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Discovery of pressure-driven infection mechanism opens door to new treatments for viral infections

The virus that causes those painful lip blisters known as cold sores has an internal pressure eight times higher than a car tire, and uses it to literally blast its infectious DNA into human cells, scientists are reporting in a new study.

25 Jul 2013

Combination treatment can reduce hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs

The burden of liver disease could be dramatically reduced by scaling up the combination of interventions for hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs according to University of Bristol researchers. The findings, published today [24 July], form part of new global recommendations on treating the virus.

25 Jul 2013

NIAID researchers discover monoclonal antibody can neutralize human norovirus

Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) provide the first proof of concept data showing that a monoclonal antibody can neutralize human norovirus. This research, which could one day lead to effective therapies against the virus, was published online ahead of print in the Journal of Virology.

25 Jul 2013

Combination of 6 comprehensive measures to prevent spread of hepatitis C

UC San Francisco researchers are recommending a combination of six comprehensive measures to prevent the spread of hepatitis C, in an effort to address the more than 31,000 young people they estimate may be newly infected with the virus each year in the United States due to injection-drug use.

25 Jul 2013

Scientists develop simple, inexpensive and reliable method of detecting plague pathogen

Diagnosing the presence of Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, may soon be easier than ever before. Scientists working with Peter Seeberger, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPIKG) in Potsdam and Professor at the Freie Universit-t Berlin, have come up with a simple, inexpensive and reliable method of detecting the bacterium.

25 Jul 2013

Study reveals African bats may play a role in evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses

The MERS-coronavirus is regarded as a dangerous novel pathogen: Almost 50 people have died from infection with the virus since it was first discovered in 2012. To date all cases are connected with the Arabian peninsula. Scientists from the University Bonn (Germany) and South Africa have now detected a virus in the faeces of a South African bat that is genetically more closely related to MERS-CoV than any other known virus.

25 Jul 2013

Enzyme in airway lining cells could hold key for asthma sufferers

An enzyme known for its role in heart disease may well be a promising target to treat asthma. Researchers from the University of Iowa have found that the enzyme, called CaMKII, is linked to the harmful effects of oxidation in the respiratory tract, triggering asthmatic symptoms.

25 Jul 2013

Researcher identify genetic mutation in Africans with HIV that puts them at higher risk for tuberculosis

A researcher from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues have identified the genetic mutation in Africans with HIV that puts them at a much higher risk for tuberculosis (TB) infections.

25 Jul 2013

WHO urges governments to act against five hepatitis viruses that cause severe liver infections

On World Hepatitis Day (28 July), the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments to act against the five hepatitis viruses that can cause severe liver infections and lead to 1.4 million deaths every year. Some of these hepatitis viruses, most notably types B and C, can also lead to chronic and debilitating illnesses such as liver cancer and cirrhosis, in addition to loss of income and high medical expenses for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

24 Jul 2013

Australian researchers raise concerns over London Underground Mosquito

Australia has plenty of ‘home grown’ mosquitoes but one introduced species is active all year round, according to a three year study by University of Sydney researchers.

24 Jul 2013

Study reveals fungus coating on stored food may worsen AIDS epidemic

A type of fungus coating much of the stored corn, wheat, rice and nuts in developing countries may be quietly worsening the AIDS epidemic, according to a paper published today in the World Mycotoxin Journal.

24 Jul 2013

NIH awards $2.35M grant to BUSM researcher to study the development of gonococcal vaccine

Lee Wetzler, MD, an attending physician in the department of infectious diseases at Boston Medical Center and associate program director for research in the section of infectious diseases at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), was awarded a four-year, $2.35 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the development of a gonococcal vaccine.

24 Jul 2013

Researchers receive award to determine end-of-life needs for people with HIV/AIDS

Approximately 10,000 Americans die with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis each year, and many of these patients lack access to the care they need at the end of their lives. A group of nursing professors at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is embarking on a study to try to change this.

24 Jul 2013

Platelet activation inhibits host cell entry of HIV, shows research

Scientists of the DPZ have shown that platelet activation inhibits the host cell entry of HIV. Infection biologists of the German Primate Center (DPZ) under the direction of Stefan Pöhlmann have found evidence that platelets (thrombocytes) might constitute an innate defense against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

24 Jul 2013

New peer-led intervention helps individuals with HIV adhere to their treatment plans

Individuals diagnosed with HIV nowadays can live long, healthy lives if they follow their medical treatment plans; however, nearly half of individuals with the virus fail to get needed medical help or to continue treatment, according to previous research.

24 Jul 2013

New treatment guidelines on diagnosis and management of achalasia

New treatment guidelines on the diagnosis and management of achalasia, a primary motor disorder of the esophagus, appear in the August issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

24 Jul 2013

Researchers develop PEDV rapid diagnostic test

Mere months after porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) was first confirmed in the United States swine population, University of Minnesota researchers have developed a PEDV rapid diagnostic test.

24 Jul 2013

Cepheid, American Lung Association partner to promote TB awareness in U.S.

Cepheid and the American Lung Association today announced a partnership to promote tuberculosis-related awareness in the U.S. and the need for improved TB diagnostics.

23 Jul 2013

Serum Institute of India secures license to patents, technologies related to tuberculosis vaccine

Hopes are high for a new and improved tuberculosis vaccine: Serum Institute of India is planning on taking a promising vaccine - originally developed in Germany - and introducing it into the clinical setting.

23 Jul 2013

Study helps explain why some people contract bacterial super-infections

A recent study published in the July issue of the Journal of Immunology helps explain why some humans contract bacterial super-infections like pneumonia with influenza. The research was led by Le Bonheur Pediatrician-in-Chief Jon McCullers, MD - an infectious disease specialist who is also chair of the Department of Pediatrics for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and adjunct faculty at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

23 Jul 2013

Disease/Infection News

Discovery of pressure-driven infection mechanism opens door to new treatments for viral infections

Combination treatment can reduce hepatitis C infection in people who inject drugs

NIAID researchers discover monoclonal antibody can neutralize human norovirus

Combination of 6 comprehensive measures to prevent spread of hepatitis C

Scientists develop simple, inexpensive and reliable method of detecting plague pathogen

Study reveals African bats may play a role in evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses

Enzyme in airway lining cells could hold key for asthma sufferers

Researcher identify genetic mutation in Africans with HIV that puts them at higher risk for tuberculosis

WHO urges governments to act against five hepatitis viruses that cause severe liver infections

Australian researchers raise concerns over London Underground Mosquito

Study reveals fungus coating on stored food may worsen AIDS epidemic

NIH awards $2.35M grant to BUSM researcher to study the development of gonococcal vaccine

Researchers receive award to determine end-of-life needs for people with HIV/AIDS

Platelet activation inhibits host cell entry of HIV, shows research

New peer-led intervention helps individuals with HIV adhere to their treatment plans

New treatment guidelines on diagnosis and management of achalasia

Researchers develop PEDV rapid diagnostic test

Cepheid, American Lung Association partner to promote TB awareness in U.S.

Serum Institute of India secures license to patents, technologies related to tuberculosis vaccine

Study helps explain why some people contract bacterial super-infections

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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