Articles tagged with Microbial Infections
A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has discovered a master molecular sensor embedded in spores of six related fungi that triggers their transformation into pathogenic yeasts. This finding could lead to new treatments and possibly vaccines for diseases caused by these microbes.
The center aims to develop tools for early detection and a deeper understanding of microbial disease transmission, connecting science to the community.
Research reveals fungal microbes use tandem repeats in genes to change protein conformations, evading the immune system and causing diseases. The study also explains why certain beers are cloudy or clear, providing new insights into brewing.
MacMicking studies immune-related GTPases in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection to understand biological relationship between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The award will support his research program on novel host defense pathways to infection.
The Stanford study used molecular techniques to survey the inhabitants of the lower digestive tract, finding a diverse range of bacterial species. The researchers discovered nearly two-thirds of identified bacteria were novel, highlighting the complexity of the intestinal ecosystem.
A new field of study, microbial forensics aims to attribute biothreat agents to their sources. The approach requires a multivariate method tailored to the threat encountered and situation addressed, coupled with scientific and investigative processes.
Experts warn of a potential second wave of vCJD infections due to increased cases in France and the UK. The panel discussion highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures to prevent human-to-human transmission of this fatal neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers describe how microbes in the gut form the second largest metabolic 'organ' in the body, influencing disease processes alongside genetic and environmental factors. The discovery of this 'superorganism' could lead to new approaches to treating disease and developing personalized medicine.
A Stanford study reveals a connection between archaea abundance and gum disease severity, affecting about one-third of Americans. The research found that more than one-third of patients with chronic periodontitis harbored archaea in their diseased subgingival spaces but not elsewhere.
Diverse classes of antimicrobial peptides share a common structural signature, revealing fundamental interactions between host and pathogen. This discovery offers new insights into immune defense and drives technology to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
A 1998 Finnish outbreak was traced to contaminated iceberg lettuce grown on open fields with roe deer, which carry the Y. pseudotuberculosis pathogen. Researchers investigated and proposed prevention methods, including fenced fields and disinfection strategies.
A Stanford research team is studying how mouth microbes interact with their hosts to shape immune system development. They have identified new microorganisms in the oral pocket that were previously unknown and are working to understand complex interactions between oral flora.
A study found UVGI significantly reduces reported work-related illnesses, particularly respiratory and mucosal symptoms, among 771 participants. The cost-effectiveness of UVGI installation compared to building-related illness losses is estimated to be favorable.
Researchers engineered a strain of leishmania parasites without lipophosphoglycan, which increased their vulnerability to immune defenses. The findings could help develop new treatments for the deadly disease, affecting 12 million people worldwide.
A new device, Vigilance', has been shown to significantly reduce microbial contamination in neonatal intensive care units, sparing premature infants from infection-causing organisms. The device uses ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and decreased the risk of chronic lung disease and hospital stays.
Scientists are sequencing the genomes of two deadly Phytophthora microbe species to understand their genetic secrets. The goal is to develop effective treatments and diagnostic tools for sudden oak death syndrome and soybean root rot, causing billions of dollars in damage annually.
Researchers discovered that beneficial bacteria in the gut influence the expression of genes important to intestinal development and function. The study found that these microbes activate genes involved in sugar and fat absorption, cellular barrier integrity, and blood vessel formation.
Scientists at UCSF discovered a single defect in a protein causes severe auto-immune disease resembling lupus, affecting 100,000 people in the US. The finding provides evidence that lupus might be an inherited disease with a simple genetic root, rather than multiple genetic defects.
Researchers at University of Illinois used polymerase chain reaction to detect microbes in water, rock, and air samples from hot springs. They found evidence of life in new springs, suggesting microbes may have been transported by wind-borne steam or existing waters.
Researchers have identified a gene that allows histoplasma to infect and persist in humans. The discovery uses a novel technique that may be valuable in finding drug targets for this disease-causing fungus and others.
A new DNA test developed by the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute rapidly identifies Pfiesteria piscicida, a toxic marine microbe linked to fish kills and human illness. The test helps predict outbreaks and study the toxin's effects on immune cells in the brain.
Researchers found that macrophages can recognize foreign cells using the CD47 protein, not MHC class I as previously thought. This discovery challenges an important dogma and has implications for autoimmune diseases and ovarian cancer.
Global warming accelerates human disease outbreaks, malnutrition, and environmental degradation due to increased pollution and crop losses. As populations grow, crowded cities will become breeding grounds for diseases like dengue fever, while waterborne illnesses spread unchecked.
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 four-part PBS series 'Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earth' delves into the importance of microbes in sustaining human life and driving chemistry of life. Dr. Frederic Pfaender, a UNC-CH microbiologist, advocates for watching the series to learn something and enjoy the experience.
Scientists have extended their gene repair technology to correct point and frameshift genetic mutations, with potential applications for treating cystic fibrosis and other diseases caused by DNA deletions.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University describe the workings of an enzyme caspase-9 crucial for understanding apoptosis. They hope to develop drugs that inhibit this enzyme to fight neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have identified two genetic mutations as the cause of megaloblastic anemia 1, a rare disease affecting vitamin B-12 absorption. The disease is exceedingly rare, occurring in only one person in a million, but can be fatal if left untreated.
A new study found that screening all young women under 30 for Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most efficient way to identify infected women, reducing infertility and costly medical complications. The test is cost-effective due to its high sensitivity, identifying more infections.