Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 18th, 2025

Active ventilation can reduce bioaerosol risks in public restrooms
Bioaerosol emissions during toilet flushing are an often-overlooked source of potential health risks in shared public facilities. A new study published in Risk Analysis found that bioaerosol concentrations of two bacteria -- Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) -- exceeded acceptable levels established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) after toilet flushing. Inhaling these biological particles can produce symptoms like abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
February 18, 2025 — Source

Biologists transform gut bacteria into tiny protein pharmacies
Hundreds of different species of microbes live in your gut. In the future, one of these might serve a new function: microscopic in-house pharmacist.
February 18, 2025 — Source

Designing antivirals for shape-shifting viruses
A new modeling approach could help design targeted antivirals that account for the dynamic nature of viruses
February 18, 2025 — Source

High-speed microscopy reveals real-time protein translocation across a bacterial membrane
Protein translocation is an essential, nano-scale dynamic process that facilitates the movement of proteins across cellular membranes, enabling them to reach specific locations within the cell or to be transported outside the cell. This process occurs through membrane protein complexes that provide necessary channels for the movement of proteins.
February 18, 2025 — Source

How California can rebuild safer, more resilient cities after wildfires without pricing out workers
The dramatic images of wealthy neighborhoods burning during the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires captured global attention, but the damage was much more widespread. Many working-class families lost their homes, businesses and jobs. In all, more than 16,000 structures—most of them homes—were destroyed, leaving thousands of people displaced.
February 18, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 17th, 2025

Beta-glucan from fungi could help protect against influenza
A component found in all fungi may provide a shield against flu-related lung damage, according to a new study.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Breakthrough computational tool enhances design of targeted antiviral therapies
Viruses, like those that cause COVID-19 or HIV, are formidable opponents once they invade our bodies. Antiviral treatments strive to block a virus or halt its replication. However, viruses are dynamic-constantly evolving and changing shape, which can make designing antiviral treatments a challenge.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Colorado has 'very high' flu activity, but not as bad as the rest of the country
The flu is widespread in Colorado, but the virus hasn't hit the state nearly as hard as some others.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Engineers create new glue that mimics mussels and mucus to prevent bacterial buildup
Within the animal kingdom, mussels are masters of underwater adhesion. The marine mollusks cluster atop rocks and along the bottoms of ships, and hold fast against the ocean's waves thanks to a gluey plaque they secrete through their foot. These tenacious adhesive structures have prompted scientists in recent years to design similar bioinspired, waterproof adhesives.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Flu and stomach bugs are spreading fast: Are you prepared?
Flu season is in full swing, making it more important than ever to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Flu cases up due to lagging vaccinations and better tests
Cases remain high, according to data from the Georgia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But metro Atlanta doctors say it's not too late to get vaccinated against influenza. For those who feel the flu coming on, antiviral medications can make symptoms more bearable.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Help for a sinus infection
If a cold or upper respiratory infection lingers long enough, it may turn into a sinus infection known as sinusitis. Symptoms can include a runny nose and nasal congestion accompanied by pain, swelling, and pressure around the eyes, nose, cheeks or forehead that gets worse when bending over.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Immune cells in pituitary gland help balance hormones, researchers discover
In a new study published in Cell Reports, Finnish researchers show that pituitary macrophages, the immune cells located in the pituitary gland, help regulate hormonal balance. It is possible that in the future, macrophage cells could be used to treat endocrine disorders that can lead, for example, to infertility.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Q&A: Researchers discuss stigma, unequal access and aging population, all challenges to HIV care and prevention
Despite breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention worldwide, critical challenges such as stigma, unequal access and managing the virus for an aging population remain, a group of Rutgers Health experts said at a recent event to address these issues.
February 17, 2025 — Source

RSV vaccine program for older people in Scotland shows 62% drop in hospitalizations
A vaccination program has cut hospital admissions for a respiratory virus among older people in Scotland by nearly two-thirds.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Seroprevalence of HPAI A(H5) identified in bovine veterinary practitioners
Seroprevalence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection has been identified among bovine veterinary practitioners, according to research published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Woman hospitalized in Wyoming with H5N1 bird flu
A woman in Wyoming was hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, according to health officials who say she was likely infected by handling sickened birds in a backyard flock.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 14th, 2025

AI and biophysical modeling unite for novel protein design
An interdisciplinary research team from Leipzig University and the Saxon AI center ScaDS.AI has developed a novel approach that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) methods with biophysical modeling. This innovative strategy can be applied to the development of new therapeutics, such as antibodies and vaccines, including those for pandemic preparedness.
February 14, 2025 — Source

AI model generates antimicrobial peptide structures for screening against treatment-resistant microbes
A team of microbiologists, chemists and pharmaceutical specialists at Shandong University, Guangzhou Medical University, Second Military Medical University and Qingdao University, all in China, has developed an AI model that generates antimicrobial peptide structures for screening against treatment-resistant microbes.
February 14, 2025 — Source

Measles outbreak in undervaccinated Texas area doubles—again
The outbreak now spans four counties.
February 14, 2025 — Source

Urgent CDC Data and Analyses on Influenza and Bird Flu Go Missing as Outbreaks Escalate
Sonya Stokes, an emergency room physician in the San Francisco Bay Area, braces herself for a daily deluge of patients sick with coughs, soreness, fevers, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms.
February 14, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 7th, 2025

AI-based technology accelerates discovery of new tuberculosis drug candidates
Tuberculosis is a serious global health threat that infected more than 10 million people in 2022. Spread through the air and into the lungs, the pathogen that causes "TB" can lead to chronic cough, chest pains, fatigue, fever and weight loss. While infections are more extensive in other parts of the world, a serious tuberculosis outbreak currently unfolding in Kansas has led to two deaths and has become one of the largest on record in the United States.
February 7, 2025 — Source

An unexpected mechanism regulates the immune response during parasitic infections
Researchers at the University of Liège (Belgium) have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that regulates the immune response against parasites. During a parasitic infection, specific immune cells, known as virtual memory T cells, become activated and express a surface molecule called CD22, which prevents an excessive immune reaction. This discovery could help in better-controlling inflammation and improving immune responses to infections.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Bacterial species study challenges assumption that structural similarity predicts protein behavior
A new study published in Biochemistry sheds light on how bacteria regulate their genes, challenging long-held assumptions about protein behavior. The research compares how two bacterial species—Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis—use a signaling molecule called cyclic AMP (cAMP) to control important cellular functions.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Bacterium converts individual building blocks of nylon into value-added products
A team of scientists from the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences--Biotechnology at Forschungszentrum Jülich worked together with the company Novonesis to develop a bacterium that "eats" individual building blocks of different types of nylon and converts them into value-added products. The results of this research will help improve nylon recycling.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Cash incentives and counseling could be key to improving TB treatment success rates
A new study has demonstrated that a combination of conditional cash transfers and TB counseling significantly improves treatment success rates and reduces loss to follow-up among TB patients in South Africa.
February 7, 2025 — Source

CDC posts, then deletes, data on bird flu
Scientists are calling on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to disclose data about the risks of bird flu to people and pets that was posted briefly online Wednesday and quickly deleted.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Common bacterial infection may trigger lung transplant rejection
A large team of surgeons and organ transplant researchers affiliated with multiple institutions across the U.S. has found an association between lung transplant patients who become infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and rejection of the transplanted lung.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Comprehensive gene map of malaria parasite offers path to better treatments
A new, comprehensive map of all the genes essential for blood infections in Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi), a parasite that causes malaria in humans, has been generated by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and colleagues. The map contains the most complete classification of essential genes in any Plasmodium species and can be used to identify druggable parasite targets and mechanisms of drug resistance that can inform the development of new treatments for malaria.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Fighting a Bacterial Infection? Put a 'Jumbo Virus' In the Ring
Huge, bacteria-eating viruses could be a game-changer for antibiotics that currently struggle to fend off deadly infections.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Flu season in the US is the most intense it's been in at least 15 years
The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in 15 years.
February 7, 2025 — Source

From Spanish flu to today: How immune cells keep up with a changing virus
In a breakthrough for influenza research, scientists have discovered immune cells that can recognize influenza (flu) viruses even as they mutate, raising hopes for a longer-lasting vaccine and a universal protection against future flu pandemics.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Gut bacteria can alter brain proteins: New glycosylation method uncovers link
Our guts are home to trillions of bacteria, and research over the last few decades has established how essential they are to our physiology—in health and disease. A new study from EMBL Heidelberg researchers shows that gut bacteria can bring about profound molecular changes in one of our most critical organs—the brain.
February 10, 2025 — Source

House cats with bird flu could pose a risk to public health
More than 80 domestic cats, among many other types of mammals, have been confirmed to have had bird flu since 2022 — generally barn cats that lived on dairy farms, as well as feral cats and pets that spend time outdoors and likely caught it by hunting diseased rodents or wild birds.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Influenza surge overcrowding Michigan emergency rooms
Emergency rooms across the state are overcrowded and patients are waiting longer than usual due to an influx of influenza.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Is H5N9 bird flu a threat to humans?
As California's Central Valley makes headlines for the growing number of people testing positive for the bird flu from exposure to dairy cows, Rais Vohra, MD, professor at UC San Francisco, Fresno and interim health officer for the Fresno Department of Public Health (DPH), is in the eye of the storm.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Measles outbreak erupts in one of Texas' least-vaccinated counties
Nine cases are confirmed, 3 are probable. Officials says more are likely to come.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Neural pathway in mice sheds light on how the brain regulates learned immune responses
The brain of humans and other animals is known to contribute to the protection of the body from infections. Past studies have unveiled the existence of the so-called conditioned immune response (CIR), which is a form of Pavlovian conditioning that entails the formation of mental associations between specific sensory stimuli (e.g., a specific odor, taste, etc.) and immunomodulatory agents (i.e., a substance that influences the immune system).
February 7, 2025 — Source

New York temporarily shutters bird markets after seven cases of avian flu are detected in NYC
New York on Friday ordered a weeklong shutdown of all live bird markets in New York City, Westchester and Long Island after seven cases of avian flu were detected at bird markets in the city.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Self-Assembling 'Nanoflowers' Ward Off Wound Infections
Integrating the nanoflowers into a wound dressing helps to fight harmful bacteria while keeping healthy human cells intact.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Texas county reports measles outbreak among unvaccinated children
All cases have been identified among unvaccinated school-aged children who are residents of Gaines County. Symptom onset began within the last two weeks.
February 10, 2025 — Source

This Bacteria Eats Toxic 'Forever Chemicals'
L. portucalensis F11 is hungry for PFAS, but its mealtimes take a little longer than scientists would like.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Tabasco sauce helps validate simpler method for immune cell analysis in inflamed tissue
Neutrophil granulocytes, a type of immune cell, are indispensable for the defense against pathogens. However, if they migrate into injured tissue, for example into the brain after a stroke, they can promote chronic inflammation and cause long-term damage.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Tuberculosis: What to Know About the Recent Outbreak, Symptoms and Treatment
This is what you need to know about tuberculosis and your risk factors.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Uganda sees 'fastest roll-out' for Ebola vaccine trial: WHO
The World Health Organization's emergencies director on Friday praised the "fastest roll-out" of an Ebola vaccine trial in the midst of an epidemic, as Uganda responded to its latest outbreak.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 5th, 2025

Alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations in Canada surged during the COVID-19 pandemic
A new study reveals a 17.6% increase in alcohol-related mortality and an 8.1% rise in hospitalizations from April 2020 to December 2022, with the sharpest increases among younger adults and in Western Canada. Experts call for urgent public health interventions.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Gut microbes' surprising connection to anxiety point toward a potential probiotic solution
Could the key to easing anxiety be hidden in our gut? Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and the National Neuroscience Institute have discovered a crucial connection between gut microbes and anxiety-related behavior.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

H5N1 bird flu spills over again; Nevada cows hit with different, deadly strain
The finding suggests a new spillover event, further dashing hopes of containment.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Jumbo phages love to kill bacteria—could they be used as antibiotics?
Phages are viruses that attack bacteria by injecting their DNA, then usurping bacterial machinery to reproduce. Eventually, they make so many copies of themselves that the bacteria burst. By looking at this process in a unique type of virus called a jumbo phage, scientists hope to learn how to make new antibiotics that can address the growing crisis of resistance.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Modeling study shows school closures' varied impact on COVID-19 outcomes across 74 countries
School closures reduced the impact of COVID-19 in most countries but had negative effects in some, Monash University-led research encompassing 74 countries has found.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Nasal COVID-19 vaccine to enter US clinical trials
A nasal vaccine for COVID-19—based on technology developed at Washington University in St. Louis—is poised to enter a phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S. after an investigational new drug application from Ocugen, Inc. was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ocugen, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, licensed the innovative technology from WashU in 2022.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Next-generation mRNA vaccine delivery system uses biodegradable polymers
A research team from POSTECH has developed a biodegradable polymer-based delivery system that efficiently transports mRNA. The study was recently published in Biomaterials.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Oral bacteria may be linked to changes in brain function as people age
The bacteria in your mouth and on your tongue may be linked to changes in brain function as you age, new research suggested.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Q&A: Researchers develop early detection tool for life-threatening sepsis
It's a copycat killer—often mimicking less severe conditions and delaying much-needed, timely treatments. But sepsis—an infection that can lead to multiple organ failure, shock and even death—is a major global health challenge and is associated with one in five deaths worldwide with the burden being carried by low-resource and vulnerable populations.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

New study highlights the impact of rapid urbanization on the emergence of zoonotic diseases
Nearly 3.5 billion people live in the messy transition zone between cities and wild places, where agriculture abuts homes; suburbs sprawl into the forest; and humans, wildlife, and livestock readily intermix. This wildland-urban interface (WUI) covers just 5% of Earth's land surface, but it could provide prime habitat for the transmission of zoonotic diseases from their wildlife hosts to people, according to a new study led by the Yale School of the Environment.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Why antibiotics can fail even against non-resistant bacteria
Antibiotics are indispensable for treating bacterial infections. But why are they sometimes ineffective, even when the bacteria are not resistant? In their latest study, researchers challenge the conventional view that a small subset of particularly resilient bacteria are responsible for the failure of antibiotic therapies.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — February 3rd, 2025

Breaking barriers in thioxanthone synthesis: A double aryne insertion strategy
Thioxanthones are fascinating organic compounds that have found their way into many industrial and everyday applications. In the printing industry, for example, they help inks dry faster when exposed to light thanks to their light-absorption properties, making the printing process quicker and more efficient.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Bird flu is spreading: What you need to know
A rapidly-spreading H5N1 avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, has been devastating bird flocks and showing signs of spreading to other mammals.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Key takeaways from the latest research into gut bacteria
Just 10 to 15 years ago, the idea of discussing our gut bacteria with our friends probably seemed odd. Today, it is no longer strange to talk about anti-inflammatory diets, prebiotics and probiotics, gut-brain axis, home fermentation and other related topics, at least among the health conscious.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

H5N1 bird flu infections continue to rise
H5N1 bird flu, also known as avian influenza, continues to spread, with reports of a third human case from an unknown exposure source. To date, 67 cases have been confirmed, and one death has been reported in the U.S.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Hundreds of Ducks Found Dead of Suspected Bird Flu Around Chicago
23 million birds have contracted H5N1 in the U.S. in the past 30 days, according to USDA.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Microbiome in oral biofilms differs by sex, and shapes immunity differently in females versus males
Imagine a bustling metropolis within your mouth—a dynamic community of microorganisms forming biofilms on your teeth and gums. This oral microbiome is not only essential for maintaining oral health, but also plays a pivotal role in shaping your immune system. But there is more: a new, fascinating aspect of this ecosystem is that it differs between females and males, possibly influencing immunity in sex-specific ways.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Nature-inspired nanotechnology uses genetic drugs as immunotherapy
A large research team led by nanotechnologist Roy van der Meel rebuild the body's own proteins and fats into nano delivery vans that get genetic medicines to exactly the right place in the body. In a joint effort with researchers from Radboudumc they worked for five years on this groundbreaking nanotransport system, the results of which were published in Nature Nanotechnology ("Nature-inspired platform nanotechnology for RNA delivery to myeloid cells and their bone marrow progenitors").
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Rapid antigen-based assay can detect tick-borne diseases before symptoms arise
A team of biomolecular engineers, pathologists, and internal medicine specialists at the University of Texas Medical Branch, working with a colleague from the University of Houston, has developed a quick test for tick-borne spotted fever rickettsioses (SFRs).
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Targeted therapy shows promise for chronic skin condition relief
Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a targeted therapy that could bring relief to people living with lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory skin condition of the skin, hair, nails, mouth and genitals. They described their findings in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that described their first-in-human, phase 2 clinical trial.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Uganda begins Ebola vaccine trial after new outbreak kills a nurse and infects 2 other people
Ugandan authorities on Monday began a clinical trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of Ebola that has killed one person in the outbreak declared last week.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 24th, 2025

AI models forecast COVID-19 risks and treatment for hospitalized patients
Seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are actively circulating throughout the United States. These respiratory illnesses are contributing to widespread health concerns, with cases being reported in various regions nationwide.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Bird flu outbreak forces culling of 100,000 ducks, threatening last duck farm in long island
The last duck farm on New York's Long Island is facing an uncertain future after a bird flu outbreak forced the culling of nearly 100,000 ducks.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

COVID vaccine hesitancy reducing childhood vaccinations, study shows
Hesitancy over the COVID-19 vaccine is leading some parents to skip important vaccinations for their children.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Illinois had at least 103 outbreaks of norovirus in November, December, following national trend
Illinois had at least 103 outbreaks of the stomach bug norovirus in November and December—a dramatic increase from previous years, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Invisible alliances: Kingdoms collide as bacteria and cells form captivating connections
In biology textbooks, the endoplasmic reticulum is often portrayed as a distinct, compact organelle near the nucleus, and is commonly known to be responsible for protein trafficking and secretion. In reality, the ER is vast and dynamic, spread throughout the cell and able to establish contact and communication with and between other organelles. These membrane contacts regulate processes as diverse as fat metabolism, sugar metabolism, and immune responses.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Microscopy innovation turns viruses into precision measurement tools
Measuring objects smaller than the wavelength of light challenges even the most sophisticated microscopes. When biologists study cellular structures just tens of nanometers wide - like the machinery that reads DNA or the channels that transport molecules - they need to know their measurements are accurate. A microscope miscalibrated by just a few nanometers can lead to incorrect conclusions about how cellular components fit and function together.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Personalized COVID-19 protection: Study finds scalable tests identify at-risk individuals
New research emphasizes the need for ongoing COVID-19 protection for people with weakened immune systems, with scalable tests helping identify those most at risk to enable tailored strategies.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Scientists identify molecular 'fingerprint' of long COVID in children's blood
One day, long COVID in children could be objectively diagnosed with a blood test, thanks to the help of artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, a study by the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome campus—Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS and the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, has highlighted the molecular signature of long COVID in plasma in pediatric age and used an AI tool capable of making the diagnosis based on the results of the blood sample, with 93% accuracy.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Scientists trace deadly cell-to-cell message chain that spreads in sepsis
Like a poison pen, dying cells prick their neighbors with a lethal message. This may worsen sepsis, Vijay Rathinam and colleagues in the UConn School of Medicine report in the Jan. 23 issue of Cell. Their findings could lead to a new understanding of this dangerous illness.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Study highlights pharmacovigilance challenges in CAR T-cell therapies, suggests specific assessment criteria
Cases of secondary tumors have been reported as a possible adverse reaction to the treatment of certain blood cancers with CAR T-cells. A recent analysis of the cases reported to the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut highlights the challenges in the assessment of these newly diagnosed T-cell diseases. The result: in order to better assess these rare but serious cases and identify possible risk factors, CAR T-cell-specific assessment criteria should be defined in pharmacovigilance activities and specific molecular test methods should be established. These steps will further increase patient safety.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Symptoms of viral influenza, COVID-19, norovirus, and RSV can be signs of potential heart complications, warn experts
With a recent surge in influenza, COVID-19, norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses, it's critical to pay close attention to your heart and symptoms—especially if you have heart disease or the risk factors for it.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Using AI machine learning to map hidden molecular interactions in bacteria
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University has uncovered how small molecules within bacteria interact with proteins, revealing a network of molecular connections that could improve drug discovery and cancer research.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 22nd, 2025

Africa malaria jab rollout delivers 10 million doses
Nearly 10 million malaria vaccine doses were delivered to Africa during the first year of routine immunization being rolled out across the continent, the Gavi vaccine alliance said Wednesday.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Females have a 31% higher associated risk of developing long COVID, study shows
Females have a 31% higher associated risk of developing long COVID, with women aged 40 to 55 years having the highest propensity, according to a study led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio).
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Immune cells' location in the gut shapes their disease-fighting roles, study reveals
The human immune system is like an army of specialized soldiers (immune cells) each with a unique role to play in fighting disease. In a new study published in Nature, led by scientists at the Allen Institute, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, and UC San Diego, researchers reveal how cells known as tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells, play unique and specialized roles based on where they are located within the small intestine.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Long-Covid Patients Are Frustrated That Federal Research Hasn't Found New Treatments
Erica Hayes, 40, has not felt healthy since November 2020 when she first fell ill with covid.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Scientists discover how gut modulates development of inflammatory conditions
A study led by David Sancho at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid reveals how an increase in intestinal permeability allows the natural gut bacteria to cross the intestinal barrier and reach the bone marrow, where they induce epigenetic changes—modifications that alter gene activity without affecting DNA sequence—in the stem cells that give rise to immune cells. The epigenetic changes induced by the translocated gut bacteria generate "trained" immune cells primed to respond more efficiently to future infections.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source or Source

Social interventions could lead to major drop in national HIV incidence
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have quantified the impacts of a constellation of social factors on the spread of HIV. Their study, published in Health Care Management Science, found that a hypothetical 100% effective intervention addressing barriers to HIV treatment and care from depression, homelessness, individual and neighborhood poverty, education disparities, lack of insurance and unemployment could reduce the national HIV incidence by 29% over 10 years.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

The secret 'sex lives' of bacteria: Study challenges old ideas about how species form
When Kostas Konstantinidis proved that many bacteria—like plants and animals—are organized into species, he upended a long-held scientific belief. Scientists widely believed that bacteria, due to their unique genetic exchange mechanisms and the vast size of their global populations, did not—and could not—form distinct species.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Ultrasensitive test detects and serially monitors intact virus levels in COVID-19 patients
Investigators from Mass General Brigham have found that a method originally designed for cancer detection can also identify and monitor even tiny amounts of SARS-CoV-2 intact viral particles in blood and other fluids from patients with acute COVID-19 infections, creating the potential for guiding future treatment of patients.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Who to vaccinate first? Engineers answer a life-or-death question with network theory
Engineering and medical researchers at Penn have developed a framework that can determine the best and most computationally optimized distribution strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations in any given community.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 20th, 2025

Aerosol research shows how easily COVID-19 can be caught through the air
The virus winter season has struck—and COVID-19 is still part of everyday life. However, unlike during the pandemic, we now know more about how it spreads through the air we breathe. Research from Lund University in Sweden shows that it only takes a few minutes in the same room as an infected person to catch the virus.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Bird flu outbreak has reached Maryland: How concerned should we be?
The widening U.S. bird flu outbreak has made its way to Maryland, which has counted two cases on commercial poultry farms—one in Caroline County and another in Queen Anne's County—since the start of the year.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Breakthrough study maps critical structure of Nipah virus polymerase
Scientists at Harvard Medical School and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have mapped a critical component of the Nipah virus, a highly lethal bat-borne pathogen that has caused outbreaks in humans almost every year since it was identified in 1999.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Cable bacteria conduct protons over 100 micrometers, hinting at bioelectronic potential
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and Aarhus University, Denmark, researchers have confirmed protonic conductivity over distances exceeding 100 micrometers along filamentous Desulfobulbaceae, commonly referred to as cable bacteria. Findings provide insights into microbial proton transport mechanisms and open pathways for applications in bioelectronics.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

CDC: Another human bird flu case brings total to 67
On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed another case of avian influenza A(H5N1), or bird flu, in California, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 67.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

From Covid to Norovirus: Moderna's mRNA Tech Takes on Stomach Flu
Moderna's Phase III trial will test out its experimental vaccine in 25,000 people over the next two years.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Genital herpes is on the rise. Here's what to know about this common infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released new estimates suggesting around 846 million people aged between 15 and 49 live with a genital herpes infection.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Georgia halts poultry sales in state after bird flu found
Georgia officials suspended the sale of poultry in the state after confirming a positive case of bird flu in a commercial operation, threatening one of the state's prime industries.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

How HIV cracks the lock to the cell nucleus
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) targets important cells of our immune system, making infected individuals more vulnerable to diseases and infections. Once inside human cells, HIV integrates the viral genome into that of the human host. Ultimately, the virus uses our body's machinery to produce copies of itself and spread infection.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

New review highlights zoonotic infection risks in the Canadian Arctic
A new review on zoonotic infections - diseases transmitted by animals - in the Canadian Arctic provides timely guidance to clinicians as the region experiences heightened global interest as well as climate change, which threatens the region and increases risk of disease transmission. The review, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), provides guidance on how to identify and manage seven zoonotic infections in people.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Norovirus: What is it? Who's at risk? And why won't hand sanitizers work?
Norovirus—a highly contagious virus known for causing gastrointestinal distress—is making headlines this winter due to a sharp rise in cases and widespread outbreaks in Canada, the United States, and beyond.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Scientists uncover structure of critical component in deadly Nipah virus
Findings could inform the design of treatments to combat infection
January 20th, 2025 — Source or Source

Stoking 'good' antibodies could be key to reducing serious bee venom allergic reactions
Monash University scientists have identified an immune system power play behind serious bee venom allergy, which lands twice as many Australians in hospital emergency departments each year as snake or spider bites.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Tanzania confirms new outbreak of Marburg virus
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed on Monday that there was a new outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the East African country.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Tiny vortexes help detect dangerous viruses
Whirlpools are mostly associated with death and danger on the high seas, but these glowing vortexes are working to help humanity. One of the most difficult steps in creating diagnostic tests is purifying samples to remove unwanted particles while concentrating biomarkers of interest.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 17th, 2025

A chain reaction: HIV vaccines can lead to antibodies against antibodies
Many vaccines work by introducing a protein to the body that resembles part of a virus. Ideally, the immune system will produce long-lasting antibodies recognizing that specific virus, thereby providing protection.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Bioactive compounds with possible industrial applications identified in extremophilic bacteria from Andes
An article published in the journal Scientific Reports describes how researchers analyzed biofilm produced by bacteria found in the El Medano hot springs, located in Chile in the central Andes, and concluded that one of its key ingredients can be used to develop natural additives for the pharmaceutical and food industries.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Bird flu identified on Virginia's Eastern Shore: Quarantine in place
A commercial flock of broiler chickens on the Eastern Shore has tested positive for H5N1, or bird flu.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Brain changes in Huntington's disease decades before diagnosis may guide future prevention trials
Subtle changes in the brain, detectable through advanced imaging, blood and spinal fluid analysis, happen approximately 20 years before a clinical motor diagnosis in people with Huntington's disease, finds a study led by UCL researchers.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

CDC urges faster testing for bird flu amid growing outbreak
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging health care workers to accelerate bird flu testing for patients hospitalized with flu symptoms, as the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak continues to grow in the United States and Canada.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

COVID-19 infection experience can alleviate or increase fear, depending on severity
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have found that contracting COVID-19 significantly affects fear levels. Mild cases tend to alleviate fear, whereas severe cases tend to increase it. Over time, fear generally decreases. Factors such as age, sex, and a history of respiratory disease also influence fear levels.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Early brain changes in Huntington's disease detected two decades before symptoms
Subtle changes in the brain, detectable through advanced imaging, blood and spinal fluid analysis, happen approximately twenty years before a clinical motor diagnosis in people with Huntington's disease, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Megakaryocytes' immune characteristics and role elucidated
Megakaryocytes (MKs), known for their role in platelet production, have emerged as critical players in immune responses, showcasing versatility in both physiological and pathological contexts. Recent advances in technology have unveiled the diverse immune functions of MKs, which express immune sensors and participate in immune activities, thus expanding their traditional role beyond hemostasis and coagulation.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

New study links cervicovaginal microbiome to increased risk of Chlamydia infections
Research highlights how microbial imbalances elevate susceptibility to infection and reinfection, offering potential pathways for prevention and treatment.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Researchers discover how cigarette smoke impairs critical lung immune cells
Cigarette smoking is widespread and deadly, yet our understanding of how cigarette smoke actually causes serious respiratory illnesses is incomplete, which has severely hampered the development of effective treatments. Today (TBC) Australian researchers reveal how multiple chemicals found in cigarette smoke and e-cigarettes alter the function of a key type of immune cell found in the lungs.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Sepsis molecule discovery could lead to improved treatments for critically ill patients
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have uncovered how a molecule found on certain bacteria may drive blood clotting in sepsis, a life-threatening condition that causes about 8 million deaths per year.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Specific neurons with an immune 'doorbell' may influence mood and memory
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key molecule involved in inflammation and plays an important role in both healthy and diseased states. In disease, high levels of IL-1 in the brain are linked to neuroinflammation, which can disrupt the body's stress response, cause sickness-like behaviors, worsen inflammation by activating brain immune cells, and allow immune cells from the body to enter the brain. It also can lead to brain damage by causing support cells to produce harmful molecules.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Study evaluates effectiveness and safety of TMF for chronic hepatitis B
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a significant global health challenge, and effective antiviral therapies are essential for long-term management. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) in a cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Suraxavir trial finds faster flu recovery times for male but not female users
A single 40-mg dose of the antiviral drug suraxavir marboxil significantly shortened flu symptom resolution time in male patients aged 5--65, according to research led by the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in China. Intriguingly, suraxavir did not effectively shorten symptom resolution time for female participants in the study.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 13th, 2025

Adding depression, anxiety measures to CVD prediction model has little impact
Inclusion of measures of depression and anxiety in the American Heart Association Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Events (PREVENT) prediction model has little additional impact on risk classification of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published online Jan. 13 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

As dengue cases rise, researchers point to simple solution: Trash cleanup
As cases of dengue fever skyrocketed globally this past year, new findings by Stanford researchers and their international collaborators underscore the importance of one measure that can significantly reduce disease risk: cleaning up trash.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Autoimmune skin condition linked to higher risk of heart disease
Patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), an autoimmune disease that causes skin inflammation, have a higher risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), or hardening of the arteries, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found. Their study, published in JAMA Dermatology, suggests CLE patients should be screened early for heart disease.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Cardiologist offers heart-protecting advice for a peak experience in the mountains
Whether it's a wintry visit to a snow-covered ski resort or a summertime hike in an alpine park, a vacation in the mountains can be breathtaking. Literally.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Did COVID really push some Italians out of the country's cities?
During the summer of 2020, as highlighted by geographers Aurelie Delage and Max Rousseau, media across many European countries widely reported the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic had triggered a massive urban exodus.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Discovery of Semliki Forest virus's brain entry route opens new avenues for tumor treatment
In a recent study, researchers from Uppsala University have shown that the Semliki Forest virus enters the central nervous system by first entering the cerebrospinal fluid and then binding to a specific cell type before penetrating deeper into the brain. This finding could potentially be used to develop the Semliki Forest virus as an agent for treating brain cancer.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Drug candidates target metabolic pathway in bacteria while sparing human cells
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword—they should be as toxic as possible to pathogenic bacteria while being harmless to the cells of the human body. An international research team led by the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) has now developed drug candidates that achieve precisely that. HIPS is a site of the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) in collaboration with Saarland University.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Evolutionary map uncovers bacterial survival genes
The most detailed study to date on the mechanisms by which a common type of bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, adapts to living on the human body could help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of certain infections.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

FDA Cites Dirty Equipment, Poor Sanitation at McDonald's Onion Supplier After E. Coli Scare
Federal inspectors uncovered numerous food safety issues at Taylor Farms' Colorado facility, including equipment found with "large amounts of food debris."
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Long COVID burden has decreased over time in health care workers, study finds
The prevalence and burden of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) has decreased over time in health care workers, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in Infection.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Mosquitoes in Australia may be carrying Japanese encephalitis this summer—What to know if you're spending time outdoors
A Victorian man is reportedly in a critical condition in hospital after contracting Japanese encephalitis from a mosquito bite.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Most species of bacteria remain unstudied in scientific research
A biomedical engineer at the University of Michigan has found that just a fraction of all known bacteria species has ever been the main focus of a scientific research effort and subsequent paper. In his research posted on the bioRxiv preprint server, Paul Jensen describes how he searched for information on bacteria species in the PubMed database and found most bacterial research explores only a few species.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Next-generation COVID-19 vaccine presents promising results in mice
Studies conducted in mice have shown that the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil is safe and efficacious. The vaccine triggered a satisfactory immune response against the pathogen in the mice and protected them from infection.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Polypill treatment for heart disease offers high value in low-income, underserved population
Polypill treatment for cardiovascular disease prevention is of high value in a low-income, underserved population, according to research published in JAMA Cardiology.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Scientists engineer nanostructured surfaces hostile to bacteria but friendly to cells
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have created nanostructured alumina surfaces which are strongly antibacterial but can be used to culture cells. They found that anodic porous alumina (APA) surfaces prepared using electrochemistry in concentrated sulfuric acid had unprecedented resistance to bacterial growth, but did not hamper cell cultures.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Scientists uncover genetic secrets of Staphylococcus aureus survival in humans
The most detailed study to date on the mechanisms by which a common type of bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, adapts to living on the human body could help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of certain infections.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Single-cell method enables rapid identification of airborne pathogens in real-world environment
Aerosols play a critical role in the transmission of airborne pathogens by acting as carriers that transport pathogens between the environment and humans. Timely and accurate detection of these pathogens is essential for containing infectious disease outbreaks at their source and reducing hospital-acquired infection rates.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Special gut bacterium could help cut sugar cravings
Researchers have identified a gut bacterium that may be associated with reduced dietary sugar intake. The findings, which are based on analyses of humans and mice, could aid the development of therapies to manage obesity and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Study finds cases of ME/CFS increase following SARS-CoV-2
New findings from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative suggest that infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may be associated with an increase in the number of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) cases.
January 13th, 2025 — Source or Source

Study finds that community health workers were vital to Orange County's COVID-19 response
Community health workers were found to be the unsung heroes of the health care system's pandemic response, according to a study led by a team of public health researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and their community partners. Findings also show that current funding and reimbursement mechanisms remain inadequate to sustain their work.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Study reveals how Zika virus hijacks host protein for reproduction
The mosquito-borne Zika virus is known for causing microcephaly, a birth defect in which abnormal brain development results in a smaller-than-expected head. A new study published Jan. 13 in mBio shows that the Zika virus hijacks a host protein called ANKLE2, which happens to be important for brain development, to assist its own reproduction. Because Zika, unlike most related viruses, can cross the placenta, this can have disastrous consequences in pregnancy.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Study reveals route of entry for Semliki Forest virus into the brain
In a recent study, researchers from Uppsala University show that the Semliki Forest virus enters the central nervous system by first entering the cerebrospinal fluid and then binding to a specific cell type before penetrating deeper into the brain. This finding could potentially be used to develop the Semliki Forest virus as an agent for treating brain cancer. The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

The impact of extreme weather events on HIV prevention and care
Extreme weather events linked to climate change exacerbate health inequities for people living with HIV, impacting prevention, care, and treatment outcomes, particularly in vulnerable regions like sub-Saharan Africa.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

What is HMPV, the cold-like virus circulating in China?
Not many people had heard of human metapneumovirus, or HPMV, until a surge of recent cases in China made headlines.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Your gut bacteria are in a chemical tug-of-war with your body
Our gut is a bustling hub of activity, home to trillions of microbes that work together with our bodies to keep us healthy. A recent study explores one fascinating aspect of this partnership: how gut bacteria team up with the host body to regulate bile acids, essential molecules that control digestion, cholesterol levels, and fat metabolism.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Wrong place, wrong time: Why Zika virus hijacks a protein needed for brain growth
The mosquito-borne Zika virus is known for causing microcephaly, a birth defect in which abnormal brain development results in a smaller-than-expected head.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 10th, 2025

AI analysis reveals four long COVID patient subgroups and needs
Across the United States, no hospital is the same. Equipment, staffing, technical capabilities, and patient populations can all differ. So, while the profiles developed for people with common conditions may seem universal, the reality is that there are nuances that require individual attention, both in the make-up of the patients being seen and the situations of the hospitals providing their care.
January 10th, 2025 — Source

Cambodian man dies from bird flu
A 28-year-old Cambodian man died from bird flu on Friday after eating sick chickens, the health ministry said.
January 10th, 2025 — Source

T cells' capability to fully prevent acute viral infections opens new avenues for vaccine development
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and the Singapore General Hospital have discovered that T cells—white blood cells that can destroy harmful pathogens—can completely prevent viral infection, to an extent previously thought only possible due to neutralizing antibodies.
January 10th, 2025 — Source or Source

Two accused of COVID-19 vaccine fraud under Computer Misuse Act
Investigation says scheme allegedly raked in £145k and sold nearly 2,000 fake records to the unvaccinated
January 10th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 9th, 2025

A third of UK public would have been 'tolerant' of petty corruption during COVID-19 vaccine rollout
A new study reveals that up to a third of the British public felt petty corruption would have been acceptable in order to get early access to vaccines during the UK's COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

AI-powered staining in microbiology: Researchers introduce virtual Gram staining of label-free bacteria
A team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has introduced a virtual Gram staining technique that could transform how microbiologists stain and classify bacteria. This new technology uses artificial intelligence to convert microscopic images of unstained bacteria into their Gram-stained equivalents, bypassing the traditional chemical staining process.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Biggest flu outbreak in 25 years hits Japan
Japan in the last week of December experienced the biggest influenza outbreak since comparable data became available 25 years ago, health authorities said Thursday.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

China reports 5 cases of new mpox strain
China said on Thursday it had recorded five cases of a new mpox strain, but that the "outbreak has been effectively handled".
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Early-life infection burden linked to risk for later infections
Early-life infection burden is associated with an increased risk for later moderate-to-severe infections and systemic antibiotic treatments to age 10 or 13 years, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Extended nirmatrelvir/ritonavir found to be beneficial for some with long COVID
Extended-course nirmatrelvir/ritonavir yields a meaningful reduction in symptoms for some patients with long COVID, but not all benefits persist, according to a case series published online Jan. 6 in Communications Medicine.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Gut microbes and the body work together to regulate fat metabolism
Beneficial gut microbes and the body work together to fine-tune fat metabolism and cholesterol levels, according to a new preclinical study by investigators from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University's Ithaca campus.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Groundbreaking G6PD diagnostic test prequalified by WHO to ensure safe malaria treatment
On 18 December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the first diagnostic test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency which can help to safely deliver WHO-recommended treatments to prevent relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

New antibiotic shows promise in fighting tuberculosis
A consortium including scientists from the Tropical Institute at LMU University Hospital has demonstrated the effectiveness of a new antibiotic.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

New molecule shows promise in protecting mice from influenza
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in collaboration with colleagues in China, have discovered an antibody-like molecule that can protect mice from various influenza viruses. The findings could pave the way for new treatments and the development of broader influenza vaccines.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Research shows 8 in 10 infants received RSV protection in the 2023 to 2024 season
Eight in 10 infants received respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) protection during the 2023 to 2024 season, according to a research letter published online Jan. 8 in JAMA Network Open.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Parvovirus B19 myocarditis cases reported in preschoolers from Northern Greece
Myocarditis is a rare yet serious condition known for the inflammation of the heart muscle, also known as the myocardium. In severe cases of myocarditis, the heart muscle becomes extremely weak and fails to pump blood effectively. This, in turn, can lead to heart failure and death. A thorough and timely intervention is important for ensuring the effective treatment of myocarditis.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Procalcitonin test fails to shorten antibiotic use in hospitalized children
A groundbreaking UK study led by the University of Liverpool has examined whether an additional blood test called procalcitonin (PCT) could safely shorten the time children spend on intravenous (IV) antibiotics in hospitals.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

'RNA lanterns' could offer new insights into viruses and human memory
RNA is the molecule that reads the genetic information stored in DNA. It's critical for the proper functioning of cells, and in a new study published in Nature Communications, University of California, Irvine scientists have discovered a way of tagging RNA with a glowing bioluminescent molecule that allows them to track RNA in real time as it moves throughout the body. The work promises to help scientists better understand everything from the way viruses propagate to how memories form in the brain.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Syringe exchange fears hobble fight against West Virginia HIV outbreak
More than three years have passed since federal health officials arrived in central Appalachia to assess an alarming outbreak of HIV spread mostly between people who inject opioids or methamphetamine.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

What Illinois residents should know, following the first US death from bird virus
Bird flu is increasingly sparking concern across the country and in Illinois, following news this week of the first human death from the virus in the U.S., and of birds found throughout Illinois with suspected cases of the illness.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 8th, 2025

China is having standard flu season despite widespread HMPV fears
Data shows a completely normal respiratory illness season, WHO says.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Creating Antibacterial Nanoparticles from Goji Berries
Researchers used the common goji berry as an organic source to produce antibacterial silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), reflecting a growing focus on sustainability across industries. The study was published in the journal AIP Advances.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Deadly bacteria behave differently in Saudi Arabia compared with rest of world, epidemiology study finds
A new multi-institutional study led by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) provides the largest epidemiological analysis in Saudi Arabia of the multidrug-resistant bacteria species Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections in the world and a global health priority of the World Health Organization. The study finds that the diversity of bacteria in Saudi Arabia differ from other geographical regions, indicating unique health policies are required.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Expert outlines plan to combat antivaccine movement's next phase
In a recent essay, pediatrician-scientist Peter Hotez proposes a focus on local data, improved benefit-risk communications, actively countering health disinformation, and state-level action to address antivaccine sentiment in the U.S.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Extreme weather impacts HIV prevention and treatment access
New challenges in HIV prevention and care are emerging due to climate change, according to a review published earlier this month in Current Opinions in Infectious Disease.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Kidney disease compromises survival of infection-fighting cells, study reveals
Fighting off infections when one has a chronic disease is a common problem, and during the COVID-19 pandemic that scenario often turned out to be dangerous and deadly. A new study led by Stony Brook Medicine demonstrates that advanced kidney disease compromises the survival of B cells, a type of infection-fighting white blood cell that produces antibodies to kill microbes, and thus significantly reduces the immune response to the influenza virus.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Killing the competition: Bacteria produce molecules that help viruses infect their rivals
In a new study, researchers at Indiana University Bloomington have discovered a new way that bacteria can kill its competitors in complex microbial communities, revealing novel approaches to leverage viruses to kill harmful bacteria.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Scientists unravel how ancient bacteria weave living mats—solving one of nature's oldest mysteries
Scientists have uncovered how cyanobacteria—Earth's first photosynthetic organisms—self-organize into intricate living mats, offering insights into aquatic ecosystems and potential inspiration for material design.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Supported weight management may improve symptoms for people living with long COVID and overweight
Researchers have found that a combination of dietitian and peer-supported weight management may help improve symptoms in people with both long COVID and overweight—however, the study authors stress it was a complex intervention and further research is required.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Toxin-antitoxin systems could target invasive and resistant bacteria
In a counterintuitive move, bacteria are known to produce self-destructive toxins. However, they also make antitoxins, and researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have identified these toxin-antitoxin systems as a possible passkey to hack into bacteria communities.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 7th, 2025

A passive resistance phenomenon: Marine bacteria use low tRNA levels to fend off viruses
As humans, we often focus on viruses and bacteria because of their role in causing various, sometimes severe, diseases. However, an equally fascinating but lesser-known phenomenon is the ongoing battle between bacteria and bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and infect bacteria.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Biocomposites of 2D Layered Materials
Molecular composites, such as bone and nacre, are everywhere in nature and play crucial roles, ranging from self-defense to carbon sequestration. Extensive research has been conducted on constructing inorganic layered materials at an atomic level inspired by natural composites. These layered materials exfoliated to 2D crystals are an emerging family of nanomaterials with extraordinary properties.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Canceling effect of genetics and environmental changes on bacterial growth
Researchers conducted a high-throughput growth assay and machine learning to address the genetic and environmental interplay on bacterial growth. The findings indicated that the environmental chemicals affecting growth have varying impacts, depending on the amount of sugar present. Moreover, the research team demonstrated that the changes in growth caused by the genetic and environmental changes offset each other.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

First US death from bird flu reported in Louisiana
A Louisiana resident has died after being hospitalized with bird flu in December of last year, marking the first known U.S. death from the virus.
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source or Source

France confirms first mpox variant case
France has detected its first case of a new mpox virus, the health ministry said Monday, weeks after the World Health Organization maintained its highest alert level amid the epidemic.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

hMPV may be spreading in China. Here's what to know about this virus—and why it's not cause for alarm
Five years on from the first news of COVID, recent reports of an obscure respiratory virus in China may understandably raise concerns.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Norovirus cases reportedly surge in Massachusetts, nasty stomach bug spreading across country
The Bay State is apparently not immune to the surge in nasty stomach bug cases across the country.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Pertussis cases surging in the United States
Rates of pertussis in the United States are surging, with more than 32,000 cases reported as of mid-December—about six times more than at this time last year and more than have been reported since 2014, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Potent compound derived from Brazilian plant offers hope for neglected disease
A compound derived from Nectandra leucantha, a tree native to southern Brazil (local names: canela-seca or canela-branca), has the potential to be used to treat visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty, malnutrition, poor housing and lack of basic sanitation.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Scientists advance nanobody technology to combat deadly Ebola virus
Ebola virus, one of the deadliest pathogens, has a fatality rate of about 50%, posing a serious threat to global health and safety. To address this challenge, researchers have developed the first nanobody-based inhibitors targeting the Ebola virus.
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source

Significantly shorter treatment regimens for tuberculosis in children and adults now recommended
Tuberculosis remains a public health crisis. The World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report released in November 2024 painted a sobering picture; approximately 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, the highest number since the organization began global TB monitoring in 1995.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Study shows head trauma may activate latent viruses, leading to neurodegeneration
Researchers suggest results may lead to preventive strategies using antiviral drugs
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source

Undernutrition linked to measles outbreaks in low-income countries
There were an estimated 136,200 deaths caused by measles across the globe in 2022, primarily affecting children under the age of 5. The global number of cases of measles had declined from 2000--2016, then reversed in 2018, in part due to the pandemic and undervaccination.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 6th, 2025

Bird Flu Patient in Louisiana Becomes First Human Death in Current H5N1 Outbreak
The patient acquired bird flu from backyard chickens.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Can vitamin C keep the common cold away?
Winter is flu and cold season. Will taking in more vitamin C keep you healthier and prevent illness?
January 6th, 2025 — Source or Watch Video

DoxyPEP reduces chlamydia and syphilis rates in routine care
A new study has found that rates of chlamydia and syphilis plummet among people prescribed doxycycline for sexually transmitted infection prevention in routine clinical care.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Exploring IL-8⁺ neutrophils and their role in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis
Alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is a critical global health issue characterized by acute liver inflammation and an elevated risk of mortality in its severe form (sAH). While the condition has been studied extensively, effective treatments remain scarce, with liver transplantation often being the only viable option for patients with advanced disease.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Extended course of Paxlovid shows promise for some long Covid patients
An up-close look at how patients respond to the drug at different times and doses adds nuance to a recent finding that Paxlovid does not work for long Covid.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Extended Paxlovid may help some people with long COVID
An up-close look at how patients respond to the drug at different times and doses adds nuance to a recent finding that Paxlovid does not work for long COVID.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

'Mosquito Shield' effectively reduces malaria transmission in major clinical trial
The University of Notre Dame and Unitaid have announced that an innovative vector control tool for malaria called a spatial repellent showed a significant impact on reducing malaria infections in a study published in The Lancet.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

State Center offices all clear from Legionella as last building tests within normal limits
The last remaining building in the State Center office complex in downtown Baltimore has been cleared of Legionella bacteria following a retest in late December.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Tuberculosis strains resistant to new drugs are being transmitted between patients, study finds
Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's biggest infectious disease killer, with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) posing a particular threat to global health. A study led by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) shows that resistance to the new MDR-TB treatment regimen recently recommended by the World Health Organization is already spreading between patients.
January 6th, 2025 — Source or Source or Source

Zinc deprivation reveals vulnerability in resistant bacteria, reviving old antibiotics
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a critical vulnerability in drug-resistant bacteria: zinc—or a lack thereof.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 3rd, 2025

Bacteria in Lake Mendota evolve in cycles following seasonal shifts
Like Bill Murray in the movie "Groundhog Day," bacteria species in a Wisconsin lake are in a kind of endless loop that they can't seem to shake. Except in this case, it's more like Groundhog Year.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Brazil's cash transfer program cuts tuberculosis cases and deaths among vulnerable populations
Brazil's Bolsa Família Program (BFP), one of the world's largest conditional cash transfer programmes, was responsible for the reduction of more than half the number of tuberculosis cases and deaths among those living in extreme poverty and Indigenous groups, shows a large study coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by "la Caixa" Foundation, the Institute of Collective Health, and the CIDACS-FIOCRUZ in Bahia, Brazil.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Modeling tool estimates COVID-19 testing saved 1.4 million lives
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial testing is for disease preparedness and response, and new research from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and a team of collaborators underscores that principle.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

NIH researchers discover novel class of anti-malaria antibodies
New antibodies could lead to next generation of interventions against malaria.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Scientists identify novel antibodies for fighting malaria
A novel class of antibodies that binds to a previously untargeted portion of the malaria parasite could lead to new prevention methods, according to a study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published today in Science. The most potent of the new antibodies was found to provide protection against malaria parasites in an animal model.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Social program cuts tuberculosis cases among Brazil's poorest by more than half
Brazil's Bolsa Família Program (BFP), one of the world's largest conditional cash transfer programs, was responsible for the reduction of more than half the number of tuberculosis cases and deaths among those living in extreme poverty and Indigenous groups, shows a large study coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Study highlights the importance of diagnostic tests in pandemic response
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial testing is for disease preparedness and response, and new research from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and a team of collaborators underscores that principle.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Syringe Exchange Fears Hobble Fight Against West Virginia HIV Outbreak
More than three years have passed since federal health officials arrived in central Appalachia to assess an alarming outbreak of HIV spread mostly between people who inject opioids or methamphetamine.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — January 1st, 2025

Researchers develop 'family tree' system to auto-detect new variants of infectious diseases
Researchers have come up with a new way to identify more infectious variants of viruses or bacteria that start spreading in humans—including those causing flu, COVID, whooping cough and tuberculosis.
January 1st, 2025 — Source

Study traces Ebola's route to the skin surface
Ebola is a deadly hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus that is endemic in parts of East-Central and West Africa. Most people are aware that a primary route for person-to-person transmission is through contact with bodily fluids from an infected person. But more recent outbreaks, including the 2013--2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, demonstrated that infectious Ebola virus (EBOV) is also found on the skin's surface of those who have succumbed to infection or at late times during infection.
January 1st, 2025 — Source

Which infectious disease is likely to be the biggest emerging problem in 2025?
COVID emerged suddenly, spread rapidly and killed millions of people around the world. Since then, I think it's fair to say that most people have been nervous about the emergence of the next big infectious disease—be that a virus, bacterium, fungus or parasite.
January 1st, 2025 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 31st, 2024

Accelerated kidney function decline seen with COVID-19 versus pneumonia
COVID-19 is associated with accelerated decline in kidney function, especially after hospitalization, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in JAMA Network Open.
December 31st, 2024 — Source

China says shared Covid information 'without holding anything back'
Beijing insisted on Tuesday that it had shared information on Covid-19 "without holding anything back", after the World Health Organization implored China to offer more data and access to understand the disease's origins.
December 31st, 2024 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 30th, 2024

Five years on, WHO urges China to share Covid origins data
The World Health Organization on Monday implored China to share data and access to help understand how COVID-19 began, five years on from the start of the pandemic that upended the planet.
December 30th, 2024 — Source

Foreign DNA 'sneaks' past bacterial defenses, aiding antibiotic resistance
A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals how bacterial defense mechanisms can be neutralized, enabling the efficient transfer of genetic material between bacteria. The researchers believe this discovery could pave the way for developing tools to address the antibiotic resistance crisis and promote more effective genetic manipulation methods for medical, industrial, and environmental purposes.
December 30th, 2024 — Source

Immunocompromised may not produce enough protective antibodies against RSV after vaccination, says new study
Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that people 60 years or older with weakened immunity—primarily organ transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection and others with immune system disorders—do not respond as strongly to vaccines against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as people in the same age group with normal immune function.
December 30th, 2024 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 29th, 2024

Norovirus cases surge in US, causing widespread stomach illness
Cases of a wretched stomach bug are surging in parts of the United States this winter, according to government data.
December 29th, 2024 — Source

Why splash pools can be an infection risk for kids
In the heat of summer, many parents take their children to splash pools or splash pads and other recreational water parks to cool down. But indoor aquatic facilities—with their fountains and spraying jets of water—can often be just as popular over the festive period, once children have got over the novelty of their Christmas gifts and are looking to burn off some energy.
December 29th, 2024 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 28th, 2024

Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says
A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation's first severe case of the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.
December 28th, 2024 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 27th, 2024

A public health emergency is waiting at the bottom of the antibiotic resistance cliff
The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria could lead to a catastrophic rise in infection-related deaths, according to new research led by Northern Arizona University.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Digital health care consultations not enough for safe assessment of tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a common reason for visits to the doctor and prescriptions of antibiotics in primary care. To determine whether a patient needs antibiotics, doctors use the so-called Centor Criteria for tonsillitis. The criteria include fever, tender and swollen lymph nodes in the angles of the jaw and inspection of the tonsils.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Ozone therapy shows promise in treating sepsis-induced lung injury
Sepsis, a severe and often fatal complication of infection, is a leading cause of both ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These conditions, which are associated with high mortality rates, remain challenging to treat due to the lack of effective therapies. NETs play a central role in the progression of sepsis, as they are involved in trapping pathogens but can also trigger excessive inflammation, exacerbating lung injury.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Research unveils new bacteriophage more effective than similar species
Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. This "race" can lead to a situation where antibiotics will stop suppressing pathogenic bacteria. Bacteriophages, natural "predators" of bacteria, are considered one of the alternatives.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Study finds genetic and environmental factors neutralize bacterial growth
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have conducted a high-throughput growth assay and used machine learning to address the genetic and environmental interplay of bacterial growth.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — Bacteria & Viruses — December 26th, 2024

Brief outpatient rehab program beneficial for post-COVID-19 condition
A brief outpatient rehabilitation program with a cognitive and behavioral approach is effective and safe for patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), according to a study published online Dec. 19 in JAMA Network Open.
December 26th, 2024 — Source

COVID-19 infection not linked to changes in MS symptom severity
COVID-19 infection is not associated with immediate changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom severity or disability, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in Neurology.
December 26th, 2024 — Source

Japanese gov't under fire for funding native chipmaker Rapidus with $6.2 billion in COVID relief money
$32 billion in funding is hard to find.
December 26th, 2024 — Source

Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu
An Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu, Oregon authorities said, prompting a recall of raw frozen pet food that was sold nationwide.
December 26th, 2024 — Source

Prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition in adults 8.4 percent in 2023
The prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) was 8.4 percent among U.S. adults in 2023, according to a research letter published online Dec. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
December 26th, 2024 — Source

Therapeutic-dose anticoagulation linked to lower mortality in COVID-19
For patients hospitalized for COVID-19, administration of therapeutic-dose versus prophylactic-dose anticoagulation with heparins is associated with lower 28-day mortality, according to a review published online Dec. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
December 26th, 2024 — Source

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
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

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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
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

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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--Barre 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--Barre syndrome and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Barre 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 Hawaiʻi. A study co-led by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 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 — 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 — Bacteria & Viruses — Resources

17 Questions and Answers
Confused About Tuberculosis Headlines? Get the Facts
Provides Information — Source

Flu Shot Tip Sheet
Flu season is here. Get the flu shot facts with this timely tipsheet.
Provides Information — Source

Flu.gov
The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.
Provides a Service — Source

StopGerms.org
the ultimately resource to guide you to creating and maintaining a healthy home.
Provides Information — Source