All USA & Canada articles
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NewsNew study sheds light on how bacteria ‘vaccinate’ themselves with genetic material from dormant viruses
Scientists have gained understanding on how bacteria defend themselves from phages, through gaining “memories” from predecessor dormant phages. The study will inform new phage therapies for bacterial infections that confer resistance to antibiotics.
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NewsSimulation model shows potential affordability of preventative HIV therapy for infants
A type of cost-effective HIV neutralizing antibodies was evaluated to prevent the viral infection in infants during breastfeeding in high HIV prevalance countries. This treatment option is comparatively cheaper and has high clinical impacts in high HIV burden settings to achieve global elimination.
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NewsBartonella and babesia found in brain tissue of child with seizures
In a new case study, researchers have found Bartonella henselae, Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens-like MO-1 DNA in brain tissue samples from a young child with seizures and suspected Rasmussen’s encephalitis.
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NewsAntibody-based therapy is several steps closer to treat lethal mucormycosis
A new paper discusses the use of monoclonal antibodies to target a key fungal cell surface protein, CotH, which enables the Mucorales fungus to invade human cells and cause mucormycosis, which has high mortality rates in people with weakened immune systems.
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NewsA high-fat diet may impair response to infection
A new study in The Journal of Immunology reveals how a high-fat diet may impair the immune system’s ability to respond to infection by impacting the function of neutrophils, one of the first immune cells to respond to bacteria or viruses. The study demonstrated that male mice fed a high-fat ...
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NewsNew model predicts how bacteria navigate obstacles to spread
A scientist has developed the first analytical model for predicting how bacteria spread in environments filled with obstacles. This model will help inform strategies for curbing bacterial infections or for designing better drug delivery.
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NewsResearchers test new, more reliable method to detect chagas disease
Researchers have successfully tested a faster, more sensitive and reliable way to diagnose Chagas disease, a debilitating parasitic illness that affects approximately 6 million people worldwide.
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NewsFrom pollution to polymer: Methane-munching microbe brews biodegradable plastic at high speed
Scientists have tapped into a methane-consuming bacterium, Methylocystis suflitae, to produce biodegradable plastics called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), offering a dual win for climate and sustainability.
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NewsMcMaster leads Canada’s first-ever guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition
A team of experts from McMaster University has led the creation of Canada’s first-ever comprehensive guidelines for diagnosing, managing, preventing, and treating post COVID-19 condition (PCC), more commonly known as long COVID.
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NewsFour advances that could change tuberculosis treatment
World Tuberculosis Day commemorates Robert Koch’s discovery of the source bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Scientists are still refining TB diagnosis methods and treatment strategies - some of the latest innovations are revealed here.
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NewsJapanese plant Daphne pseudomezereum yields anti-HIV daphnane diterpenoids
Scientists have discovered for the first time that Daphne pseudomezereum (commonly known as Onishibari) contains a substance inhibiting replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
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NewsAMI leaders join International Microbiome Meeting in San Diego
Leading scientists from around the world recently convened at the Center for Microbiome Innovation’s International Microbiome Meeting (CIMM) at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego.
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NewsGuardians of the vineyard: Canines and chemistry work to combat powdery mildew
Researchers are now analyzing volatile chemicals emanating from grape leaves infected by a fungus called powdery mildew with the goal of improving training for vineyard canines that use their noses to detect infected vines.
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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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NewsWHO calls for urgent action to address worldwide disruptions in tuberculosis services
Since World Tuberculosis Day is only days away, World Health Organization addresses the current challenges faced by countries in TB responses. They urgently call for an united global effort to combat the deadly disease and safeguard the public health from the devastating consequences.
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NewsH5N1 influenza viral lineages beginning to evade human immunological defenses
A new computer modelling approach predicts the protein-antibody interactions of the potentially pandemic-causing H5N1 avian influenza virus lineage. It helps to understand the viral evolution to ensure high vaccine efficacy.
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NewsLong COVID could be causing huge economic burden annually
Behind the healthcare burden from long COVID, a study has also uncovered the economic burden of those who are more likely to suffer from long COVID through a computer simulation model of long COVID probabilities and the accompanied productivity loss.
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NewsResearchers discover Achilles heel of Lyme disease pathogen
Researchers discovered and investigated an unique enzyme used in the pathway specific to Borrelia burgdorferi, the parasite that causes Lyme disease. The enzyme serves as the ideal genus-specific target for therapeutic intervention.
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NewsStudy identifies viruses in red tide blooms for the first time
A new study identifies viruses associated with Karenia brevis, the single-celled organism that causes red tide. By testing water samples collected from red tide blooms, the researchers found several viruses in blooms — including one new viral species.
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NewsNew study reveals high levels of fusarium mycotoxins in seized cannabis from Arizona and California
A recent study has uncovered alarming levels of Fusarium mycotoxins in illicit cannabis samples seized in Arizona and California. 16% of the 118 samples tested positive for harmful mycotoxins, posing potential health risks to consumers and highlighting the unregulated and dangerous nature of black-market cannabis.