All University of Pittsburgh articles
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NewsBacterial protein therapy shows promise as first-ever antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning
Researchers have engineered a new molecule that appears promising as an effective antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning with fewer side effects than other molecules currently being tested.
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NewsImmunity to seasonal flu protects against severe illness from bird flu in ferrets
A study in ferrets — which have remarkably similar respiratory systems to humans — suggests that widespread immunity to H1N1 seasonal influenza virus may explain why exposure to H5N1 bird flu causes only mild symptoms in humans.
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NewsGut microbes key to understanding how exercise boosts cancer immunity
A new study shows how exercise improves cancer outcomes and enhances response to immunotherapy in mice by reshaping the gut microbiome. These benefits are driven by a specific compound called formate, which is produced by gut bacteria in exercised mice.
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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.
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NewsStudy uncovers how certain antibodies help fight tuberculosis
Researchers collected the largest library of monoclonal antibodies to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and identified specific antibody features that significantly limit its growth.
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CareersHow structural imaging is revolutionising vaccines
Dr. Peijun Zhang, Director of the Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) at the UK’s national synchrotron facility Diamond Light Source, reveals how Cryo-ET is powering some of the most important advances in vaccine research.
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NewsPhage expert Graham Hatfull elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society
Graham Hatfull, Eberly Family Professor of Biotechnology and HHMI Professor in the University of Pittsburgh Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society.
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NewsHospital-based outbreak detection system saves lives
An infectious diseases detection platform has proved over a two-year trial that it stops outbreaks, saves lives and cuts costs. The results make the case for adoption in hospitals nationwide and the development of a national early outbreak detection database.
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NewsThe very first structural images of a tuberculosis-fighting virus
Scientists have used advanced imaging techniques to provide a detailed look at how a tiny virus, known as a phage, invades Mycobacteria. The research could pave the way toward phage-based treatments for antibiotic-resistant mycobacteria.
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NewsResearchers release phage images with unprecedented detail
Researchers have produced the most detailed image to date of a bacteriophage, that has allowed them to see for the first time the structural makeup of the part of the phage that directly attaches to its target Mycobacterium cell.
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NewsSome gut bacteria could make certain drugs less effective
Researchers discovered that gut bacteria can metabolize oral administered drugs that target G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and potentially other chemicals and food compounds, leading to impacts on the effectiveness of medication to patients.
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NewsDeadly bacteria developed the ability to produce antimicrobials and wiped-out competitors
A drug-resistant type of bacteria that has adapted to health care settings evolved in the past several years to weaponize an antimicrobial genetic tool, eliminating its cousins and replacing them as the dominant strain.
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NewsImmunity against seasonal H1N1 flu reduces bird flu severity in ferrets, study suggests
Pre-existing immunity against seasonal H1N1 flu might help explain why most reported human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. have not resulted in lethal outcomes, suggests a new study.
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NewsWhy you shouldn’t scratch an itchy rash: New study explains
New research uncovers how scratching aggravates inflammation and swelling in a mouse model of a type of eczema called allergic contact dermatitis.
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NewsAntibody treatment prevents severe bird flu in monkeys
A prophylactic antibody-based immune therapy protects monkeys against severe disease caused by H5N1 avian flu, a new study reports.
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News New tool can detect fast-spreading SARS-COV-2 variants before they take off
By analysing millions of viral genome sequences from around the world, a team of scientists has uncovered the specific mutations that give SARS-CoV-2 a ‘turbo boost’ in its ability to spread.
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NewsSelf-destructing vaccine offers enhanced protection against tuberculosis in monkeys
A self-destructing vaccine administered intravenously provides additional safety and protection against tuberculosis (TB) in macaque monkeys, suggests new research.
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NewsHerpes virus might drive Alzheimer’s pathology, study suggests
Researchers have uncovered a surprising link between Alzheimer’s disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), suggesting that viral infections may play a role in the disease.
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NewsPotentially harmful bacteria slip through antimicrobial showerheads
Researchers report that antimicrobial silver-containing showerheads are no ’silver bullet’. In real-world showering conditions, most microbes aren’t exposed to the silver long enough to be killed.
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NewsImmunotherapy for gum disease? Study in mice shows promise
Delivering microparticles containing the immune-modulating compound CCL2 directly to the gums inhibited bone loss and sped up bone repair in a mouse model of periodontal disease, new research has found.