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
Just 10 viral particles can cause H5N1 avian flu infection in cows
Just 10 viral particles of the H5N1 bird flu that caused hundreds of influenza outbreaks in U.S. dairy cattle can cause infection in cows, a new study shows. The research also hints at why the outbreaks have confounded scientists, farmers and livestock handlers hoping to contain and prevent the disease.
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NewsPathogens survive conditions on extraterrestrial locations
Microorganisms from our planet could survive on celestial bodies where water is present, such as Mars, reveals a study focusing on simulated space conditions. Our immune system reacts less effectively to pathogens that have undergone such a simulated space journey.
NewsCohabitating people share about a quarter of their gut and oral microbiota
People who live together share more oral and gut microbes with each other than with other people in their communities, according to a study. Researchers also found a link between more transmissible microbes and health, particularly type 2 diabetes.
NewsWastewater analysis offers a new way to monitor HIV in communities
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) detection in wastewater offers a novel approach to monitor the virus in communities. Hybrid-capture genetic sequencing allows researchers to analyze viral genomes in detail and specifically identify viral signals coming from community wastewater.
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Your gut talks to your liver: Study reveals how microbes influence liver function through DNA ‘switches’
Researchers have uncovered how the gut microbiome can influence gene activity in the liver by acting on short stretches of regulatory DNA that function like molecular “switches”.
NewsShingles vaccine linked to lower dementia risk in older adults, study suggests
A target trial emulation of older adults entering skilled-nursing facilities found that those who received the recombinant shingles vaccine (RZV) had a lower risk of developing dementia over the following four years compared with those who were not vaccinated.
NewsPandemic may have reshaped England’s medication use
Medication dispensing patterns in England shifted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of national primary care dispensing data. The use of some treatments recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels, including medications for cardiovascular disease and diabetes; the use of others remained lower.
NewsResearch forecasts global antimicrobial resistance threats for the next two decades
New research has analysed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on a global scale to predict how resistance patterns could evolve by the year 2050, identifying around 210 resistance traits that could pose the greatest future risk.
NewsmRNA flu vaccine offers immune protection against wide array of influenza virus strains
A new study has found that an investigational mRNA influenza vaccine helps the immune system recognize a wider range of influenza viruses than today’s standard flu shot, offering stronger and potentially longer-lasting protection. The vaccine, developed by Moderna, is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
NewsStudy reveals 45 new toxins produced by bacteria associated with foodborne infections
Researchers have discovered 45 new toxins produced by Salmonella bacteria, some of which are associated with foodborne infections. The study shows that these substances primarily act in the competition among microorganisms for space and resources.
NewsA gut bacteria molecule may calm intestinal inflammation by turning down cellular energy
A new study suggests enterobactin, a molecule produced by gut bacteria, could offer a new pathway for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
NewsMetformin given during acute COVID-19 infection reduced risk of clinician-diagnosed long Covid by 50%
New findings from the ACTIV-6 randomized clinical trial provide important confirmation of prior clinical trial results that metformin, a widely available and inexpensive medication with an established safety record, reduced the risk of clinician-diagnosed long COVID when started during acute COVID-19 infection.
NewsHow exercise fights implant infections: Muscle hormone “musclin” unveiled as a key defender
A new study reveals how the exercise-induced myokine musclin reprograms macrophage metabolism to clear dead cells and treat periprosthetic joint infections.
NewsGut bacteria linked to osteoporosis risk in primary hyperparathyroidism
Researchers studying primary hyperparathyroidism, a common endocrine disorder characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, have identified Bifidobacterium longum as a potential microbial driver of bone loss through immune-mediated mechanisms.
NewsScientists track breakthrough single-dose vaccines for Andes hantavirus strain
Researchers report the development of new vaccines that, in animal testing, provided full protection against the deadly Andes hantavirus after a single dose. They are working to fast-track these single-dose vaccines into human clinical trials.
NewsAntibody clues could improve long Covid care and prognosis
Researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2 antibody patterns may help assess infection history, symptom severity, and cognitive complications in long Covid.
NewsResearchers investigate the underlying causes of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
With an estimated one million Americans afflicted with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, newly funded research seeks to determine whether the condition is triggered by a persistent autoimmune response, and if a test can be devised to pinpoint who is more likely to develop it.
NewsElsevier launches Ebola Information Center with free clinical and research resources
Elsevier has launched an Ebola Information Center to provide healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers and the public with free access to critical clinical and research information to support the global response to this outbreak.
NewsStudy deploys DNA to track infectious bacteria from raccoons via rivers to humans
The emerging infectious bacterium Escherichia albertii has caused outbreaks of severe food poisoning and hospitalized people through contaminated water and foods, such as salad ingredients. A new study suggests a pathway by which invasive raccoons transmit infections to humans.
NewsMolecular anchors on gut phages may open new avenues for therapeutic development
A new study has identified phage surface proteins acting as molecular anchors. These proteins confer phages with the ability to attach to human cells. Using genetic engineering, the researchers transferred these adhesion proteins onto the surface of another phage that otherwise lacked this ability.
NewsSugar-free diets may disrupt gut microbiome
Eliminating sugar from your diet may be more detrimental than previously thought, according to an animal study. Mice fed a sucrose-free diet developed impaired glucose control, insulin resistance, gut microbial imbalance, intestinal inflammation and fatty liver changes, despite having no significant differences in body weight compared with control mice.
NewsMicroscope breakthrough will open unprecedented view into cells
In a landmark achievement in biological imaging, researchers have announced the successful demonstration of the laser phase plate, a novel device that dramatically improves the contrast of images produced by cryo-electron microscopes, opening up an entirely new view of human biology.
NewsExploring potential of virovory in combating harmful algal blooms
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms can close lakes, contaminate drinking water and pose risks to human health. A new project is exploring an unlikely tool for mitigating these blooms: virovory, the phenomenon of organisms eating viruses as a food source.