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New bacteria-killing toxin shows promise to impact superbug infectious diseases

An international research collaboration has discovered a new bacteria-killing toxin that shows promise of impacting superbug infectious diseases.

6 Nov 2019

People increasingly using Reddit to 'diagnose' STDs

A new study reveals that people are sharing images of their genitalia on social media in the hope of getting their sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed by others. This disturbing news not only points at rise in STIs but also misconceptions and lack of motivation to seek authentic medical advice say researchers. The study was published this week in the latest issue of the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).

6 Nov 2019

BfR symposium: Current trends and causes of foodborne disease outbreaks

To make food even safer for humans, experts from scientific institutions, food regulatory authorities and the business community will discuss current developments and strategies at the "Zoonoses and Food Safety" Symposium at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) on 4 and 5 November 2019, in Berlin-Marienfelde. Because some micro-organisms in food can cause health problems.

6 Nov 2019

C. diff puts up a winning fight against hospital disinfectants

The deadly and notoriously stubborn superbug, Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), is putting up a winning fight against hospital-grade disinfectants meant to kill it, according to results of a new study published in the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

6 Nov 2019

Gene-editing technique CRISPR trialed for first time as cancer treatment

The go-ahead has been given for the first trials using CRISPR as an alternative therapy for treating cancer.

6 Nov 2019

Medical and socioeconomic factors may hinder employability of people with HIV/AIDS

People living with HIV/AIDS may face discrimination in employers' hiring practices. A study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that medical and socioeconomic factors may hinder their employment.

6 Nov 2019

HIV increases the prevalence of early menopause, shows study

Thanks to medical advancements, HIV-positive women now have a longer life expectancy, exposing them to numerous midlife health issues such as menopause.

6 Nov 2019

Scientists discover cell protein crucial in preventing viral replication

A research team has discovered a protein without which cells infected by viruses cannot trigger an immune response, leading to 100% mortality with even non-disease-producing strains. The discovery of the new Z-DNA binding protein, or ZBP1, was reported in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. It could help develop new treatment methods for viruses that target the nervous system such as the Zika or West Nile Encephalitis virus.

6 Nov 2019

Risk assessment model for Ebola transmission accurately predicted Uganda cases

A new risk assessment model for the transmission of Ebola accurately predicted its spread into the Republic of Uganda, according to the Kansas State University researchers who developed it.

5 Nov 2019

Record number of Legionnaires’ cases in 2018 risk lives, cause cleanup headaches

Cases of Legionnaires' disease reached a record high in 2018 — a more than eight-fold increase since the numbers began to climb nearly two decades ago.

5 Nov 2019

Addressing perceived stigma about taking HIV medication can help women at risk

Stigma is an important contributor to the continued HIV epidemic in the United States. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that can be taken to prevent HIV infection, previous research has shown that a barrier preventing gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men from using PrEP is fear that partners, family members or community members would believe that those who use PrEP are HIV infected.

4 Nov 2019

Self-sampling could increase detection of cervical pre-cancer

A non-invasive test to detect cervical pre-cancer could increase participation rates in cervical cancer screening programs.

4 Nov 2019

A type of gut bacteria may increase risk of bowel cancer

People with a certain type of bacteria in their guts may be more likely to develop bowel cancer.

4 Nov 2019

Some deadly skin cancers may originate in hair follicles

Some deadly skin cancers may originate in the pigment-making stem cells in hair follicles rather than in skin.

4 Nov 2019

San Diego-based Predictive Science releases first forecast for influenza season

San Diego-based Predictive Science, Inc. this week released their first forecast for the 2019-2020 influenza season, which typically runs from November through March.

4 Nov 2019

Measles wipes out other immune memories

Thanks to misinformation and anti-vaccination campaigns in some pockets, United States and several nations of Europe have seen a massive outbreak of vaccine preventable measles infection over the recent years.

3 Nov 2019

Correlates of HIV risk associated with decrease in disease transmission, study confirms

Immune responses that are associated with a decreased risk of infection are called correlates of protection.

1 Nov 2019

Study finds cross-species filovirus transmission from bats to humans

Infectious diseases spilling over from wildlife are not new - as of 2008, approximately 70 per cent of all known emerging diseases are thought to have originated from wild animals.

1 Nov 2019

Otago researchers join vaccine research project to tackle Salmonella bloodstream infections in Africa

A team of University of Otago researchers is part of a major new international vaccine research project to help tackle devastating Salmonella bloodstream infections which are killing thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa each year.

1 Nov 2019

New technology developed to more quickly detect and trace foodborne disease

University of Massachusetts Amherst food scientist Matthew Moore has received two grants from the USDA to apply new technology in an effort to more quickly detect and trace foodborne disease caused by noroviruses and bacteria.

1 Nov 2019