One health
Communicable diseases remain one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. There are disparities in the numbers of individuals affected by disease between low-and-middle-income countries and those in developed nations. Microbes will play in important role in drug discovery: producing anticancer drugs and antimicrobials. Applying One Health principles, to understand the interaction of pathogens and the human host, development of diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention, applied microbiologists can shape global health and wellbeing outcomes.
News
Algae microbots take aim at bladder cancer
Tiny algae-based robots guided by magnets could improve bladder cancer treatment by boosting delivery of chemotherapy drugs into tumours. Tracked using real-time imaging, the miniature robots help drugs penetrate deep into tumour tissue while limiting damage to healthy cells.
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NewsUrgent hot tub health warning as Britain prepares to sizzle
As Britain prepares to sizzle with temperatures expected to reach 37°C in some areas over the next four days, water experts are warning that a potentially deadly disease can thrive in hot tubs, pools and other domestic water devices.
NewsLow risk of global spread of Ebola disease, analysis suggests
Researchers identified and analysed all known Ebola disease cases outside Africa to assess the risk of undetected Orthoebolavirus transmission outside Africa and to put it into context with possible border and travel policies.
NewsHow H5N1 bird flu hid unrecognized for weeks in dairy cattle
A new study reveals why H5N1 influenza infection looked so different in dairy cows, offering a framework for spotting new host species quickly. Instead of affecting the lungs, it caused severe infection in the cows’ udders, largely sparing the lungs.
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News
Oropouche virus has already infected more than 5 million people in Brazil, study suggests
The recent Oropouche virus outbreak in 2023 has drawn attention in Brazil and other Latin American countries because of its scale and rapid spread. Researchers estimate that since 1960, the virus has infected approximately 9.4 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean.
NewsNew study shows near-complete reduction of cervical cancer deaths among HPV-vaccinated adolescents in England
A new study suggests the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine may be responsible for a near-complete protective effect against death from cervical cancer among women under 30 in England who received the vaccine between 12-18 years old.
NewsReservoir of drug-resistant germs IDed in national surveillance collaboration
Researchers who screened more than 2,000 samples across 42 states say there is a rapidly evolving, plasmid-driven epidemic of community-associated multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae across the United States.
NewsNasal photodisinfection cuts surgical infections in complex brain surgery by 78%
A pilot involving 189 patients using nasal photodisinfection prior to complex brain procedures performed through the nose has led to a 78% reduction in surgical site infections (SSIs) and recorded no cases of meningitis.
NewsSweeping product analysis reveals path to more effective probiotic supplements
Probiotic supplements in drugstores contain microbes sold for specific health purposes despite limited understanding of their connections to their marketed use. But scientists have assembled computer models that could lead to more effective products to shape our microbiomes to improve health.
NewsKey facts about Hantavirus and Ebola virus disease
Ebola and hantavirus have made headlines in recent weeks as they pose serious threats to public health. Two succinct articles provide information about each disease for clinicians.
NewsAI reveals unexpected source of antibiotic candidates in prion proteins
Prion and prion-like proteins may hide short peptides, named “prionins,” that can kill bacteria, suggesting proteins best known for their role in neurodegeneration may contain molecular features linked to immune defense, according to new research.
NewsOndine to showcase new research combining light therapy and chlorhexidine to enhance infection prevention
Ondine Biomedical, a global leader in photodisinfection technologies for the prevention and treatment of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, will present new research highlighting advances in its technology.
NewsThe nose knows: Electric schnoz can smell when your food’s gone bad
A new “electronic nose” can detect the scents associated with spoiled food much more accurately than the human nose. It can also sniff out the presence of common food allergens, like walnuts and peanuts, which can be deadly for those with sensitivities.
NewsEbola virus hides in the central nervous system, according to new research
Ebola virus can survive unnoticed in the human body for months or even years, hiding in areas with little immune surveillance like the central nervous system. Using a cerebral organoid model, researchers have gained valuable insights into the mechanisms of Ebola virus persistence.
NewsFoods containing heat-inactivated bacteria help reduce gum bleeding and improve inflammatory conditions
Continuous consumption of foods containing heat-inactivated Lactiplantibacillus pentosus can help reduce gum bleeding, report researchers. These postbiotic foods can improve inflammatory conditions and enhance gum health in adults with mild gingivitis.
NewsThe drive to protect Missouri’s $4 billion cattle industry from tick threats
A tiny parasite-carrying tick is posing an outsized threat to Missouri’s cattle. Now, researchers are stepping in to protect the state’s $4 billion cattle industry by tracking different ways the American dog tick spreads a deadly disease known as bovine anaplasmosis.
NewsThe greener the street view, the richer the microbiota?
A new study investigates how the Green View Index (GVI) relates to the richness and diversity of bacteria in the Taipei metropolitan area in Taiwan. The more vegetation in the area, the richer its microbial community.
NewsAI unlocks the secrets of viruses: Birth of large protein structures for vaccine delivery
An international research team has succeeded in designing large-scale protein structures that faithfully replicate the self-assembly principles found in naturally occurring viruses, using artificial intelligence (AI).
NewsResearchers find a common weakness in major gut pathogens
The bacteria enterotoxigenic E. coli and Shigella together cause hundreds of millions of infections each year and are among the leading causes of diarrheal death, especially in children. A shared biological feature of these gut pathogens could lead to a vaccine that protects against both.
NewsMachine-learning how to overcome antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea
An AI-enabled antibiotic discovery proves effective at identifying new chemical structures and targets in the constant fight against antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea.
NewsAlluring yeast species could yield new mosquito traps to combat malaria
An orange-colored yeast species isolated from a Baltimore sidewalk several years ago could be the basis of eco-friendly mosquito traps that reduce malaria transmission, according to a new study.
NewsGenetics: Oldest-known evidence of plague outbreaks in prehistoric communities
Plague outbreaks dating back to around 5,500 years ago documented in hunter-gatherer communities from southeast Siberia are described in a paper. The findings, based on an analysis of ancient DNA, may be the oldest known evidence of the plague and could shed light on its origins.
NewsCows vs plants: which milk delivers the greatest health benefits?
New research suggests that cow’s milk has the edge over plant-based alternatives when it comes to bone strength and nutrient absorption.