All Infection Prevention & Control articles
-
NewsWhen bacteria get hungry, they kill – and eat – their neighbors
Scientists have discovered a gruesome microbial survival strategy: when food is scarce, some bacteria kill and consume their neighbors. The researchers show that under nutrient-limited conditions, bacteria use a specialized weapon — the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) — to attack, kill, and slowly absorb nutrients from other bacterial cells.
-
NewsA combination of exercise and omega-3 reduces the severity of tooth root infections
Rats that exercised and took fatty acid supplements responded better to bacteria and the inflammatory process of apical periodontitis, which can occur when caries reach the root canal and cause an infection.
-
NewsNew research reveals how bacteria export the building blocks of biofilms
Chemists examined how the polysaccharide “Pel” – a central component of many biofilms – is exported out of the cell by the pathogen P. aeruginosa and describe the structure of the so-called PelBC export complex, which represents the last station in the cell before “Pel” is released.
-
NewsCultured mini-organs reveal the weapons of aggressive Shigella bacteria
Thanks to lab-grown miniature intestines, researchers have successfully mapped how aggressive Shigella bacteria infect the human gut. The study opens the door to using cultured human mini-organs to investigate a wide range of other serious infections.
-
NewsScholars take a new look at controversial Stateville prison malaria research 75 years ago
Medical ethicists are shining a light on a buried part of the malaria research conducted on inmates at Illinois’ Stateville Penitentiary 75 years ago.
-
NewsGreen light activates this antibiotic only where it’s needed
To make a more efficient antibiotic treatment, researchers have modified penicillin so that it’s activated only by green light. In early tests, the approach precisely controlled bacterial growth and improved survival outcomes for infected insects.
-
NewsGifts from the sea: Molecules derived from coral may help fight harmful bacteria
Pus, strep throat, and even tuberculosis—most infectious diseases are characterized by a cluster of pathogenic bacteria that can be stubborn and resistant to antibiotics. Researchers have found another method to combat these bacteria using naturally sourced molecules found in corals.
-
NewsNew research reveals a deadly fungal pathogen’s vulnerabilities
Scientists have disovered how the lethal pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, thrives, allowing them to identify potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.
-
NewsPeople with COVID-like symptoms took up to nine months post-infection to regain mental well-being
New research finds that people with COVID-like symptoms returned to optimal physical well-being an average of three months after infection, but took up to nine months to return to top mental well-being.
-
NewsNew source of natural antibiotics hidden within our own proteins identified
A team of scientists has identified a new type of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found in human proteins that are capable of selectively eliminating multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly of the gram-negative type, responsible for serious hospital acquired infections.
-
NewsBaby’s microbiome may protect against childhood viral infection
A baby’s makeup of gut bacteria — their microbiome — which starts to form as soon as they are born, could help protect against viral infections later in childhood, a new study suggests.
-
NewsHeatwaves greatly influence parasite burden; likely spread of disease
New research implies that heatwaves have a major influence on the spread of many diseases – and that many existing predictive models have overlooked this complexity. Differences in heatwaves can increase disease burden by up to 13 times in an animal model.
-
NewsCannabis extracts show remarkable effectiveness against fungal pathogens
Two cannabis-derived compounds have shown remarkable effectiveness against fungal pathogens in laboratory tests, according to new research.
-
NewsMum’s obesity linked to child’s heightened hospital admission risk for infection
Children born to mothers who are very obese with a BMI of 35 or higher are at heightened risk of being admitted to hospital for an infection, finds a long term study.
-
NewsSmart plastics are key to curbing healthcare infection rates, says Symphony Environmental
A leading plastics innovator urges hospitals and care-homes to adopt antimicrobial smart plastic solutions to address infection rates.
-
NewsInsect protein blocks bacterial infection
A protein that gives fleas their bounce has been used to boot out bacteria cells, with lab results demonstrating the material’s potential for preventing medical implant infection.
-
NewsNew mRNA vaccine is more effective and less costly to develop, Pitt study finds
A new type of mRNA vaccine is more scalable and adaptable to continuously evolving viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1, according to a study.
-
NewsLavender and lemongrass oils effective against thrush infections, new research reveals
They may be more familiar as a room scent but a new study being presented at the Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Research Symposium 2025 reveals that lavender and lemongrass essential oils are effective against thrush, even at low levels.
-
NewsTrees vs. disease: Tree cover reduces mosquito-borne health risk
A new study shows that in Costa Rica, even modest patches of tree cover can reduce the presence of invasive mosquito species known to transmit diseases like dengue fever.
-
NewsMirror molecules deliver a one-two punch to superbugs to fight infections
Researchers have created mirror-image molecules that both kill pathogens outright and rally the immune system—an advance aimed at the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance.