Researchers isolated bacteria from Mammoth Cave that produce a substance inhibiting angiogenesis, a process crucial for cancer cell growth. The discovery offers new potential tools in the fight against cancer.
Researchers identified iron as a key factor in axillary bacterial growth and developed an iron-chelating compound, DTPA, to inhibit bacterial growth. Combining DTPA with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) showed significant deodorancy benefits by limiting the bacteria's access to iron.
Wohlbachia bacteria can convert males to females through sex changes or kill them in eggs, sparking defensive tactics in infected insects. Jonathon Knight's award-winning Nature article shed light on this common parasitic microbe's impact worldwide.
A low-tech handheld refractometer can detect counterfeit malaria drugs and has the potential to be used to test mass batches of drugs imported from overseas. The device is relatively inexpensive and simple to use, making it a viable option for people in developing countries with limited resources.
Researchers have found that a Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine may also protect people from the most serious complication associated with West Nile virus infection. The study tested two vaccines in hamsters and found that they provided better protection than other options, including a yellow fever vaccine.
Researchers track Lyme disease ticks along riverbeds in Illinois and find they are migrating south-southwest towards the Mississippi River. The ticks need small mammals as hosts to become infected and deer as a preferred host for adult ticks.
Researchers discover that compounds in garlic, such as disulfides, can inhibit malaria infection and kill cancer cells due to their similarity in glucose metabolism. These findings suggest potential uses for garlic-derived compounds in treating malaria and certain types of cancer.
Researchers from Brown University and Seattle Biomedical Research Institute found high antibody levels against liver stage antigens (LSAs) correlate with malaria resistance. The study suggests LSAs may stimulate an immune response that protects against infection, paving the way for new malaria vaccine strategies.
Researchers found a virus similar to HEV in rats in Los Angeles, which may contribute to the high rates of HEV antibodies in some inner city areas. The study suggests that infected rats could be a source of exposure for humans and highlights the need for further testing.
Researchers found that antacids significantly increased the survival rate of Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria commonly contracted through eating raw oysters. Banning antibiotics in Denmark has also led to significant decreases in resistance rates among food animals.
Short-term travelers to high-risk areas are at risk of getting typhoid fever, particularly those visiting India and Pakistan. The CDC recommends vaccination for travelers who have prolonged exposure to contaminated food and drink.
The American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene has warned of an emerging dengue fever crisis in South Texas. The region's high population density and abundance of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are fueling increased disease transmission, with risks including epidemic dengue hemorrhagic fever and death.
The US is facing a shortage of antiparasitic drugs due to low market demand, making treatment options scarce for diseases like schistosomiasis and liver fluke infections. The CDC has stepped in to distribute remaining stocks, but more support is needed to ensure availability.
A study found that at least 25% of Eco-Challenge participants developed leptospirosis after returning home. The CDC reports that swimming in the river was the only independently significant risk factor for infection. Travelers should investigate location risks to minimize infectious disease exposure.
A new survey and observational study found that only 67% of people actually wash their hands before leaving a public restroom, despite 95% saying they do. Women are more likely to practice good hygiene than men, with women reporting higher rates of handwashing after various activities or events.
A 2-year study found that day care centers incubate and spread antibiotic-resistant respiratory tract bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae. The study suggests that day care centers are ideal environments for the development of such resistance due to high rates of respiratory infections and antibiotic use.
Scientists have discovered a gene in yeast that plays a key role in regulating the aging process. The SIR2 gene helps slow down aging by silencing certain genes, and its activation can extend the life span of yeast cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-aging therapies.
Researchers developed a battery-operated pen that can disinfect drinking water using a salt solution, inactivating parasites, viruses, and bacteria with dramatic results.
Researchers from the University of Florida College of Medicine have developed a new therapy using bacteriophages to treat Vibrio vulnificus infections. Most mice injected with both the bacterium and a deadly bacteriophage survived what would normally be a fatal infection, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
A study found that faucet handles and phone receivers are high-risk areas for transferring bacteria and viruses to hands and faces. This could lead to diseases like diarrhea and infection if proper hygiene is not practiced. The researchers also highlighted the potential for household items like sponges and telephones to spread infections.
Researchers have identified a water extract from potatoes that inhibits the attachment of certain bacteria, such as oral streptococcus and E. coli, to their target tissue. This finding could provide a new direction for antibiotic research and potentially help solve the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Susan Okie, a medical reporter at The Washington Post, has won the 2000 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Public Communications Award. Her two-part series on tuberculosis highlights the challenges of controlling this deadly disease and emphasizes the need for new medicines and vaccines to eradicate it.
The 100th meeting of the American Society for Microbiology brought together experts in the field to share groundbreaking research on various microbiological topics. Key findings included significant progress in understanding microbial mechanisms and developing new diagnostic tools.
The symposium focuses on microbial evolution, genetics, and ecology, shedding light on the complexity of life and its applications in biotechnology. Key areas of research include mutation mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and plant microbiome interactions.
The ASM Public Communications Award recognizes achievement by journalists in communicating microbiological sciences to the general public. The award is open to stories published or aired in calendar year 1999, and nominees must submit a completed nomination cover page, letter, and copies of their work.
The report highlights the need for clinical microbiologists to integrate new technologies with existing methods to provide high-quality service. It emphasizes the importance of rapid laboratory turnaround times, particularly in outpatient settings, where clinicians require timely results to inform treatment decisions.
David Botstein, Ronald Davis, and Eric Lander were awarded the Chiron Corporation Biotechnology Research Award for their pioneering work on genetic linkage analysis using molecular markers. Their research laid the foundation for the Human Genome Project and enabled the construction of human genetic maps.
Dr. Hultgren's work on pilus genetics, biosynthesis and structure has contributed significantly to understanding bacterial adhesions critical to pathogenesis. His research applications have led to recognition nationally and internationally.
Charles Yanofsky, a renowned Stanford University microbiologist, has been awarded the 1998 Abbott-American Society for Microbiology Lifetime Achievement Award. He made significant contributions to our understanding of gene expression and protein biosynthesis through his discovery of attenuation as a regulatory mechanism.
Luther S. Williams, a prominent NSF scientist, has been awarded the William A. Hinton Research Training Award for his contributions to fostering minority participation in microbiology research. The award recognizes his dedication to mentoring students from underrepresented groups and promoting diversity in STEM fields.
Dr. Richard Facklam, CDC Lab Chief, receives award for his contributions to clinical microbiology research, focusing on streptococci identification and pneumococcal vaccine development. He has also worked on antimicrobial resistance studies in developing countries.
E. Imre Friedman, a renowned desert researcher, has been awarded the Procter and Gamble Award in Applied and Environmental Microbiology for his groundbreaking work on microbial life in hot and cold deserts. His discoveries expanded our understanding of life's limits and pushed the boundaries of biogeochemistry and microbiology.
William E. Paul, a prominent NIH AIDS researcher, has been awarded the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Award in Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology. He made significant contributions to understanding cytokine biology, T-cell reproduction, and B-cell activation.
A recent study found that most common colds are caused by viruses, with rhinovirus being the primary culprit. Researchers identified 138 cases of the common cold in university students, with 105 cases linked to rhinovirus infection.
Researchers found immense microbial diversity in Amazonian forests and soils, with new bacteria discovered. Deforestation alters soil properties, leading to differences in microbial populations.
Researchers found that houseflies can harbor Helicobacter pylori bacteria on their skin and in their digestive tract for up to 30 hours after exposure. The study suggests that flies may act as vectors in the transmission of H. pylori, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
A study demonstrates that the common cat flea is a competent vector for Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat scratch disease. Flea infestation control may reduce transmission between cats, and thus humans via scratches. Direct transmission from cat to cat cannot be demonstrated without fleas.
A study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that healthy young children in Mexico were colonized by E. coli resistant to multiple antibiotics. The study discovered that nearly 90% of stool samples contained isolates resistant to two or more antibiotics, highlighting a significant route for the dissemina...