Simple oral spray prevents UTIs for up to nine years

An oral spray vaccine against recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) prevented the condition from returning for up to nine years in more than half of study participants, new research has shown. It offers a safe, effective method of UTI prevention an… Continue reading Simple oral spray prevents UTIs for up to nine years

Newly discovered virus kills “sleeping” bacteria in superbug breakthrough

Bacteria often go dormant to avoid being wiped out by antibiotics or other threats, which makes treatment difficult. Now scientists have discovered a virus that can attack these sleeping bugs, clearing out infections effectively when paired with drugs…. Continue reading Newly discovered virus kills “sleeping” bacteria in superbug breakthrough

‘Smart tweezer’ can pluck out single bacterium target from microbiome

Researchers have developed a ‘smart tweezer’ that is able to pluck a particular bacterial strain from a microbiome of trillions and sequence its genome in a more cost- and resource-effective way than current methods allow. The versatile tool could enab… Continue reading ‘Smart tweezer’ can pluck out single bacterium target from microbiome

New antibiotic family kills superbugs in a way they can’t resist

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are poised to become a global health concern in the coming decades. In the race to develop new weapons, scientists from Texas A&M have created a novel family of antibacterial polymers that can kill ‘superbugs’ in a way the… Continue reading New antibiotic family kills superbugs in a way they can’t resist

Digital algorithm shown to significantly reduce antibiotic prescription

A new study has found that using a digital support algorithm to guide diagnosis and treatment by healthcare providers significantly reduced the number of antibiotic prescriptions given to acutely sick children, without affecting treatment success or ca… Continue reading Digital algorithm shown to significantly reduce antibiotic prescription

Antimicrobial textile coating makes superbug-squashing hospital curtains

Hospitals are meant to heal people, but there’s an increasing risk of patients picking up a superbug or two during their stay. Scientists have now developed long-lasting antimicrobial coatings for textiles that could allow things like hospital curtains… Continue reading Antimicrobial textile coating makes superbug-squashing hospital curtains

Iron levels trigger bacterial “memories” that are passed down generations

A new study has found that iron levels trigger the formation of a kind of ‘memory’ in bacteria that drives their subsequent behavior. Moreover, the memory is passed on to future generations. The discovery has potential application in the prevention of … Continue reading Iron levels trigger bacterial “memories” that are passed down generations

Feeding dogs raw meat may spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans

A new study has found that feeding dogs uncooked meat increases their risk of excreting E. coli that is resistant to a widely-used antibiotic, thereby increasing the potential that the bacteria will be passed on to owners and other people and cause inf… Continue reading Feeding dogs raw meat may spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans

Experimental type of vaccine could prevent hospital-acquired infections

Hospitals are meant to be places of healing, but patients often pick up new infections there that are potentially dangerous and hard to treat. A new, experimental vaccine given on arrival to hospital could help prevent infections from a range of drug-r… Continue reading Experimental type of vaccine could prevent hospital-acquired infections

Nanoparticles and novel drug combine in breakthrough acne treatment

For the estimated 800 million people worldwide – and 45 million in the US alone – battling personal wars with acne, a new, broadly successful mode of treatment would have a profound impact on quality of life.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Unive… Continue reading Nanoparticles and novel drug combine in breakthrough acne treatment