A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that copper and copper alloys rapidly destroy norovirus, a highly-infectious sickness bug responsible for over 267 million cases worldwide. Copper surfaces can effectively shut down one avenue of infection, reducing the risk of outbreaks.
Researchers highlight climate change's role in spreading infectious diseases, affecting wildlife and agriculture, with potential consequences of extinction and human health risks
Climate change is affecting infectious diseases worldwide, causing human health and biodiversity conservation impacts. The study proposes modeling disease systems to predict and mitigate the spread of lethal diseases.
Researchers developed a modified prion protein that resists changing its shape, preventing the propagation of neurodegenerative diseases. The study provides a novel pharmacologic strategy to develop new drugs targeting prion protein and stabilizing its normal shape.
A new guide from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Society for Microbiology provides guidance on using laboratory tests to diagnose infectious diseases. The guide highlights key findings, including the importance of accurate lab results and proper specimen collection and management.
Researchers at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories have generated a map of the cellular circuitry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, shedding light on its ability to survive inactive in the human body for decades and resist treatment. The study provides new insight into the bacterium's survival mechanisms...
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that early childhood respiratory infections may be a potential risk factor for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus. The research found associations between respiratory infections during the first six months of life and later development of persistent islet autoimmunity.
Researchers are developing innovative systems to track infectious diseases, leveraging the internet and mobile phones. Digital epidemiology enhances transparency and understanding of outbreaks, predicting increased importance in future public health efforts.
Scientists discuss spillover of infectious diseases among wildlife, domestic animals and people; find links between environment and human health. The symposia will address human influences on viral and bacterial diseases through alteration of landscapes and ecological processes.
Symposia focus on ecological dynamics of infectious diseases, examining human influences on viral and bacterial diseases through landscape alteration. Researchers aim to integrate biomedical and ecological approaches to address public health issues.
A new computational technique allows predicting infectious avian influenza strains based on protein sequences and physicochemical characteristics. The 'A2H' system has successfully validated its predictions against known strains of bird flu and those that are infectious to people.
A*STAR and Veredus have developed VereTrop, the world's first biochip to diagnose multiple tropical infectious diseases from one blood sample. The portable test kit can rapidly detect diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya with high accuracy.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved only one new antibiotic since the Infectious Diseases Society of America launched its 10 x '20 Initiative in 2010. Despite this, only seven new drugs are in development to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli bacteria.
Scientists discovered that certain bacteria require parts of the CRISPR system to stay infectious, using it to shut off a gene that triggers detection by the immune system. This finding could accelerate vaccine development, but also highlights the dangers of defensive tools being co-opted for stealth.
The joint research collaboration aims to develop new approaches to tackle emerging infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. The project will focus on designing treatments and vaccines for tuberculosis, predicting patients at risk of severe dengue, and developing improved vaccines against virus diseases.
Researchers developed a simple tool to help governments assess traveler screening during infectious disease outbreaks. The tool considers exit and entry screening, as well as flight patterns and disease incubation periods.
Researchers are developing ultra-sensitive devices using retroreflectors, the same technology that increases nighttime visibility of traffic signs, to detect multiple disease-causing microbes in a single test. This can help first responders identify the source of a bioterrorism attack or diagnose everyday infectious diseases more quickly.
A research paper published in Academic Medicine highlights the successful development of an infectious disease curriculum, which increased student engagement and improved understanding of course content. The curriculum was piloted in five Boston Public Schools and showed significant improvements in science literacy and critical thinkin...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that vitamin D supplements improved gene expression related to cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease. The researchers observed significant alterations in the activity of 291 genes, with biologic functions associated with 160 biologic pathways linked to these diseases.
Researchers found that co-infection with HIV speeds up the progression of liver disease in individuals infected with hepatitis C, increasing the severity of scarring and cirrhosis by nearly a decade. The studies identified two genetic mutations that may help the immune system fight off the HCV virus more effectively.
A new research methodology uses network theory to identify outbreaks of unidentified diseases, providing a promising tool for predicting and preventing pandemic diseases. The method analyzed data from 125 outbreak reports and showed distinct patterns for emerging diseases like Nipah virus, allowing for probable diagnoses.
A new centre will focus on lead optimisation for diseases of the developing world, including TB. The centre will create 11 new posts and receive a £6.5 million investment over five years.
Researchers developed a method to identify the cause of infectious disease outbreaks based on online reports and data from ProMED-mail. The findings showed that three-quarters of disease outbreaks formed distinct clusters, and previously unknown outbreaks could be correctly identified 88% of the time.
Researchers synthesized a peptide called Tat-beclin 1, which induces autophagy, a recycling process crucial for cell health. Mice treated with the peptide were resistant to several infectious diseases, including West Nile virus and HIV infection.
A systematic review assesses the reliability of global mapping of infectious diseases, finding that only a small percentage have been mapped reliably. The study suggests using novel solutions like crowdsourcing to gather data, such as analyzing Twitter messages about disease.
International experts emphasize the need for more research on non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes in low- and middle-income countries. Current research is limited, but collaboration between high-income and low-middle-income countries can provide valuable insights.
A Phase I clinical trial of a tetravalent candidate dengue vaccine found it induced a balanced antibody response against all four dengue viruses in most recipients. The vaccine was safe, and its development is promising for preventing severe dengue disease.
Researchers at Duke University developed a genomic signature to diagnose flu and staph infections, distinguishing between infected and uninfected individuals with high accuracy. This approach could lead to earlier diagnoses, reduced antibiotic misuse, and improved treatment decisions.
The study found that disruption to public health infrastructure was the primary factor contributing to infectious disease outbreaks, accounting for 40% of cases. The authors recommend prioritizing development funding over emergency funding to strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity in developing countries.
A Phase 2a trial is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of AZD5847, a new test drug for patients with tuberculosis, including those with HIV co-infection. The study aims to improve treatment options for TB, a leading infectious cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS.
Over the past two decades, heightened awareness of emerging infectious diseases has improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention through advances such as rapid genome sequencing. The complex interactions between microbes and human hosts are being better understood, leading to new insights into disease development and countermeasures.
New IDSA guidelines provide a framework for diagnosing and treating prosthetic joint infections, which affect up to 20,000 people each year. The guidelines recommend multidisciplinary teams and evidence-based treatment, including debridement, prosthesis replacement, and amputation as last resort.
Scientists at IMIM and UPF have simulated the release of HIV protease, a protein responsible for the virus's maturation process. This breakthrough could lead to the design of new antiretroviral therapies by understanding how free protease appears during the maturation process.
Scientists warn of a growing threat from emerging zoonotic diseases as human activities such as land use change, globalization, and social upheaval drive their emergence. The disease burden can be eased by combining efforts between clinicians and public health officials to address the ecological drivers of transmission.
Emerging infectious diseases can be split into two types: introduced and locally emerging. Introduced diseases often cause a spike in infections, while locally emerging diseases show a steady increase. Climate change is not a major driving force behind emerging diseases.
Researchers applied infectious disease control principles to track 2,366 homicides in Newark, NJ, finding patterns that evolved over time. The study identified areas with no homicide clusters, suggesting community resistance factors that can be targeted to reduce violence.
A Kansas State University-led research team is studying the potential of social media to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. By analyzing human behavior and identifying key groups to reach with health information, researchers hope to develop a more robust preventative society against infectious diseases.
A new study calls for a global system to monitor infectious diseases in companion dogs and cats, which can transmit zoonotic diseases to humans. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends a coordinated global disease monitoring system for veterinarians working with small companion animals.
Scientists have discovered how antibiotics work inside tuberculosis bacteria cells using mass spectrometry. The study's findings suggest that current drugs can be improved by modifying their molecules to withstand bacterial degradation, paving the way for more effective treatments.
Physicians are facing the challenge of providing early treatment for fungal meningitis as cases continue to rise. The University of Michigan Health System physician authors recommend a high dose of voriconazole, but note the risk of visual disturbances, confusion, and liver test abnormalities. To avoid these effects, reducing the drug'...
Research shows that crows can ingest and excrete infectious prions without being destroyed, posing a risk for the geographic spread of diseases. Crows may play a role in the transmission of prion-caused diseases through their feces.
The La Jolla Institute has secured a seven-year, $22 million contract renewal to further develop the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), a global resource for mining information on immune responses to diseases. The database contains thousands of epitopes and experimental data points, which are crucial for designing vaccines and treatments ...
New guidelines from Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend penicillin or amoxicillin for confirmed strep throat infections. The guidelines also advise against tonsillectomy for children with recurrent strep throat unless in specific cases.
The University of British Columbia has secured over $20 million in funding to combat neglected global diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Research projects include a $7M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study pre-eclampsia and a project to improve nutrition in rural Cambodia.
William Hanage, a renowned expert in infectious disease epidemiology, has received the 2012 ICAAC Young Investigator Award from the American Society for Microbiology. His research focuses on understanding the factors behind the response of bacterial populations to antimicrobials and vaccines.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded 14 grants totaling $7.8 million to focus on basic research for designing a safe and effective HIV vaccine. Recent discoveries about HIV biology are guiding the development of new vaccine strategies.
High rates of HIV, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis have been found in homeless populations globally, with rates up to 46 times higher in the US than in the general population. Infections can lead to community spread, malnutrition, and increased healthcare use.
A pediatric hospital implemented a prospective-audit-with-feedback antibiotic stewardship program, resulting in a significant decrease in antibiotic usage - up to 37% in early months and 13% at the end of the observation. The study showed a notable reduction in broad-spectrum antibiotics, aligning with CDC recommendations.
Researchers used 99mTc-HMPAO-WBC SPECT/CT to diagnose infectious endocarditis in hard-to-diagnose cases, achieving high sensitivity and specificity. The test detected septic embolism in 41% of patients, aiding physicians in diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have identified genetic and blood serum markers that can predict the rapid progression of hepatitis C disease, allowing for more effective treatment decisions. Patients with high levels of a specific protein called MCP-1 are at risk for severe liver diseases.
A long-term study found increased deaths from both liver-related and non-liver diseases in patients with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections who had not cleared their infection. Chronic HCV infections can lead to increased mortality, even in people without symptoms.
Climate change, pollution, and invasive species are driving mortality in amphibians due to infectious disease, leading to extinctions rates 200 times higher than background extinction rates. Understanding these complex forces is crucial for addressing amphibian declines and emerging infections in humans.
Research from the University of Melbourne found that two different vaccine viruses used simultaneously to control infectious laryngotracheitis in chickens combined to produce new infectious viruses, resulting in disease outbreaks. The new strains caused more severe disease and replicated at higher levels than the parent vaccine strains.
Arizona State University has secured a four-year, $30.7 million defense contract to develop an immunosignaturing diagnostic technology for rapid detection of infectious diseases. The technology aims to detect exposure before symptoms occur, allowing for timely treatment and prevention of further spread.
Researchers at two structural genomics centers determined 1,000 protein structures from infectious disease organisms, providing crucial insights into the deadliest diseases. The knowledge gained will aid in developing new interventions and therapeutic agents for drug-resistant strains of TB, MRSA, and other pathogens.
Proper treatment of diabetic foot infections can prevent lower extremity amputations, and about half of these amputations can be prevented. A multidisciplinary team, including infectious diseases specialists, podiatrists, surgeons, and orthopedists, is recommended for best care.
Biologist Robert van Woesik is studying contagiousness of coral diseases, testing for clustering and transmissibility in two Caribbean locations. Understanding the etiology can inform human intervention to reduce disease prevalence.
A new study uses a pathogen-based incidence approach to generate infectious disease burden estimates in Europe, attributing morbidity to specific pathogens. The methodology has limitations but shows the need for further research and integration of demographic changes and infection dynamics.
Researchers identified the most strongly associated strains with premature birth and severe birth defects, using a new blood test developed by NIAID. The study suggests that widespread screening and treatment of pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii could prevent infants from suffering eye and brain damage.
An international team of scientists developed a game to train epidemiologists on mathematical models for studying outbreaks. The game, Muizenberg Mathematical Fever, simulates real-life epidemics and demonstrates the importance of collaboration between bio-mathematicians and classical epidemiologists.