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Novel way to fight UTIs: Research into Alzheimer's disease

Research into Alzheimer's disease seems an unlikely approach to yield a better way to fight urinary tract infections (UTIs), but that's what scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and elsewhere recently reported.

25 Nov 2009

Alzheimer's disease research leads to more effective UTI treatments

24 Nov 2009

MRSA making its way into hospitals, says study

The community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA-an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics-poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a study in the December issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

24 Nov 2009

Vitamin D: A multi-purpose nutrient for overall health

A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic."

24 Nov 2009

New multimedia application from ASM

Want to get the latest microbiology news, podcasts and video content in the palm of your hand? Now there is an app for that. A new application from the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) allows users to access and interact with audio and video content on MicrobeWorld, its award winning multimedia website, directly from their iPhones and iPod Touches.

20 Nov 2009

Companies, individuals and academic organizations recognized with GCOI awards

The Arizona Technology Council in partnership with the Arizona Department of Commerce today announced the winners of the 2009 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) awards.

20 Nov 2009

Adamas Pharmaceuticals expands its Phase 2 TCAD therapy study for influenza A

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company, announced today that it has expanded its Phase 2 clinical study of a proprietary investigational triple-combination antiviral drug therapy for influenza to include centers in the United States, Canada and Europe. The study, which was initiated in August 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere, is designed to investigate Adamas' triple combination antiviral drug (TCAD) therapy as a treatment for influenza A, including novel influenza A/H1N1, the cause of the current flu pandemic.

19 Nov 2009

Loyola researcher says rapid influenza diagnostic tests can present significant risk to public health

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests used in doctors' offices, hospitals and medical laboratories to detect H1N1 are virtually useless and could pose a significant danger to public health, according to a Loyola University Medical Center researcher.

18 Nov 2009

Aradigm commences patient dosage in Phase 2 trial of novel inhaled ciprofloxacin formulation

Aradigm Corporation today announced that the first patient was dosed in a 6-month, multicenter, international Phase 2 clinical trial of a novel version of inhaled ciprofloxacin (ARD-3150) in 40 adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

16 Nov 2009

Researchers identify a new mechanism that inhibits the formation of new blood vessels

Researchers at Uppsala University, in collaboration with colleagues in Sweden and abroad, have identified an entirely new mechanism by which a specific protein in the body inhibits formation of new blood vessels. Inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels is an important aspect of, for example, cancer treatment. The study is published in the November issue of the journal Molecular Cancer Research.

12 Nov 2009

Hand washing: Best method for killing germs and protecting oneself from flu

Fears of contracting the H1N1 virus this flu season have people steering clear of strangers with coughs and scolding friends who don't sneeze into their crooked elbows. With everyone trying to stay germ free, hand sanitizer has become a popular means of protection. But although a quick pump from a Purell dispenser is the most convenient form of hand cleaning, is it the best?

11 Nov 2009

NIH awards $6.8 million subcontract to Kineta to develop vaccine immune boosters

Kineta, Inc. announced today it has been awarded a $6.8 million subcontract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to develop novel vaccine adjuvants (agents that help boost the immune system). The Kineta subcontract is part of a larger $13 million award to the University of Washington.

10 Nov 2009

Researcers identify a new array of genes in GAS

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogenic bacteria. Many people carry GAS asymptomatically in their upper respiratory tract and other anatomic sites. However, these bacteria can cause a variety of human diseases ranging from superficial skin and throat infections to highly invasive life-threatening diseases such as toxic shock and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as the flesh-eating bacteria.

10 Nov 2009

Cellular mechanisms that may impact immune functions in the elderly discovered

Investigators discover cellular mechanisms that may impact the decline of both innate and adaptive immune functions that increase the susceptibility to various infectious agents, cancer and diseases in the elderly say experts at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

9 Nov 2009

Research projects in the areas of mathematics and biochemistry score top marks

Research projects in the areas of mathematics and biochemistry scored top marks this evening, as Tim Kunisky of Livingston, NJ and the team of Benjamin Song and Quan (Jack) Chen of Audubon, PA received the highest honors at the Region Five Finals of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation's premier high school science competition.

9 Nov 2009

Transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance established, experts welcome initiative

Experts on both sides of the Atlantic applaud President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the European Union (EU) Presidency, for establishing a transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance, an urgent and growing problem that threatens patient safety and public health worldwide.

7 Nov 2009

Experts applaud the EU Presidency for establishing a transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance

7 Nov 2009

NABT to recognize Leonard C. Yannielli with the 2009 Evolution Education Award

The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) will recognize Leonard C. Yannielli, professor of biological sciences at Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) in Waterbury, Connecticut, with the 2009 Evolution Education Award during the NABT annual professional development conference to be held 11-14 November 2009 in Denver, Colorado.

6 Nov 2009

Novexel commences comparative study of NXL103 to oral linezolid

Novexel, a speciality pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibiotics designed to overcome the significant global problem of microbial resistance, announces today that its most advanced oral antibacterial NXL103 (flopristin/linopristin), has started a Phase II clinical trial in adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). The trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of NXL103 in comparison to oral linezolid.

6 Nov 2009

Researchers find link between cholera outbreaks and seasonal low river flow and floods in Bengal

Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, has reemerged as a global killer. Outbreaks typically occur once a year in Africa and Latin America. But in Bangladesh the epidemics occur twice a year - in the spring and again in the fall.

5 Nov 2009