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C. diff uses toxic compound to gain competitive advantage in the gut

The pathogen C. diff - the most common cause of health care-associated infectious diarrhea - can use a compound that kills the human gut's resident microbes to survive and grow, giving it a competitive advantage in the infected gut.

25 Mar 2025

Understanding the role of iron-dependent ferroptosis in immune suppression

Iron-dependent ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic cell death mechanism, is gaining attention for its role in immune suppression.

24 Mar 2025

Study reveals key role of Treg cells in preventing autoimmune responses

During infections, the immune system needs to distinguish foreign antigens that are expressed by invading bacteria and viruses from self-antigens that are expressed by cells of the body.

22 Mar 2025

Four breakthrough studies could revolutionize tuberculosis treatment

As of early 2025, tuberculosis cases are increasing in the U.S. This disease, often shortened to TB, causes significant lung damage and, if not treated, is almost always lethal.

22 Mar 2025

Case study: Bartonella, Babesia pathogens can be a cofactor in complex neurological illnesses

In a new case study, researchers from North Carolina State University found Bartonella henselae, Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens-like MO-1 DNA in brain tissue samples from a young child with seizures and suspected Rasmussen's encephalitis.

22 Mar 2025

Cleveland Clinic study reveals insights on immune checkpoint inhibitors for colorectal cancer

A team of researchers from Cleveland Clinic Genomic Medicine share insights from an early set of 19,000 patients to receive immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments for colorectal cancer in the U.S.

20 Mar 2025

New enzyme target could lead to breakthrough therapies for Lyme disease

Researchers have discovered that an enzyme can serve as an ideal target for developing new therapeutics against Lyme disease, and most likely other tick-borne diseases as well.

20 Mar 2025

Scientists uncover hints of a potential new cause of stomach cancer

For the first time, scientists have systematically analyzed somatic mutations in stomach lining tissue to unpick mutational processes, some of which can lead to cancer.

19 Mar 2025

Study reveals how B cells safeguard high-affinity antibodies

A vaccine's ability to generate long-lasting, high-affinity antibodies hinges on a delicate balance. Upon exposure to a vaccine or pathogen, B cells scramble to refine their defenses, rapidly mutating in hopes of generating the most effective antibodies.

19 Mar 2025

AI-based neural network revolutionizes cancer treatment predictions

A first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence (AI)-based neural network can rapidly analyze and interpret millions of cells from a patient sample, predicting molecular changes in the tissue.

18 Mar 2025

New CRISPR-based test detects multi-drug-resistant bacteria without amplification

Bioengineering professor and The Grainger College of Engineering's Dean, Rashid Bashir, led a team of researchers in a project that's resulted in new technology that offers rapid, highly sensitive detection of multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other pathogens at low concentrations.

14 Mar 2025

Breakthrough peptide inhibitor effective against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, infects cells by binding its spike protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors.

14 Mar 2025

Study unveils mechanisms behind antigenic variation in pathogens

A new study by LMU and Helmholtz Munich shows how pathogens control changes in their cell surface to evade the immune system.

14 Mar 2025

New laboratory tool identifies viruses to combat Staphylococcus aureus

A newly developed laboratory tool can, within hours, help to identify specific viruses which can be used to destroy variants of the dangerous pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

14 Mar 2025

Researchers identify cause of post-COVID inflammatory shock in children

MIS-C is a serious inflammatory shock that affects children. It can occur several weeks after a COVID infection and can be life-threatening.

12 Mar 2025

Study reveals genes critical for tuberculosis survival during transmission

Tuberculosis bacteria rely on a family of genes that help them survive the challenging journey from one person's lungs to another person's during coughing, sneezing or talking, according to researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

10 Mar 2025