Immunology

If you ask doctors what the biggest myth about the flu is, they will tell you that it's people thinking they have the flu. Flu-like illness can be caused by many pathogens, and most people don't go to the doctor for it, making it difficult to ass ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 3 2015 - 6:52pm

Two Of Four Known AIDS Virus Groups Originated In Gorillas

Two of the four known groups of human AIDS viruses (HIV-1 groups O and P) originated in western lowland gorillas, according researchers who conducted a comprehensive survey of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in African gorillas. HIV-1, the vi ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 3 2015 - 9:41pm

Medieval Latrine In Jerusalem Provides Window Into Spread Of Infectious Diseases

A medieval cesspit in the old city of Jerusalem has revealed the presence of a number of ancient parasite eggs, which gives researchers a glimpse into the nature and spread of infectious diseases in the Middle East during the 15th century. Scientists foun ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 19 2015 - 11:07am

India Must Address Its TB Epidemic

Effective tuberculosis control in India needs political will and commitment. Unless this happens, TB will continue to be India's silent epidemic and a death sentence for poor people, warns consultant physician and public health specialist, Zarir Udwad ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 23 2015 - 8:55pm

Raw Milk Is 3 Percent Of The Market But Causes Over 50 Percent Of Milk Foodborne Illnesses

Most people would be horrified if they went to a restaurant bathroom and saw the chef not bother to wash his hands after using the toilet. It's a good thing raw milk fad health buyers do not understand cow milking for the same reason. A new review fin ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 25 2015 - 3:10pm

Antibiotic Use In Livestock Could Increase 67 Percent- What Impact On Effectiveness?

Antibiotic consumption in livestock worldwide could rise by 67 percent from 2010 levels by 2030. What will that mean for the effectiveness of antimicrobials in humans? Five countries- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa- will experience a growth ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 26 2015 - 3:00pm

New Clues To Origin Of Hirschsprung's Disease

Genetic studies in humans, zebrafish and mice have revealed that two different types of genetic variations team up to cause a rare condition called Hirschsprung's disease, flaws in early nerve development that lead to poor colon function which must o ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 9 2015 - 5:30pm

Antibodies From Camels May Protect Humans From MERS

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which emerged in humans last year in the Saudi Arabian peninsula, causes severe respiratory disease, with a mortality rate of 35 percent. No specific therapy is currently available. Passive immunization, a procedur ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 5 2015 - 1:38am

Golden Staph: The Deadly Hospital Bug Few People Know About

Take this quick medical pop quiz: which of the following conditions would you prefer to have during your next stay in hospital? A. Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph) bloodstream infection; or B. a heart attack? I am guessing most non-medical readers vot ...

Article - The Conversation - Apr 9 2015 - 7:30am

SgMaV-1: New Switchgrass Crop Virus Discovered In North America

A new paper provides evidence of a new mastrevirus, tentatively named switchgrass mosaic-associated virus 1 (SgMaV-1). Other members of the mastrevirus genus, a group of DNA viruses, are known to be responsible for decimating yields in staple food crops (i ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 9 2015 - 4:11pm