to a study Source online Jan. 22 in JAMA Pediatrics.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Infants born to COVID-infected mothers found to have triple the risk of developing respiratory distress
New UCLA-led research finds that infants born full term to mothers who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy had three times the risk of having respiratory distress compared with unexposed infants, even though they themselves were not infected with the virus. The risk was significantly lower when the mothers infected during pregnancy were previously vaccinated.
January 24, 2024 — Source
New study highlights varied risk of persistent COVID-19 infection among immunocompromised patients
Individuals who are immunocompromised are at risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes and may have a less robust response to vaccination compared to non-immunocompromised individuals. But the term "immunocompromised" refers to a wide range of conditions, and not all patients in this category may be at equal risk.
January 24, 2024 — Source
No sign latest COVID variant leads to worse symptoms
JN.1, the COVID variant sweeping the country this winter, is not prompting more severe disease than earlier variants did, early U.S. government data suggests.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Research team identifies 'protective switches' in SARS-CoV-2 protein that defend against immune system
Over 700 million people were infected and almost seven million died, making SARS-CoV-2 the most devastating pandemic of the 21st century. Vaccines and medication against COVID-19 have been able to mitigate the course of the disease in many people and contain the pandemic. However, the danger of further outbreaks has not been averted.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Study finds obesity spiked in children during COVID-19 lockdowns, only the youngest bounced back
Obesity among primary school children in the UK spiked during the COVID-19 lockdown, with a 45% increase between 2019/20 and 2020/21 among 4--5-year-olds, according to a study published in PLOS ONE by Iván Ochoa-Moreno from the University of Southampton, UK, and colleagues. The authors estimated that without reversals, increased obesity rates in Year 6 children alone will cost society an additional £800 million in health care.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Study finds three times the risk of respiratory distress in infants born to COVID-infected mothers
New UCLA-led research finds that infants born full term to mothers who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy had three times the risk of having respiratory distress compared with unexposed infants, even though they themselves were not infected with the virus. The risk was significantly lower when the mothers infected during pregnancy were previously vaccinated.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Study finds veterans of color and female veterans reported more stress during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic led to illness and death, significant economic and employment problems, severe social restrictions and substantially altered family life—the effects of which researchers are beginning to understand.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Wastewater tests show COVID infections surging, but pandemic fatigue limits precautions
Although it's spotty and inconsistent in many places, wastewater testing is pointing to a new wave of COVID-19 infections, with as many as one-third of Americans expected to contract the disease by late February.
January 24, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 22nd, 2024
Australian-first study examines impacts of long COVID on intimate partner violence victim-survivors
An Australian-first study by researchers at Monash University has examined the impact of long COVID on victim-survivors' experiences of intimate partner violence.
January 22, 2024 — Source
'Emergency' or not, COVID is still killing people: Here's what doctors advise to stay safe
With around 20,000 people dying of COVID in the United States since the start of October, and tens of thousands more abroad, the COVID pandemic clearly isn't over. However, the crisis response is, since the World Health Organization and the Biden administration ended their declared health emergencies last year.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Experts outline how to reduce COVID-19 health inequalities for ethnic minority groups
An international collaborative led by The University of Manchester and the University of Leicester has published a new paper that outlines how to reduce COVID-19 health inequity among ethnic minority groups.
January 22, 2024 — Source
How to Get More Free COVID Tests (While You Still Can)
Here's what to know about ordering free COVID tests, where to find treatments and how to get free vaccines.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Improving antiviral medication for COVID-19 to give more patients access to treatment
Researchers from the University of Alberta (U of A) are working to improve the only oral antiviral approved for COVID-19 infections in the hopes of expanding its use in populations that need it most.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Scientists demonstrate way to produce SARS-CoV-2 receptor protein in mouse cells
A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has demonstrated a way to produce large quantities of the receptor that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, binds to on the surface of human cells. That binding between the now-infamous viral spike protein and the human "ACE2" receptor is the first step of infection by the virus.
January 22, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 19th, 2024
Complement system causes cell damage in long Covid
Long Covid patients suffer from chronic symptoms such as fatigue or shortness of breath. As researchers have discovered, this is to some extent due to a part of our immune system called the complement system. The study identified a pattern in the blood proteins that will improve the diagnosis and perhaps also the targeted treatment of long Covid.
January 19, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 vaccine uptake more likely in pregnancy if receiving other vaccines: Study
Pregnant patients are more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccination if they receive other routine vaccines during pregnancy, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Infection.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Evolution of the human immune system in the post-omicron era
It has been four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 has yet to be eradicated and new variants are continuously emerging. Despite the extensive immunization programs, breakthrough infections (infection after vaccination) by new variants are common.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Long COVID advocates ask Congress to improve federal response
Long COVID patients and experts have called on lawmakers to expand clinical trials and better educate doctors on what researchers currently know about the potentially debilitating chronic condition.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Sniffing out relief for loss of smell and taste following COVID-19 infection
John T. reads this column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and writes about his experience with COVID-19: "I had minimal symptoms with the exception of my loss of taste and smell. I am a little concerned as it is approaching eight weeks since I have been negative for COVID and I have never recovered from my loss of taste and smell. Will this just pass in time or should I be concerned? Any ideas, suggestions would be much appreciated.
January 19, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 16th, 2024
Diverging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on type 2 diabetes care processes
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland published in the journal Primary Care Diabetes reveals varied impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with type 2 diabetes in North Karelia, Finland.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Innovative COVID-19 analysis supports prevention protocols in health care settings
In early 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a highly contagious and pathogenic virus, made its alarming debut and quickly spread worldwide, causing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that threatened human health and public safety.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Nonpharmaceutical interventions saved lives and eased burdens during COVID's first wave, study shows
The measures world governments enacted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 remain a source of controversy for policy experts, researchers, and media commentators. Some research maintains that they did little to cut down mortality rates or halt the virus's spread.
January 16, 2024 — Source
RSV, flu and COVID: Demystifying the triple epidemic of respiratory viruses
Since 2022, a triple epidemic of respiratory viruses—RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2—has been disrupting our daily lives. In addition, the media constantly reminds us of how this is straining emergency departments.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Study examines how ad strategies of the Great Depression can inform today's crisis communications
The COVID-19 pandemic was not the first time a crisis swept through the nation and beyond, forcing businesses and media to find ways to reach people in uncertain times. A new study from the University of Kansas has analyzed newspaper advertising strategies from the Great Depression to see what one historic crisis can teach communicators about reaching people today.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Study shows slight increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome risk with adenovirus COVID vaccines
A new paper in the journal JAMA Neurology examines whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines cause or exacerbate autoimmune and neurological diseases.
January 16, 2024 — Source
UK-wide COVID vaccination coverage study reveals gaps and preventable hospitalizations
Between a third and a half of the populations of the four UK nations had not had the recommended number of COVID vaccinations and boosters by summer 2022, according to the first research study to look at COVID-19 vaccine coverage of the entire UK population.
January 16, 2024 — Source
UK-wide study reveals harm done by people not getting COVID jabs
More than 7,000 people were hospitalized or died from COVID-19 in the UK during the summer of 2022 because they had not received the recommended number of vaccine doses, according to a study released Tuesday that was the first to cover Britain's entire population.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Unraveling the complexity of betacoronaviruses in bats
With pandemics increasingly a global concern, an international study led by scientists at Universite de Montreal offers new insights into the intricate evolutionary dynamics of betacoronaviruses in bats, providing a deeper understanding of the risks posed by these pathogens.
January 16, 2024 — Source
What is Disease X? How scientists are preparing for the next pandemic
The term "Disease X" was coined years ago as a way of getting scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats—novel coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19, for example—instead of just known ones, like the Ebola virus.
January 16, 2024 — Source
WHO says COVID vaccines saved at least 1.4 mn lives in Europe
At least 1.4 million lives have been saved in Europe thanks to COVID vaccines, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday, recalling that the virus was "here to stay".
January 16, 2024 — Source
Working from home since COVID-19? Cabin fever could be the next challenge
As Canada opened back up after the COVID-19 lockdowns, many businesses encouraged their workers to head back to the office. Yet, despite restrictions being lifted in Canada and around the world, teleworking as a regular working arrangement has remained popular across different industries.
January 16, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 15th, 2024
Studies examine different responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants
Two studies led by a researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center show the effects of different SARS-CoV-2 variants on lung tissue, revealing what may cause some COVID-19 infections to be more severe than others. Both studies, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, provide new perspectives that could advance treatments for COVID-19, which has been linked to millions of deaths worldwide since January 2020.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Study shows long COVID increases costs of primary care consultations each year
Long COVID is estimated to have cost the UK at least an extra £23 million in GP and other primary care consultations each year, according to a new study.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Universal Coronavirus vaccine could save billions in U.S., new study suggests
In a recent study published in eClinicalMedicine, researchers evaluated the epidemiologic, clinical, and economic value of a universal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine under varying circumstances, such as the advent of a new coronavirus, using a computational simulation model.
January 15, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 12th, 2024
Analysis finds 10% treatment boost needed to shift NHS COVID backlog
The NHS must treat at least 10% more non-emergency hospital cases a month if it is to successfully start reducing the hefty backlog caused by the pandemic, according to a new analysis.
January 12, 2024 — Source
COVID-19 vaccines found effective in reducing risk of long COVID symptoms
A recent study has revealed the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing long COVID.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Long COVID: Damaged mitochondria in muscles might be linked to some of the symptoms
It's estimated around 3% of people in the UK experience long COVID—persistent, long-lasting symptoms after a COVID-19 infection.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Complacency Has Replaced Alarm in the Newest COVID Surge
Sneezing, coughing, sniffling -- it may seem that everyone you know is sick with some type of respiratory virus right now. At present, the United States is getting hammered with such illnesses, with visits to the doctor for respiratory viruses on an upward trend in recent weeks.
January 12, 2024 — Source
New study reveals higher mortality risk in COVID-19 patients with newly-diagnosed atrial fibrillation
A recent Scientific Reports study investigated the incidence and prognosis of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients hospitalized due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Research explores race politics associated with wearing a mask in public to combat COVID-19
Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that can improve the lives of Americans are still ongoing, thanks to the help and insight of UNM's Center for Social Policy (CSP.)
January 12, 2024 — Source
Studies find bivalent COVID-19 shot effective for preventing thromboembolic events
A bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after receipt of an original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine is effective for preventing COVID-19-related thromboembolic events, according to research published in the Jan. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
January 12, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 11th, 2024
A universal coronavirus vaccine could save billions of dollars if ready before next pandemic, study suggests
What if scientists had developed a universal coronavirus vaccine in the years prior to 2020 so that it was available at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? A universal coronavirus vaccine targets parts of the virus that are common to either many or all coronaviruses, thereby offering some degree of protection against a range of strains.
January 11, 2024 — SourceSource
BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease
In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers assessed the BNT162b2 vaccine's effectiveness in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and severe disease among pediatric and adolescent individuals in the United States (US).
January 11, 2024 — Source
COVID is surging in Australia—and only 1 in 5 older adults are up to date with their boosters
Do you have family members or friends sick with a respiratory infection? If so, there's a good chance it's COVID, caused by the JN.1 variant currently circulating in Australia.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Indian researchers design thermostable, broadly protective vaccine candidate for current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghavan Varadarajan, Professor at the Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and collaborators have been working on developing a heat-tolerant vaccine that can offer protection against different strains of SARS-CoV-2—both current and future variants.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Phylogenomic analysis to generate early warning signs for COVID-19 waves
In a recent study published in eBioMedicine, researchers developed the Transmission Fitness Polymorphism (TFP) scanner analysis pipeline to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with high growth rates, serving as leading indicators to generate early warning signals (EWS) for epidemic waves.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Research reveals mice without immune cells show no SARS-CoV-2 symptoms
When mice lacking key adaptive immune cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, even though they are not able to clear the virus, they developed no symptoms, revealing that the body's own inflammatory immune response to fight the infection was causing the pathology, according to a new study.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Study looks at cardiovascular risks in COVID-19 survivors
The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic caused as a result of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus marked a global health crisis with over 770 million cases of infection and 6 million deaths by September 6, 2023. Around 6.2% of the recovered individuals, however, face lingering symptoms such as fatigue or respiratory problems.
January 11, 2024 — Source
Study: In patients with long COVID, immune cells don't follow the rules
People with long COVID have dysfunctional immune cells that show signs of chronic inflammation and faulty movement into organs, among other unusual activity, according to a new study by scientists at Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco (UCSF).
January 11, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 10th, 2024
Is it the flu or COVID? Does it matter? Five questions about winter viruses
With COVID-19 and flu both surging across the country, chances are you or someone close to you is sick or getting over a virus.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Majority of US hospitals found COVID-19 reporting directives to be inconsistent
The U.S. health care response during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled challenges in public health reporting systems and electronic clinical data exchange.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Nasal spray with antibodies could prevent COVID-19
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown that nasal drops with IgA antibodies can protect mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results imply a new way to protect individuals at high risk from different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and possibly other infections. The study is published in PNAS.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Nearly 10,000 died from COVID-19 last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant, WHO says
The head of the U.N. health agency said Wednesday holiday gatherings and the spread of the most prominent variant globally led to increased transmission of COVID-19 last month.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Pandemic impact: Significant rise in sleep disturbances among children and adolescents worldwide
In a recent study published in Translational Psychiatry, researchers assessed the global prevalence of sleep disturbances in children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Preexisting conditions seen in all patients with tachycardia after COVID-19 vaccine
Patients with post-COVID-19 vaccination postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) all have preexisting conditions, according to a study published in the January issue of Heart Rhythm.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Scientists discover how ultraviolet light degrades coronavirus
New research has revealed how light can be used to destroy infectious coronavirus particles that contaminate surfaces. Scientists are interested in how environments, such as surgeries, can be thoroughly disinfected from viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 that caused the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Study finds high levels of job satisfaction among copy editors, little negative effects from pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted jobs across the workforce, including the editorial sector. But a new study from the University of Kansas found it did not significantly affect how copy editors, proofreaders, and fact-checkers felt about their work and that those working in the professions still have high job satisfaction and a passion for their work in a time of declining trust in media.
January 10, 2024 — Source
With COVID on the rise, your at-home test may be taking longer to show a positive result
With COVID-19 rising this winter, it's getting more complicated to discern whether you are infected.
January 10, 2024 — Source
WHO warns COVID still a threat
Almost 10,000 COVID-19 deaths were reported in December, the WHO said on Wednesday, as it warned the virus remained a major threat despite partially passing under the radar.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Wanting to 'move on' is natural—but women's pandemic experiences can't be lost to 'lockdown amnesia'
The COVID-19 pandemic was—and continues to be—hugely disruptive and stressful for individuals, communities and countries. Yet many seem desperate to close the chapter entirely, almost as if it had never happened.
January 10, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 9th, 2024
COVID-19 infection surge detected in wastewater, signals potential new wave
US, Netherlands, Germany all show spikes while UK no longer collects data
January 9, 2024 — Source
Mutations in spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 pirola variant found to augment infection of lung cells
Despite the end of the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to pose a serious health threat. Most individuals have established robust immune protection and do not develop severe disease but the infection can still lead to marked and sometimes long-lasting disease symptoms.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Policy interventions helped save lives during pandemic, study finds
States that emphasized non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as distancing and mask wearing, fared better in curbing the spread of COVID-19, finds a forthcoming study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Real-world study tracks vaccine's power to protect kids from Delta and Omicron variants
Children and adolescents who received one of the main COVID-19 vaccines were significantly protected from the illness and showed no increased signs of cardiac complications compared to young people who were not vaccinated, according to a new real-world study led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
January 9, 2024 — Source
Researchers race to develop Paxlovid replacement
Researchers from Rutgers believe themselves among the leaders in a race to find an oral COVID-19 treatment to supplement or replace Paxlovid—the antiviral medication that helps keep high-risk patients out of the hospital and from dying.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Sickle cell raises COVID-19 risk, but vaccination lags: Study
Despite the fact that people with sickle cell disease have a much higher risk of serious illness or death if they develop COVID-19, a new study shows they're also much less likely than those without sickle cell disease to have gotten vaccinated against coronavirus.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Some believe the 1889 Russian flu pandemic was actually caused by a coronavirus—here's why that's unlikely
COVID-19 was the first coronavirus pandemic. The original SARS virus from 2003 and the MERS virus that created a health emergency in South Korea in 2015 were both coronaviruses, but fortunately, they failed to turn into pandemics in the way that COVID did.
January 9, 2024 — Source
There's a new COVID-19 variant and cases are ticking up: What you need to know
It's winter, that cozy season that brings crackling fireplaces, indoor gatherings—and a wave of respiratory illness. Nearly four years since the pandemic emerged, people are growing weary of dealing with it, but the virus is not done with us.
January 9, 2024 — Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 8th, 2024
Long COVID's hidden toll: How does post-exertional malaise affect skeletal muscles?
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers investigate the pathophysiology of post-exertional malaise (PEM) in long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, focusing on skeletal muscle changes, exercise capacity, metabolic disturbances, and tissue alterations.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Mobile phone study sheds light on unhealthy food consumption disparities during COVID-19
A study published in Health Data Science, reveals critical insights into socioeconomic disparities in unhealthy food reliance using novel mobile phone data analysis. This study, led by researchers Charles Alba and Ruopeng An from Washington University in St. Louis, marks a significant departure from traditional survey-centric approaches, offering a more dynamic nationwide perspective.
January 8, 2024 — Source
New AI tool accurately detects COVID-19 from chest X-rays
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can rapidly detect COVID-19 from chest X-rays with more than 98% accuracy. The study results have just been published in Scientific Reports.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Real-world analysis: COVID-19 vaccine strongly effective for children and adolescents during delta and omicron
Children and adolescents who received one of the main COVID-19 vaccines were significantly protected from the illness and showed no increased signs of cardiac complications compared to young people who were not vaccinated, according to a new real-world study led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
January 8, 2024 — Source
SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 shows increased lung targeting despite vaccine effectiveness
New research shows that the recently emerged BA.2.86 omicron subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19 can be neutralized by bivalent mRNA vaccine-induced antibodies in the blood, which explains why this variant did not cause a widespread surge as previously feared.
January 8, 2024 — Source
Study suggests omicron subvariant causes enhanced fusion with human lung cells
New research shows that the recently-emerged BA.2.86 omicron subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19 can be neutralized by bivalent mRNA vaccine-induced antibodies in the blood, which explains why this variant did not cause a widespread surge as previously feared.
January 8, 2024 — Source
There's a New Covid-19 Variant and Cases Are Ticking Up. What Do You Need to Know?
It's winter, that cozy season that brings crackling fireplaces, indoor gatherings — and a wave of respiratory illness. Nearly four years since the pandemic emerged, people are growing weary of dealing with it, but the virus is not done with us.
January 8, 2024 — Source or Source
Health — Covid-19 — January 6th, 2024
Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar
Diabetes management takes awareness. Know what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall — and how to control these day-to-day factors.
January 6, 2024 — Source
US regulators on Friday approved Florida's plan to import prescription drugs from Canada, making it the first state to win such authorization, in a bid to lower costs for American consumers. Health — Diabetes — January 6th, 2024
January 6, 2024 — Source
Health — Bacteria & Viruses — Resources
17 Questions and Answers
Confused About Tuberculosis Headlines? Get the Facts
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Flu Shot Tip Sheet
Flu season is here. Get the flu shot facts with this timely tipsheet.
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Flu.gov
The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.
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StopGerms.org
the ultimately resource to guide you to creating and maintaining a healthy home.
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