Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
A comprehensive review synthesizes the science behind vagus nerve modulation therapies, which use controlled signals to influence brain circuits and inflammation. The authors identify key mechanisms and propose next-generation treatments tailored to individual patients and conditions.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found that herpes simplex virus uses protein ICP4 to make human cell nuclei more fluid-like, allowing for faster replication. This makes the nucleus easier for the virus to copy itself and increases production rate of new viral copies
A review of 900 scientific articles identified several biological markers associated with cognitive decline in viral infections, including activated monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, certain markers like anti-inflammatory cytokines are linked to better preservation of cognitive abilities.
App Applied Microbiology International will host a free webinar on 'Gender Equality and Water' to mark World Water Day 2026. The event aims to centred women and girls in water solutions, recognizing their voices, leadership and agency as critical enablers of gender equality.
Researchers identified molecular defect in taste receptor cells due to reduced levels of PLCβ2 protein, which strengthens the signal before transmission to the brain. Taste cells that detect salty and sour flavors are less affected.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a high-resolution 3D map of the Andes virus, a crucial step towards developing vaccines and treatments against hantaviruses. The new structure allows for the design of effective vaccines and antibody therapies.
A new Tulane University study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes persistent brain inflammation and small blood vessel injury, even after the virus is no longer detectable. This finding helps explain why long COVID often includes neurological symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue.
Co-infection of Cryptococcus neoformans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis increases risk of death significantly compared to fungal infection alone. The fungus changes its cell density, diversity, and capsule size in response to the bacterial pathogen.
Researchers found that farming practices, unsafe sanitation, and domestic animals linked to infection risk. Household-level interventions are essential for accelerating elimination, especially when community-wide strategies fail near elimination.
Researchers found that male patients with early Lyme disease present with different signs of the disease, including symptoms, physical exams, and laboratory test results. These findings suggest that sex and menopause status are important to consider in understanding early Lyme disease.
Researchers at Sultan Qaboos University have identified three novel antimicrobial peptides from dromedary camels that effectively target multidrug-resistant bacteria. The peptides, CdPG-3 and CdCATH, demonstrate strong antibacterial activity across Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Bacteria levels have decreased but high E. coli and staph still present near the spill site and downstream. UMD experts advise avoiding Potomac water and banks for health risks.
A new study published in Science reveals that diseases closely related to syphilis originated more than 5,000 years ago and were transmitted from the Americas, challenging long-held European theories. The research uses ancient DNA discoveries from Colombia and Mexico to shed light on human disease evolution and global health.
Researchers developed a new single-cell transcriptomic clock called Tictock to measure aging in specific immune cells. The study found that COVID-19 and HIV alter T cell composition and accelerate the biological age of naïve CD8 T cells, while long-term antiretroviral therapy stabilizes T cell proportions.
A study of over 50,000 pregnant women in Norway found low vaccination rates against COVID-19 and influenza, with only 29.9% and 12.1% vaccinated respectively. The study highlights the need for targeted strategies to improve vaccination uptake among expectant mothers.
A novel vaccination approach cleared harmful gut bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) in an animal model of infection. The experimental vaccine protected against illness, death, tissue damage and infection recurrence through mucosal immunization.
A new study has shown that hospital analysers can accurately distinguish genuine liquid medical products from fakes, providing a low-cost screening tool to complement established methods. This breakthrough addresses a global health threat, with an estimated 10.5% of medicines worldwide being substandard or fake.
Rice bioengineer Jerzy Szablowski has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship for his innovative work on noninvasive methods to communicate with the brain. He aims to develop versatile platform technologies to obtain new types of research data and treat multiple diseases.
Researchers studied 434 children for signs of autism or neurodevelopmental problems, finding no link between mRNA vaccine and autism. The study suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are safe to receive during pregnancy to protect maternal and infant health.
A survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that a strong majority of Americans view the MMR vaccine as safe relative to other vaccines. However, the number of people holding this view is below the threshold required for community immunity, which is worrisome.
A Dartmouth study found that plasmids can form tight clusters within bacterial communities, making them resistant to antibiotics and clinical treatments. This phenomenon introduces a new avenue for bacterial infections to become more difficult to treat.
A recent rat study identified the neural mechanism underlying chills, a cold sensation that supports the body's response to infection. The findings suggest that prostaglandin E₂ boosts cold signals from the lateral parabrachial nucleus to the central nucleus of the amygdala, triggering chills and promoting warmth-seeking behavior.
A new study identifies the most infectious strains of Staphylococcus aureus in neonatal intensive care units and suggests specific strategies for prevention and control. The research provides a critical blueprint for precision surveillance and aims to reduce infections in vulnerable newborns.
A joint study by several institutions analyzed the relationship between climatic conditions, Legionella presence, and Legionnaires' disease cases in Catalonia. The results show that rising temperatures create ideal conditions for Legionella to multiply, increasing disease incidence.
Researchers developed a new test that detects breast cancer reconstruction infections early, allowing for preemptive treatment. The study found biomarkers of infection in fluid drained from patients' breasts days before symptoms appeared.
A recent study found significant changes in post-COVID respiratory infections among children, with Mycoplasma pneumoniae experiencing a surge after restrictions were lifted. The study also revealed strong interactions between pathogens, including negative correlations and pathogen interference.
Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease have been reported in West Bengal, India, with a very low risk for European travelers. Indian authorities have implemented prevention and control measures, and several countries in the region have initiated precautionary measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Influenza D virus and canine coronavirus have the potential to trigger outbreaks if surveillance and diagnostics lag. These emerging pathogens have real potential to cause epidemics or pandemics in humans.
A study in Japan found that wastewater surveillance can uncover the true scale of COVID-19 spread by detecting high viral loads in sewage despite reduced clinical testing. This approach offers an objective view of community-wide infection levels, unaffected by changes in testing policies or public behavior.
The new platform developed by UVA Health scientists can produce vaccines much faster, cheaper, and more easily than traditional approaches. The platform's proof-of-concept demonstrates its ability to produce highly immunogenic vaccines that can be manufactured at extremely low cost.
A study by Michigan State University found that the majority of college students experienced broad improvements in psychological functioning after the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants reported higher life satisfaction, less loneliness, and a greater preference for in-person learning opportunities.
A study by UC Riverside scientists reveals that the cysts of Toxoplasma gondii contain multiple distinct subtypes of parasites, each with different biological roles. This discovery offers new insights into how the parasite causes disease and why it has been difficult to treat.
A new study found that nudging both patients and providers with reminders increased flu vaccine numbers by almost 3,000 more people than expected. The researchers believe this could lead to strategies to boost annual flu vaccination rates.
A new study published in Nature has identified albumin as a powerful defense against mucormycosis, a rare but often fatal fungal infection. Patients with mucormycosis have lower levels of albumin, which can predict poor outcomes and mortality.
Nearly half of CDC surveillance databases have stopped updating, primarily tracking vaccination-related information and respiratory diseases. Prolonged pauses risk weakening evidence-based decision-making, and the authors recommend clear status updates, reasons for delays, and timelines for resuming data publication.
Current smokers are more likely to experience four symptoms associated with Long COVID, including arthralgia, chest pain and dyspnea. Dual users of combustible and heated tobacco products also show a stronger correlation with symptoms, suggesting the added use may worsen symptoms.
A family medicine interdisciplinary team improved hepatitis C virus treatment outcomes by streamlining medication access and reducing administrative burdens. The team's strategy, implemented at an urban clinic in Ohio, resulted in a significant reduction of treatment delays from over 6 months to under 2 months.
A study published in Stem Cell Reports suggests that transferring young microbiota to the intestines of older mice can speed up healing and improve the regenerative potential of intestinal stem cells. This approach may have implications for treating gut-related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a copper-based compound that can kill MRSA bacteria by disguising itself as iron. The compound, BMDC, works by delivering a toxic dose of copper to bacterial colonies, making it an effective treatment against drug-resistant infections.
Scientists have recovered a genome of Treponema pallidum from 5,500-year-old human remains in Colombia, pushing back the genetic record of this pathogenic species by over 3,000 years. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary history of treponemal pathogens and their occurrence in human populations.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has made significant advancements in cancer care through its collaborative efforts between clinicians and scientists. These breakthroughs include an immune-targeting vaccine that shows promise in intercepting cancer in patients with Lynch Syndrome, a novel immunotherapy that demonstrate...
A major clinical trial has shown that adding corticosteroids to standard antiviral treatment for encephalitis does not improve long-term outcomes, but early use may lead to better recovery. The treatment is also found to be safe for patients with suspected encephalitis.
Researchers explore microneedle technology as a novel delivery system for efficient and minimally invasive intradermal drug delivery. The review highlights the design of functional microneedles with specific structures to overcome biological barriers in various tissues, improving therapeutic outcomes.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that human activity in the Amazon basin is driving an uptick in yellow fever cases. The proximity of urban areas to forests increases the risk of disease transmission, as does the growing border between forested and urban areas.
Researchers are developing a comprehensive approach to diagnosing lymphatic disease, which is challenging due to the system's tiny and translucent vessels. The team aims to create a diagnostic toolbox that includes biomarkers, genetic analysis, and advanced detection technologies.
Researchers found that some healthy Nigerian adults showed clear evidence of new immune boosting consistent with recent mpox exposure without recorded diagnoses. This suggests that exposure may occur without recognized disease, highlighting the need for monitoring populations by testing blood samples for antibodies.
A recent editorial cautions that Canada's health systems may struggle to cope with the influx of patients during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The article highlights concerns about overburdened hospitals and emergency departments, as well as the need for a national plan to bolster capacity and train personnel.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have found that a common bacterium produces reactive oxygen species that impairs wound healing. Neutralizing this process with an antioxidant enzyme restores skin cells' ability to migrate and heal, offering a potential solution to tackle antibiotic-resistant strains.
Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways
A new study provides a long-sought structural explanation for how Vibrio cholerae colonizes the human gut and produces the cholera toxin. The research reveals that ToxR and TcpP stabilize a specific part of the RNA polymerase directly onto DNA, achieving virulence gene activation without reshaping the transcription machinery.
A team at Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that even with effective treatments for TB and HIV, the immune system remains seriously out-of-whack following treatment. The study suggests that host-directed therapies specifically targeting the immune system could potentially restore lung immune system functionality.
Researchers have developed a refined mouse model that mimics chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in old age, overcoming limitations in experimental respiratory infection research. The agar bead-based delivery strategy allows sustained observation of infection dynamics, tissue damage, and immune responses in aging lungs.
Researchers developed a lab-grown model of the prostate gland to study bacterial infections. They found that E. coli targets specific cells and uses a 'lock and key' principle to invade. A sugar molecule called D-mannose blocks this interaction, offering a potential new strategy to prevent and treat prostate infections.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about how bacteria swim upstream to cause infections, pointing to new designs for biomedical devices that can prevent contamination. The study found that wider channels with faster counterflows are more prone to invasion, but sharp corner designs can inhibit bacterial growth.
Researchers developed a new method to measure how effectively antibiotics kill bacteria, crucial for treating complex infections. The 'antimicrobial single-cell testing' method predicts treatment success by observing individual bacteria under different conditions.
A high-protein diet rich in casein and wheat gluten can significantly reduce the amount of cholera bacteria able to infect the gut. The study found that these dietary components can suppress a key structure on the surface of cholera bacteria, making it difficult for the pathogen to colonize and cause harm.
Researchers discovered that certain antibodies employ unusual tactics to block bacterial adhesion, including creating molecular wedges and conformational traps. These mechanisms could lead to the development of immune therapies targeting glycan-binding cell-attachment proteins produced by bacteria causing urinary tract infections.
A new study reveals that farmers in the Northeast are facing a growing threat of tick-borne diseases, which can be devastating to their livelihoods. The research found that farmers often experience multiple tick bites per month, with some contracting serious illnesses like Lyme carditis.
A research team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has discovered a genetic mechanism that allows certain parasites to infect multiple hosts, but at the cost of long-term survival. The study sheds light on how parasitic infections emerge and spread, with potential implications for public health surveillance and treatment strategies.
A UTEP study has discovered a significant increase in parasitic infection rates among kissing bugs in the Borderlands, raising concerns about local transmission of Chagas disease. The research suggests that the disease is becoming an increasingly public health issue for the Southwest, affecting approximately 6 million people worldwide.