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Air pollution may be causing your hair to fall out

Exposure to particulate matter has been linked to human hair loss for the first time in research presented at the 28th EADV Congress in Madrid.

8 Oct 2019

Cholera-causing bacteria steal large stretches of intact DNA to become more efficient

A new paper shows that the cholera germ is an inveterate and rapacious gene stealer, robbing other competing bacteria of up to 150 genes (over 150,000 base pairs) in a single attack. To put this in perspective, the cholera pathogen carries only about 4,000 genes altogether.

8 Oct 2019

New way to prevent malaria bugs from breeding

A new international collaboration reports that the compound called TCMDC-135051 is capable of preventing the synthesis of a protein that is required for growth in Plasmodium falciparum, one of the species of the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria. The study, reported in the journal Science, could lead to the development of a new antimalarial drug.

8 Oct 2019

Computational analysis identifies key uncertainties for models of mosquito distribution in the U.S.

A computational analysis has identified key regions in the United States where model-based predictions of mosquito species distribution could be improved. Andrew Monaghan of the University of Colorado Boulder and colleagues present these findings in PLOS Computational Biology.

From PLOS ONE 8 Oct 2019

30 percent of the world’s children not protected against rubella

A new study carried out by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that a historic milestone has been crossed – over 50% of the world’s babies are now safe from rubella, or German measles. The disease has not been detected for a year or more in more than 80 countries all over the world.

7 Oct 2019

Federally funded Obria prescribes abstinence to stop the spread of STDs

Inside Obria Medical Clinics, conviction — not condoms — is summoned to stop the spread of chlamydia.

7 Oct 2019

Eco-friendly washing machines may harbor harmful bacteria

A new study has revealed that eco-friendly home washing machines may be facilitating the spread of harmful bacteria.

7 Oct 2019

Household bleach decontaminates stainless steel wires coated with CWD prions

A 5-minute soak in a 40% solution of household bleach decontaminated stainless steel wires coated with chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions, according to a new study by National Institutes of Health scientists.

5 Oct 2019

New sensor technology to revolutionize treatment and cure of tuberculosis

A trial involving an edible sensor connected to a paired mobile, that enables medical staff to remotely see patients` intake of tuberculosis (TB) medicine, has produced superior results to directly observed therapy (DOT), where a healthcare worker watches the patient swallow medication, leading researchers to suggest that the technology could be a game changer in high prevalence countries where treatment adherence remains a stumbling block to eliminating TB.

4 Oct 2019

New defensive mechanism against bacterial wound infections discovered

Wound inflammation which results in impaired wound healing can have serious consequences for patients. Researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a new defensive mechanism which enables our skin to actively kill bacteria.

4 Oct 2019

Phage engineering gives antibacterial therapy a new lease of life

Researchers have been identifying and modifying known phages to fight against infectious bacteria.

4 Oct 2019

Scientists uncover the cause of a rare fatal nerve disease

A new study has revealed the cause of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher syndrome and how simply adding a chemical that binds to iron, so it can be removed from the cell, enables the sick cells to grow back.

4 Oct 2019

Even diet drinks increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, finds study

Drinking more than two artificially sweetened or sugary soft drinks each day may increase the risk of diabetes, say Harvard researchers.

4 Oct 2019

Men should stay alcohol-free for at least six months before conception

A new study has revealed that men hoping to conceive should stop drinking for at least six months before to prevent congenital heart diseases.

4 Oct 2019

Study sheds new light on transmission dynamics of HIV-1B virus in Indonesia

Research into the molecular phylogeny (evolutionary history) of the HIV-1B virus in Indonesia has succeeded in illuminating the transmission period and routes for three clades (main branches of the virus).

4 Oct 2019

Australians traveling overseas urged to make sure their measles vaccinations are up to date

Measles outbreaks are happening across the globe and are reaching Australia. In the past month, there have been confirmed cases in Perth, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Cairns.

4 Oct 2019

IFA highlights importance of flu awareness to vulnerable populations

Today, on World Heart Day, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) calls on all health care professionals to encourage older people and most importantly those with cardiovascular disease in their care to be vaccinated against the serious and life-altering infectious diseases of influenza and pneumonia.

4 Oct 2019