Bacterial Research:People emit their own personal microbial cloud ♦ E. coli more virulent when accompanied by beneficial bacteria ♦ How E. coli strain acquired deadly powers

Antibacterial soap no more effective than plain soap at reducing bacterial contamination Using antibacterial soap when hand-washing is no more effective than using plain soap, according to a new paper. The study examined the effect of triclosan (the most commonly used active antiseptic ingredient used in soap) on bacteria.

Dominant strain of drug-resistant MRSA decreases in hospitals, but persists in community The incidence of the most common strain of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has decreased in hospital-onset cases, but has failed to decline in the broader community

E. coli more virulent when accompanied by beneficial bacteria Scientists wonder why some people get so sick and even die after being infected by the foodborne pathogen E. coli O157:H7, while others experience much milder symptoms and recover relatively quickly. Now researchers believe they have discovered an explanation.

Superbug study reveals how E. coli strain acquired deadly powers A strain of E. coli became a potentially fatal infection in the UK around 30 years ago, when it acquired a powerful toxin, a gene study has revealed. Scientists say new findings show that E. coli O157 is continuing to evolve and should be monitored closely.

The 'Pig-Pen' in each of us: People emit their own personal microbial cloud We each give off millions of bacteria from our human microbiome to the air around us every day, and that cloud of bacteria can be traced back to an individual. New research focused on the personal microbial cloud -- the airborne microbes we emit into the air -- examined the microbial connection we have with the air around us. The findings demonstrate the extent to which humans possess a unique 'microbial cloud signature

Health News:Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry ♦ New material for creating artificial blood vessels ♦ Facts about our microbial menagerie

Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry Last summer’s preliminary data from Salmonella and Campylobacter testing of raw meat and poultry for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are out, and there were mixed results. During the July-September quarter, FSIS collected and tested 3,985 samples for its Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Students break new ground in understanding genetic diversity of bacteriophages Over the last seven years, thousands of undergraduate students have sequenced and analyzed the genomes of bacteria-infecting viruses, known as bacteriophages. Those genomes are now the focal point of a new study that examined the genetic diversity of 627 phages isolated from a single species of bacteria. The study shows

Facts about our microbial menagerie Trillions of microorganisms inhabit us -- inside and out. Scientists are surveying these microbial metropolises to learn more about their role in health. Here are a few details of what researchers have learned so far

New material for creating artificial blood vessels Blocked blood vessels can quickly become dangerous. It is often necessary to replace a blood vessel – either by another vessel taken from the body or even by artificial vascular prostheses. Researchers have developed artificial blood vessels made from a special elastomer material,. Over time, these artificial blood vessels are replaced by endogenous material a natural, fully functional vessel is once again. The method has already been used successfully

Challenging work tasks may have an upside for the brain Professionals whose jobs require more speaking, developing strategies, conflict resolution and managerial tasks may experience better protection against memory and thinking decline in old age than their co-workers.

Health News: Third death in colorado linked to marijuana edibles ♦ CA Issues public health warning about raw milk ♦ Health department’s failure to announce salmonella outbreak

CA Issues public health warning about raw milk  The state with the largest retail sales of raw milk in the United States is warning consumers that the consumption of unpasteurized (raw) dairy products may cause serious illness.

Health department’s fails to announce outbreak Over a four-month period, a popular deli in the Los Angeles area sickened at least 21 people with Salmonella poisoning, but the Ventura County Department of Public Health did not notify the public when the first cases were reported

Third death in colorado linked to marijuana edibles Thee third death associated with marijuana edibles could not have come at a worse time for the state’s 15-month-old legal pot industry. Services are being held today in Tulsa, OK, for Luke Goodman, 23, who reportedly killed himself last Saturday night
Link between lifestyles of indigenous communities, gut microbial ecologies discovered

A strong association between the lifestyles of indigenous communities and their gut microbial ecologies (gut microbiome) has been discovered by researchers. This study that may have implications for the health of all people

.Experience saves lives: Advanced life-support study reveals differences in survival rates An advanced form of life support that takes over for the failing hearts and lungs of critically ill patients saves lives. But for adults, the odds of surviving depend on which hospital provides the life-supporting treatment -- with the best odds at ones that use the technique dozens of times a

10/11/14 Health News: The food that can shorten your life ♦ OVER 100 PEOPLE SICKENED BY Y, PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS ♦ MICROBIAL TESTING OF FRESH PRODUCE

The food that can cut years off your life

Meat lovers, this news may change your grocery list: Eating both processed and unprocessed red meat is associated with an increased mortality risk, according to new research in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Continue Reading

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE SICKENED BY YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS IN NEW ZEALAND

More than 100 people across New Zealand are sick from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and at least 35 people have been hospitalized. Most cases have been in the Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington areas. Outbreaks of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which are not common, have previously been associated with the consumption of contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked pork products,... Continue Reading

MICROBIAL TESTING OF FRESH PRODUCE: WHERE IS THE VALUE?

Summary Product testing is an inefficient tool for enhancing the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The probability of finding a contaminant is very low at the bacterial population densities likely to be found. Product testing is wasteful of resources because of the time and expense of the testing itself, but also because all tested... Continue Reading