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Pathogenicity of fungus in plants could provide clinical information about respiratory diseases

Researchers from UPM id reveal how mould from humidity caused by rotting fruits and vegetables unfolds a surprising strategy to infect plants.

17 Oct 2016

Gut may play key role in preventing Parkinson's disease

Your gut may play a pivotal role in preventing the onset of Parkinson's disease. And the reason may be its knack for sleuthing.

5 Oct 2016

Researchers identify fungus that makes mosquitoes more susceptible to malaria infection

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have identified a fungus that compromises the immune system of mosquitoes, making them more susceptible to infection with the parasite that causes malaria.

28 Sep 2016

Aflatoxin exposure can weaken airways' defenses opening door for severe respiratory diseases

Toxins from mold found growing on nuts or corn can weaken the airways' self-clearing mechanisms and immunity, opening the door for respiratory diseases and exacerbating existing ones, suggests a study in Nature Scientific Reports published this month from otolaryngology researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

27 Sep 2016

World leaders at UN meeting commit to develop action plans on antimicrobial resistance

World leaders today signalled an unprecedented level of attention to curb the spread of infections that are resistant to antimicrobial medicines.

24 Sep 2016

Groundbreaking research findings could lead to potential new treatments for Crohn’s disease

A Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine-led team of international researchers has for the first time identified a fungus as a key factor in the development of Crohn's disease.

21 Sep 2016

Researchers explain novel approach for analyzing diverse immune responses

The response to infection is highly variable from one individual to another. The Milieu Intérieur consortium, coordinated by Prof. Matthew Albert (Immunobiology of dendritic cells Unit, Institut Pasteur / Inserm) and Dr Lluis Quintana-Murci (Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur / CNRS) seek to establish the parameters that characterize the immune system of healthy individuals and its natural variability.

16 Sep 2016

Research findings may pave way for innovative treatments of multiple sclerosis

Researchers at the Research Center for Immunotherapy and the Focus Program Translational Neurosciences of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have identified a new mechanism that is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases.

14 Sep 2016

Heat shock proteins may play role in triggering Schistosoma invasion

A protein known for helping cells withstand stress may also act as a switch that triggers free-swimming Schistosoma larvae to begin penetrating the skin and transforming into the parasitic flatworms that burden more than 240 million people worldwide with schistosomiasis.

9 Sep 2016

Manchester experts develop world’s first Fungal Microscopy online course

Scientists estimate that of the 5 million fungus species on Earth around 600 cause disease in humans. It is a challenge to diagnose a serious fungal infection in real time and this course is aimed at teaching a rapid method of diagnosis.

9 Sep 2016

Fungal communities in chronic wounds can be linked to poor outcomes and slow healing

Researchers in Pennsylvania and Iowa have discovered that fungal communities found in chronic wounds can form mixed bacterial-fungal biofilms and can be associated with poor outcomes and longer healing times.

6 Sep 2016

Researchers use unique computational approach to identify promising drug leads for heart diseases

Using a unique computational approach to rapidly sample, in millisecond time intervals, proteins in their natural state of gyrating, bobbing, and weaving, a research team from UC San Diego and Monash University in Australia has identified promising drug leads that may selectively combat heart disease, from arrhythmias to cardiac failure.

6 Sep 2016

Solution made of silver nanoparticles shows promise in healing diabetic foot ulcers

One of the major complications of diabetes is the appearance of wounds in the lower extremities that do not heal properly.

31 Aug 2016

Scientists identify potential mechanism that paves way for improved treatment of fungal infections

By identifying new compounds that selectively block mitochondrial respiration in pathogenic fungi, Whitehead Institute scientists have identified a potential antifungal mechanism that could enable combination therapy with fluconazole, one of today's most commonly prescribed fungal infection treatments.

11 Aug 2016

Valley fever diagnosis often overlooked by primary care physicians

For patients with pneumonia or ongoing influenza-like symptoms who live in or have visited the west or southwest United States, especially Arizona and central California, infectious diseases experts recommend physicians suspect valley fever, an often-overlooked fungal infection.

28 Jul 2016

Researchers discover two plant-derived compounds with potential for fighting inflammation and pain

New research reveals that two specific plant-derived compounds may be effective for fighting inflammation and pain. The findings are published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

28 Jul 2016

Scientists clarify mechanism of defective immune defense in G6PD patients

Favism is a common hereditary disease, affecting around 400 million people worldwide. It is caused by a lack of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).

26 Jul 2016

Researchers identify specific pathways involved in development of mucormycosis

Research published today in the journal, Nature Communications, provides new insights into the evolution of Mucorales fungi, which cause a fatal infection in ever-increasing segments of patient population, and several molecular pathways that might be exploited as potential therapeutic or diagnostic targets.

22 Jul 2016

Researchers identify gene-based treatment that works against fungus

Fungal infections pose a major threat to hospital patients and have proven difficult to combat, but scientists have unlocked evidence that could lead to more effective treatment.

18 Jul 2016

Rare antibiotic compound detected in fungi for first time

Besides mushrooms such as truffles or morels, also many yeast and mould fungi, as well as other filamentous fungi belong to the Ascomycota phylum. They produce metabolic products which can act as natural antibiotics to combat bacteria and other pathogens. Penicillin, one of the oldest antibiotic agents, is probably the best known example.