Articles tagged with Pathogens
US Department of Homeland Security scientist Mark Nicas builds mathematical models of spittle dispersal to inform countermeasures against potential biological attacks and pandemics. His research aims to reduce the risk of infection transmission on airplanes and in other public spaces, advising people to sit at least three rows away fro...
A new review sparks debate over climate change's effect on pathogens, with some arguing it may reduce their ranges in affluent regions. However, others believe disease expansion could occur in areas where humans settle high latitudes and altitudes.
Researchers identified a novel pathway contributing to severe malaria's high mortality in sub-Saharan African children. Disrupted endothelium causes ultra-large von Willebrand factor release, leading to ADAMTS13 inhibition. This study sheds new light on the interaction between malaria parasites and their human host.
A graphical analysis assesses the vulnerability of different US crops to pests, identifying soybean and maize as highly connected, while cotton and wheat are less connected. The study suggests encouraging cropping patterns that disrupt connectivity to minimize pest spread.
Research reveals that California sea otters living in coastal areas with limited resources are more susceptible to diseases caused by parasites. The study found that diet diversity among individual otters can lead to higher infection rates, highlighting the importance of habitat quality for maintaining healthy populations.
Researchers at Centenary Institute in Australia used high-powered multi-photon microscopy to visualize the spread of a parasite through the body, gaining insights into how pathogens are recognized by the immune system. This discovery has potential to improve current vaccinations and inform vaccine design.
Genetic research reveals black rats carried a pathogenic protozoan that exterminated two endemic species on Christmas Island. The study is the first to demonstrate extinction in a mammal due to disease, contradicting most scientists' view of pathogens' effect on species.
A novel topical treatment for cold sores has demonstrated equivalent efficacy to oral systemic drugs without safety or toxicity concerns. The treatment, NB-001, speeds up healing of lesions by 1.3 days and is well-tolerated with no adverse events.
Researchers have discovered a link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein and cancer development. EBNA1 protein disrupts structures in the nucleus of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, interfering with tumor-suppressive processes. This finding raises the possibility that EBV could play a role in other cancers.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new mechanism of immunity that could lead to the development of a more effective pneumococcal vaccine. The study identified specific protective T-cells called TH17 cells, which release protein IL-17 to kill pneumococcus in the nose, significantly reducing the risk of infection.
Research identifies PKG as essential molecule for malaria parasite's reproductive cycle. The protein is necessary for 'rounding up' transformation, allowing fertilization to occur.
Researchers identified BILBO1 as crucial for Flagellar Pocket formation in trypanosomes. The protein is essential for the structure's functions, including endo- and exocytosis. Inhibition of BILBO1 function is fatal to the parasite.
Researchers at Kansas State University have validated a new method to destroy pathogens in beef jerky production, making it safer for consumers. The process involves additional drying time at 68 degrees Celsius to ensure both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are eliminated.
The researchers have developed the first animal model of the chikungunya virus infection, which allows them to study the pathophysiology of the disease. The mouse model reveals that young age and inefficient type-I interferon signaling are risk factors for severe disease.
A recent article in Developmental and Comparative Immunology reveals that plants possess elements of specificity and responsiveness to disease-causing agents, similar to animal immunity. The study suggests that the plant immune surveillance genes diversify at a rate stimulated by pathogen presence, shedding new light on plant immunity.
A team of researchers has discovered a means of inhibiting Entamoeba histolytica, a parasite that causes colitis and kills nearly 100,000 people each year. By targeting a protein called PATMK, the study successfully prevented the parasite from eating dead cells.
Researchers found a key protein switch in Chikungunya Virus that allows it to infect and transmit through the Asian tiger mosquito, increasing its ability to spread to new locations. This mutation enables the virus to adapt to areas without typical vectors, posing a global health threat.
Researchers found seven cases of HIV-1 superinfection in 36 high-risk women over five years after initial infection. The study suggests that immune responses from natural HIV-1 infection may not be effective against re-infection, raising questions about the reliability of current vaccines.
Researchers at the University of Iowa and Veterans Affairs Medical Center discovered how African trypanosomes shed their VSG surface protein to evade the immune system of tsetse flies. This enzyme synergy is a key step in the pathogenesis of sleeping sickness, which affects 60 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Research suggests human activities are amplifying the impact of Sudden Oak Death, a forest-destroying disease caused by an invasive water mold. The study found that connected forests with high host species abundance have higher pathogen loads, while smaller, isolated forests have lower disease levels.
A new virus has been identified as the cause of death in three organ transplant recipients in Australia, who received organs from the same donor. The virus is related to known strains of lymphocytic choreomeningitis virus but has a distinct genetic sequence that could not be detected with existing diagnostic methods.
A new triplex assay developed by Ingeneus Research enables direct detection of base sequences in human genomic DNA, eliminating the need for PCR. The assay uses YOYO-1 to de-condense duplex targets, allowing specific oligo probes to bind and detect sequence variations.
US crops are susceptible to attack by terrorists, who could use devastating plant pathogens as weapons. The need for prevention and preparedness strategies is crucial, including border inspections, crop surveillance, and rapid pathogen identification.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered that a combination of ozone, high-intensity ultrasound, electrolyzed water, irradiation, and temperature is most effective in reducing E. coli 0157:H7 pathogens to meet FDA standards.
A population-based study of 13,613 brain tumor cases in Sweden found that people with four or more siblings were twice as likely to develop a brain tumor. Children under 15 with three or more younger siblings had a two to fourfold increase in brain tumors compared to those with no siblings.
American researchers have created a new basis for portable, multiplexed biodetection systems using silver and gold striped nanowires as supports for simultaneous immunological tests. The unique patterns of stripes act like barcodes, allowing for fast and accurate identification of multiple pathogens.
The Program in Systems Immunology and Infectious Disease Modeling (PSIIM) aims to understand complex biochemical networks regulating interactions between pathogens and human cells. The program employs Simmune software to simulate biological systems, enabling scientists to predict how drugs affect cell behavior and develop new treatments.
Researchers found that malaria and potato famine pathogens use similar protein sequences to infect cells, but deliver different toxic proteins. This discovery could lead to the development of a dual-purpose drug targeting both Plasmodium falciparum and Phytophthora infestans.
A study analyzing 35 soldiers' remains identified lice carrying DNA from Bartonella quintana and Rickettsia prowazakii, linking these diseases to Napoleon's retreat from Russia. The findings suggest louse-borne diseases were a major factor in the army's decline.
The BEADS system detects toxin from environmental samples, then uses antibodies to purify and concentrate the pathogen or toxin for accurate detection. The system has been commercially licensed and can detect multiple pathogens simultaneously.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a detection technique using DNA to pinpoint diseases and pathogens. The system, which involves a fluorescent dye attached to probe DNA, can detect target DNA sequences in a matter of seconds and is being seen as a potential game-changer for clinical care and environmental monitoring.
A new program aims to reduce food-related illnesses by investigating the causes of these illnesses and identifying effective interventions. Led by Canadian researcher Jan Sargeant at McMaster University, this US-funded initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from 18 colleges and universities.
PathPort is a life sciences interoperability framework providing access to biological characterizations of known pathogens and their near relatives. The project aims to aid in detection, identification, and analysis of high-priority pathogens using its analytical tools and data models.
Changes in land use have implications for disease distribution and human health, with activities like deforestation and urban sprawl contributing to the spread of Lyme disease and malaria. The report calls for policy changes and research investments to address these issues.
Researchers found that climatic factors are the most important determinant of human pathogen distribution, contradicting conventional assumptions about disease control. Understanding ecological links between disease and environment could inform effective preventive strategies.
A recent study has identified 14 resistant vegetable varieties that can help pumpkin growers wait out the deadly P. capsici pathogen. Rotating these crops may provide a temporary solution until the pathogen is safe to plant pumpkins again, which could mitigate yield losses of up to 100 percent.
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.
Researchers developed a framework to account for mutations in models assessing emerging infectious disease emergence, highlighting the potential for long transmission chains and disease adaptation. The model suggests that even low reproductive numbers can lead to dramatic outbreaks as new strains evolve.
A new study reveals that marine epidemics spread approximately 100 times faster than comparable terrestrial epidemics. This faster rate of spread is attributed to the lack of barriers to pathogen dispersal in marine environments and better long-term survival of mobile infectious stages.
Tufts University has been awarded a $25-million NIH contract to collaborate with the University of Massachusetts on developing ways to diagnose and treat botulism poisoning, one of the most dangerous bioterrorism threats facing the US. The research will focus on identifying human pathogens that can cause disease in food or water.
Researchers are developing faster methods to detect pathogens in the environment, such as DNA-based field assays and real-time PCR systems. However, challenges persist, including identifying the viability of pathogens and distinguishing between natural and genetically modified organisms.
Researchers analyzed historical records of measles and whooping cough infections in European cities from 1883 to 1932, finding that the diseases exhibit negative correlation when one disease removes susceptible hosts. This 'ecological interference' can lead to alternating cycles of infection, affecting multiple strain dynamics.
The NIAID's new center will support research on three to 10 important pathogens over the next three years. It will develop new technologies for analyzing gene function, train researchers, and provide resources for the scientific community. The center aims to better understand individual genes and proteins to develop targeted treatments.
Bioterrorism poses a significant threat to US agriculture, with pathogens like soybean rust capable of devastating yields and contaminating the food supply. Experts are working to identify the most-threatening pathogens and develop strategies for prevention and response.
A team of chemists has created a completely synthetic vaccine by synthesizing the epitope of Neisseria meningiditis. The new vaccine uses a system that mimics conventional vaccines and may offer fewer side effects. Researchers are optimistic about the potential for this technology to improve vaccine development in the future.