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
New DNA analysis approach could transform understanding of disease evolution
By adapting techniques originally used to study ancient DNA from archaeological specimens, researchers were able to recover genetic information from nearly century-old medical samples.
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NewsThe link between the gut microbiome and autism is not backed by science, researchers say
There’s no scientific evidence that the gut microbiome causes autism, a group of scientists argue in an opinion paper. They warn that conclusions that supported this hypothesis are undermined by flawed assumptions, small sample sizes, and inappropriate statistical methods.
NewsManganese is Lyme disease bacterium’s double-edged sword
For decades, Lyme disease has frustrated both physicians and patients alike. Caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the infection, if left untreated, can linger for months, leading to fever, fatigue and painful inflammation.
NewsScientists find way to find the gut microbiome into a longevity factory
A team of researchers has found a way to turn the bacteria living in the digestive tracts of animals into factories that can produce compounds that promote longevity in their hosts—showing a potential new drug development strategy.
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First-in-North-America resource touts research into health benefits of fermented foods
A one-stop network, the first of its kind in North America, has begun sharing easily digested research, recipes and other resources about the health benefits of fermented foods. The new Canadian Fermented Foods Initiative (CFFI) launches officially on Nov. 17.
NewsTyphoid conjugate vaccine demonstrates strong safety and immunogenicity: Results from Phase 3 study
PATH and EuBiologics Co., LTD have announced Phase 3 results from a clinical trial of a typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), EuTYPH-C Inj.® Multi-dose. EuTYPH-C Inj.®
NewsRainfall and temperature shape mosquito fauna in Atlantic Forest bromeliads, including malaria vectors
Results from a study of mosquito larvae conducted in a natural area in the municipality of São Paulo (Brazil) may help estimate the effects of climate change on disease transmission risk in the biome.
CareersSummer studentship: Jonas investigates how metals influence bacterial ecosystems
Jonas Flohr from Portsmouth reports back on his AMI-sponsored summer studentship at Durham University investigating how metals influence bacterial ecosystems.
NewsBacteriophage characterization provides platform for rational design
Researchers have described the bacteriophage Bas63 in unprecedented detail, supporting new mechanistic understanding of how these viruses function.
NewsScientists tie lupus to a virus nearly all of us carry
The Epstein-Barr virus is directly responsible for commandeering what starts out as a minuscule number of immune cells to go rogue and persuade far more of their fellow immune cells to launch a widespread assault on the body’s tissues, a study has shown.
NewsStudy finds high rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in raw milk
Raw cow and sheep milk is frequently contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria that could pose a threat to human and animal health, reports a new study.
NewsSingle-dose malaria treatment combining four existing drugs as effective as more onerous multi-day, multi-dose regimen
Hundreds of malaria patients participating in a clinical trial in Gabon in West Africa were cured via a single dose of a treatment that utilizes four widely available malaria drugs, according to a new study.
NewsStudy reveals that flu vaccine performance varies by age
New research comparing four different flu vaccines found that the ability of the vaccines to activate cells of the immune system that help to protect against infection varied greatly depending on the vaccine type and age of the patient.
NewsCracking leishmaniasis: new DNA test to track infection
A new study offers an innovative way to track the spread of leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease affecting both animals and humans. Researchers developed a fast, reliable method to identify sand fly species, detect Leishmania parasites, and determine the source of their blood meals from a single sample.
NewsScientists harness algae for a greener way to create functional gold nanoparticles
Researchers have pioneered a novel, sustainable method for synthesizing functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using microalgae. This approach not only avoids the harsh chemicals used in conventional methods but also produces AuNPs that are more stable and less toxic to healthy cells.
NewsMissing links for rabies in Peru highlights global threats of health inequity
Researchers found that efforts to track dog-related rabies in poorer areas of Peru’s second largest city were lacking even though more dogs were found to have the disease there than in wealthier neighborhoods.
NewsEgypt becomes the seventh country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that Egypt has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, marking a historic public health milestone for the country and WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMR).
NewsHuman PARP gene could be novel target for viral diseases or immune-mediated disorders
Researchershave discovered a human gene, the protein PARP14, plays a role in regulating interferon, part of the body’s innate immune system. Their study could guide development of antiviral therapies for several groups of viral infection.
NewsMystery toxic algae regime change in Salem’s drinking water source
A long-term analysis shows that a major Oregon reservoir abruptly swapped one type of toxic algae for another midway through the 12-year study period, absent any obvious cause.
NewsRepurposed antibiotic shows promise against Central Nervous System Tuberculosis
Researchers at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have demonstrated that doxycycline, a commonly available and inexpensive antibiotic, can improve survival rates and neurological outcomes in Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB) in a preclinical non-human study. Published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, the ...
NewsBlood-based immunological signatures for extrapulmonary tuberculosis decoded
Scientists have deciphered the immunological properties of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in the blood of affected patients. The results may help to develop new targeted treatments and tests for this important disease.
NewsFlu vaccine providing important protection despite new subclade
Children and adults across England are receiving strong protection from this year’s flu vaccine, despite the emergence of a new subclade driving an unusually early flu season.
NewsCould tiny airborne plastics help viruses spread? Scientists warn of a hidden infection risk
While plastics are already recognized as a global environmental threat, a new commentary highlights that their microscopic airborne forms could also play a hidden role in human infection.