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New toolkit aims to help U.S. hospitals spot deadly viral hemorrhagic fevers faster and safer

Researchers develop a laboratory toolkit to assist frontline healthcare facilities or the care of patients with suspected viral hemorrhagic fevers.

30 Oct 2024

Assessing and addressing IP staffing needs in a pediatric setting

A new paper published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) describes efforts at a major children's hospital to assess and fulfill its staffing needs for infection prevention and control, highlighting the challenges of allocating sufficient resources to this important role.

17 Oct 2024

New surgical stitches capable of generating electrical charge may accelerate wound healing

Researchers developed the BioES-suture, a bioabsorbable suture that accelerates wound healing through electrical stimulation, showing superior healing outcomes.

10 Oct 2024

Study shows effectiveness of colored disinfectant wipes

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reports a comparison of hospital room cleanliness using standard disinfectant wipes versus wipes with a color additive that allows users to see which surfaces have been sanitized. With the color additive, rooms were 69.2% cleaner and were able to be cleaned in slightly less time compared to cleaning with standard wipes. The study was performed at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn.

19 Sep 2024

UC study explores airborne transmission of MRSA in hospital settings

Even in a post-pandemic world, frontline health care workers face many occupational challenges, and exposure to infection is among them.

16 Sep 2024

HKUST researchers unveil eco-friendly disinfectant alternative to chloroxylenol

A widely used disinfectant worldwide, chloroxylenol, has been associated with eco-toxicological threats in water environments due to its relatively high chemical stability and massive consumption.

6 Sep 2024

DNA scavengers break down antibiotic-resistant genes

For nearly a century, scientists have waged war on antibiotic-resistant microbes. Michigan State University researchers say they've found a new way to prevent it – by unleashing "DNA scavengers" in wastewater treatment plants.

22 Aug 2024

Lensless fluorescence detection system provides highly sensitive water quality assessment

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. It could also be useful when water safety results are needed quickly, such as for swimming events, a concern highlighted during the Paris Olympics.

9 Aug 2024

Ventilation must go beyond open windows to prevent airborne diseases, experts urge

Proper ventilation is crucial for preventing airborne transmission of pathogens, highlighting the need for better building design and public health guidelines post-COVID-19.

28 Jul 2024

Salads under scrutiny: Study reveals contamination risks and solutions in ready-to-eat salads

The research paper highlights critical contamination points in the production of ready-to-eat salads and discusses solutions to ensure microbiological safety and health.

10 Jul 2024

Supermarket pre-washed vegetables test positive for Cryptosporidium

The presence of the food- and waterborne parasite Cryptosporidium parvum in samples of ready-to-eat, pre-washed vegetables.

24 Jun 2024

TOMI Environmental Solutions supports partners and customers to combat global avian influenza (H5N1) bird flu outbreak

TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc.® (“TOMI”), a global company specializing in disinfection and decontamination utilizing its premier Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) platform through its SteraMist brand of products, today announced that the Company is working closely with customers and partners to support efforts to combat a current outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) that is causing widespread disruption globally.

19 Jun 2024

Health experts call for tighter biosecurity measures to monitor avian influenza

Health experts are calling for tighter biosecurity measures in global poultry production, from farms to markets, to monitor bird flu (avian influenza) following its spread among 888 cases of human infection with the avian influenza virus, also known as H5N1, have been reported from 23 countries, of which 463 were fatal, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

21 May 2024

Hospital sinks fuel antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control reports the infection prevention steps taken to control a months-long multispecies outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales that occurred in a pediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017.

12 Apr 2024

Research highlights health risks posed by 2,6-DHNPs in drinking water

2,6-DHNPs, a group of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), are raising alarm bells for public health. These bad actors in the water world are tougher and more toxic than many other pollutants, making it hard for typical water cleaning methods to get rid of them.

29 Mar 2024

Harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance infectious disease outbreak investigations

A new research review to be given at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will highlight the potential artificial intelligence (AI) has to improve the speed and accuracy of investigations into infectious disease outbreaks in hospitals, and potentially provide real time information to stop or prevent them.

27 Feb 2024

Naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, study suggests

A new study suggests a naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, worn by millions of people worldwide.

7 Feb 2024

Does closing the toilet lid before flushing prevent viral contamination?

A study in the American Journal of Infection Control reveals that closing the toilet lid before flushing does not significantly reduce the risk of bathroom surface contamination, highlighting the importance of regular disinfection for preventing the spread of pathogens.

25 Jan 2024

Hospital surfaces harbor pathogens despite cleaning, study finds

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reports microbial contamination -; including pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria -; on high-touch hospital surfaces despite compliance with recommended disinfection protocols.

11 Jan 2024

Research reveals how light can help destroy infectious coronavirus particles

New research has revealed how light can be used to destroy infectious coronavirus particles that contaminate surfaces.

10 Jan 2024