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Science News for December 27, 2012


Penn team mimicking a natural defense against malaria to develop new treatments

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a powerful new weapon against malaria by mimicking a natural defense found in human blood platelets. They discovered that a synthetic molecule, PMX1207, targets and destroys the parasite's digestive vacuole, killing it without harming the host cell.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateDec 27, 2012

Staphylococcus aureus: Why it just gets up your nose!

Researchers identified the mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus colonizes nasal passages, finding that Clumping factor B (ClfB) binds to skin protein loricrin with high affinity. This interaction is crucial for successful colonization and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 27, 2012

Disease burden links ecology to economic growth

A new study links vector-borne diseases to economic development across the globe, finding that these diseases have a substantial effect on income between tropical and temperate countries. The study's results suggest that infectious diseases can undermine economic growth similarly to crime or government corruption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 27, 2012