Pathogen News and Research

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Scientists complete comparative analysis of bacterial communities living in human nose, throat

Scientists have completed the most comprehensive comparative analysis to date of bacterial communities inhabiting the human nose and throat, which could provide new insights into why some individuals become colonized with pathogens while others do not. They release their findings today in mBio- the online open-access journal published by the American Society for Microbiology.

22 Jun 2010

Preclinical study shows treatment with DAS181 inhibits infection with multiple HPIV strains

NexBio, Inc. announced today the publication of a "Major Article" in the Journal of Infectious Diseases of a preclinical study showing that treatment with DAS181 (Fludase) inhibits infection with multiple human parainfluenza virus strains. DAS181 is a broad spectrum host-targeted investigational drug candidate for treatment and prevention of Influenza-Like Illness.

19 Jun 2010

Implications for reducing clotting in kidney disease dialysis and sepsis

The interaction of the drug compstatin with two ancient, co-evolved human systems points to new ways for reducing clotting during dialysis for end-stage kidney disease and multiple organ failure due to sepsis, a dangerous whole-body inflammatory response to infection.

17 Jun 2010

Studies suggest role for IL-10 in prevention and treatment of neurological disease in newborns

This bacterium, Escherichia coli K1, is the most common cause of meningitis in premature infants and the second most common cause of the disease in newborns. "The ineffectiveness of antibiotics in treating newborns with meningitis and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria require new strategies," explains Nemani V. Prasadarao, PhD, associate professor of infectious disease at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

17 Jun 2010

Study examines survival rates of CF patients with MRSA

A team of researchers led by Elliott Dasenbrook, MD, MHS, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Associate Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center's Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital today published the findings from a major study about cystic fibrosis survival rates in the June 16 issue of JAMA.

16 Jun 2010

Acclaimed virologist delivers the 2010 Leeuwenhoek prize lecture

Acclaimed virologist Robert Webster, Ph.D., of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, presented the 2010 Leeuwenhoek prize lecture today, a prestigious recognition awarded by the Royal Society in London.

16 Jun 2010

DFG sets up new Research Training Groups for German researchers

To further enhance the promotion of young researchers in Germany, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) has established twelve new Research Training Groups.

14 Jun 2010

White blood cells with receptors for both virus and nerve proteins may assault nerves after fighting infection

A virus infection can incite the body to attack its own nerve tissue by activating unusual, disease-fighting cells with receptors for both viral and nerve proteins. The dual-receptor observation suggests a way brain and spinal cord nerve damage might be triggered in susceptible young adults afflicted with multiple sclerosis.

11 Jun 2010

Protein IL-10 removes Escherichia coli K1 bacterium from blood and reverses brain damage

A team of researchers at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), along with colleagues from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and the Universite Auvergne, France, have discovered an important role for a small, naturally occurring protein called interleukin-10 (IL-10) in removing bacteria from the blood of infected mice and reversing damage to the brain.

11 Jun 2010

Discovery Labs reports preliminary results from Surfaxin Phase 2 trial in children with Acute Respiratory Failure

Discovery Laboratories, Inc., reports preliminary results from its Phase 2 clinical trial of Surfaxin® in children with Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF), a critical condition often caused in children by severe respiratory infections. The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intratracheal administration of Surfaxin and to assess whether Surfaxin treatment could decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation in children with ARF.

9 Jun 2010

Immunosignature technique provides pre-symptomatic diagnosis for broad range of ailments

An inexpensive system for earlier disease diagnosis could save innumerable lives. It would also have a profound impact on the nation's healthcare industry, currently buckling under the strain of spiraling costs.

9 Jun 2010

Xenex Healthcare Services announces commercial launch of pulsed xenon room disinfection system

Xenex Healthcare Services LLC, which specializes in developing disinfection technology for healthcare facilities, today announced the commercial launch of its pulsed xenon room disinfection system and the conclusion of the Xenex system's successful trial at a leading U.S. cancer center. The Xenex system, which is now available, is the fastest, safest, and most effective method for the advanced cleaning of hospital rooms in the world today, quickly destroying all major classes of microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria and bacterial spores) without contact or chemicals.

8 Jun 2010

Researchers decipher how mast cells set immune defense on right track

In the event of an infection, the immune system releases messenger substances. These molecules can either activate immune cells to defeat invading pathogens, or inhibit them to prevent an excessive immune reaction. For this, the immune system has to decide very quickly what mixture of activating and inhibiting messenger molecules leads to a successful defence.

8 Jun 2010

Tel Aviv University discovers ancient switch in plants that could halt cancer metastasis

Although plants and animals are very different organisms, they share a surprising number of biological mechanisms. A plant biologist at Tel Aviv University says that one of these mechanisms may be the answer for turning off cancer growth in humans.

8 Jun 2010

Researchers develop biosensors to monitor concentration of c-di-GMP within single living bacteria cells

Some species of bacteria perform an amazing reproductive feat. When the single-celled organism splits in two, the daughter cell - the swarmer - inherits a propeller to swim freely. The mother cell builds a stalk to cling to surfaces.

4 Jun 2010

McMaster University researchers discover chemical clue directing Staphylococcus aureus

McMaster University researchers have discovered a central controller or processing unit of a superbug's weaponry. An article on the breakthrough appears in the high-impact journal Science today.

4 Jun 2010

Alnylam, Mount Sinai scientists discover svRNAs that play a critical role in influenza A virus replication

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today the publication of new research findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by Alnylam scientists and collaborators from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In the new study, Alnylam and Mount Sinai scientists discovered a novel class of virus-produced small non-coding RNAs, called small viral RNAs (svRNAs), which play a critical role in the replication of influenza A virus.

2 Jun 2010

DFG approves establishment of twelve new CRCs

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has approved the establishment of twelve new Collaborative Research Centres beginning 1 July 2010. This was decided by the responsible Grants Committee at its spring meeting in Bonn. The new CRCs will initially be funded for four years with a total of 112 million euros (including a 20% programme allowance for indirect project costs).

29 May 2010

Scientists offer low-cost solutions to reduce arsenic in drinking water

An estimated 60 million people in Bangladesh are exposed to unsafe levels of arsenic in their drinking water, dramatically raising their risk for cancer and other serious diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

28 May 2010

Effective infant vaccination against pneumonia needed in sub-Saharan Africa

Researchers at the University of Warwick, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kilifi, Kenya, have found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) appears to be the predominant virus detected among infants and children hospitalized in Kenya with severe pneumonia, according to a study in the May 26 issue of JAMA. The contribution to this severe disease by an individual pathogen stresses the need for effective infant vaccination.

28 May 2010

Pathogen News and Research

Scientists complete comparative analysis of bacterial communities living in human nose, throat

Preclinical study shows treatment with DAS181 inhibits infection with multiple HPIV strains

Implications for reducing clotting in kidney disease dialysis and sepsis

Studies suggest role for IL-10 in prevention and treatment of neurological disease in newborns

Study examines survival rates of CF patients with MRSA

Acclaimed virologist delivers the 2010 Leeuwenhoek prize lecture

DFG sets up new Research Training Groups for German researchers

White blood cells with receptors for both virus and nerve proteins may assault nerves after fighting infection

Protein IL-10 removes Escherichia coli K1 bacterium from blood and reverses brain damage

Discovery Labs reports preliminary results from Surfaxin Phase 2 trial in children with Acute Respiratory Failure

Immunosignature technique provides pre-symptomatic diagnosis for broad range of ailments

Xenex Healthcare Services announces commercial launch of pulsed xenon room disinfection system

Researchers decipher how mast cells set immune defense on right track

Tel Aviv University discovers ancient switch in plants that could halt cancer metastasis

Researchers develop biosensors to monitor concentration of c-di-GMP within single living bacteria cells

McMaster University researchers discover chemical clue directing Staphylococcus aureus

Alnylam, Mount Sinai scientists discover svRNAs that play a critical role in influenza A virus replication

DFG approves establishment of twelve new CRCs

Scientists offer low-cost solutions to reduce arsenic in drinking water

Effective infant vaccination against pneumonia needed in sub-Saharan Africa

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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