Researchers discovered that leprosy pathogen Mycobacterium leprae manipulates micro-RNs to evade the human immune system, specifically targeting vitamin D-dependent immune pathways. This finding offers new treatment avenues for infectious diseases.
Scientists developed a new strategy to fight infectious diseases by blocking pathogen entry into cells rather than killing the bug itself. This approach targets specific elements of the infection process inside the host body and has shown promising results in treating Leishmania parasites.
A novel mouse model shows that peripheral viral infections can cause CNS disease through inflammation-induced neuropathology. Co-infection with two viruses led to symptoms and death in mice, shedding light on the phenomenon of 'mis-recruitment' of immune cells.
Researchers have discovered a blueprint for how Helicobacter pylori survives in the human gut by exploiting an enzyme called urease to neutralize gastric acid. Disrupting the formation of the molecular machine responsible for this process may lead to new drug targets to combat antibiotic-resistant ulcers and stomach cancer.
A new invention by Michigan State University professor Syed Hashsham enables the instant identification of plant diseases using a low-cost handheld device. This technology uses genetic analysis and can identify pathogens, their genotype, and amount in under 30 minutes, speeding up treatments and preventing pathogen spread.
A research team has sequenced the genome of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato to understand how it evades plant defenses and develop methods to prevent further spread. The study found that the pathogen likely evolved on a recent time scale and continues to adapt by minimizing its recognition, posing a threat to biosecurity.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered how a barley plant recognizes an invader within five minutes of an attack, triggering its defenses. This breakthrough could lead to new ways to battle crop diseases, potentially defeating evolving threats like Ug99.
Scientists have sequenced the entire genome of the Black Death, revealing a direct ancestor that causes modern plagues worldwide. The study provides insights into the evolution of human pathogens and historical pandemics.
Jörn Coers is honored by the American Society for Microbiology for his work on immune responses against intracellular pathogens. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions and has revealed key insights into diseases caused by Chlamydia.
A study published in Phytopathology identifies California as the source of the devastating tree-killing fungus Seiridium cardinale. The pathogen has infected and killed up to 95% of native trees worldwide, including junipers and cedars.
A research team has identified human sewage as the source of the coral-killing pathogen that causes white pox disease in Caribbean elkhorn coral. The bacterium, Serratia marcescens, is also a pathogen of humans, causing respiratory and urinary tract infections.
A UI biologist found that Candida albicans can form two types of biofilms: a traditional pathogenic one and a second sexual one. The discovery reveals that 90% of cells colonizing humans make resistant, non-sexually competent biofilms. A minority of cells form highly permeable and penetrable biofilms that support mating
Researchers have discovered that Candida albicans produces two distinct types of biofilms: a traditional pathogenic one and a second sexual type. The majority of cells forming these biofilms are sexually incompetent, but a minority are sexually competent and form highly permeable biofilms.
A UT professor's research on a pathogen that attacks the small intestines of humans and animals has inspired the development of robots that can fight disease and aid in military operations. The microorganism Giardia has been found to have unique properties, such as efficient swimming and attachment mechanisms.
A recent study suggests that mitigating chytridiomycosis through different infection control methods could largely prevent local extinctions and outbreaks of the disease. Researchers have identified successful pilot studies in Spain, including a heat therapy treatment using itraconazole, which has increased amphibian survival rates.
A team of researchers led by Dr. David Rasko analyzed the genomic data of the German E. coli outbreak strain, revealing it was a unique combination of enteroaggregative and enterohemorrhagic E. coli subtypes. The analysis provided critical information for treating infected patients and tracing the source of the pathogen.
Researchers identify top biotic constraints affecting soybean production, including aphids, rust, nematodes, and exotic pathogen red leaf blotch. Genetic resources, biosecurity measures, and resistant cultivars are needed to combat these threats.
Scientists have identified how E. coli O157:H7 colonizes fresh-cut lettuce, providing new insights for food safety. The bacteria breaks down leaf cells, releasing carbohydrates and antimicrobial compounds that can be used as energy sources.
A USDA-led consortium has sequenced the genome of Mycosphaerella graminicola, a pathogen causing significant yield losses in wheat crops. The sequencing effort may lead to new strategies to control this disease, which affects every wheat-growing area worldwide.
Researchers are close to producing super varieties of wheat that will resist the deadly Ug99 pathogen, while boosting yields by as much as 15 percent. The new varieties have genetic resistance to rusts, including stem rust, yellow rust, and leaf rust, which has infected up to 90% of global wheat production.
Bacteria can evade the immune system by mimicking human proteins, allowing them to resist antibiotics. This 'molecular mimicry' helps explain the resurgence of highly infectious pathogens.
Scientists deciphered a community of soil microbes that enables a patch of soil to suppress a plant-killing pathogen. The researchers found 17 unique types of bacteria working together to reduce the incidence of fungal infection.
A new procedure devised by USDA scientists increases PCR-based method sensitivity for detecting plant disease organisms, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing economic harm from asymptomatic seed contamination. The technique, called Bio-PCR, enhances detection rates by 100- to 1,000-fold over conventional methods.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a crucial component in the signaling pathway that regulates phytoalexin production, allowing plants to defend against fungal diseases. The discovery highlights the importance of phytoalexins as natural defense mechanisms for plants.
Researchers discovered that a supposedly inactive protein ROP5 plays a crucial role in Toxoplasma gondii's ability to cause disease, suggesting the possible role of similarly errant proteins in other diseases. The team engineered strains without ROP5 and found the pathogen was unable to cause disease in mice.
Researchers have discovered how plant pathogens attack soybeans by reducing isoflavone production. Plants respond with a surge in isoflavone production, sparking a counterattack from the pathogen. This complex interaction may hold key to developing effective disease treatments and preventing crop losses.
Researchers at The Forsyth Institute have identified a new pathogen, Scardovia wiggsiae, connected to severe early childhood caries. This bacterium was present in the mouths of children with severe ECC when other known pathogens like Streptococcus mutans were not detected.
A global project led by Cornell University aims to identify new stem rust resistant genes in wheat, improve surveillance, and distribute rust-resistant wheat seed to farmers. The $40 million grant will support efforts to combat deadly strains of Ug99, a pathogen posing a significant threat to global food security.
Scientists have designed a new type of nanoparticle that can deliver synthetic versions of proteins normally produced by viruses, eliciting a strong immune response comparable to live virus vaccines. The nanoparticles consist of concentric fatty spheres that can be used to develop vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases.
A recent study found that the implementation of federal regulations on treating sewage has significantly lowered pathogen levels in biosolids. The study analyzed data from 18 wastewater treatment plants and found that pathogens have dropped by 94-99% since 1993.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new screen to isolate virulent parts of pathogenic bacteria, enabling quicker identification of key areas for vaccine development. The technique has been used to study Burkholderia pseudomallei, a deadly human disease-causing bacteria.
A recent study has shed light on the genetic code of a plant pathogen that causes downy mildew disease. The analysis revealed massive gene loss in the pathogen, which is essential for its stealthy lifestyle, and could lead to new ways to investigate how these pathogens wreak havoc and prevent billions of dollars of losses for farmers.
The study provides the first whole genome sequence analysis of the Haitian Vibrio cholerae outbreak strain, confirming a South Asian lineage. This understanding has important public health policy implications for preventing future cholera outbreaks.
Scientists have sequenced the genomes of parasitic water fungus and water molds that cause late blight in potatoes, tomatoes, and downy mildew in cruciferous vegetables. The analysis reveals that some sections of the genome are slow to evolve, allowing for resistance genes to be targeted.
Researchers discovered a novel family of pores that transport sugar out of plant cells, enabling pathogenic bacteria and fungi to hijack the nutrient supply. This breakthrough allows for the development of new crop protection techniques and potential applications in diabetes research.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered a previously unknown level of genetic cross talk between plant proteins that fight off bacterial infections. The study found that certain proteins physically associate, enabling them to communicate danger signals to the cell's nucleus.
USDA scientists have developed vaccines to protect farm-raised catfish against key diseases, including Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae. The modified live vaccine has been shown to create a lifelong immunity in fish, with previous research breakthroughs benefiting the catfish industry.
Kathleen Alexander has discovered a novel tuberculosis species, M. mungi, in banded mongooses, which behaves differently from other TB infections, killing infected animals within two to three months. The pathogen's source and host range are areas of ongoing research.
Researchers at ASU's Biodesign Institute have developed new technologies to create a potential therapeutic that can protect soldiers against an unknown pathogen in just 7 days, significantly reducing the time needed for production. The project aims to utilize synthetic antibodies or synbodies to rapidly construct a custom-tailored ther...
A special edition journal provides new perspectives and guidance for managing Cronartium ribicola, an introduced invasive pathogen causing serious damage to North American white pines. The collection of 12 articles synthesizes knowledge on the disease, identifies policy actions, and reviews future issues facing white pine management.
Researchers discovered a new strategy used by bacterial pathogens like Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli, which delay entry into cells to prolong extracellular existence and survive. This strategy involves triggering local strengthening of the cellular skeleton that resists pathogen entry.
Stripe rust fungus, threatening the world's wheat supply, can adapt to resistant varieties through sexual recombination with barberry, a common ornamental. Researchers found that fungal spores from infected barberry can infect wheat within 10 days.
Researchers found nearly 20% of cryptococcosis patients had mixed infections with multiple strains of C. neoformans, evolving during infection. This challenges the traditional concept of a single pathogen causing disease.
Researchers at USAMRIID have found a novel approach to defeating the anthrax pathogen by inducing high levels of CapD enzyme, releasing capsule fragments and leaving bacteria vulnerable to immune destruction. This breakthrough could lead to new treatment options for anthrax infection.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens reveals that Listeria exploits transiently exposed molecules on intestinal cells to gain access. The pathogen uses a two-step mechanism involving internalin A and internalin B, which activate cell-surface molecules, allowing it to evade the body's defenses.
Researchers at Purdue University discovered that lake sturgeon have genes from a parasitic worm and a protozoan parasite that causes a sexually transmitted disease in humans. This finding could lead to new methods of sex determination without harming the fish, which are endangered due to overfishing and pollution.
African wild dog populations decline due to domestic dogs' presence, illustrating the impact of human behavior on disease transmission. Human behavior, such as range differences and animal husbandry practices, shapes disease risk and is a key driver of emerging infectious diseases.
Researchers found that only about 30% of the genes in the corn smut genome are always activated, while the other 70% is tissue-specific, with different parts of the maize plant activating different genes. This discovery could lead to new approaches to fighting disease in plants and humans.
Researchers have developed a new web-based application called Supramap that maps genetic mutations of pathogens onto the globe. The tool uses geographic information to track the spread of diseases across time and space, predicting hotspots of disease reemergence.
Scientists found that emphasizing non-pathogen specific infection control practices, such as hand hygiene and chlorhexidine bathing, significantly reduced MRSA rates. The study observed a 91% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections, a 62% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and a 92% reduction...
Scientists at Sainsbury Laboratory have discovered a new way to produce crops with broad-spectrum disease resistance using pattern recognition receptors. This breakthrough could lead to enhanced resistance in various crops, reducing yield losses and pesticide use.
Scientists have discovered that Vitamin D is essential for activating killer cells in the immune system. Without sufficient vitamin D, T cells cannot detect and fight off serious infections. The researchers found that T cells rely on vitamin D to activate and that a lack of vitamin D can lead to immune suppression.
Wolf-Watz recognized for seminal work on Yersinia host-pathogen interaction and international collaborations that advanced microbiological sciences. His proposal of type III protein secretion systems as unique injectors of proteins into host cells has been critical to understanding host-pathogen interactions.
Thalassemia Foundation of Canada awards Concordia University professor Dr. Peter Pawelek a two-year grant to study a receptor protein found on the surface of a lethal bacterial pathogen that can 'hijack' thalassemia treatment drugs. The research aims to develop new antibiotics to combat opportunistic infections in thalassemia patients.
A new study finds that a pathogen, not climate change, killed the Monteverde golden toad. Researchers reconstructed moisture levels in the cloud forest over the last century and discovered that dry spells closely tracked El Niño events.
A recent study suggests that nitric oxide synthase inhibition may be a promising approach to treating neonatal meningitis caused by Escherichia coli K1. The research found that inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase enhanced phagocytosis of the bacteria, reducing pathogen load and brain damage.
Researchers have identified 60 small RNA particles (sRNAs) in Helicobacter pylori, a surprising finding given the pathogen's previously thought lack of sRNAs. The discovery could provide new insights into gene regulation and potentially lead to the development of a vaccine against H. pylori.
The Eukaryotic Pathogen Genome Database Resource has been expanded with a new contract to support worldwide research into human pathogens. The database provides tools for identifying vaccine antigens and drug targets, facilitating the search for effective diagnostics.
Structural biologists reveal how internalin B dimer activates human receptor Met, allowing Listeria to infect cells. The discovery may lead to therapeutics for improved wound healing and treatment of listeriosis.
Researchers discovered fungal protein TmpL critical for pathogen development, shielding it from oxidative stress while aiding in infection. TmpL-deficient mutants were more sensitive to external oxidative stress, suggesting its role in protecting pathogens from host defense mechanisms.