Antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 infections: The more the better
Oxford University Hospital tracked infections in 12,500 of its healthcare workers. Enlarge / Oxford University is associated with the hospital that ran this study, as well as a vaccine that is currently undergoing clinical trials. (credit: Gallo.....»»
Research team identifies new approach to tackling bacterial infections
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a new approach to controlling bacterial infections. The findings are described in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology......»»
New paper explains why females are prone to autoimmune diseases
A system that shuts down one of two X chromosomes is targeted by auto-antibodies. Enlarge (credit: Rost-9D) Eighty percent of patients with autoimmune diseases are female. These diseases are one of the top 10 leading ca.....»»
Synthetic antibacterial minerals combat topical infections
The development of new antibiotics has stalled—new strategies are needed as the world enters the age of antibiotic resistance. To combat this challenge, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists have found that synthetic antibacteria.....»»
Study finds commensal gut bacteria develop resistance in response to antibacterial treatment
An international team of microbiologists and immunologists has found that commensal gut bacteria develop resistance to antibacterial therapies for infections. In their study, reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group monitored.....»»
DNA particles that mimic viruses hold promise as vaccines
Using a virus-like delivery particle made from DNA, researchers from MIT and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard have created a vaccine that can induce a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2......»»
Why surface materials matter in health care settings
Health care facilities serve as havens for patients seeking treatment for disease and injury. However, they can also be home to a hidden world of microbes, lurking in places and devices that lead to life-threatening infections......»»
Fungal infections affect pine trees" ability to ward off mountain pine beetles
University of Alberta research provides new insight into how harmful fungal infections could affect the ability of lodgepole pines to defend themselves from deadly mountain pine beetle attacks......»»
New tool reveals gene behavior in bacteria
Bacterial infections cause millions of deaths each year, with the global threat made worse by the increasing resistance of the microbes to antibiotic treatments. This is due in part to the ability of bacteria to switch genes on and off as they sense.....»»
Nanoparticle spray reduces risk of airborne bacterial infections caused by air filtration systems
A novel nanoparticle spray coating process has been shown to all but eliminate the growth of some of the world's most dangerous bacteria in air filtration systems, significantly reducing the risk of airborne bacterial and viral infections......»»
Study reveals how some bacterial infections become chronic
In the early 1900s, a cook named Mary Mallon, better known as "Typhoid Mary," spread Salmonella Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever, to dozens of her patrons even though she showed no symptoms. Many people today harbor pathogenic Salmonella b.....»»
Study finds S. aureus" surface-sticking ability not evenly distributed over cell envelope
Infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus have a significant impact on human health, with tens of thousands of hospital patients dying every year from infections due to the S. aureus "superbug." Stopping the spread of bacteria like S......»»
Scientists make COVID receptor protein in mouse cells
A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has demonstrated a way to produce large quantities of the receptor that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, binds to on the s.....»»
Kaspersky releases utility to detect iOS spyware infections
Kaspersky’s researchers have developed a lightweight method to detect indicators of infection from sophisticated iOS spyware such as NSO Group’s Pegasus, QuaDream’s Reign, and Intellexa’s Predator through analyzing a log file crea.....»»
Antifungals are going the way of antibiotics—overused, hitting resistance
CDC urges clinicians to confirm fungal infections before prescribing antifungal medications. Enlarge / Ringworm. (credit: CDC/Getty Images) Clinicians in the US may be overprescribing topical antifungal treatments for sk.....»»
AI-Optimized Catheter Design Could Prevent Urinary Tract Infections without Drugs
A 3-D-printed tube stymies microbes with a tiny obstacle course to combat rampant infections in hospitals.....»»
Candida evolution disclosed: New insights into fungal infections
Global fungal infections, which affect 1 billion people and cause 1.5 million deaths each year, are on the rise due to the increasing number of medical treatments that heighten vulnerability. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive trea.....»»
Scientists discover how ultraviolet light degrades coronavirus
New research has revealed how light can be used to destroy infectious coronavirus particles that contaminate surfaces. Scientists are interested in how environments, such as surgeries, can be thoroughly disinfected from viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 tha.....»»
Q&A: Researchers highlight the potential for microrobots in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases
Biofilms—structured communities of microorganisms that create a protective matrix shielding them from external threats, including antibiotics—are responsible for about 80% of human infections and present a significant challenge in medical treatme.....»»
Enhanced brain delivery of antibodies heightens the potential to treat brain diseases
The blood-brain barrier blocks the entry of antibodies into the brain. This limits the potential use of antibody therapeutics to treat brain diseases, such as brain tumors......»»
Study demonstrates potency of synthetic antibiotic against serious chronic infections
A new synthetic antibiotic developed by University of Liverpool researchers is shown to be more effective than established drugs against "superbugs" such as MRSA, a new study shows......»»