Researchers at Penn State found that harmless bacteria form biofilms that shelter Listeria monocytogenes in apple-packing facilities. This discovery may lead to alternative strategies for controlling foodborne pathogens.
Follicular lymphoma originates from mutations in RagC gene on mTOR signalling pathway, affecting B cell growth. Rapamycin treatment delays progression and prolongs survival in mice with RagC mutations.
A study by Georgia State University researchers found that blocking the bacterial pathogen's ability to uptake zinc can prevent gonorrhea infection. The study provides insight into how to block growth of this pathogen and could move gonorrhea vaccine development forward.
A UC researcher has received a $1.9 million grant to study the sexual reproduction cycle of Pneumocystis pneumonia, a pathogen that causes lung infections in immunocompromised patients. Testing echinocandins as a potential therapy could block transmission of the pathogen.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers shows that pathogens can evolve to become more virulent without increasing their rate of replication. This suggests that manipulating host immune systems may play a role in generating symptoms necessary for transmission.
Scientists suggest that global warming may have enabled the emergence of Candida auris as a deadly human-infecting pathogen. The fungus can grow at higher temperatures than its relatives, hinting at recent adaptation.
A new study has identified 40 crucial genes in Cryptococcus that impact human disease outcomes, offering a potential breakthrough in treatment. The findings could lead to personalized medicine approaches and reduced reliance on toxic antifungals.
Scientists discovered a suite of microbe-responsive gene families that date back to early land plant evolution in distantly related plants. These genes are often associated with stress-response in flowering plants and provide increased protection against biotic stresses.
Researchers developed a cancer vaccine technology using live, attenuated pathogens as vectors. The novel vaccine causes the bacteria to self-destruct once they've done their job, making it safe for human use. This innovation has potential applications in treating various cancers and infectious diseases.
Researchers have identified CD11c+ dendritic cells as the first immune cells to interact with HIV, making them key drivers of infection. These newly discovered cells can capture viruses and deliver them to CD4 T cells, which are primary targets for HIV replication.
Researchers have developed a mutant version of the RhlR quorum-sensing receptor, which does not require an autoinducer to function. This discovery provides new insights into cell-cell communication and virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a globally important pathogen.
A team of scientists used population genetics to analyze root rot pathogen populations in Michigan greenhouses and found similar populations regardless of plant type or location. The study confirms that infected plant material is likely moved within the state, leading to the development of fungicide-resistant populations.
A new University of Illinois study shows that resistance to Fusarium head blight is holding strong in the state's wheat-growing region, with no signs of a highly toxic NA2 variant found. The study uses field pathogenomics to identify the types of FHB on wheat of different resistance levels.
Researchers identified a common gene signature in almost all global Strep A strains through genomic sequencing of thousands of genomes from over 20 countries. This finding has the potential to aid in the development of an effective global vaccine, which could combat the bacterial pathogen responsible for millions of deaths annually.
Professor Thomas Rudel received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study how Chlamydia evades the human immune system and cause chronic diseases like cervical cancer. The grant aims to develop new therapies to overcome this 'blindness' and improve treatment outcomes for Chlamydia infections.
The UMD Institute for Genome Sciences has been awarded $17.5 million to continue its genome-based investigation of polymicrobial infectious disease outcomes. The grant will support research into host-pathogen-microbiome interactions, focusing on multiple bacteria, fungal pathogens, and parasitic tropical diseases.
Researchers develop drugs targeting specific component of folate pathway, potentially addressing drug resistance and treatment time. The compounds are more effective than existing antifolate medication PAS, offering hope for new treatment options.
A Stanford study finds that a bacterial pathogen produces a virus that increases its ability to infect humans and causes the immune system to mount an antiviral response. The discovery could lead to new ways of preventing chronic infections by keeping antibiotic-resistant bacteria from getting a foothold in wounds.
Researchers identified a novel mobile genetic element, pWCP, in the Wolbachia bacterium of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding interactions between the bacterium and its host, as well as its role in pathogen transmission.
Research reveals that vaccines may be less effective at higher pathogen doses and when individuals have similar susceptibility, such as younger or malnourished populations. Mathematical modeling simulations validated these findings with real-world data from nearly 6,000 articles.
Researchers found that multiple variants of the same resistance gene can bind dissimilar pathogen proteins in distantly related plant species, enabling direct recognition of disease-causing fungi. This discovery has significant implications for generating disease-resistant crops and could lead to rationally designed synthetic receptors.
A handheld biosensor has been developed to quickly and accurately detect cryptosporidium contamination in water samples, providing immediate results. The technology has real potential for use in medical and environmental applications.
Researchers from Yangzhou University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences create a metal-free photocatalyst that can purify pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes with over 99.9999% disinfection efficiency under visible light irradiation. The catalyst's high activity and low ecotoxicity make it a promising approach for global clean water sca...
A new computer program, EnABLe, simulates the most likely locations of Listeria monocytogenes in processing facilities to inform pathogen testing. The model has potential for application to other microbes and environments, including hospital-acquired infections and fruit and vegetable processing plants.
Researchers identify Porphyromonas gingivalis as a key driver of Alzheimer's disease pathology and demonstrate potential for small molecule inhibitors to block the pathogen. The discovery paves the way for Cortexyme's lead compound COR388, which shows promising results in preclinical experiments.
Researchers found that plants prioritize protection against physical stresses over biological ones depending on leaf age, with older leaves more sensitive to pathogen attacks and younger leaves protected under abiotic stress.
Researchers found that lethal disease can occur without viral replication in EHEC-infected mice. The study suggests potential novel treatments for EHEC and life-threatening kidney complications in children.
Researchers at University of Basel discover how Pseudomonas aeruginosa attaches to tissue within seconds and spreads using motile spreaders and virulent stickers. The bacterium exploits a simple business model: settle, grow, expand.
A UK-wide consortium led by the John Innes Centre aims to enhance surveillance and response to Xylella fastidiosa, a devastating bacterial plant pathogen. The £4.85m BRIGIT programme will improve diagnosis and detection methods, identify potential factors for its spread, and prepare to minimize its impact on the UK.
Scientists discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis releases RNA into infected cells, stimulating interferon beta production to support pathogen growth. Mice lacking key protein required for responding to foreign RNA were better able to control MTB infection.
Researchers discovered that Clostridium difficile toxins induce apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells, providing a defense mechanism against the pathogen. The findings suggest that this cell death response protects the host from C. difficile infection, raising potential for therapeutic strategies to target gastrointestinal pathogens.
A new agent has been developed to combat anthrax by reprogramming the human immune system's siderocalin protein to neutralize a special iron complexing agent produced by the bacterium. This approach is expected to provide an effective treatment against the life-threatening infection.
Researchers at UC Davis will use genomics to combat downy mildew in lettuce, a pathogen causing $3 billion industry losses annually. The project aims to reduce crop losses and improve profitability for farmers, while providing consumers with produce using fewer chemicals.
Researchers have discovered that host responses during sepsis progression can vary in important ways based on pathogen type. Boosting anti-inflammatory enzymes or using neuraminidase inhibitors showed therapeutic approaches, indicating a potential direction for drug development.
Researchers found that cetaceans preserve genetic diversity in their immune response genes, allowing them to adapt to changing pathogen communities. The study provides a roadmap for improving predictions of population health for these marine mammals.
A large-scale genome analysis of over 10,000 TB pathogen strains has shown that genome sequencing can improve treatment and potentially replace traditional resistance testing. This method enables precise prediction of drug resistance and individualized treatment plans, saving resources and time.
Researchers found that some frog species persist despite infection, attributed to eco-evolutionary rescue. This occurs when ecological and evolutionary mechanisms allow for host-pathogen coexistence, including immune adaptation and reduced transmission rates. The study provides a glimpse of hope for amphibian populations threatened by Bd.
A recent study found that a new bacterial pathogen, Erwinia tracheiphila, emerged from the introduction of foreign crop plants to North America. The pathogen's genome shows dramatic changes, suggesting it has recently evolved as a pathogen, primarily affecting cucurbits grown in intensive monocultures.
Researchers at Umeå University discovered that Vibrio cholerae uses nitrate respiration to control its population expansion and survival, even in the absence of oxygen. This smart metabolic mechanism allows the bacterium to thrive in the intestine's low-oxygen environment.
A new UMass Amherst study found that eating sunflower pollen dramatically reduced a protozoan pathogen infection in bumble bees. The researchers also discovered that incorporating sunflowers into pollinator gardens could provide a simple solution to improve the health of economically and ecologically important pollinators.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from a human skeleton in Scandinavia to determine the genomic blueprint of the louse-borne relapsing fever pathogen Borrelia recurrentis. The study found that the ancient strain had fewer genes for antigenic variation and retained a regulatory gene, suggesting reductive evolution.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have described a key immune response mechanism that determines the fate of T cells. This knowledge can aid in the development of better vaccines, treatments for infections, and moderation of autoimmune diseases.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the spread of melioidosis in Southeast Asia, highlighting the impact of bacteriophages on bacterial populations. The study found that phage-free bacteria numbers are highest during cooler periods, and using fertilizers can kill off phages, posing a risk of more frequent infections.
A mathematical model developed by international researchers predicts that temperature-dependent phages can affect the spread of melioidosis in Southeast Asia. The study reveals opportunities for disease control, including rescheduling work on rice fields and using protective gear during high-risk periods.
A recent study has found that birds develop resistance to bacterial infections, which in turn leads to the evolution of more potent pathogens. This host-pathogen coevolution process plays a key role in shaping species' defenses and highlights the importance of understanding emerging infectious diseases.
A team led by UTIA faculty members will study the epidemiology of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, a fungus causing salamander population declines in Europe. The research aims to find ways to combat the fungus and has significant implications for US wildlife health.
The Vibrio cholerae bacterium has evolved skills to survive in aquatic environments by 'hitchhiking' on predatory amoebas and establishing a replication niche within their osmoregulatory organelle. This adaptation may have contributed to the emergence of V. cholerae as a major human pathogen.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered how to improve the survival of CD8 T cells, which can combat tumors and chronic infections. The study found that deleting two specific molecules enhances the survival of effector cells and yields more protective memory cells.
A new mathematical model reveals how social interactions influence the emergence of infectious diseases, allowing for better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. The study suggests that understanding human behavior can aid in preventing the evolution of more virulent pathogen strains.
Researchers studied the skin microbiome of eastern massasauga snakes to understand how environmental microbial communities promote disease resistance. Infection with snake fungal disease alters the bacterial and fungal diversity of infected snakes, making them more susceptible to the pathogen.
A new method for screening frogs has been developed by an undergraduate researcher, allowing scientists to detect the deadly pathogen Perkinsea. The test, using qPCR assay, found that 25% of sampled frogs were infected, with the highest prevalence in Gold Head Branch State Park.
Scientists have developed a faster way to analyze the outcome of experimental vaccines against HIV and other pathogens. The new system lets researchers quickly assess the full spectrum of antibodies produced in an individual's response to a pathogen or vaccine.
Researchers found that germ-free mice exhibited reduced inflammation and atrophy compared to specific pathogen free mice, while probiotic administration improved epithelial thickness. Probiotics also reduced the severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in mice.
A new study by the University of Sheffield has discovered that antimicrobial resistant pathogens use benign bacteria present in the skin to initiate infection. The study reveals how Staphylococcus aureus can survive immune system mechanisms, providing new avenues for approaches to prevent and treat infection.
Scientists analyzed 182 Candida albicans genome strains to understand its reproductive methods and genetic diversification. The study confirmed clonal reproduction but also found evidence of parasexual reproduction contributing to the pathogen's ability to adapt and evolve.
A recent study has unveiled the intricate molecular mechanisms behind plant immunity, allowing researchers to unravel bespoke defence solutions against different variants of the rice blast pathogen. The findings have significant implications for engineering disease resistance against a range of crop pathogens.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered biomarkers that can accurately identify hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, a rare but increasingly common strain of the bacterium. The discovery provides a clear roadmap for developing a diagnostic test to optimize patient care and epidemiologic surveillance.
A recent study has traced the origins of deadly chytrid fungus to East Asia, highlighting the need for increased biosafety guidelines and trade regulations to prevent its spread. The researchers sequenced pathogen samples from around the world and identified four main genetic lineages of the fungus, including one found only in Korea.
Researchers isolated ancient viral sequences from human remains and found a common pathogen associated with humans for over 6,900 years. The study reveals the pathogen evolved significantly slower than previously thought, showcasing the utility of ancient viral sequences in studying virus evolution.
Rothamsted Research has developed a new approach to protecting wheat crops from the devastating take-all root fungus, by carefully selecting the first wheat variety in a cropping cycle. This reduces the disease's severity and increases yields in subsequent crop varieties.