Articles tagged with Pathogens
A study of 869 Tsimane women over 12 years found that high birthrates do not significantly impact maternal health, contrary to expectations. Despite a harsh environment with limited nutrition and high parasite exposure, women experience minimal health costs from their intense reproductive effort.
A new study from UTSA professor Mark Eppinger describes innovative strategies to track disease-causing pathogens like E. coli, featuring whole genome sequence typing of outbreak strains. By analyzing subtle traits among outbreaks, researchers can pinpoint the origin and severity of an outbreak.
Researchers discovered TNF's mechanism to protect against intracellular pathogens like Leishmania major. By inhibiting arginase 1, TNF increases nitric oxide production, which suppresses the pathogens, providing a plausible explanation for increased infection susceptibility during anti-TNF treatments.
Researchers have identified potential new antimalarial drugs targeting the parasite's heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a key player in its survival and resistance to treatments. The study uses innovative modelling technology to isolate compounds that can destroy the pathogen without affecting human cells.
A new study by Kaitlin Wowak and colleagues reveals that time pressures, supply chain permeation, and product characteristics hinder traceability. To overcome these barriers, firms can adopt different traceability requirements for perishable products and use 'nicknames' to track blended products.
The study analyzed 1,297 invasive insect pests on 124 countries, finding the US, China, India, and Brazil to be the highest potential cost impacters. Smaller developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately vulnerable due to their reliance on agriculture.
Researchers developed a new technique to study the gene shuffling process that creates diverse immune cell receptors. By analyzing the frequency of use of different V segment genes, they uncovered complex regulatory mechanisms involved in receptor diversity.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new packaging method that enhances the safety and quality of onions, one of the highest-volume vegetables sold worldwide. The package and sanitizer combination led to diced onions being acceptable for purchase after two weeks of storage.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified an immune protein called RELMalpha that protects the body from damage caused by hookworm infections. The protein is found in mice and is expected to function similarly in humans.
A study found that adjunctive use of minocycline microspheres significantly reduced levels of subgingival bacterial species and improved clinical outcomes for patients with peri-implantitis. This resulted in a greater reduction in pocket depth compared to mechanical debridement alone.
Pathogens and Immunity, an online, open-access journal, simplifies the submission and review process, reducing it from one day to five minutes. Senior editors at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine revise biomedical publications standards in immunology and infectious diseases.
A recent study suggests that the Bombus occidentalis bumble bee may be making a comeback in the Pacific Northwest. The population's resurgence is believed to be linked to evolution and a decline in the impact of the Nosema parasite. This reversal could have significant implications for local ecosystems.
A World Health Organization task force found that up to 33 million healthy life years are lost each year due to foodborne diseases. Diarrheal disease agents were the most frequent causes of foodborne illness, particularly norovirus and Campylobacter spp.
Researchers found that urban areas have higher pathogen abundance and lower honey bee survival rates compared to rural environments. The study suggests that increased transmission rates in urban areas may be the primary cause of this effect.
The study reveals that vultures have a strong immune system due to their diet and genetic adaptations. The cinereous vulture's genome shows variations in genes related to immunity and defense against microbial and viral infections, which may help combat pathogens in their diet.
Helper T cell proteins Oct1 and OCA-B work together to put immune response genes on standby, allowing for rapid activation upon re-exposure. This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms controlling immunological memory in CD4+ cells.
Three new species of trombiculid mites and 23 new records of previously-known species have been found in Taiwan, increasing the total number of chigger species to 47. The discovery highlights the potential for more species to be discovered in mountainous regions.
Engineers at the University of California, Riverside discovered that nearly 15% of baby spinach leaf surface area may reach concentrations as low as 1000 times that of bleach disinfectant, allowing bacteria to survive and spread. The study highlights the limitations of current disinfection methods in reducing cross-contamination.
Kasturi Haldar and Grant McFadden emphasize the importance of basic research in their articles on PLOS Pathogens. They share their personal experiences and highlight how fundamental research can lead to breakthroughs in fields like malaria, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at Northeastern University have identified dormant persister cells in Borrelia burgdorferi that evade antibiotics. Two potential methods to eradicate the infection were also found, including pulse-dosing an antibiotic to eliminate persisters.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have discovered plant receptors with built-in decoys that detect pathogens, triggering the plant's defense mechanism. These receptors are designed to trick pathogens into binding with them, which then triggers a shutdown of the cell to contain the pathogen.
A joint study reveals the power of citizen science in predicting the emergence and spread of sudden oak death, a fungus-like disease that has felled hundreds of thousands of trees in California. The SOD Blitz model, created using crowdsourced data, correctly predicts the presence of the pathogen 74% of the time.
Researchers tracked protein coats on sleeping sickness parasite, finding up to 80 distinct disguises present at any time. This challenges conventional understanding of antigenic variation and its role in parasite survival.
Research finds mice infected with Lyme disease pathogen facilitate spread of babesiosis, a lesser-known emerging disease. Lyme disease and babesiosis share symptoms, but babesiosis is potentially fatal in immunocompromised patients and poses additional public health threat.
The study identified seven vectored and five non-vectored disease regions, highlighting the impact of colonization, climate, and geography on disease distribution. Researchers found that not all pathogens are limited to specific geographic areas, suggesting a complex relationship between humans and their associated diseases.
Researchers detected Giardia duodenalis in mussels near coastal areas where California Sea Lions lounge, suggesting a potential public health risk. The study highlights the importance of testing filter-feeding shellfish to detect waterborne pathogens.
Researchers have uncovered how chlamydia, a leading sexually transmitted pathogen, has evolved to evade its hosts through genomic shuffling and adaptation. The study found extensive genetic variation between chlamydia families, highlighting the importance of understanding this diversity for developing new therapeutics.
Researchers found that malaria parasites manipulate host body odor to make infected individuals more attractive to hungry mosquitoes. Even after symptoms have subsided, the scent of infected mice remained elevated for life, suggesting a lifelong impact on the disease.
International scientists argue that crucial scientific questions remain unanswered and important public health goals unmet in the case of smallpox. Research on live variola virus remains vital due to recent advances in synthetic biology and ongoing knowledge gaps, making its destruction less meaningful.
A new study questions the Environmental Protection Agency's emergency water treatment guidelines, suggesting they may be too harsh and impractical to carry out. The researchers found that using more chlorine bleach than necessary can kill disease-causing pathogens, but is often not feasible due to lack of proper equipment and supplies.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that coughs and sneezes create a multiphase turbulent buoyant cloud that extends the range of infectious droplets. Smaller droplets can travel up to 200 times farther than previously estimated, while larger droplets fall out, allowing smaller drops to be resuspended by gas clouds.
A team of researchers at the Technical University of Munich has identified a receptor that limits the immune response to uric acid crystals, preventing overreaction and damaging healthy tissue. The discovery sheds light on the fundamental mechanism by which the immune system recognizes crystalline structures.
A study found that harvested rainwater frequently contains pathogens like Legionella, Klebsiella, and Yersinia, posing a significant public health hazard, especially for vulnerable populations. The research highlights the need for pretreatment of rainwater before consumption or use in households.
Scientists boosted potato resistance to late blight without deploying fungicides in a three-year GM research trial. The study found non-transgenic plants were 100% infected while GM plants remained fully resistant., The GM technology triggers the plant's natural defense mechanisms, enabling it to recognize and resist the pathogen.
Researchers have discovered an infectious form of the cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii in western Arctic Belugas, raising public health concerns. The discovery also highlights the impact of climate change on pathogen circulation, allowing previously isolated parasites to spread to new hosts.
A study by the University of Exeter reveals that crop pests are greatly underestimated in developing countries, posing a significant threat to global food security. With many nations underreporting pest loads, investment in pest observations is crucial to identifying and controlling losses.
Researchers discovered two garlic compounds that significantly reduce Cronobacter sakazakii contamination in dry infant formula powder. These compounds have the potential to eliminate the pathogen before it reaches consumers, easing concerns for new mothers who opt not to breastfeed.
E-health systems face a significant disruption due to inadequate adoption, leading to ineffective response to pandemic diseases like influenza. A multi-pronged approach is proposed to assess preparedness, identify gaps, and implement necessary technology and protocols.
A study by North Carolina State University found that the Irish potato famine-causing pathogen Phytophthora infestans has evolved into a more virulent form, with modern strains containing genes not present in historical samples.
A team of researchers found that E. coli contamination on spinach farms is strongly influenced by factors such as time since last irrigation, workers' personal hygiene, and field use prior to planting produce. The study also identified the role of weather in producing contamination as a critical factor.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified leptospirosis as a significant health threat in Botswana, where the disease can cause flu-like symptoms, meningitis, and even death if untreated. The pathogen was found in banded mongoose, which can transmit the disease to humans through contaminated water or soil.
Researchers found that B cells improve antibody molecules through a process of somatic hypermutation, increasing selection pressure on their own products. This mechanism could accelerate vaccination methods by producing optimal antibodies earlier.
Researchers found that countries with eliminated malaria have maintained their malaria-free states with remarkable stability, challenging traditional theory. The elimination of malaria may be less costly to achieve and maintain than previously thought, according to the study published in Science journal.
A new study found that nearly half of all retail firewood sold in the US West is infested with live insects. The research highlights the risks of untreated firewood transporting pests and pathogens to uninfested areas. Heat-treating firewood before sale could help mitigate these risks.
Male Alpine chamois with heterozygous immune genes survive longer than those with identical copies, particularly in areas affected by scabies. This sex-specific fitness benefit may be due to the enhanced immunity conferred by different immune gene variants.
Researchers reveal that Langerhans cells can perform either immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory functions depending on the situation. They found that LCs induce proliferation of regulatory T cells to maintain tolerance under normal conditions, but also stimulate protective immune responses against pathogens.
A new study reveals that the pattern of gene regulation in plant pathogens is shaped by their past environments, not just their genetic makeup. This finding has significant implications for disease control and may require a new approach to regulating microbial activity.
A study by Spanish researchers confirms ticks' ability to adapt to climate, posing a risk to public health and animal conservation. The parasites carry exotic illnesses and increase the prevalence of endemic pathogens, especially in arid environments.
Research shows that Tsimane men have lower baseline testosterone levels compared to US men, but exhibit similar short-term spikes in response to competition. This finding suggests a unique adaptation to their environment, where parasites and pathogens are more prevalent.
A new mathematical model reveals that hosts can gain a unique evolutionary advantage when interacting with parasites through multiple traits. This discovery may help explain how humans, plants, and animals evolve to withstand parasite attacks.
A recent study by UBC researchers has identified the increasing presence of terrestrial pathogens in marine mammals along the Pacific coast. The team calls for improved surveillance and collaboration to monitor public health implications and reduce land-sea transfer of pollutants.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência receive €2.2 million funding to investigate mechanisms behind 'tolerance to infection'. They aim to identify protective genetic programs controlling tissue damage in various diseases, paving the way for new therapeutic interventions.
A novel mouse model shows that peripheral viral infections can cause CNS disease through inflammation-induced neuropathology. Co-infection with two viruses led to symptoms and death in mice, shedding light on the phenomenon of 'mis-recruitment' of immune cells.
A University of Illinois study found that cleanliness of seeds is crucial in preventing foodborne pathogens in radish, broccoli, and alfalfa sprouts. The study suggests that industry attention to seed cleanliness can help eliminate E. coli and other microorganisms during germination and sprouting.
USDA scientists found that non-pathogenic E. coli strains can survive longer in underwater sediments than in water, supporting the use of sediment as an indicator of fecal contamination. The study also revealed that higher levels of organic carbon and fine particles in sediment prolonged E. coli survival.
Researchers applied E. coli O157:H7 to subprimals and found that only 3-4% of the bacteria were transported to the center of the meat after being tenderized. Proper cooking on a commercial gas grill eliminated the microbe, with internal temperatures of 120F, 130F, or 140F killing all remaining cells.
Scientists have identified how E. coli O157:H7 colonizes fresh-cut lettuce, providing new insights for food safety. The bacteria breaks down leaf cells, releasing carbohydrates and antimicrobial compounds that can be used as energy sources.
The USDA has identified six lesser-known Escherichia coli types, known as the Big Six, which are increasingly of concern to food safety scientists. Researchers have developed gene-based PCR assays for each type, allowing for quick and reliable identification and detection.
A study of beef 'trim' found US procedures for monitoring imported beef trim are adequate for detecting pathogens like E. coli. Researchers have since shared pathogen detection technologies with Uruguayan national laboratories.
Researchers discovered that a supposedly inactive protein ROP5 plays a crucial role in Toxoplasma gondii's ability to cause disease, suggesting the possible role of similarly errant proteins in other diseases. The team engineered strains without ROP5 and found the pathogen was unable to cause disease in mice.