A study by Haydeh Payami and colleagues identifies a significant overabundance of opportunistic pathogens in the guts of persons with PD, compared to control subjects. The findings suggest that these microbes may play a role in triggering the disease, but more research is needed to confirm this association.
Researchers at UConn's CEVR have made a breakthrough in vaccine development for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common and difficult-to-treat pneumonia-causing pathogen. By identifying the cause of vaccine-enhanced disease (VED), they were able to develop a new vaccine formulation that eliminates safety concerns.
Two NAU research centers, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI) and Center for Health Equity Research (CHER), received funding to support COVID-19 response efforts. PMI will test vaccine and treatment efficacy using its Biosafety Level 3 facilities, while CHER will model disease spread in rural areas.
The tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis can survive for a longer period of time when combined with other bacteria in the air. This is because larger aerosol particles from mycobacterial clusters are produced together with components of dead cells, making them more viable in the air.
Research highlights importance of microbiome in disease interactions, including how it strengthens resistance to pathogens and influences the spread of diseases like chytridiomycosis. Climate change can disrupt the balance of the microbiome, making organisms more susceptible to infection.
A new study in Scientific Reports reveals that medieval European plague victims were infected with both the plague and a disease related to syphilis, called yaws. This discovery challenges the prevailing theory that syphilis originated in the New World and instead suggests that yaws may have contributed to the outbreak in Europe.
Agricultural Research Service scientists and OSU collaborators have developed a new genetic way to trace the spread of Agrobacterium, a bacterial plant pathogen causing crown-gall disease in fruit trees and other plants. The method allows tracking disease outbreaks by analyzing plasmid transmission among bacteria.
Researchers at Colorado State University used riboflavin and UV light to eliminate a large amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus from plasma and whole-blood products, demonstrating its feasibility as a pathogen reduction technology.
Researchers have identified a newly found pneumococcus capsule, the 100th since its discovery, and linked it to oral streptococci. This finding underscores the need for updated vaccines that can keep pace with rapidly changing bacteria.
A new study by UMass Amherst and NC State biologists found that flower strips benefit common Eastern bumblebees despite some plants increasing pathogen infection rates. The researchers created three conditions with canola plants and different types of flower strips, showing that bees reproduce more with flower strips than without.
Researchers propose a blockchain-based system called ORBI to streamline pathogen information exchange between public and private institutions. This decentralized system would preserve individual researcher stakes while ensuring tamper-proof data documentation.
Researchers at CeMM have identified a new key element, TASL, responsible for sorting out pathogen challenges and modulating inflammatory responses. The discovery highlights potential new targets for treating autoimmune diseases and overreaction to infections.
Researchers found that silent transmission can enable the pathogen to infect greater numbers of people, but also has drawbacks such as reduced infectious particles. The study's findings inform public health control measures like quarantines and testing.
A new dataset and diagnostic platform have been developed to help tomato growers detect and prevent bacterial canker, a disease caused by Clavibacter michiganensis. The platform uses genetic regions specific to the pathogen, reducing false positives and making it easier for growers to screen infected plant and seed materials.
Researchers found that high-infection plant species in flowering strips increase pathogen intensity in bumble bee colonies. However, exposure to these strips also boosts bee reproduction, highlighting the complex relationship between food resources and disease in pollinators.
A study found that flowering strips benefit bumble bee colony reproduction by providing floral resources, but also increases the risk of a certain pathogen infection rate. However, the impact on foraging behavior and mortality was not significant.
A new, $50 smartphone-based testing device can detect viral and bacterial pathogens in under 30 minutes, providing a rapid solution for pandemic testing. The device uses a small cartridge containing reagents that break open the pathogen's outer shell to gain access to its RNA.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to import vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for the pathogen's growth. The Rv1819c protein was found to be capable of importing B12 and transporting other molecules, making it an attractive target for developing anti-TB drugs.
A study by Kevin Schneider and colleagues found that the bacterial strain Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca could have significant economic impacts on olive tree cultivation in Greece, Italy, and Spain. Replanting with resistant varieties or removing infected plants can mitigate these losses.
Researchers have identified a gene that can help combat Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), a major threat to wheat crops worldwide. The discovery sheds light on molecular mechanisms making wheat resistant to the pathogen and paves the way for new varieties with improved FHB resistance.
Scientists discover how wild tomatoes resist bacterial canker by colonizing protoxylem vessels. The pathogen's inability to spread through the xylem in wild tomatoes holds promise for future breeding efforts.
A new fennel fungal disease caused by Ochraceocephala foeniculi has been identified in Italy, affecting two cultivars and causing significant crop losses. The pathogen damages the fennel with necrotic lesions, posing a serious threat to Italian fennel production.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that cannabidiol (CBD) enhances the effect of antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a major human pathogen. The combination of CBD and antibiotics showed a more powerful effect than using antibiotics alone, reducing the need for antibiotics to achieve the same outcome.
Researchers found a parasite from opossums infecting sea otters along the West Coast, with infected otters in British Columbia's northern Vancouver Island. The study suggests pathogens can travel long distances via water runoff and prey species like clams.
Scientists create two innovative AST methods that can assess a pathogen's sensitivity to beta-lactams in just 30 minutes, targeting top CDC priorities. New phenotypic tests quantify small changes in nucleic acids after antibiotic exposure.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that pathogen levels in the environment play a major role in white-nose syndrome. The team discovered that contaminated environments, or 'hot spots,' result in higher disease impacts. By understanding this relationship, environmental sanitization can be used to reduce epidemic potential.
The study found that land type significantly influences the interaction of vigilance and scent marking behavior in banded mongooses. In environments with high predator presence, such as national parks, mongoose exhibited reduced scent marking behaviors, while in areas with low predator risk, like tourism lodges, these behaviors increased.
Researchers discovered rocaglate compounds capable of killing Candida auris, a challenging pathogen with limited treatment options. The compounds inhibit translation initiation in C. auris, leading to cell death, and have potential as a therapeutic strategy for fungal infections.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas system to effectively target and eliminate specific gut bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, the pathogen that causes colitis. The study demonstrates the potential of this approach in preventing disease and promoting human gut health.
A family of porin-like proteins helps M. tuberculosis acquire essential nutrients while evading antibiotics and immune attacks. Researchers discovered the unique role of PE/PPE proteins in ferrying vital nutrients across the cell's waxy wall.
Researchers discovered that pre-immunization with common childhood vaccines can boost anti-tumor efficacy when combined with a hybrid viral platform called PeptiCRAd.
Researchers found that the MLO gene, which causes many crops to be susceptible to powdery mildew, also facilitates colonization by symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi in plants. This suggests that the primary role of MLO is in colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which has been appropriated by powdery mildew pathogens.
Researchers investigated how white blood cells respond to co-infection with fungal and viral infections. The study found that viruses can trigger a rapid expulsion of fungal cells from white blood cells, potentially weakening their ability to fight off both pathogens.
Researchers discovered ancient Salmonella genomes in human skeletons dating back 6,500 years, shedding light on the evolution of a human pathogen. The study suggests that the Neolithic revolution facilitated the emergence of human-adapted pathogens, including Paratyphi C.
A new UV technology has been shown to effectively eliminate more than 96% of pathogens in operating rooms and medical equipment, outperforming traditional chemical-based cleaning methods which only achieve 38% effectiveness. This breakthrough could significantly improve patient care environments and reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers identified a blueprint for plant immunity against rapidly evolving disease-causing pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They found that nearly all strains of certain crops carry immune-eliciting effectors, which can be recognized by plant immune receptors.
A rapid DNA extraction and diagnostic method has been developed, allowing for same-day management decisions in insect-transmitted plant diseases. This technique reduced the identification time from two weeks to less than one hour.
Researchers at UC San Diego created transgenic fruit flies to study the effects of CDTa toxin on host cells, revealing a collapse of networks essential for nutrient absorption. The fly model mimics symptoms in human C. difficile-infected patients, offering a potential avenue for novel therapies.
Trained dogs can identify infected trees within two weeks of inoculation and distinguish the citrus greening pathogen from other pathogens. This method is more efficient than currently USDA-approved methods, such as PCR tests, which detect less than 3% of infections.
A recent study has trained dogs to detect citrus crops infected by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) via smell. The canines achieved detection rates of over 99% accuracy, outperforming conventional methods in simulating disease control scenarios.
Plant scientists combined second- and third-generation genomic technologies to create a more accurate and efficient method for resolving plant pathogen genomes. This breakthrough reduces the time required to sequence genome data from one-and-a-half years to just nine days, while lowering costs from $2 million to $1,000.
Researchers develop model to investigate Candida auris spread, finding it grows faster and colonizes skin exceptionally well. The study establishes a new strategy to prevent biofilm formation, which may lead to new strategies to target the pathogen.
Ants' social interactions and sanitary care significantly impact the competitive outcome of coinfecting pathogens within the insect body. By modulating pathogen competition, ants' grooming helps prevent infections, altering the disease outcome.
A new computational model shows that regular crop rotations switching every other year may not be optimal for maximizing crop yield when threatened by plant pathogens. The analysis identified patterns of crop rotation that maintain soil quality and diminish pathogen load, suggesting a more sustainable approach to agriculture.
A Louisiana State University study uses pathogen biogeography to forecast disease outbreaks, outperforming traditional methods. The approach leverages data on pathogens and countries to predict outbreak potential, providing a baseline for comparison to more advanced techniques.
Scientists discovered a new protein, Mai1, that plays a central role in plant immunity by linking host recognition of pathogens to defense mechanisms. The protein is involved in activating the cell death response, ensuring only a few host cells die when attacked.
A new online tool called Uniqprimer has been developed to detect blackleg disease in potatoes with high accuracy and ease of use. It quickly designs species-specific DNA tags for detecting pathogens using DNA testing, allowing for accurate pathogen detection and informing farmers' on-farm decision making.
A study on olive baboons found that females avoid mating if either the male or female shows visible signs of infection, while males do not change their behavior. The researchers aim to understand how sexually transmitted diseases impact non-human primate populations.
Scientists developed a new simulation tool to analyze the spread of disease in seed systems, identifying key villages for surveillance and management. This approach can be applied to other plant diseases, such as cassava mosaic disease in Southeast Asia.
New study highlights significant advances in phloem-insect/pathogen interaction understanding, but notes research gaps and barriers to study. Researchers propose integrating phloem-feeding insect/pathogen interactions into plant science for improving host resistance.
Researchers analyzed the genome of Ug99 and found that it emerged as a result of somatic hybridization between two different rust strains, creating a unique hybrid with increased virulence. This discovery provides new insights into how Ug99 was able to threaten wheat crops across the world.
The NIH has awarded a five-year contract to integrate two critical databases, EuPathDB and VectorBase, into a single resource called VEuPathDB. This $38.4 million project will provide thousands of researchers worldwide with access to genomic data on pathogens and vectors, enhancing global public health research.
Researchers discover that koala germ cells recognize and suppress retroviral invasion through a unique 'piRNA response' mechanism. This innate genome immune system can identify viral RNA and block its replication, providing a new understanding of how organisms defend against pathogen invasions.
Vibrio cholerae uses its type VI secretion system (T6SS) to compete with other bacteria and acquire new genetic material, leading to rapid evolution and pathogen emergence. The bacterium can steal up to 150,000 nucleic acid base pairs, or roughly 150 genes, in a single attack.
A University of Córdoba research group has developed a system that can stop the development of Fusarium oxysporum, a pathogenic fungus affecting over 100 crops. The method exploits the fungus's use of autocrine pheromones to detect its own species and control its growth.
Researchers discovered that certain soil microbes can make plants more resistant to an aggressive disease, such as bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The study found that rare taxa and pathogen-suppressing bacteria are associated with healthy plant microbiomes.
Researchers at University of Warwick have made a breakthrough in understanding the functions and structures of key enzymes in assembling an antibiotic with activity against Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly resistant pathogen. Understanding these enzymes could enable more effective versions of the antibiotic to be created.
Researchers have found interactions between multiple genetic lineages of the amphibian-killing chytrid fungus, including a previously unknown lineage widespread in Southeast Asia. This discovery suggests that genetic recombinations can create more virulent hybrids, posing additional threats to amphibians and conservation efforts.
A survey of 16,475 households found that raw pet food was a contaminant in only three households, with most common pathogens being Campylobacteria and Salmonella. Most households did not report any infections, with 99.6% reporting no pathogen transmission from raw food.
Scientists discover two compounds that can dry up tick saliva, reducing feeding and potentially limiting pathogen transmission. The treatment effectively kills ticks within 12 hours, a significant timeframe for pathogen transmission.