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Blocking a protein helps virus to thrive and restore immune function to fight HCV infection

The hepatitis C virus hijacks the body's immune system, leaving T cells unable to function. A new study in animal models suggests that blocking a protein that helps the virus thrive could restore immune function, allowing the body to fight infection. The work, led by teams at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Emory University, was published online Aug. 26 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

4 Sep 2013

Large study shows effective test for diagnosis of C-Diff infection

The largest study of its kind has shown the most effective test for the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile (C-Diff), a bacterial infection which causes 15,000-20,000 deaths a year in hospitals in the United States.

4 Sep 2013

Iron deficiency anemia may offer protection against malaria infection

Children in a malaria-endemic community in Ghana who received a micronutrient powder with iron did not have an increased incidence of malaria, according to a study in the September 4 issue of JAMA. Previous research has suggested that iron supplementation for children with iron deficiency in malaria-endemic areas may increase the risk of malaria.

4 Sep 2013

Precisely designed macromolecule mimics binding of HIV to immune system cells

A precisely designed macromolecule that mimics the binding of HIV to immune system cells could be used to stop the virus from physically entering the body, according to a new study led by a materials scientist at Queen Mary University of London.

4 Sep 2013

Taiwan's HBV immunization program for newborns lowers chronic HBV carriers, incidence of HCC

"Hepatitis B virus infection causes infant fulminant hepatitis, and chronic HBV infection may progress to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Taiwan launched a nationwide HBV immunization program for newborns in July 1984, which has successfully lowered the prevalence of chronic HBV carriers, incidence of HCC, and mortality of IFH in vaccinated birth cohorts. The mortality of CLD before and after HBV immunization has never been examined," write Chun-Ju Chiang, Ph.D., of National Taiwan University, Taipei, and colleagues.

4 Sep 2013

Study shows how stomach bacteria manipulates human immune system to survive in stomach

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that establishes a life-long stomach infection in humans, which in some cases can lead to duodenal ulcers or stomach cancer. New research, presented at this week's Society for General Microbiology Autumn Conference, gives us a clearer understanding of how these bacteria can manipulate the human immune system to survive in the mucosal lining of the stomach.

4 Sep 2013

New vaccine to protect against four strains of flu virus

For the first time, there will be a vaccine which protects against four strains of the flu virus. Until now, flu vaccines have only protected against three forms of the virus.

4 Sep 2013

Imaxio's pro-immunogenic technology used in tuberculosis vaccine phase I clinical study

Imaxio, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in vaccines and genomics, announces today that IMX313, its proprietary pro-immunogenic technology, has been administered for the first time in humans in a tuberculosis vaccine phase I clinical study. The trial is being conducted by the Jenner Institute at Oxford University, England.

3 Sep 2013

Research shows how mucosal surfaces in body respond to C. albicans to prevent damage

Candida albicans is a common fungus found living in, and on, many parts of the human body. Usually this species causes no harm to humans unless it can breach the body's immune defences, where can lead to serious illness or death.

3 Sep 2013

Scientists estimate minimum of 320,000 viruses in mammals

Scientists estimate that there is a minimum of 320,000 viruses in mammals awaiting discovery. Collecting evidence of these viruses, or even a majority of them, they say, could provide information critical to early detection and mitigation of disease outbreaks in humans.

3 Sep 2013

Researchers create specific tests to detect cancer biomarkers in patients with dermatomyositis

Researchers from major universities in the U.S. have developed specific tests to identify cancer biomarkers in patients with dermatomyositis-a systemic inflammatory disease associated with increased risk of malignancy.

3 Sep 2013

Scientists determine new strategy to estimate total viral diversity in mammals

EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit organization that focuses on local conservation and global health issues, and the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health announced a new strategy to identify the total number of wildlife viruses that could potentially cause emerging disease outbreaks that threaten both public and wildlife health.

3 Sep 2013

Facebook groups are effective tool for increasing HIV testing among at-risk populations

Peer-led Facebook groups are an acceptable and effective tool for increasing home-based HIV testing among at-risk populations. HIV infection is a major health concern for men who have sex with men (MSM), especially among African Americans and Latinos who have high rates of incident cases and new diagnoses.

3 Sep 2013

University of Warwick professor wins Discovery STAR Award to identify new treatment for Chagas disease

Domainex Ltd., a drug discovery company specialising in translational research support, has announced that the recipient of its first Discovery STAR Award; Professor Vilmos Fulop of the University of Warwick.

3 Sep 2013

Researchers identify origin of human TB

Tuberculosis remains one of deadliest infectious diseases of humans, killing 50% of individuals when left untreated. Even today, TB causes 1-2 million deaths every year mainly in developing countries. Multidrug-resistance is a growing threat in the fight against the disease.

2 Sep 2013

New quick test promises to reduce economic, health burden of syphilis cases in Latin America

Demystifying the chemical processes that create a wine's aroma, and the invaluable potential application of that understanding in winemaking, is the new objective of scientists in Uruguay who, with European partners, also recently sequenced the genome of the high-value Tannat grape, from which "the most healthy of red wines" are fermented.

2 Sep 2013

Researchers develop new model to predict treatment success more accurately

The HI virus is feared, not least, because of its great adaptability. If the virus mutates at precisely the point targeted by a drug, it is able to neutralise the attack and the treatment fails. To minimise these viral defence mechanisms, doctors treat patients with modern combination therapies involving the simultaneous administration of several drugs. This approach forces the virus to run through a series of mutations before it becomes immune to the drugs.

2 Sep 2013

Researchers pinpoint ways to counter effects of antibiotics-driven depletion of gut-dwelling bacteria

A new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine could help pinpoint ways to counter the effects of the antibiotics-driven depletion of friendly, gut-dwelling bacteria.

2 Sep 2013

Holistic approach to understand and treat TB

For years, physicians around the world have watched as strain after strain of the deadly bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis evolves resistance to drugs.

2 Sep 2013

Expert offers porcelain veneers to create incredible, camera-ready smiles

Many stunningly beautiful smiles in Beverly Hills are not simply the result of incredible genetics. The secret behind a large number of these gorgeous grins is simple: porcelain veneers. Beverly Hills porcelain veneers expert, Dr. Kevin Sands, offers porcelain veneers to create incredible, camera-ready smiles.

31 Aug 2013

Disease/Infection News

Blocking a protein helps virus to thrive and restore immune function to fight HCV infection

Large study shows effective test for diagnosis of C-Diff infection

Iron deficiency anemia may offer protection against malaria infection

Precisely designed macromolecule mimics binding of HIV to immune system cells

Taiwan's HBV immunization program for newborns lowers chronic HBV carriers, incidence of HCC

Study shows how stomach bacteria manipulates human immune system to survive in stomach

New vaccine to protect against four strains of flu virus

Imaxio's pro-immunogenic technology used in tuberculosis vaccine phase I clinical study

Research shows how mucosal surfaces in body respond to C. albicans to prevent damage

Scientists estimate minimum of 320,000 viruses in mammals

Researchers create specific tests to detect cancer biomarkers in patients with dermatomyositis

Scientists determine new strategy to estimate total viral diversity in mammals

Facebook groups are effective tool for increasing HIV testing among at-risk populations

University of Warwick professor wins Discovery STAR Award to identify new treatment for Chagas disease

Researchers identify origin of human TB

New quick test promises to reduce economic, health burden of syphilis cases in Latin America

Researchers develop new model to predict treatment success more accurately

Researchers pinpoint ways to counter effects of antibiotics-driven depletion of gut-dwelling bacteria

Holistic approach to understand and treat TB

Expert offers porcelain veneers to create incredible, camera-ready smiles

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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