The Sex Issue news
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NewsA new test will make it possible to detect the parasite responsible for trichomoniasis more quickly and inexpensively
A sensitive, cheap and rapid test is developed to detect the parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis, which causes one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections, using an innovative approach that targets highly specific molecules with short nucleic acid sequences.
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NewsNew 3D imaging approach reveals intricate steps of virus assembly
A new integrated 3D imaging approach combines cryo-light microscopy and cryo-soft X-ray tomography to reveal the intricate ultrastructure of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) assembly.
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NewsLactobacillus-dominated uterus significantly boosts pregnancy outcomes
Researchers analyzed recent studies on the reproductive microbiome and its effects on fertility. They found that a Lactobacillus-dominated (LD) uterine environment significantly improves pregnancy outcomes. Similarly, pregnancy success rates were higher in LD environments.
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NewsNew therapy may effectively control HIV in Uganda
Clinical trials showed an effective antiviral drug, known as lenacapavir, against HIV in Uganda, and has also been tested for drug resistance in different subtype strains.
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NewsNeonatal HSV infections may lead to long-term cognitive impairment
A study has demonstrated that maternal vaccination against herpes simplex virus (HSV) could ameliorate neurological impairment from infected offspring in mice, providing insights for human clinical trials and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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NewsUsing population-level characteristics for the surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea
As the antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) gonorrhea poses a major threat to public health, there is an urgent need for expanding the surveillance of its prevalance to control the spread of the pathogen, through monitoring its association with the population density and HIV prevalence in cities.
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NewsNew method ‘fishes’ for bacterial STI DNA, revealing how Chlamydia spreads and adapts
Scientists have developed a cutting-edge “target enrichment” technology for bacterial STIs. Using specially designed molecular probes, they “fished” for bacterial STI DNA from clinical samples, enabling high-resolution genome analysis.
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NewsAfter sexual intercourse, both partners leave traces of their own unique genital microbiome
Researchers have shown that bacterial species are transferred between both individuals during sexual intercourse, and these species can be traced to a sexual partner’s unique genital microbiome, with potential for identifying perpetrators of sexual assault.
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NewsGlobal sisterhood seeks to understand what makes a healthy vaginal microbiome
A study shares insights gleaned from a ’sisterhood’ of thousands of citizen scientists, illuminating gaps in knowledge about the vaginal microbiome, including which bacteria are helpful or harmful and whether microbiomes look different for people across the globe.
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NewsHuman papillomavirus infection kinetics revealed in new longitudinal study
Non-persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are characterized by a sharp increase in viral load followed by a long plateau, according to a new study.
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NewsChanges in microbiome predict risk for sexually transmitted disease
Researchers have found that bacterial vaginosis consists of two subtypes—one of which significantly increases the risk of developing chlamydia infections.
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NewsParasite ‘matchmakers’ genetically alter plant cells to attract insects
Researchers have revealed how parasitic phytoplasmas manipulate plant biology to act as matchmakers, boosting male insect appeal by modulating hosts to attract more reproductive females.
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NewsAs prevention strategy for sexually transmitted infections rolls out, experts highlight both promise and knowledge gaps
Real-world evidence demonstrates that the postexposure strategy of doxy PEP is reducing the rate of syphilis and chlamydia, but has had little to no effect on gonorrhea and needs close monitoring for signals of antibiotic resistance.
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NewsNew study shows plummeting STIs with doxyPEP use
A new study has found that rates of chlamydia and syphilis plummet among people prescribed doxycycline for sexually transmitted infection prevention in routine clinical care.
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NewsStudy links vaginal microbiome differences to higher cervical cancer rates in Native American women
Researchers found that protective microorganisms were present at higher rates in non-Native women compared with Native American women.
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NewsSyphilis had its roots in the Americas, archaeological bone reveals
New research supports a root in the Americas for syphilis and its known relatives, and their introduction to Europe starting in the late 15th century is most consistent with the data, scientists say.
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NewsAround 1 in 5 of the world’s under 50s living with genital herpes (HSV)
Around 1 in 5 of the world’s under 50s—846 million people—are living with genital herpes infection, and more than 200 million 15-49 year olds probably had at least one symptomatic outbreak of the infection in 2020, suggest the latest global estimates.
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NewsUniversity awarded $1.5 million to study vaginal bacterial disorder linked to serious health risks
With a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine will study the dynamics of bacterial vaginosis in hopes of identifying a more effective approach.
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NewsWomen’s health company Freya Biosciences announces key $10.4m strategic investment
Freya Biosciences, a transatlantic biotech company specializing in women’s health, has announced a major strategic investment which will be used to develop microbial immunotherapies for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
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NewsResearcher targets BV, a common infection affecting women
A biomedical professor is targeting one of the most common – and dangerous – infections in women. With the help of a five-uear grant, she will study Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and, ultimately, offer more effective personalized treatments.