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Researchers identify mechanism by which vancomycin resistance spreads between bacteria

Worldwide, many strains of the bacterium Staphyloccocus aureus, commonly known as staph infections, are already resistant to all antibiotics except vancomycin. But as bacteria are becoming resistant to this once powerful antidote, S. aureus has moved one step closer to becoming an unstoppable killer.

31 Jan 2013

SOD1 enzyme protects cells by regulating cell energy and metabolism

Just like a comic book super hero, you could say that the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD1) has a secret identity. Since its discovery in 1969, scientists believed SOD1's only role was to protect living cells against damage from free radicals. Now, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered that SOD1 protects cells by regulating cell energy and metabolism. The results of their research were published January 17, 2013, in the journal Cell.

30 Jan 2013

Blue light can selectively eradicate skin and soft tissue infections

Blue light can selectively eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of the skin and soft tissues, while preserving the outermost layer of skin, according to a proof-of-principle study led by Michael R. Hamblin of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Harvard Medical School, Boston.

29 Jan 2013

DRCRF announces recipients of Nov. 2012 Damon Runyon Fellows

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting innovative early career researchers, named 15 new Damon Runyon Fellows at its fall Fellowship Award Committee review.

29 Jan 2013

Breathprints identify lung infections in mice

Researchers working with a mouse model have developed a technique for creating “breathprints” that flag up whether or not the animals have a lung infection.

28 Jan 2013

Daily antibacterial baths can safely reduce risk of bloodstream infections in critically ill children

Daily baths with an ordinary antibacterial cleanser can safely reduce the risk of dangerous bloodstream infections in critically ill children, according to a trial conducted in five pediatric hospitals and led by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

28 Jan 2013

Antibiotics not being used properly, leading to 'apocalyptic scenario' of drug-resistant infections, England's chief medical officer says

"The rise in drug-resistant infections is comparable to the threat of global warming, according to the chief medical officer for England," BBC News reports. Professor Dame Sally Davies "said bacteria were becoming resistant to current drugs and there were few antibiotics to replace them."

28 Jan 2013

Children with eczema have distinct gut microbiome

Infants with eczema have more diverse total gut microbiota than those without the skin condition, show study findings.

25 Jan 2013

Emerging tick-borne disease reaches USA

A new tick-borne infection caused by the spirochete bacteria Borrelia miyamotoi that produces similar symptoms to Lyme disease has been confirmed in a small number of patients in the USA.

25 Jan 2013

Breathprints identify lung infections in mice

Researchers working with a mouse model have developed a technique for creating “breathprints” that flag up whether or not the animals have a lung infection.

25 Jan 2013

Study highlights the need for more targeted antibiotic therapy in cancer patients

What cancerous conditions lead to what kinds of bacterial infections? If doctors knew, they could predict which patients would likely benefit from pre-treatment with certain kinds of antibiotics.

25 Jan 2013

Flow cytometry can now be used for quantification of microbial cells in drinking water

Flow cytometry (FCM) can now be officially used for the quantification of microbial cells in drinking water. The new analytical method - developed at Eawag and extensively tested both in Switzerland and abroad - has been incorporated into the Swiss Food Compendium (SLMB) by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

25 Jan 2013

Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, IBM reveal new antimicrobial hydrogel

Researchers from IBM and the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology revealed today an antimicrobial hydrogel that can break through diseased biofilms and completely eradicate drug-resistant bacteria upon contact.

24 Jan 2013

Boosting estrogen levels may help reduce urinary infections in menopausal women

Estrogen levels drop dramatically in menopause, a time when the risk of urinary tract infections increases significantly.

24 Jan 2013

Normalizing p62 protein levels in immune system cells could reduce infection in CF patients

New research suggests that lowering excessive levels of a protein in immune system cells could be a strategy to clear an infection that is deadly to patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

23 Jan 2013

Strong link between mortality and reduced innate immune responsiveness in critically ill patients

Investigators from 15 children's medical centers, including Nationwide Children's Hospital, observed and evaluated critically ill children with influenza to evaluate the relationships between levels of systemic inflammation, immune function and likelihood to die from the illness. The study appears in the January issue of Critical Care Medicine.

23 Jan 2013

Antibodies essential for dendritic cell maturation

Dendritic cells, or DCs for short, perform a vital role for the immune system: They engulf pathogens, break them down into their component parts, and then display the pieces on their surface.

23 Jan 2013

Oral supplement of live R. Opacus may help pigs stay healthy during weaning

A common type of bacteria may help pigs stay healthy during weaning. In a study of 36 weanling-age pigs, researchers found that a dose of lipid-producing Rhodococcus opacus bacteria increased circulating triglycerides. Triglycerides are a crucial source of energy for the immune system.

23 Jan 2013

Suppression of immune system function can occur in influenza patients

22 Jan 2013

Researchers report novel charge zipper principle used by proteins to form functional units

Membrane proteins are the "molecular machines" in biological cell envelopes. They control diverse processes, such as the transport of molecules across the lipid membrane, signal transduction, and photosynthesis. Their shape, i.e. folding of the molecules, plays a decisive role in the formation of, e.g., pores in the cell membrane.

19 Jan 2013

Bacteria News and Research

Researchers identify mechanism by which vancomycin resistance spreads between bacteria

SOD1 enzyme protects cells by regulating cell energy and metabolism

Blue light can selectively eradicate skin and soft tissue infections

DRCRF announces recipients of Nov. 2012 Damon Runyon Fellows

Breathprints identify lung infections in mice

Daily antibacterial baths can safely reduce risk of bloodstream infections in critically ill children

Antibiotics not being used properly, leading to 'apocalyptic scenario' of drug-resistant infections, England's chief medical officer says

Children with eczema have distinct gut microbiome

Emerging tick-borne disease reaches USA

Breathprints identify lung infections in mice

Study highlights the need for more targeted antibiotic therapy in cancer patients

Flow cytometry can now be used for quantification of microbial cells in drinking water

Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, IBM reveal new antimicrobial hydrogel

Boosting estrogen levels may help reduce urinary infections in menopausal women

Normalizing p62 protein levels in immune system cells could reduce infection in CF patients

Strong link between mortality and reduced innate immune responsiveness in critically ill patients

Antibodies essential for dendritic cell maturation

Oral supplement of live R. Opacus may help pigs stay healthy during weaning

Suppression of immune system function can occur in influenza patients

Researchers report novel charge zipper principle used by proteins to form functional units

Microbiology eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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