News tagged with microbial infections

Research shows why one bacterial infection is so deadly in cystic fibrosis patients

Scientists have found why a certain type of bacteria, harmless in healthy people, is so deadly to patients with cystic fibrosis.

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Apr 23, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Powerful fungal infection drug amphotericin kills yeast by simply binding ergosterol

With one simple experiment, University of Illinois chemists have debunked a widely held misconception about an often-prescribed drug.

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Jan 16, 2012 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (7) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Titanium dioxide film enhances the sun's natural disinfection power

The world population is estimated to be seven billion and all these mouths need feeding. With fears about overfishing and the sustainability of fish stocks in our seas fish farming is becoming big business. As with all farming ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Jan 12, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Bacterial attachment mimics the just-in-time industrial delivery model

(PhysOrg.com) -- In the human world of manufacturing, many companies are now applying an on-demand, just-in-time strategy to conserve resources, reduce costs and promote production of goods precisely when ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Nov 30, 2011 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers determine how Legionnaires' bacteria proliferate, cause disease

A University of Louisville scientist has determined for the first time how the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease manipulates our cells to generate the amino acids it needs to grow and cause infection and inflammation ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Nov 17, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Bacteria responsible for common infections may protect themselves by stealing immune molecules

Bacteria responsible for middle ear infections, pink eye and sinusitis protect themselves from further immune attack by transporting molecules meant to destroy them away from their inner membrane target, according to a study ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Nov 17, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Ozone reduces fungal spoilage of fruits and vegetables

Storing fruits and vegetables in ozone-enriched environments reduces spoilage explains a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference in Harrogate. Dr Ian Singleton explains how ozone ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Apr 11, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

New method attacks bacterial infections on contact lenses

Researchers at National Jewish Health and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a new method to fight bacterial infections associated with contact lenses. The method may also have applications ...

Medicine & Health / Medical research

created Jan 25, 2011 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

In fending off diseases, plants and animals are much the same, research shows

(PhysOrg.com) -- It may have been 1 billion years since plants and animals branched apart on the evolutionary tree but down through the ages they have developed strikingly similar mechanisms for detecting ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Nov 18, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Genome study shows how strep throat germ circumvents our immune system

(PhysOrg.com) -- Investigators at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston examined for the first time the long-term response to strep throat on a genome-wide level, shedding light on how group A streptococcus ...

Medicine & Health / Medical research

created Feb 23, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Blocking biofilms: Alzheimer's research sheds light on potential treatments for urinary tract infections

(PhysOrg.com) -- Research into Alzheimer's disease seems an unlikely approach to yield a better way to fight urinary tract infections (UTIs), but that's what scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Nov 25, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Using insects to test for drug safety

Insects, such as some moths and fruit flies, react to microbial infection in the same way as mammals and so can be used to test the efficiency of new drugs, thereby reducing the need for animal testing. Dr Kevin Kavanagh ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Sep 08, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Yeast missing sex genes undergo unexpected sexual reproduction

An emerging form of the pathogenic yeast Candida is able to complete a full sexual cycle in a test tube, even though it's missing the genes for reproduction. And it may also do so while infecting us, according to Duke Univer ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created May 24, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

Mass spec technique analyzes defensive chemicals on seaweed surfaces for potential drugs

A new analytical technique is helping scientists learn how organisms as simple as seaweed can mount complex chemical defenses to protect themselves from microbial threats such as fungus. Known as desorption ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Apr 06, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 2