Antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 infections: Tthe 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.....»»
Global Covid Cases and Deaths Rise for the First Time in Two Months, WHO Says
Covid-19 cases and deaths are climbing across the world for the first time in two months as the virus surges across Europe, World Health Organization officials said at a briefing Thursday. From a report: After weeks of decline, infections in Europe h.....»»
Flexible device could treat hearing loss without batteries
Some people are born with hearing loss, while others acquire it with age, infections or long-term noise exposures. In many instances, the tiny hairs in the inner ear's cochlea that allow the brain to recognize electrical pulses as sound are damaged......»»
Mystery of deadly US infections solved; aromatherapy spray at Walmart to blame
The room sprays contain gemstones—and a deadly bacteria found in the tropics. Enlarge / Burkholderia pseudomallei grown on sheep blood agar for 24 hours. B. pseudomallei is a Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, and it's the causative age.....»»
How staphylococci protect themselves against antibiotics
The skin bacterium Staphylococcus aureus often develops antibiotic resistance. It can then cause infections that are difficult to treat. Researchers have now uncovered an ingenious way in which a certain strain of Staphylococcus aureus protects itsel.....»»
The path from pollutants in food to a heightened allergic response
Exposure to the heavy metal cadmium is known to irritate the stomach and lungs or cause kidney disease, but new research links another health issue to inadvertently ingesting low doses of the pollutant: high activation of the antibodies that cause an.....»»
Researchers uncover how SARS-CoV-2 escapes a cell"s antiviral defenses
A UBC-led research team has uncovered how the virus responsible for causing COVID-19 escapes destruction in infected cells, allowing SARS-CoV-2 to persist and continue spreading in the human body......»»
Researchers create mirror-image peptides that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created chemical compounds that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and several of its variants......»»
UK Reaches Highest COVID-19 Deaths Since March As New AY.4.2 Delta Sub-Variant Spreads
AleRunner writes: The United Kingdom's COVID-19 death rate has reached its highest rate since just after the peak of the last lockdown in March. This has been happening as the new AY.4.2 variant of the Delta strain of the SARS-COV-2 virus has begun t.....»»
How do plants act fast to fight off infections?
New work led by Carnegie's Kangmei Zhao and Sue Rhee reveals a new mechanism by which plants are able to rapidly activate defenses against bacterial infections. This understanding could inspire efforts to improve crop yields and combat global hunger......»»
Carbon nanotube-based sensor can detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins
Using specialized carbon nanotubes, MIT engineers have designed a novel sensor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 without any antibodies, giving a result within minutes. Their new sensor is based on technology that can quickly generate rapid and accurate dia.....»»
Identification of genes that cause resistance to treatment of the pathogenic fungus Candida
It is estimated that 80% of women will suffer from vaginal candidiasis at least once in their lives. In addition to superficial infections, which can be oral or vaginal and do not usually have a serious prognosis, fungi of the Candida genus can cau.....»»
S-acylation enhances COVID-19 infection
Like many viruses, SARS-CoV-2 relies on lipid modifications carried by host enzymes to organize their membrane structure and coordinate the function of virulence proteins. Scientists at EPFL have discovered the enzymes that transfer fatty acids to on.....»»
Tracking a bacterial culprit in the case of the warty pumpkin
On a Halloween pumpkin, warts and bumps have a certain spooky charm. But some unwanted bacteria-caused blemishes open the door to infections that rot and ruin this bright, seasonal fruit......»»
How staphylococci protect themselves against antibiotics
The skin bacterium Staphylococcus aureus often develops antibiotic resistance. It can then cause infections that are difficult to treat......»»
Researchers design antibodies that destroy old cells, slowing down aging
No one knows why some people age worse than others and develop diseases -such as Alzheimer's, fibrosis, type 2 diabetes or some types of cancer- associated with this aging process. One explanation for this could be the degree of efficiency of each or.....»»
Cat bacteria treats mouse skin infection, may help you and your pets as well
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine used bacteria found on healthy cats to successfully treat a skin infection on mice. These bacteria may serve as the basis for new therapeutics against severe skin infections in huma.....»»
Targeted interventions to contain pandemics, minimize societal disruption
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more than 218 million infections and over 4.5 million deaths as of Sept. 3, 2021. Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as case isolation, quarantining contacts, and the complete lockdown of entire countries, w.....»»
Bacterial infections in sinuses of cystic fibrosis patients share surprising similarities
A collaboration among microbiologists, clinicians and experts on bacterial evolution revealed that, with time, highly adapted bacterial communities in the sinuses of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) become more fragmented and experience mutations tha.....»»
Probing plant infections
Sometimes the pathogens that infect plants also affect people—through our pocketbooks. Which is why plant pathologist Erica Goss, a University of Florida professor with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, spends a lot of time studying.....»»
Which animals can catch the coronavirus?
On Oct. 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories announced confirmation of SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—in two previously uninfected animal species at a zoo in Illinois. Dr. Leyi Wang, a virol.....»»