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Microbiologists and plant scientists pinpoint genetic weakness in cholera pandemic's armor

While cholera rages across many regions of the world, a team of microbiologists and plant scientists has pinpointed a genetic weakness in the pandemic's armor, which could lead to future treatments.

26 Jun 2018

Scientists discover and characterize new toxin in cholera bacteria

The bacterium Vibrio cholerae was discovered more than 150 years ago but remains as one of the main causes of bacterial infectious disease globally, especially in low-income nations where it occurs endemic, and outbreaks of cholera disease can lead to major epidemics.

26 Jun 2018

Targeting proteins in semen could prevent sexually transmitted spread of Ebola virus

Protein fragments, called amyloid fibrils, in human semen significantly increase Ebola virus infection and protect the virus against harsh environmental conditions such as heat and dehydration. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania report these findings in a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

26 Jun 2018

Study reveals new way to inhibit capillary leakage in sepsis

Leakage from the blood capillaries is a key mechanism leading to septic shock and multiorgan failure, which affect millions of patients annually worldwide. However, there is no effective way to inhibit the vessel leakiness. A new study by scientists at the University of Helsinki and Wihuri Research Institute demonstrates that vascular leakage can be inhibited by targeting vascular integrins.

25 Jun 2018

Otago researchers shed light on neglected problem of typhoid fever in the Pacific

University of Otago researchers have been key partners in a study which has found poor sanitation facilities appear to be a major source of Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, in Fiji.

25 Jun 2018

Cholera transmission tracked at household level across Dhaka

For the first time, the transmission of cholera has been tracked at the household level across Dhaka, Bangladesh, a city with a 'hyper-endemic' level of the disease.

25 Jun 2018

Blocking viral-host interaction slows down flu virus replication, study shows

Influenza A (flu A) hijacks host proteins for viral RNA splicing and blocking these interactions caused replication of the virus to slow, according to new research published in Nature Communications by Kristin W. Lynch, PhD, chair of the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and doctoral student Matthew Thompson.

25 Jun 2018

Research finds decrease in rate of C. difficile infections in hospitals across Canada

Rates of C. difficile infections have decreased 36% in hospitals across Canada, although the virulent NAP1 strain associated with severe illness and deaths is the most common strain, according to research published in CMAJ.

25 Jun 2018

Studying The Effects of Microgravity on Muscle Mass

Studying the effects of gravity on muscle cells can give us an insight into muscle wastage diseases, and potentially guide the development of new therapies. Professor Louis Yuge discusses his research and the cellular changes that occur in response to microgravity.

25 Jun 2018

Scientists discover secret to success of antiviral gene

It's been known for years that humans and other mammals possess an antiviral gene called RSAD2 that prevents a remarkable range of viruses from multiplying.

25 Jun 2018

Friendly mosquito could be the next big step in malaria eradication

Oxitec, a company based in the UK, have developed what they call “Friendly mosquitoes”. These are bio-engineered male mosquitoes that would mate with the female to result in baby mosquitoes that die before they reach adulthood. This death before adulthood would be only for the female offspring.

25 Jun 2018

UC San Diego launches new bacteriophage therapy center

With microbial resistance to antibiotics growing into a major global health crisis, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with national research institutions and private industry, are leveraging hard-won expertise to exploit a natural viral enemy of pathogenic bacteria, creating North America's first Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics

22 Jun 2018

Four cups of coffee a day shown to protect heart muscle

A new study has shown that drinking four cups of coffee a day can protect against heart muscle damage, through the effect of caffeine on a protein called p27.

22 Jun 2018

Researchers discover shared genetic basis for psychiatric disorders

A new study conducted by Spanish researchers has shown that psychiatric disorders, but not non-psychiatric neurological disorders have a shared genetic basis.

22 Jun 2018

Diagnosing Coronary Heart Disease Using AI

Currently, stress echocardiograms used to diagnose heart disease are only 80% accurate, meaning many patients are misdiagnosed or sent home. Ultromics have developed a tool that uses machine learning to gather data and improve the accuracy of heart disease diagnoses to over 90%.

22 Jun 2018

New guide published to help battle fatal disease caused by kissing bugs

A guide to help battle a potentially fatal disease transferred by a blood-sucking insect called the kissing bug has been published by a task force led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

22 Jun 2018

First human Keystone virus infection reported

Another deadly virus called the Keystone virus that could cause serious brain infection and is transmitted by mosquito bites has been found for the first time to be infecting humans. Until now the virus was noted to infect only animals.

22 Jun 2018

Herpes may play role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s

Herpes virus present within the body long after the overt infection may play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease say researchers. The study titled, “Multiscale Analysis of Independent Alzheimer’s Cohorts Finds Disruption of Molecular, Genetic, and Clinical Networks by Human Herpesvirus” appeared in the latest issue of the journal Neuron, this Thursday.

22 Jun 2018

Study finds cell-free DNA profiling as versatile method to monitor UTIs

Using shotgun DNA sequencing, Cornell University researchers have demonstrated a new method for monitoring urinary tract infections that surpasses traditional methods in providing valuable information about the dynamics of the infection as well as the patient's biological response.

21 Jun 2018