Scientists at the University of Liverpool and University of Utrecht have taken another step forward on their quest to develop a viable drug based on teixobactin – a new class of potent natural antibiotic capable of killing superbugs. Research published in Nature Communications provides fundamental new insights into how teixobactins kill bacteria, including the discovery...
Tag: <span>infections</span>
Itchy vagina before period: Causes, remedies, and treatments
Hormonal shifts can cause vaginal itching before a period. Sometimes, however, the itching might be due to an infection, in which case the timing of the itchiness is purely coincidental. Some common reasons a person might experience vaginal itching around their period include a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal dryness, inflammation, and the use...
Long-acting injectable cabotegravir highly effective at preventing HIV infection
by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) announced today results from HPTN 083, a global randomized, controlled, double-blind study that compared the safety and efficacy of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB LA) to daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) (Truvada) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The study showed that...
Patients with COVID-19 may develop thyroid infection
WASHINGTON–COVID-19 infection may cause subacute thyroiditis, according to a new case study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory thyroid disease characterized by neck pain and is usually preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. It may be caused by a viral infection or a post-viral inflammatory reaction,...
Implant-free optogenetics minimizes brain damage during neuronal stimulation
A minimally invasive optogenetic technique that does not require brain implants successfully manipulated the activity of neurons in mice and monkeys, researchers report April 29th in the journal Neuron. The researchers first genetically engineered neurons to produce a newly developed, extremely light-sensitive protein called SOUL. They then demonstrated that it is possible to shine light...
New Scottish drug shows promise in battle against COVID-19
by University of St Andrews A new anti-viral drug developed by Pneumagen, a University of St Andrews spin out company, has had positive results in laboratory tests against COVID-19. Pneumagen Ltd, a company focused on treating infectious disease and developing oncology treatments by targeting the human glycome, today (28 April 2020) announced results from three...
French researchers to give nicotine patches to coronavirus patients and frontline workers after lower rates of infection were found among smokers
By MARY KEKATOS SENIOR HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM A French study found that only 4.4% of 350 coronavirus patients hospitalized were regular smokers and 5.3% of 130 homebound patients smoked This pales in comparison with at least 25% of the French population that smokes Researchers theorized nicotine could prevent the virus from infecting cells or...
New rapid diagnostic test for peritonitis used for first time in patients
by Cardiff University A new diagnostic test for peritonitis underpinned by Cardiff University-led research has been used for the time in patients. The Periplex test was trialled in more than 100 patients at the Royal Free Hospital in London in an independent study led by Dr. Cate Goodlad, with “promising” results that suggest it could...
Dietary supplements an important weapon for fighting off COVID-19
by Oregon State University Supplements containing vitamins C and D and other micronutrients, sometimes in amounts exceeding the federally recommended levels, are a safe, effective and low-cost means of helping your immune system fight off COVID-19 and other acute respiratory tract diseases, an Oregon State University researcher says. Findings were published today in the journal...
Half of lupus rashes harbor high levels of bacteria responsible for infections
by University of Michigan A new study finds that one side effect of lupus could also make patients with the autoimmune condition more vulnerable to a skin infection, or spreading the infection to others. In the paper, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, researchers found that 50% of skin rashes in patients with lupus...