Infectious Diseases News and Research

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Study: Ebola transmission from deceased patients may be possible

To determine how long Ebola virus could remain infectious in a body after death, National Institutes of Health scientists sampled deceased Ebola-infected monkeys and discovered the virus remained viable for at least seven days. They also detected non-infectious viral RNA for up to 70 days post-mortem. The study, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, suggests that Ebola transmission from deceased individuals may be possible for an extended period of time following death, underscoring the importance of using safe practices for handling corpses.

15 Feb 2015

A*STAR's GIS scientists develop new system that can predict treatment targets for cancer

In recent months, several national initiatives for personalized medicine have been announced, including the recently launched precision medicine initiative in the US, driven by rapid advances in genomic technologies and with the promise of cheaper and better healthcare. Significant challenges remain, however, in the management and analysis of genetic information and their integration with patient data.

15 Feb 2015

Immune system exploits flu virus' dependence on host's machinery

Viruses are masters of outsourcing, entrusting their fundamental function - reproduction - to the host cells they infect. But it turns out this highly economical approach also creates vulnerability.

13 Feb 2015

Great Basin Scientific begins clinical trial for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli diagnostic test

Great Basin Scientific, Inc., today announced it has initiated a clinical trial for its Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) diagnostic test.

13 Feb 2015

Elusys presents positive results of obiltoxaximab for treating inhalational anthrax, post-exposure prophylaxis

Elusys Therapeutics, Inc. (Elusys), a biopharmaceutical company developing antibody therapies to treat infectious disease, presented data demonstrating that obiltoxaximab (ETI-204) demonstrated a statistically significant survival benefit across a range of disease severity in animal model studies assessing treatment of inhalational anthrax, as well as effectiveness in post-exposure prophylaxis.

13 Feb 2015

New study indicates that malaria-causing parasite is unlikely to cross from animals to humans

In recent years, public health experts have increasingly explored the idea of eliminating the most dangerous malaria-causing parasite. But they have questioned whether getting rid of this species, called Plasmodium falciparum, would allow other species of the parasite to simply jump into the gap and start infecting humans with malaria.

13 Feb 2015

SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics designated as FAO Reference Centre for bioinformatics

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has appointed SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics as the FAO Reference Centre for bioinformatics.

12 Feb 2015

Research provides new insights into rapid defence responses in human immune system

Researchers have uncovered a sieve-like structure in lymph nodes that regulates the transport of proteins and migration of white blood cells into lymph nodes.

12 Feb 2015

SRI Biosciences awarded contract to develop novel polymers to neutralize chemical, biological threats

SRI Biosciences, a division of SRI International, has been awarded a $10 million contract under a DARPA program to reimagine how proteins are constructed and to develop novel medicines and diagnostics as countermeasures to chemical and biological threats.

12 Feb 2015

Cannabis Science highlights more attendees at the CFA African Healthcare Infrastructure Forum and Brainstorm

Cannabis Science, Inc., a U.S. Company specializing in cannabis formulation-based drug development and related consulting, highlights additional attendees at the CFA African Healthcare Infrastructure Forum and Brainstorm held at the African Union, in Washington DC, on February 6, 2015.

12 Feb 2015

Discovery provides new insights into rapid defence responses in the immune system

Researchers have uncovered a sieve-like structure in lymph nodes that regulates the transport of proteins and migration of white blood cells into lymph nodes. The discovery, made by scientists working at the University of Turku, Finland, will provide new insights into rapid defence responses in the human immune system. The research was carried out with funding from the Academy of Finland and the Sigrid Juselius Foundation.

11 Feb 2015

REMIND-A-CAP awarded top Innovative Branded Technology honor

REMIND-A-CAP a novel product created to help address the $200 billion challenge of medication non-adherence in the United States, was awarded the top Innovative Branded Technology honor in the recently announced 2014 PM360 Pharma Choice Awards. The customizable and patented pill bottle cap with an ergonomic dial to set for next dosing provides a much-needed tool for companies and brands looking to improve their patient to product adherence.

11 Feb 2015

Experimental Ebola virus medication shows promise in monkeys

An experimental medication that targets a protein in Ebola virus called VP24 protected 75% of a group of monkeys that were studied from Ebola virus infection, according to new research conducted by the U.S. Army, in collaboration with Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

10 Feb 2015

Psychedelic drug prevents allergic asthma in mouse model

Research led by Charles Nichols, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, has found that a psychedelic drug, (R)-DOI, prevents the development of allergic asthma in a mouse model.

10 Feb 2015

Biocartis to develop Rapid Ebola Virus Triage Test

Biocartis believes its Rapid Ebola Virus Triage Test could provide a sustainable solution for rapid detection of Ebola-infected patients even after the current Ebola outbreak.

From Biocartis 10 Feb 2015

Roche announces acquisition of Signature Diagnostics

Roche announced today the acquisition of Signature Diagnostics AG, a privately held company based in Potsdam, Germany. Signature is a translational oncology and genomics company that develops large blood plasma and tissue biobanks in multiple cancers, including colorectal and lung, which are constructed from multicenter prospective clinical studies.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 10 Feb 2015

Researchers identify immune biomarkers that could help predict complications in HIV/TB patients

Doctors treating patients battling both HIV and tuberculosis (TB)--many of whom live in Africa--are faced with the decision when to start those patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) while they are being treated with antibiotics for active TB disease. Some patients fare well on both interventions, with the immune system in check and the TB controlled.

10 Feb 2015

Researchers develop quality assurance tool for genome editing

A research team at Boston Children's Hospital's Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine has developed a quality assurance tool for scientists using genome-editing technologies like the increasingly popular CRISPR. The assay, called high throughput genome translocation sequencing (HTGTS), rapidly gauges—for any given gene—these technologies' accuracy and their risk for causing potentially dangerous genomic collateral damage.

9 Feb 2015

Risks and benefits of fecal microbiota transplant

A woman successfully treated for a recurrent Clostridium difficile infection with stool from an overweight donor rapidly gained weight herself afterwards, becoming obese, according to a case report published in the new journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

9 Feb 2015

Preclinical testing of anti-Ebola antibodies can lead to universal flu vaccine

Does the blood of Ebola virus disease survivors contain antibodies and immune cells that could help doctors fight Ebola infections in other people?

9 Feb 2015

Infectious Diseases News and Research

Study: Ebola transmission from deceased patients may be possible

A*STAR's GIS scientists develop new system that can predict treatment targets for cancer

Immune system exploits flu virus' dependence on host's machinery

Great Basin Scientific begins clinical trial for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli diagnostic test

Elusys presents positive results of obiltoxaximab for treating inhalational anthrax, post-exposure prophylaxis

New study indicates that malaria-causing parasite is unlikely to cross from animals to humans

SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics designated as FAO Reference Centre for bioinformatics

Research provides new insights into rapid defence responses in human immune system

SRI Biosciences awarded contract to develop novel polymers to neutralize chemical, biological threats

Cannabis Science highlights more attendees at the CFA African Healthcare Infrastructure Forum and Brainstorm

Discovery provides new insights into rapid defence responses in the immune system

REMIND-A-CAP awarded top Innovative Branded Technology honor

Experimental Ebola virus medication shows promise in monkeys

Psychedelic drug prevents allergic asthma in mouse model

Biocartis to develop Rapid Ebola Virus Triage Test

Roche announces acquisition of Signature Diagnostics

Researchers identify immune biomarkers that could help predict complications in HIV/TB patients

Researchers develop quality assurance tool for genome editing

Risks and benefits of fecal microbiota transplant

Preclinical testing of anti-Ebola antibodies can lead to universal flu vaccine

Industry Focus eBook - Infectious Diseases (3rd Edition) eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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