Articles tagged with Pathogens
A new study explains why drought can both reduce and increase waterborne diseases. The authors identified three mechanisms that determine whether a parasite will thrive or die out during drought: host-parasite concentration, desiccation traps, and changes in water quality.
The University of California San Diego and San Diego County have developed a tool to track the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue. The dashboard combines reports of confirmed detections, environmental suitability, and media coverage to estimate risk nationwide.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework that predicts microbial contamination and estimates potential public health risks from routinely measured water quality indicators. The approach, called ML-QMRA, achieved high accuracy in predicting pathogen concentrations and their associated health risks.
Researchers have compiled ten fundamental mechanisms governing the development of pandemics, highlighting the importance of understanding biological, mathematical, and social factors. These mechanisms can help improve preparedness and response to future pandemics by identifying key drivers of outbreak dynamics.
Researchers at Penn State will use the funding to develop new tools for investigating the genetics underpinning relationships between mosquitoes and various microbes. The projects aim to improve scientific understanding of mosquito-borne pathogens and eventually enable new discoveries that could help inhibit disease spread.
A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.
A new global database has been developed to map pathogens and antibiotic resistance risks in coastal waters, providing a practical tool for assessing biological risks. The Coastal Water Pathogen Database integrates shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from six coastal regions across three continents.
The CLEVER project aims to create a comprehensive fungal EV atlas, investigating the role of extracellular vesicles in communication between pathogenic fungi and the human body. The research may lead to more accurate diagnosis and improved treatment of fungal infections.
A global study analyzed 16.5 million DNA sequences from 23 cities across five continents, revealing a clear distance-decay pattern for bacterial communities. The findings show that port size, wastewater discharge, geography, and maritime activity closely associate with the structure of bacterial communities worldwide.
Researchers uncover how a family of tick-borne viruses, known as orthonairoviruses, evade the immune system by manipulating cellular communication pathways. This study highlights a significant pandemic risk posed by these viruses and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and preparedness.
A large dengue outbreak in Italy was analyzed to identify transmission patterns. The data show that more than half of linked transmission events involved people within 100m apart. Temperature played a role in reducing transmission, with a drop in autumn temperatures contributing to the decline.
Researchers have identified Rickettsia typhi in cat fleas collected from domestic cats in the Rio Grande Valley, a region with high numbers of human cases of murine typhus. Controlling flea infestations on cats is crucial for protecting both animal and human health.
Researchers propose a voluntary labelling scheme using 'STABILISED' to indicate products with minimal risk of Listeria infection. The scheme aims to help consumers choose safe products and reduce the number of people falling ill with Listeria infections.
Researchers have developed a dual-targeting strategy to combat emerging infectious diseases. A fully human monoclonal antibody cocktail provides complete protection against lethal Nipah virus infection, even when treatment is given after infection has begun.
A new study reveals that ancient bacterial genomes from teeth of human remains found at four hunter-gatherer cemeteries in East Siberia reconstructed the earliest forms of plague. The findings suggest that these early strains were highly lethal and carried a unique superantigen, increasing the severity of infection.
Aberystwyth University experts Dr Kate Parsons and Dr Simon Payne will lead sessions on boosting vaccine uptake at the upcoming international meeting in Colombia. The workshop aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world impact by applying behavioural science principles to improve vaccine acceptance and delivery.
PhD candidate Tommaso Zaccaria's research shows that microorganisms from Earth can survive in Martian hot springs and other celestial bodies. This has implications for astronaut health and the study of the human immune system on Earth.
A study analyzing nearly 2,000 human infections with Shiga-producing E. coli found increasing resistance to antibiotics, particularly for tetracycline and sulfisoxazole. The researchers propose a 'One Health' approach to address the issue, focusing on antibiotic stewardship in agriculture, food safety, and environmental controls.
The center will develop new phage-based treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, predicting which phage to use for which patient and designing more effective phages. The goal is to generate unprecedented data and train AI models to identify the right phage for any patient's infection.
Researchers found that yellow fever mosquitoes can learn to associate the smell of DEET with food, leading to a significant reduction in their repellent effect. The study suggests that the timing and concentration of DEET application may be more crucial than previously thought.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that combining key vaccine ingredients could give the body the tools it needs to fight the entire family of arenaviruses with a single vaccine. This approach may protect against life-threatening infections from Lassa virus, Junin virus, and many other arenaviruses.
Researchers at the University of Guelph developed a faster way to identify potential drug targets against Candida albicans using CRISPR interference. The new system reduced the time from laboratory discoveries to clinical applications by years, focusing on hundreds or thousands of genes simultaneously.
Researchers identified how Mycobacterium abscessus evades treatment and proposed a strategy to overcome resistance, offering a pathway towards more effective treatments. A combination therapy targeting both smooth and rough variants proved more effective than single-phage treatment.
A new analysis found that prescriptions for curable hepatitis C drugs have declined sharply in recent years, leaving millions without treatment. The researchers urge swift actions to deliver the drugs to those who need them, including increased screening and system-level changes.
Researchers have found that COVID vaccines can train immune cells to remember the SARS-CoV-2 virus and protect against severe infection for years afterward. However, the continued spread of disease has scientists taking a closer look at how the immune system builds up immune memory over time.
A study led by Cleo Bertelsmeier found that wild mammals traded for pets, meat, or fur are 1.5 times more likely to share infectious agents with humans. The risk is higher when species are traded illegally or alive.
The study provides new insight into how the tick-borne virus replicates and matures, with detailed three-dimensional images revealing the virus's interior. The researchers also observed how a small genetic difference between variants affects maturation speeds, paving the way for future treatments against TBE.
Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a fast method to measure the effectiveness of plasma-based air disinfection, which can deactivate up to 99.9% of virus particles. The approach harnesses UV fluorescence to track changes in aerosol infectivity in real-time, providing essential information for public health guidelines.
Researchers have discovered how a disease-causing bacterium uses a single protein to interfere with the body's defenses in multiple ways, offering a clearer picture of how infections take hold at the cellular level. This discovery highlights the importance of targeting specific interactions between bacterial proteins and human cells in...
Researchers developed an AI tool called PathogenFinder2 that can detect harmful bacteria before they infect humans. The tool uses protein language models and has been shown to significantly improve the detection of bacterial threats.
A Finnish registry study found that severe infections, such as cystitis and bacterial disease, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. The study examined nationwide health registry data and identified 29 diseases linked to dementia risk, including mental disorders, Parkinson's disease, and alcohol-related mental disorders.
A study by Frontiers in Science argues that ultra-sensitive food safety tests may drive food waste and unavailability, but not always translate to health risk. The researchers propose a more balanced approach that considers trade-offs between food safety, sustainability, and nutritional health.
Scientists have added millions of protein complex structures to the AlphaFold Database, shedding light on how proteins interact. The dataset prioritizes human health and disease research, enabling researchers to test, refine, and build upon it.
A new study suggests that ultra-sensitive food safety tests may drive food waste and unavailability without significant public health benefits. The researchers propose using more flexible risk-based approaches to align food safety policies with sustainability goals.
Researchers discovered Marburg virus enters human cells up to 300 times more efficiently than Ebola, thanks to its unique entry protein. A nanobody has been identified to block its attachment to the receptor, providing a potential therapeutic strategy.
Researchers discover that resistant soybean varieties actively recruit beneficial soil microorganisms to suppress the devastating soybean cyst nematode. These microbes can be transferred to soil to help defend susceptible soybeans, providing a promising new approach for sustainable crop protection.
Researchers found that silencing bacteria can worsen heart infections by promoting aggressive biofilm growth and reducing antibiotic effectiveness. The study highlights the need for targeted therapeutic strategies against infectious endocarditis.
Research found that oak tree microbiomes are resilient to environmental stressors like drought and disease, with subtle changes in root microbiota after prolonged drought. The study suggests a potential role for beneficial bacteria in supporting tree resilience and stability.
A sweeping new study has identified tuberculosis as the predominant cause of deadly sepsis among people with HIV in Africa. Immediate treatment for TB significantly increased survival rates, especially when treatment was started before diagnosis.
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.
The study provides direct evidence of large-scale human mortality during the Plague of Justinian and offers insight into how people moved, lived, and became vulnerable within ancient cities. The mass grave at Jerash, Jordan, helps resolve a long-standing puzzle about ancient community dynamics.
Research reveals that understanding marine mammal social networks is critical for predicting and managing disease outbreaks in oceans. Highly connected individuals, or 'super spreaders,' play a significant role in disease transmission.
Scientists at Leibniz-HKI discovered an enzyme called BurK that cleaves the toxic molecule malleicyprol in human pathogenic bacteria. This mechanism regulates toxin levels and renders it harmless to humans, offering a potential therapeutic approach for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers discovered complex viral communities in wastewater treatment plants, interacting with bacteria to influence treatment efficiency and health risks. The study found that viruses can act as reliable biological indicators of treatment performance, while also potentially promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
A secondary analysis of the WISDOM trial found a substantial number of women with clinically actionable genetic variants, many not qualifying for current guidelines. This study supports broader access to genetic testing for personalized breast cancer risk assessment.
Researchers found that plant phenolic acids can dramatically boost the activity of existing antibiotics against multidrug resistant E. coli, reducing the chance of new resistance emerging. The compounds also make it easier for antibiotics to enter and stay inside bacterial cells.
A Northwestern University study found that airplane and hospital air mostly contain harmless microbes from human skin, with some potentially pathogenic species in extremely low abundance. The study used worn face masks as a passive tool to monitor indoor air, revealing the invisible world of microbes floating in our shared air.
PathGen is an AI-powered platform that integrates diverse data sources to provide enhanced situational awareness and decision-making support. It enables countries to respond faster to outbreaks while strengthening trust and sovereignty, reducing lives lost and livelihoods disrupted.
Scientists have developed a fast-acting and long-lasting vaccine against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which is one of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases. The vaccine, made from a virus-like replicon particle, provides durable humoral immunity for up to 18 months.
The partnership aims to co-develop and evaluate next-generation self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines targeting seasonal and pandemic influenza. Apriori's Octavia platform will be combined with A*STAR IDL's saRNA delivery technology to develop improved H5 influenza vaccines that anticipate infection in humans.
Researchers are investigating co-evolution between viruses and the immune system to predict future variants and develop effective vaccines and preventive measures. The ERC Synergy Grant will fund a six-year project, CoEvolve, led by physicists Michael Lässig and virologist Florian Klein.
Researchers found that foxtail barley can harbor several fungal pathogens, including those causing net blotch, spot blotch, stem rust, stripe rust, and crown rust. The fungus infected up to 100% of the evaluated accessions, with varying degrees of compatibility
The USF Health Institute for Translational Virology and Innovation advances research on viral diseases, virus-associated cancers, and pandemic pathogens. The institute focuses on understanding the mechanisms of viruses causing tumors and developing comorbidities in HIV patients.
Researchers found that certain individuals can carry large amounts of antibiotic-resistant E. coli ST131 without symptoms and unknowingly pass it on to household members. The study suggests that these
Researchers extracted DNA from Napoleon soldiers' teeth and identified Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis as causes of enteric fever and relapsing fever. The discovery sheds new light on the factors contributing to the army's downfall.
A rare Seoul virus infection was reported in a German woman after visiting a private pet rat breeding facility. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of the virus in several rats from the facility, highlighting the need for better screening and hygiene practices.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
Scientists have discovered a family of enzymes produced by Phytophthora infestans that disable plants' early warning system, weakening their defenses before they can respond. Disabling the genes for these enzymes rendered the pathogen incapable of infecting the host.
Researchers identified 5.05% of individuals carrying pathogenic variants in key cancer susceptibility genes, highlighting a significant association between these genetic variations and increased cancer risk. The study suggests that more extensive genetic screening for these genes may be warranted to identify high-risk individuals.
Researchers found that certain strains of Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) are more effective at invading chicken cells, while others are more lethal in insect models. The study suggests a one-size-fits-all approach to controlling APEC infections is not effective and calls for the development of new vaccines targeting diverse strains.