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Researchers discover gene that causes MRSA infection to linger on skin longer than other strains

In the last decade, a new strain of MRSA has emerged that can spread beyond hospital walls, putting everyone at risk of contracting the dangerous bacterial infection. This particular strain of MRSA - known as USA300 - contains a chunk of genes not shared by any other strains, though it is unclear how this unique genetic material enables the bacteria to survive and persist in the community.

4 Feb 2013

Measles: an interview with Dr. Robert Perry, World Health Organization

Measles is a disease marked by fever, rash, and cold symptoms (red eyes, cough, runny nose) that results in a temporary suppression of the immune system and a drop in vitamin A levels.

4 Feb 2013

Scientists track evolution of antibiotic resistance using automated device

With the discovery of antibiotics, medicine acquired power on a scale never before possible to protect health, save lives, and reduce suffering caused by certain bacteria. But the power of antibiotics is now under siege because some virulent infections no longer respond to antibiotic drugs.

4 Feb 2013

Sneezing and wheezing are common among people living close to the equator

Those living near the equator may find themselves sneezing and wheezing more than usual. And the reason may not be due to increasing pollen counts.

4 Feb 2013

Certified IPs more likely to perceive evidence behind infection prevention practices

There is general agreement among hospital infection preventionists (IPs) with respect to which practices have weak or strong evidence supporting their use to prevent healthcare-associated infection, according to a new study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

4 Feb 2013

Study shows how placental circulation can influence malarial parasite behavior and infection

Malaria in pregnancy causes a range of adverse effects, including abortions, stillbirths, premature delivery and low infant birth weight. Many of these effects are thought to derive from a placental inflammatory response resulting from interaction of infected red blood cells with the placental tissue.

3 Feb 2013

Scientists produce monoclonal antibody in tobacco plants that neutralizes rabies viruses

Smoking tobacco might be bad for your health, but a genetically altered version of the plant might provide a relatively inexpensive cure for the deadly rabies virus. In a new research report appearing in The FASEB Journal, scientists produced a monoclonal antibody in transgenic tobacco plants that was shown to neutralize the rabies virus.

2 Feb 2013

Guardian reports on HIV-related employment discrimination case in China

"An aspiring teacher in south-east China has become the country's first person to win compensation for an HIV-related employment discrimination, according to state media reports," the Guardian writes.

2 Feb 2013

Kaiser Family Foundation releases primer on U.S. engagement in global health issues

A new Kaiser Family Foundation primer "provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. government's engagement in global health issues, including a look at the federal programs that support these efforts," according to an email alert from the foundation.

2 Feb 2013

Researchers await clinical trial results of potential TB vaccine, expected early next week

"After nearly 100 years, researchers could be on the verge of finding a vaccine that would eradicate tuberculosis [TB] infections," Reuters reports, noting, "Global health experts are eagerly awaiting clinical trial results, expected early next week, of the first new vaccine in 90 years designed to prevent tuberculosis infections."

2 Feb 2013

Study offers new evidence of natural emission of influenza

A new study suggests that patients with influenza can emit small virus-containing particles into the surrounding air during routine patient care, potentially exposing health care providers to influenza. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, the findings raise the possibility that current influenza infection control recommendations may not always be adequate to protect providers from influenza during routine patient care in hospitals.

2 Feb 2013

Inadequate health literacy among Latinos linked with poor understanding of antibiotic use

In the first study of its kind, researchers at the Columbia University School of Nursing have established that poor health literacy among Latino parents is associated with a poor understanding of the proper use antibiotics, particularly for upper respiratory infections (URIs), which can lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance.

2 Feb 2013

DHEA-S may prevent neurocognitive impairment that affects AIDS patients

A team of scientists from Canada, Thailand and Morocco have found that DHEA-S may prevent neurocognitive impairment that affects a significant percentage of AIDS patients. In a report appearing in the February 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal, they describe how a network of steroid molecules found in the brain, termed "neurosteroids," is disrupted during HIV infection leading to brain damage.

2 Feb 2013

Ten common notions concerning colds and flu

The cold and flu season has hit early and hard this year. As the number of people infected continues to increase, so does the number of internet searches for ways to prevent or limit the duration of viral illnesses. But, what is fact and what is fiction?

1 Feb 2013

Study examines effects of partial dose of polio vaccine on immune response

"A partial dose of polio vaccine was as good as a full one in providing a basic level of immunity against the crippling disease, according to a study that may offer poor countries a cheap, effective way of ensuring the disease doesn't return after it's eradicated in an area," Bloomberg reports.

1 Feb 2013

Current recommendations for infection control among health care providers may not be adequate

Some people with the flu emit more of the air-borne virus than others, suggesting that the current recommendations for infection control among health care providers may not be adequate, according to a new study from researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

1 Feb 2013

On FDR's birthday, international community should honor his legacy by eradicating polio

In an opinion piece in the GlobalPost's "Global Pulse" blog, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Oshinsky notes "January 30 mark[ed] the 131st birthday of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the longest-serving American president," and "reflects on the advances in the fight against polio, one of FDR's greatest legacies."

1 Feb 2013

News outlets continue coverage of Bill Gates' speech calling for 'detailed plan' to eradicate polio

Delivering the annual Richard Dimbleby lecture in London on Tuesday, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, called for a detailed plan to rid the world of polio by 2018.

1 Feb 2013

Over half of countries struggling to prevent and manage cancer

More than half of all countries worldwide are struggling to prevent cancer and provide treatment and chronic care to cancer patients, warns a recent World Health Organization (WHO) survey for World Cancer Day. This means, currently many of these countries do not have a functional cancer control plan that includes prevention, early detection, treatment and care. There is an urgent need to help countries to reduce cancer deaths and provide appropriate long-term treatment and care to avoid human suffering and protect countries’ social and economic development.

1 Feb 2013

HIV infection rate in MSM in England and Wales remains unchanged despite improved prevention measures

The rate of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in England and Wales has remained unchanged over the past decade despite an almost four-fold increase in HIV testing, rising treatment coverage, and a 20% shortening of time-to-diagnosis, according to new research published Online First in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

1 Feb 2013

Disease/Infection News

Researchers discover gene that causes MRSA infection to linger on skin longer than other strains

Measles: an interview with Dr. Robert Perry, World Health Organization

Scientists track evolution of antibiotic resistance using automated device

Sneezing and wheezing are common among people living close to the equator

Certified IPs more likely to perceive evidence behind infection prevention practices

Study shows how placental circulation can influence malarial parasite behavior and infection

Scientists produce monoclonal antibody in tobacco plants that neutralizes rabies viruses

Guardian reports on HIV-related employment discrimination case in China

Kaiser Family Foundation releases primer on U.S. engagement in global health issues

Researchers await clinical trial results of potential TB vaccine, expected early next week

Study offers new evidence of natural emission of influenza

Inadequate health literacy among Latinos linked with poor understanding of antibiotic use

DHEA-S may prevent neurocognitive impairment that affects AIDS patients

Ten common notions concerning colds and flu

Study examines effects of partial dose of polio vaccine on immune response

Current recommendations for infection control among health care providers may not be adequate

On FDR's birthday, international community should honor his legacy by eradicating polio

News outlets continue coverage of Bill Gates' speech calling for 'detailed plan' to eradicate polio

Over half of countries struggling to prevent and manage cancer

HIV infection rate in MSM in England and Wales remains unchanged despite improved prevention measures

Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

AI in Healthcare: How generative tools are transforming clinical practice

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

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