Crystal Meth Could Reduce Susceptibility to the Common Flu
Researchers suggest that a small dose of methamphetamine, i.e. crystal meth, could reduce the replication of the human influenza virus. The scientists published their findings…
Epidemiology
Whole-Genome Analysis Identifies the Source of a Recent MRSA Outbreak
In Cambridge, UK, there was a superbug outbreak at a special-care neonatal unit that lasted several months last year. Thanks to insights gained from whole-genome…
Fungal Meningitis Has New Appetite for Human Brains
In the USA, an ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak has killed 30 people and sickened another 419. The fungus responsible has never wrecked such havoc before….
Molecular Bio-Printing of Drugs Could Result in Emailed Vaccines
Emailing biological molecules, using 3D biological printers, might seem like science-fiction, but Craig Venter discussed the idea at the Wired Health Conference in New York….
Smartphones Are Great for Sharing Bacteria
Smartphones’ proximity to people’s ears, nose and mouth make them a good vector for transferring microbes. Bacteria and other infectious agents on smartphones can cause…
Hepatitis E Vaccine Debuts Thanks to Chinese Biotech Partnership
The world’s first vaccine against the hepatitis E virus began being deployed from China last week, promising to stop the propagation of a disease that…
US Concerns about Biosecurity Could Hamper Collaborations in Viral Research
U.S. Federal health agencies have started to tighten security surrounding the research on deadly pathogens. The move is to enhance public safety, but some fear…
Antibiotic Resistance Genes Found in a Colorado River System
In the Rocky Mountains, the South Platte River system flows east through the Coloradan plateau that has plenty cattle ranches, sheep pastures, dairy farms, and…
FDA States Deadly Meningitis Outbreak Tied to More Drugs
A second steroid that has been manufactured by New England Compounding Center has been linked to another potential meningitis infection. The ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak…
Gene Sequencing of New Coronavirus Speeds Up Testing
Some of the scientists that helped fight the 2003 SARS epidemic are working on the new coronavirus, which seems to be related to SARS. Researchers…
New Coronavirus Could Infect Millions during Hajj in Saudi Arabia
Back in February 2003, a 65-year-old physician living near Hong Kong checked into a hotel. Sometime during his stay, he encountered a dozen other people;…
West Nile Virus Might Be Linked to Kidney Problems
As of September of this year, there have been more than 2,600 new cases of West Nile virus in the USA, including 118 deaths, which…
Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant E. Coli Rising ICAAC 2 Reports
Infections with multi-drug resistant E. coli, which is also known as ESBL (extended spectrum beta-lactamase), have been assumed to be a hospital phenomenon. A recent…
NDM-1 Superbug Discovered in a Cat in the USA
The Indian superbug NDM-1, which has a gene that encodes an enzyme conferring resistance to almost all known antibiotics, has been found in the USA…
Spread of Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes in Europe Prompts Surveillance
Invasive mosquitoes carrying exotic diseases have made their entry into Europe. Diseases generally absent from Europe, like chikungunya and dengue fever have appeared around the…
HIV Vaccine Trial Identifies Target That Could Improve Effectiveness
A new vaccine trial has revealed a weak spot in HIV, which could lead to an effective vaccine against AIDS. The vaccine turns the immune…
Tuberculosis Resistance to Backup Drugs Increases
According to a new study, more than 40% of tuberculosis infections that are resistant to front-line antibiotic treatments have also become resistant to some common…
Brucella Blocked From Bonding with Host, Could Lead to Superbug Cure
Pathogenic bacteria without their virulent factors could be rendered harmless and eliminated by the human immune system. That’s the goal that a group of researchers…