Bacterial News and Research

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Scientists decipher workings of little-understood bacterial riboswitch

In a discovery that points to potential new antibiotic medicines, scientists from Rice University and the University of Michigan have deciphered the workings of a common but little-understood bacterial switch that cuts off protein production before it begins.

22 May 2018

Increase in local temperature correlates with higher degree of antibiotic resistance, finds study

Bacteria have long been thought to develop antibiotic resistance largely due to repeated exposure through over-prescribing. But could much bigger environmental pressures be at play?

21 May 2018

Researchers discover new disease mechanism in chronic tobacco smokers

Research published in the journal Clinical Science suggests that an immune signaling protein called interleukin-26 is increased among chronic smokers with lung disease and this involvement reveals disease mechanisms of interest for developing more effective therapy for these hard-to-treat patients.

21 May 2018

Biomarker blood test does not appear to curb antibiotic overuse, shows new study

Overall antibiotic use was not curbed by giving physicians the results of biomarker tests in patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infections, according to findings from the Procalcitonin Antibiotic Consensus Trial.

21 May 2018

Automated system more accurate in identifying patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia

An automated system for identifying patients at risk for complications associated with the use of mechanical ventilators provided significantly more accurate results than did traditional surveillance methods, which rely on manual recording and interpretation of individual patient data.

17 May 2018

California’s deadly STD epidemic sets record

Diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases hit a record high in California last year — with sometimes deadly consequences, according to preliminary state data released this week.

17 May 2018

Bacterial signals are crucial to development of pre-leukemic myeloproliferation, study shows

A new study by researchers from the University of Chicago Medicine shows that bacterial signals are crucial to the development of a precursor condition to leukemia, which can be induced by disrupting the intestinal barrier or by introducing a bacterial infection.

17 May 2018

ECDC whole genome sequencing study helps understand prevalence of drug-resistant gonorrhea

Can whole genome sequencing illustrate changes in drug susceptibility of gonorrhoea to antimicrobials used for treatment and so help to define more effective treatment regimens? The first study of this kind within an international surveillance programme for sexually transmitted infections shows distribution of drug-resistant gonorrhoea strains across Europe.

17 May 2018

Researchers discover a new antibody type

Researchers have made a discovery that contradicts previous understanding that an antibody only eliminates a specific subgroup of bacteria.

16 May 2018

First genomic survey of gonorrhea maps antibiotic resistance across Europe

The first European-wide genomic survey of gonorrhea has mapped antibiotic resistance in this sexually transmitted disease throughout the continent.

16 May 2018

BU postdoctoral researcher wins competitive NIH Pathway to Independence Award

Duo Zhang, PhD, a postdoctoral associate at Boston University School of Medicine, has received the highly competitive National Institutes of Health Pathway to Independence Award.

15 May 2018

Biochemists isolate protein supercomplex from bacteria that generates voltage

Biochemists at the University of Illinois have isolated a protein supercomplex from a bacterial membrane that, like a battery, generates a voltage across the bacterial membrane.

15 May 2018

Scientists uncover new target for MRSA

Researchers at Michigan State University have identified why methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is so resilient, a finding that could pave the way for potential new treatments.

15 May 2018

New study aims to turn MRSA’s strength against it

Antibiotic-resistant infections cause more than 30,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone. The majority of those are caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known as MRSA, which can turn routine medical operations into near-death battles.

15 May 2018

New study to explore link between diet, intestinal microbiota and cognitive decline

Are abnormal intestinal microorganisms a risk factor for developing cognitive impairment? Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are trying to answer that question with a new study that will explore how the intestinal microbiota – the bacteria in the intestine –influence the progression of cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

14 May 2018

Weighty issues on dog food safety

People are becoming more aware of what they put into their mouths and shifting from processed foods to natural and home-made foods. As for themselves they are more inclined to give their pet dogs these natural foods as well and are leaning towards a “raw meat” diet. These are often combined with pre-prepared foods that can be easily frozen and reheated for convenience.

13 May 2018