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VNI cures both acute and chronic forms of Chagas disease

Chagas disease, a deadly tropical infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by biting insects called "kissing bugs," has begun to spread around the world, including the U.S. Yet current treatment is toxic and limited to the acute stage.

15 Feb 2013

Third Rock Ventures announces formation of Jounce Therapeutics

Third Rock Ventures, LLC today announced the formation of Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. with a $47 million Series A financing of the company. Jounce is focused on the discovery and development of first-in-class cancer immunotherapies designed to harness the patient's immune system to seek out and attack cancerous cells and tumors.

15 Feb 2013

Tousled-like kinases play a key role in suppression and activation of herpesviruses

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hide within the worldwide human population. While dormant in the vast majority of those infected, these active herpesviruses can develop into several forms of cancer.

14 Feb 2013

Researchers describe novel antiviral property of cholesterol-25-hydroxylase

A team of UCLA-led researchers has identified a protein with broad virus-fighting properties that potentially could be used as a weapon against deadly human pathogenic viruses such as HIV, Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, Nipah and others designated "priority pathogens" for national biosecurity purposes by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

13 Feb 2013

Parenteral nutrition safety: an interview with Dr. Phil Ayers, A.S.P.E.N PN Safety Task Force Chair and Dr. Peggi Guenter, Director of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)

Parenteral nutrition is intravenous nutrition for patients who are unable to eat or be tube fed. It is used with more than 300,000 patients per year - a quarter of whom are children and newborns.

11 Feb 2013

Virginia Tech researchers reveal how 'bad' gut bacteria may help control diabetes

A stomach bacterium believed to cause health problems such as gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer may play a dual role by balancing the stomach's ecosystem and controlling body weight and glucose tolerance, according to immunologists at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute of Virginia Tech.

10 Feb 2013

Tat-beclin 1 shows promise against infections, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer

UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists have synthesized a peptide that shows potential for pharmaceutical development into agents for treating infections, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer through an ability to induce a cell-recycling process called autophagy.

10 Feb 2013

Research sheds light on how E. coli thrive in the intestine of people with IBD

Scientists have long puzzled over why "bad" bacteria such as E. coli can thrive in the guts of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causing serious diarrhea. Now UC Davis researchers have discovered the answer-one that may be the first step toward finding new and better treatments for IBD.

10 Feb 2013

ASM to host 2013 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting from Feb. 25-27

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) will host its 2013 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting February 25-27, 2013 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC.

6 Feb 2013

Loyola Flu Central now available on LUHS web site

Loyola Flu Central, a weekly snapshot of flu activity locally, regionally and nationally is now available on the Loyola University Health System web site, through Twitter and on Facebook.

5 Feb 2013

Combined strategy needed to combat TB in Nunavut

A combined strategy is needed to combat tuberculosis in Nunavut where the rate is 66 times higher than in the general Canadian population, states a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

5 Feb 2013

Gum infections may increase risk for community-acquired pneumonia

People with moderate-to-severe periodontitis are at increased risk for community-acquired pneumonia compared with those with healthy gums, show study findings.

4 Feb 2013

Researchers discover gene that causes MRSA infection to linger on skin longer than other strains

In the last decade, a new strain of MRSA has emerged that can spread beyond hospital walls, putting everyone at risk of contracting the dangerous bacterial infection. This particular strain of MRSA - known as USA300 - contains a chunk of genes not shared by any other strains, though it is unclear how this unique genetic material enables the bacteria to survive and persist in the community.

4 Feb 2013

Two new methods could accelerate development of improved antisense drugs

Powerful antisense drugs that target disease-associated genes to block their expression can be used to treat a broad range of diseases. Though antisense therapy has been proven effective, challenges remain in ensuring that the drugs reach their intended targets.

2 Feb 2013

Study offers new evidence of natural emission of influenza

A new study suggests that patients with influenza can emit small virus-containing particles into the surrounding air during routine patient care, potentially exposing health care providers to influenza. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, the findings raise the possibility that current influenza infection control recommendations may not always be adequate to protect providers from influenza during routine patient care in hospitals.

2 Feb 2013

Scientists identify specific p53 pocket that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs

UC Irvine biologists, chemists and computer scientists have identified an elusive pocket on the surface of the p53 protein that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs. The finding heralds a new treatment approach, as mutant forms of this protein are implicated in nearly 40 percent of diagnosed cases of cancer, which kills more than half a million Americans each year.

1 Feb 2013

Innate lymphoid cells may be new therapeutic target in treating atopic dermatitis

The increasing incidence of allergic skin diseases, and the accompanying economic burden and heightened risk of developing other allergic conditions, have spurred researchers to look for better ways to control these immune system-based disorders.

1 Feb 2013

Microbiologists discover new pathway to improve vaccines against tuberculosis

A new pathway for improving vaccines against tuberculosis has been discovered by microbiologists at the University at Buffalo in collaboration with researchers at other universities, according to a paper in the journal Mucosal Immunology, published by the Nature group.

1 Feb 2013

Soft x-ray electrostatic precipitator protects mice against airborne pathogens

A new device called a soft x-ray electrostatic precipitator protected immunocompromised mice from airborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, ultrafine particles, and allergens, according to a paper published online ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

1 Feb 2013

Mental health in young people: an interview with Professor Colum Dunne

Ireland, and many other countries, is witnessing increases in problematic and complex youth mental health challenges. In Ireland, specifically, there has been a rash of high profile cases where young people have unfortunately not been able to deal with stress, bullying and other issues.

1 Feb 2013

Microbiology News and Research

VNI cures both acute and chronic forms of Chagas disease

Third Rock Ventures announces formation of Jounce Therapeutics

Tousled-like kinases play a key role in suppression and activation of herpesviruses

Researchers describe novel antiviral property of cholesterol-25-hydroxylase

Parenteral nutrition safety: an interview with Dr. Phil Ayers, A.S.P.E.N PN Safety Task Force Chair and Dr. Peggi Guenter, Director of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)

Virginia Tech researchers reveal how 'bad' gut bacteria may help control diabetes

Tat-beclin 1 shows promise against infections, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer

Research sheds light on how E. coli thrive in the intestine of people with IBD

ASM to host 2013 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting from Feb. 25-27

Loyola Flu Central now available on LUHS web site

Combined strategy needed to combat TB in Nunavut

Gum infections may increase risk for community-acquired pneumonia

Researchers discover gene that causes MRSA infection to linger on skin longer than other strains

Two new methods could accelerate development of improved antisense drugs

Study offers new evidence of natural emission of influenza

Scientists identify specific p53 pocket that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs

Innate lymphoid cells may be new therapeutic target in treating atopic dermatitis

Microbiologists discover new pathway to improve vaccines against tuberculosis

Soft x-ray electrostatic precipitator protects mice against airborne pathogens

Mental health in young people: an interview with Professor Colum Dunne

Microbiology eBook

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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