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Researchers unravel how Zika virus manipulates the human immune system

Macrophages are immune cells that are supposed to protect the body from infection by viruses and bacteria. Yet Zika virus preferentially infects these cells. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have now unraveled how the virus shuts down the genes that make macrophages function as immune cells.

11 Sep 2018

New malaria drug starts clinical trials

After decades a new drug against malaria has been developed and first clinical trials of this new investigational drug is soon to begin. Enrolment for the same has already started. This study is to be sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is to take place at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

11 Sep 2018

World Sepsis Day

A series of articles and thought leader interviews for World Sepsis Day on the 10th September 2018, aiming to raise awareness and improve understanding.

10 Sep 2018

New paper reports conserved collateral susceptibility to antibiotics in E. coli

LSTM's Dr Adam Roberts is a co-author on a new paper published in Nature Communications which reports conserved collateral susceptibility to antibiotics in the human pathogen Escherichia coli.

10 Sep 2018

Raising Awareness of Sepsis

An interview with Dr. Steven Simpson, MD, discussing the importance of raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and how Sepsis Alliance is helping to reduce the number of deaths caused by sepsis in the USA.

10 Sep 2018

Researchers report increasing incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

The parasitic disease leishmaniasis is spread to humans through the bites of sandflies, and is endemic in a number of countries, including Brazil.

10 Sep 2018

Superbugs often move between humans and animals

The MRSA staphylococcus is an example of a pathogen, the likes of which are often called superbugs. These are resistant to most antibiotics and can cause serious infections.

7 Sep 2018

3D-printed polymer implant samples pass preclinical tests at Ilizarov Orthopedic Center

Russian scientists successfully tested biodegradable tibia implants with bioactive coatings out of polylactic acid and calcium phosphate, which might shorten the treatment period by two-four times compared to current world standards.

7 Sep 2018

Daytime sleepiness found to be a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease

Older adults who frequently report feeling sleepy during the day are three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's in later life, according to a new study.

7 Sep 2018

UNC and Cell Microsystems receive NIH Phase I SBIR contract to develop HIV diagnostic assay

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill HIV Cure Center and Cell Microsystems, a provider of innovative tools and scalable solutions for the sorting and isolation of single cells, announced they have received an approximately $283,000, 12-month Phase I Small Business Innovation and Research contract from the National Institutes of Health to develop an automated platform to quantify the latent HIV reservoir.

7 Sep 2018

Single dose of influenza drug can shorten duration of illness, study reveals

A single dose of a new influenza drug can significantly shorten the duration of the illness in teens and adults, according to a study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

6 Sep 2018

Free online Heart Age Test reveals likelihood of having a heart attack

PHE is running a campaign to encourage people to take a free online Heart Age Test to see whether they are at an increased risk of having a heart attack.

6 Sep 2018

Autism biomarker may aid early diagnoses

A newly discovered group of blood metabolites could act as a biomarker to accelerate the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

6 Sep 2018

Bee venom may be effective treatment for eczema

Bee venom and its major component, melittin, may be effective treatments for atopic dermatitis (or eczema), according to a British Journal of Pharmacology study.

6 Sep 2018

Researchers develop novel way for dating 'hibernating' HIV strains

Researchers at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Simon Fraser University, in partnership with University of British Columbia and Western University, have developed a novel way for dating "hibernating" HIV strains, in an advancement for HIV cure research in the province.

6 Sep 2018

Phase 1 clinical trial examining topical cream plus influenza vaccine is underway

A Phase 1 clinical trial examining whether a topical cream can enhance the immune response conferred by a "pre-pandemic" influenza vaccine is underway at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

6 Sep 2018

Avoidable sepsis infections send thousands of seniors to gruesome deaths

Shana Dorsey first caught sight of the purplish wound on her father's lower back as he lay in a suburban Chicago hospital bed a few weeks before his death.

6 Sep 2018

Superbugs emerging from skin bacteria on the increase

A new study has shown that some of the sub-strains of the bacteria that commonly live on our skin have become resistant to common infections – or in other words turned into superbugs. Infections with these strains thus could become untreatable with the antibiotics available and may turn life-threatening, warn researchers.

6 Sep 2018

Watch: What is sepsis?

What exactly is sepsis, and why is it so dangerous? Sepsis happens as the body tries to fight off an infection. The body releases chemicals into the bloodstream to battle the invading germs — which can lead to a severe drop in blood pressure. That can damage vital organs and, in severe cases, cause them to shut down.

6 Sep 2018

Airport security trays carry more microbes than toilet seats

A team of researchers from Finland and Britain have shown that over half of all the trays or security bins that the airport authorities use at the security clearance areas carry viruses that can cause respiratory infections.

6 Sep 2018