Australia gives world-first approval for faecal transplants to restore gut health
BiomeBank in Adelaide collects healthy genetic material from the microbiomes of donors to treat potentially deadly bacterial conditionGet ourmorning and afternoon news emails,free app ordaily news podcastAustralia has given regulatory approval for faecal transplants, the first country in the world to do so.For such a transplant, poo donors – who have to meet a list of conditions – provide healthy genetic material from theirmicrobiomes. The microbes are collected and delivered into the gastrointestinal tract of an unhealthy person, where they have been shown to treat conditions such as the potentially deadly bacteriaClo...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 10, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Tory Shepherd Tags: Health Microbiology Australia news Medical research Science World news Source Type: news
Invasive mosquito could disrupt Africa ’s ‘landscape of malaria’ after cases rise
Insecticide-resistant newcomer caused unprecedented urban outbreak in Ethiopia and can survive the dry season, scientists sayScientists are warning that the invasion of an insecticide-resistant mosquito could change Africa ’s “landscape of malaria” after research showed it caused an unprecedented urban outbreak in Ethiopia.An investigation into a steep rise in cases in the Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa during a dry season this year identified the mosquito as the cause of the outbreak. Scientists say it is the strongest evidence to date that it could prompt surges of malaria in areas typically less affected by the disea...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 3, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Lizzy Davies Tags: Global development Malaria Ethiopia Africa Infectious diseases World news Medical research Microbiology Science Source Type: news
The Differences Between the Two Polio Vaccines —and the New One on the Horizon
Before this year, polio didn’t feel like an urgent threat. The disease was eradicated in the U.S. in 1979, and thanks to a global vaccination campaign, it’s endemic (though far from widespread) in just two countries—Pakistan and Afghanistan.
But the calculus changed in 2022. In July, an unvaccinated man in New York state contracted polio. And this year, poliovirus has circulated in wastewater in London, Jerusalem, and—as recently as Oct. 28—in New York City and several surrounding counties. “Unvaccinated and undervaccinated in these areas are at risk for paralysis disease,” resear...
Source: TIME: Health - November 2, 2022 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Jeffrey Kluger Tags: Uncategorized healthscienceclimate Vaccines Source Type: news
Chewing to curb COVID
Penn Medicine will conduct a new clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a chewing gum designed by School of Dental Medicine researchers to trap SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva. Chewing gum tablets containing plant material laced with the ACE2 protein are being evaluated in a clinical trial to see if they are safe and effective in trapping SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva. (Image: Kevin Monko/Penn Dental Medicine) A recently launched clinical trial at Penn Medicine will evaluate a new chewing gum designed by School of Dental Medicine researchers to trap SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva, potentially blocking transmission of COVID-...
Source: Dental Technology Blog - November 2, 2022 Category: Dentistry Source Type: news
Italian researchers find new recipe to extend life of fresh pasta by a month
Altering packaging process could allow pasta to be kept for 120 days, tackling food wasteA new twist on packaging combined with a special ingredient could extend the shelf life of fresh pasta by a month, researchers have revealed.Heat-treated, industrial fresh pasta has a shelf life of approximately 30-90 days, if stored appropriately. However, by taking a triple-pronged approach, involving new forms of packaging, a different packaging atmosphere, and the addition of “good” bacteria, researchers have been able to extend this to 120 days.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 2, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Food Food waste Pasta Italian food and drink Environment Microbiology Science Italy Source Type: news
Bristol researcher awarded British Society for Oral and Dental Research (BSODR) President's prize
Dr Cher Farrugia, a dentist and researcher at the University of Bristol Dental School, has been awarded the prestigious British Society of Oral and Dental Research (BSODR) President's Prize for her research in translational microbiology. (Source: University of Bristol news)
Source: University of Bristol news - October 31, 2022 Category: Universities & Medical Training Tags: ; Faculty of Health Sciences Source Type: news
A New Lab-Made COVID-19 Virus Puts Gain-of-Function Research Under the Microscope
On October 14, a team of scientists at Boston University released a pre-print study reporting that they had created a version of SARS-CoV-2 combining two features of different, existing strains that boosted its virulence and transmissibility. Scientists and the public raised questions about the work, which refocused attention on such experiments, and prompted the U.S. government to investigate whether the research followed protocols for these kinds of studies.
The concerns surround what is known as gain-of-function studies, in which viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens are created in the lab—either intentionally or ...
Source: TIME: Science - October 27, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Alice Park Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 Source Type: news
Immune system-evading hybrid virus observed for first time
Researchers found the RSV and influenza viruses fused together to form a new type of virus pathogenTwo common respiratory viruses can fuse to form a hybrid virus capable of evading the human immune system, and infecting lung cells – the first time such viral cooperation has ever been observed.Researchers believe the findings could help to explain why co-infections can lead to significantly worse disease for some patients, including hard-to-treat viral pneumonia.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 24, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Linda Geddes Science correspondent Tags: Infectious diseases Flu Medical research Microbiology Science Society Health Source Type: news
We Want to Suck Your Blood! We Want to Suck Your Blood!
A microbiologist reflects on the use of horseshoe crabs by the pharmaceutical industry for the potent endotoxin detector in their blood and why it might be time to stop.Medscape Blogs (Source: Medscape Pathology Headlines)
Source: Medscape Pathology Headlines - October 24, 2022 Category: Pathology Tags: Pathology & Lab Medicine Blog Source Type: news
Autumn Covid numbers peak at lower levels – but flu cases are on the up
Despite encouraging survey, scientists warn of emergence of serious variant, leading to parallel epidemicBritain ’s current wave of Covid-19 cases appears to be peaking at a lower level than previous outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the disease, researchers have revealed.The news is encouraging – though scientists have also warned that a further wave of the disease could sweep the nation before the end of the year. “We need to be vigilant and monitor the data with great care, all the time,” said Professor Mark Woolhouse, of Edinburgh University.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 23, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Robin McKie, Science Editor Tags: Coronavirus Omicron variant Infectious diseases Medical research Microbiology Science World news UK news Source Type: news
Autumn Covid numbers peak at lower levels in UK – but flu cases are on the up
Despite encouraging survey, scientists warn of emergence of serious variant, leading to parallel epidemicBritain ’s current wave of Covid-19 cases appears to be peaking at a lower level than previous outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the disease, researchers have revealed.The news is encouraging – though scientists have also warned that a further wave of the disease could sweep the nation before the end of the year. “We need to be vigilant and monitor the data with great care, all the time,” said Professor Mark Woolhouse, of Edinburgh University.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 23, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Robin McKie, Science Editor Tags: Coronavirus Omicron variant Infectious diseases Medical research Microbiology Science World news UK news Source Type: news
Will there be a Covid winter wave in the UK? Here ’s what the scientists think
Unlike previous waves fuelled by variants such as Alpha and Delta, the picture now is more complexAs the UK rides a new wave of Covid, we take a look at the variants causing infections, and what the future may hold.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 21, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Coronavirus Infectious diseases Science World news Medical research Vaccines and immunisation Microbiology UK news Health NHS Society Source Type: news
U.S. weighs crackdown on experiments that could make viruses more dangerous
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Source: ScienceNOW - October 19, 2022 Category: Science Source Type: news
Top NIH director admits Boston lab that created new Covid strain did NOT clear research with agency
Dr Emily Erbelding, director of NIAID's division of microbiology and infectious diseases, said the Boston team did not clear the work with the agency. She admitted unease over the work. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - October 19, 2022 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
How will long Covid play out over the coming years? Eight experts weigh in
The story of long Covid is just beginning, and no one knows how it will play out. Experts from around the world share their insights, questions and fearsRead the Guardian ’s new series, Living with long CovidThe story of long Covid is just beginning, and no one – not even the experts – knows how it will play out.The “known knowns” are that few, if any, health systems around the world are equipped to cope with the parallel pandemic of long Covid. It will have profound social and economic impacts above and beyond the already devastating effects of acute Sars-CoV-2 infection.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 15, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Bianca Nogrady Tags: Long Covid Coronavirus Infectious diseases World news Medical research Science Society Microbiology Source Type: news
