Articles tagged with Toxins
Research from WashU Medicine found that cholera toxin hyperactivates a key signaling molecule in intestinal cells, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration. People with type O blood are more susceptible to this effect, making them more likely to die from cholera.
Researchers have found evidence that botulinum toxins can move beyond the injection site, entering nerve cells and causing symptoms consistent with botulism. The study uses a lab dish system to visualize toxin movement, shedding light on the potential for remote effects of this deadly substance.
A new strain of C. difficile is killing up to 15% of infected patients due to its potent toxin that destroys protective cells, leading to increased inflammation. Researchers suggest blocking the toxin could lead to a new treatment to stop this deadly strain.
Researchers found that combining anthrax toxin proteins with chemotherapy drugs can selectively target blood vessel cells feeding tumors, reducing tumor growth. The treatment regimen showed durable anti-tumor effects in mice, warranting further exploration for cancer therapy.
A new study suggests that dispensary-grade cannabis may contain harmful yeasts and toxic molds, compromising its medicinal benefits. The researchers recommend re-evaluating culture-based techniques and conducting additional sequencing-based studies to investigate the cannabis microbiome.
A team of researchers has pinpointed the genetics behind a select group of garter snakes' ability to eat poisonous newts, revealing an evolutionary 'building blocks' pattern. The study found that resistant muscle evolved after resistant nerves, with the ancestors of garter snakes gaining toxin-resistant nerves almost 40 million years ago.
The American Academy of Neurology has updated its guidelines for the use of botulinum toxin in treating spasticity, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, and chronic migraine. The guideline recommends that botulinum toxin is generally safe and effective for these conditions.
Research reveals typhoid toxin promotes long-term colonization without disease in infected hosts, reducing intestinal inflammation and altering gut microbiome. Chronic infection was not linked to cancer development, highlighting a novel immune modulating role for the toxin.
A new species of fruit fly, Drosophila yakuba, has evolved to consume yeast growing on the toxic noni fruit. Genetic analysis revealed that this adaptation occurred around 30,000 years ago, providing a unique opportunity to study evolutionary changes and genetic adaptations in response to environmental pressures.
Researchers discovered that altering one atom in a natural inhibitor, InsP6, increases its ability to neutralize toxins by 26-fold. The study highlights the importance of water and hydrogen bonding in molecular interactions.
A spider toxin analogue, PnPP-19, has shown promise in relieving pain by targeting nervous system receptors similar to opioids and cannabis. The compound is also being studied for erectile dysfunction treatment.
New research documents high levels of algal toxins in Alaskan marine mammals, including whales, walruses, and sea otters. The study finds a major northward expansion of toxin-exposed areas along the Pacific Coast, with implications for human consumption.
Researchers discovered that certain sea slugs selectively store the toxin Latrunculin A, which is more toxic to cancer cell lines than other compounds. Bright colours and chemical defences are used by these creatures to warn potential predators away.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures reduce desert woodrats' ability to eat their normal diet of toxic creosote bushes. This could lead to animals changing their diets, relocating to cooler habitats or going extinct in local areas.
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that metformin decreases the production of toxins elevated in preeclampsia and helps heal injured blood vessels. The drug is considered safe during pregnancy, offering a potential new treatment option for women with preeclampsia.
A WHO Task Force calculated illnesses, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for four chemicals: dioxin, aflatoxin, peanut allergen, and cyanide in cassava. Aflatoxin was associated with the highest global DALYs, while dioxin caused the most illnesses.
Researchers found that only half of water bodies have fish consumption advisories in line with EPA recommendations. The largest fish sizes need new advisories, affecting up to 65% of sites examined.
Scientists have identified the enzyme responsible for synthesizing tenuazonic acid (TeA), a well-known fungus-killing toxin that affects rice and other crops. The unique TeA synthetase 1 (TAS1) enzyme has an NRPS-PKS structure, previously thought to be exclusive to bacteria.
A recent study published in PNAS has shed light on the mechanism of action of HigB, a bacterial toxin that contributes to antibiotic resistance. The researchers found that HigB selectively degrades specific mRNAs, leading to the formation of persister cells that are tolerant to antibiotics.
Scientists at STRI in Panama compared the diets of two caterpillar species and found that generalist moth caterpillars could actively store toxic plant chemicals in their bodies. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding plant-insect coevolution and has potential medical applications.
A new portable device can accurately screen for marine toxins in shellfish, allowing for quick testing on boats and at remote locations. This innovation solves a pressing problem for the fishing industry, enabling safe sale and consumption of tainted shellfish.
USF researchers received over $1.2 million in federal grants from NOAA to develop new technologies for predicting and identifying red tide. The research aims to improve forecasting capabilities, mitigate the effects of harmful algal blooms, and protect public health and marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.
Researchers have developed a drug that disables C. difficile toxins, preventing intestinal damage and allowing the gut to repopulate with healthy bacteria. The breakthrough could lead to rapid human trials for treating deadly C. difficile infections.
A new UC Davis study found that molecular tests, commonly used in US hospitals, often misdiagnose patients with C. difficile infection, leading to over-treatment and potential harm. The study suggests that traditional toxin tests are more effective in predicting clinical disease and outcomes.
Researchers have identified a toxin from salmonid fish that can be used to treat cancer by inhibiting the switch protein RhoA, which is involved in cell division and tumor metastasis. The toxin, Afp18, attaches a sugar molecule to RhoA, causing it to collapse and blocking cell division.
Researchers at Clemson University are studying Bt toxin hybrids to control pest populations in corn. They found that some resistant insects have developed changes in susceptibility to the toxins, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management strategies.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder discovered that halogen reactions from ocean air can turn mercury into a water-soluble form that stays high in the atmosphere for long periods. This process may help explain why mercury deposition is so widespread and persistent in some regions.
A new study estimates Florida's annual incidence of ciguatera toxin poisoning at about 5.6 cases per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the previous estimate of .2 cases per 100,000. The highest risk areas are around Miami and in the Florida Keys.
A new study found that toxic algal blooms in reservoirs on the Klamath River can travel over 180 miles downriver and create unsafe water conditions. The blooms can accumulate to concentrations that pose health risks to people, pets, and wildlife, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and public health outreach.
A study by Northwestern University scientists found that a Vibrio vulnificus toxin can inhibit tumor cell growth by cutting the Ras protein, which is central to cell division and survival. The toxin's ability to cleave Ras, rather than modify it, represents a novel mechanism for inactivating this protein.
A new study found that genetically modified corn's Cry1Ab toxin has little impact on the corn earworm, contradicting earlier predictions. The results suggest that pest resistance to GM crops may be more widespread than initially thought, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and research.
Treatment with Botox improves skin pliability and elasticity, mimicking more youthful skin. However, these changes last only for four months, returning to pre-treatment levels.
The accumulation of perfluoroalkyl substances in Canadian birds' eggs is a complex issue with varying trends among species. Some toxins are decreasing due to manufacturing phase-outs, while others continue to rise in the oceanic environment.
A plant toxin has been found to cause biliary atresia, a rare and debilitating liver disease, in animal models. The toxin, isolated from Australian plants, selectively destroys the bile ducts outside the liver, leading to scarring and preventing bile flow.
A study published in JAMA found that administering oral spores of a non-toxigenic C. difficile strain can significantly reduce the risk of CDI recurrence. The treatment, known as NTCD-M3, showed a 30% lower recurrence rate compared to placebo.
A meta-analysis found intragastric injection of botulinum toxin A effective for treating obesity, with significant weight loss in treated patients compared to placebo. Additionally, a study concluded that flexible endoscopes can be stored for up to 21 days after reprocessing without microbial colonization
Botulinum toxin A injections significantly improve lower lip symmetry in children with facial paralysis. The treatment is safe and has the potential to restore permanent symmetry.
A study by American Chemical Society researchers found that oat-based breakfast cereals exceeded EU standards for ochratoxin A levels in 8% of samples. The findings highlight the need for improved oat production, storage, and processing to protect consumer health.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that mercury concentrations in Hawaiian yellowfin tuna increased at a rate of 3.8% per year from 1998 to 2008, likely due to rising atmospheric mercury levels. This increase is consistent with global trends and highlights the need for stricter policies to reduce mercury emissions.
A new study led by University of Arizona scientists found that transgenic crops producing two or more Bt toxins do not effectively delay pest evolution. In reality, the actual efficacy against pests often does not live up to computer simulation models, leading to inadequate management guidelines.
A new study suggests that biotechnology and traditional agriculture can be compatible approaches toward sustainable agriculture. Combining computer modeling and field research, the international team found that diverse patchwork of crops in northern China slowed adaptation to genetically engineered cotton by a wide-ranging insect pest.
Professor Christian Hertweck has been awarded the prestigious Leibniz Prize for his groundbreaking research on biologically active compounds. His team discovered that endosymbiotic bacteria living within fungal cells are responsible for producing toxins, challenging the long-held belief that fungi produce these toxins.
Researchers found that humans are susceptible to typhoid fever due to the absence of enzyme CMAH, which reconfigures sugar molecules on cell surfaces. This discovery has implications for developing new therapies for typhoid fever.
Research reveals that Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains infecting adults and children globally have similar toxins and virulence factors, indicating potential for a single, effective vaccine.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists have developed a way to use stem cells in the fight against brain cancer. They genetically engineered stem cells to produce and secrete tumor-killing toxins, which were shown to kill cancer cells in mouse brains. This method solves the delivery issue that led to previous clinical trial failures.
Researchers have developed a novel probe that reports on the electrical activity of cells using tarantula toxin, allowing for the observation of voltage-activated ion channels in live cells. This breakthrough has the potential to help scientists understand the function of specific ion channels and identify drug targets for neurological...
A new gene therapy approach has been shown to be effective in preventing and treating botulism exposure, with a single treatment leading to prolonged production of antitoxin proteins. The therapy, known as VNA gene therapy, can protect against toxin-mediated diseases such as C. difficile and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections.
A new study shows that the Greater Toronto Area has reduced some smog precursors by at least 20% since 2004, but still exceeds Canada's ozone standards due to high sunshine and calm winds. The research found that lower ozone levels between 2008 and 2011 were offset by a record-high summer ozone concentration in 2012.
Researchers have found that modern maize has lost its ability to produce a defense chemical called E-β-caryophyllene, making it vulnerable to insects and pathogens. By introducing a gene from oregano, scientists were able to restore this chemical production, attracting beneficial nematode worms that kill corn rootworm larvae.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that saliva enzymes, blood proteins, and muscle proteins can protect against DNA damage caused by pyrogallol-like polyphenols (PLPs) in teas, coffees, and liquid smoke flavorings. The presence of these defenses may explain why PLPs are not causing widespread illness despite their toxic effects.
Researchers discover protein toxic to nematodes, protecting fungus and plant roots from parasites. The toxin docks on modified sugar structures, paving the way for novel vaccines against parasites and pathogenic germs.
The investigational vaccine generates an immune response against key toxins in volunteers and establishes a dosing regimen for Phase III trials, which could help prevent first-occurrence CDI and protect individuals from this potentially life-threatening infection.
A team of nanoengineers at UC San Diego created a 3D-printed hydrogel matrix to house nanoparticles, mimicking the function of the liver in sensing and capturing toxins from the blood. The device successfully neutralized pore-forming toxins, offering a potential solution for removing dangerous toxins from the blood.
A new pilot program uses robotic instruments and computer modeling analysis to track the harmful algal bloom in the Gulf of Maine. The deployment of four Environmental Sample Processors (ESP) will provide near real-time data on toxic algae, helping decision-makers keep people safe.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found a toxin released by star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes that kills nearby motor neurons, leading to neuron loss in human ALS models. The study suggests new potential for slowing down or stopping the destruction of motor neurons and improving drug targets.
A moderate loss of soil microbes may compromise key ecosystem functions and lower toxin degradation. Research found that specialized bacterial functions are not as effective without a rich diversity of soil bacteria.
Researchers at The Rockefeller University demonstrate that engineering Fc domains of anti-toxin antibodies enhances toxin neutralization activity. Mice expressing humanized FcR were better protected from anthrax toxin when given engineered anti-anthrax toxin antibodies.
Engineered anti-toxin antibodies have been shown to increase toxin neutralization activity by enhancing the interaction between toxins and Fc receptors on immune cells, improving protection against anthrax toxin. Additionally, prenatal retinoid deficiency has been linked to airway hyperresponsiveness in adult mice, highlighting the imp...
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified marine bacteria that can effectively inhibit the ability of staphylococci to form toxins and camouflage proteins. These compounds, known as antivirulence therapy, may offer a new solution for treating resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a new vaccine that targets staph toxins, providing almost complete protection against staph infections. The vaccine was tested in an animal model and found to be effective even against high doses of bacteria.