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Molecular interaction between structural HCV protein and protein critical to viral replication identified

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified a molecular interaction between a structural hepatitis C virus protein (HCV) and a protein critical to viral replication. This new finding strongly suggests a novel method of inhibiting the production of the virus and a potential new therapeutic target for hepatitis C drug development.

29 Dec 2010

NEI awards Case Western Reserve $10M for study of retinal diseases

The Departments of Pharmacology and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have been awarded a $10.1 million grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) to research and develop new treatments for diseases of the retina, a leading cause of blindness.

29 Dec 2010

Sinovac's inactivated EV71 vaccine clinical trial against HFMD receives Chinese SFDA approval

Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, announced today that it received approval from the China State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to commence clinical trials for its proprietary inactivated EV71 vaccine against Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

28 Dec 2010

Study reports ROP18 protein protects parasite in host cell

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned why changes in a single gene, ROP18, contribute substantially to dangerous forms of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The answer has likely moved science a step closer to new ways to beat Toxoplasma and many other parasites.

28 Dec 2010

Foot and mouth disease outbreak in South Korea

South Korea is facing an outbreak of foot and mouth disease reported Seoul’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal disease that can affect cloven-hoofed animals including pigs, sheep, cattle, deer and goats. Humans are usually not affected. The three most recent cases take the total number reported in South Korea to 56 with more than 400,000 animals destroyed since November 29.

28 Dec 2010

FDA warns against consumption of Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts

The FDA is advising consumers not to eat Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts (which contain alfalfa sprouts mixed with radish and clover sprouts) from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Ill. The sprouts were distributed in 4 oz. and 5 lb. containers to various customers, including farmers' markets, restaurants and groceries, in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and possibly other Midwestern states.

28 Dec 2010

Study sheds light on how bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics

Studying how bacteria incorporate foreign DNA from invading viruses into their own regulatory processes, Thomas Wood, professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, is uncovering the secrets of one of nature's most primitive immune systems.

27 Dec 2010

Emergent initiates AV7909 Phase I trail for Anthrax vaccine

Emergent BioSolutions today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial for NuThraxTM, also known as AV7909, with the dosing of the first subject.

27 Dec 2010

Flu infection rates double in a week

Figures reveal that the rates of flu infection in the UK have more than doubled in the last week. Number of cases has risen to 87.1 per 100,000 people, from 32.8 in the previous week, according to the Royal College of GPs. Reports also reveal that school-age children from England and Wales are particularly affected. Ages five to 14 are highest affected followed by those under four, then people aged 15 to 44. Considering all age groups rates almost tripled in the South in one week, from 36 per 100,000 to 93.4. In the North, the rate was 55.5, up from 15.7, and was 94.9 in the central England region, up from 37.9.

27 Dec 2010

Research reaffirms bovine TB's threat to humans, animals, and to international trade

As part of his doctoral research at The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Demelash Biffa has carried out extensive field and laboratory work on bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Ethiopia since 2007. The main aims of his study were to investigate risk factors associated with prevalence of the disease and to discover the molecular genetic characteristics of mycobacteria, which cause serious pathologic lesions in cattle. The work has led to the development of a new numeric expression approach known as Spoligotype Evolutionary Index (SEI).

24 Dec 2010

High pressure technology holds promise for decontamination of dairy products

The AZTI-Tecnalia technological centre, in a project undertaken by the Tecnolat and Llet de Catalunya dairy product companies within the FUTURAL project, has verified that, as an alternative to the traditional heat treatment for decontamination of a number of dairy products, high pressure technology is highly recommendable. In fact, according to a press release from Tecnolat, the results, especially with ready-to-eat fruit products and in the inactivation of moulds and yeasts in other dairy products, "were highly positive and promising".

24 Dec 2010

Scientific American examines efforts to increase influenza virus monitoring in pigs to prevent pandemics in humans

Scientific American examines how, in an attempt to improve early recognition of viruses that could give rise to pandemics in people, such as last year's H1N1 swine flu, scientists are looking to better understand "the viruses that infect the estimated 941 million domesticated pigs around the world." However, as the article notes, "[i]ntensive monitoring of pig viruses is unlikely to come any time soon … Most pork-producing countries do not test their pigs at all, and in some that do - such as the U.S. - the testing is done on behalf of the pork producers.

24 Dec 2010

BROMG doctor calls for votes to win $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant to pay for more flu vaccine

Dr. M. George of the Birmingham Royal Oak Medical Group (BROMG) is well known for providing free flu shots for the past thirteen years to more than 28,000 people in his community at a cost of $300,000 to his clinic. He also provides free Doctor visits for the unemployed and the uninsured. Now, Doc George, as he is known, is asking for help to win a Pepsi Refresh Grant of $25,000 to pay for more flu vaccine.

23 Dec 2010

TPRF supports AmeriCares with $40,000 grant in battle against Haiti cholera epidemic

The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) recently became an active partner in the battle against a cholera epidemic in Haiti that has reportedly infected an estimated 600,000 people and left more than 2,400 dead.

23 Dec 2010

Over 36,000 people visit interactive infection research exhibition in 2010

The travelling exhibition organised by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), "Humans and Microbes - Robert Koch's Legacy and Modern Infection Research", has already proved to be a visitor magnet during its very first year. In total, the interactive exhibition attracted more than 36,000 visitors at its three ports of call (Berlin, Bonn and Würzburg), including 400 school classes.

23 Dec 2010

TFAH applauds Congress for final passage of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010

Trust for America's Health applauded Congress today for final passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. Because of the bill, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will have the authority it needs to help prevent foodborne illnesses for the first time ever.

23 Dec 2010

Chinese government should show more leadership on HIV/AIDS, says AHF

In response to news that the most recent round of grants issued by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is nearly $1 billion less than just two years ago, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today called on nations to give more to help fight HIV/AIDS around the globe.

23 Dec 2010

Discovery highlights potential to combat HIV/AIDS

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered how HIV binds to and destroys a specific human antiviral protein called APOBEC3F. The results suggest that a simple chemical change can convert APOBEC3F to a more effective antiviral agent and that shielding of a common feature shared by related proteins may yield a similar outcome.

23 Dec 2010

EPA to clean up vector-breeding site to eliminate dengue epidemic

To control the severe dengue epidemic, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said the first priority is to locate diagnosed patients and eliminate virus-carrying mosquitoes, the vectors of Dengue fever, and called on all people to clean up mosquito breeding sites.

23 Dec 2010

Immunization with VLP vaccine results in functional, protective immune responses against RSV

Novavax, and scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, led by Dr. Trudy Morrison, published in the January 2011 issue of The Journal of Virology, a report indicating that a novel virus-like particle vaccine candidate against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) protects mice from a live virus challenge.

23 Dec 2010

Disease/Infection News

Molecular interaction between structural HCV protein and protein critical to viral replication identified

NEI awards Case Western Reserve $10M for study of retinal diseases

Sinovac's inactivated EV71 vaccine clinical trial against HFMD receives Chinese SFDA approval

Study reports ROP18 protein protects parasite in host cell

Foot and mouth disease outbreak in South Korea

FDA warns against consumption of Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts

Study sheds light on how bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics

Emergent initiates AV7909 Phase I trail for Anthrax vaccine

Flu infection rates double in a week

Research reaffirms bovine TB's threat to humans, animals, and to international trade

High pressure technology holds promise for decontamination of dairy products

Scientific American examines efforts to increase influenza virus monitoring in pigs to prevent pandemics in humans

BROMG doctor calls for votes to win $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant to pay for more flu vaccine

TPRF supports AmeriCares with $40,000 grant in battle against Haiti cholera epidemic

Over 36,000 people visit interactive infection research exhibition in 2010

TFAH applauds Congress for final passage of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010

Chinese government should show more leadership on HIV/AIDS, says AHF

Discovery highlights potential to combat HIV/AIDS

EPA to clean up vector-breeding site to eliminate dengue epidemic

Immunization with VLP vaccine results in functional, protective immune responses against RSV

Digital pathology and the PathoVerse: A conversation with Dr. Singh

Bioprocess Efficiency with Cell Density Monitoring

Exploring electron microscopy for plant and microbial imaging at the John Innes Centre

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