Bacterial Research: Superhero' microbiome bacteria protect against deadly symptoms during infection ♦ New technique could prevent biofilms on catheters and medical implants

Superhero' microbiome bacteria protect against deadly symptoms during infection Once the most powerful and revolutionary of drugs, antibiotics appear to have reached their limits, due to the ability of bacteria to rapidly evolve resistance to the medicines. Now a team of scientists has found E. coli in microbiome capable of protecting the body from infectious diseases, which may help prevent antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

New technique could prevent biofilms on catheters and medical implants Biofilms -- mats of bacteria similar to the plaque that grows on teeth -- frequently coat the surfaces of catheters, and of various medical implants and prostheses, where they can threaten lives or lead to failure of the implants. Antibiotics are impotent against biofilms. Now scientists show that coating implants with 'tissue plasminogen activator' can prevent Staphylococcus aureus, the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, from forming biofilms.

Study examines bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics used to treat gonorrhea Although gonorrhea susceptibility to the antibiotic cefixime has been improving in recent years, suggesting a halt of a drift towards antibiotic resistance, data for 2014 indicates a worsening of susceptibility.

Preventing dental implant infections Millions of dental implants are inserted every year, and often they need to be replaced due to issues such as tissue infections caused by bacteria. In the future, these infections will be prevented thanks to a new plasma implant coating that kills pathogens using silver ions.

Health Research: Nanoengineering used for reducing bacteria on fresh produce ♦ Bacteria in medical implants on purpose ♦ Impulsive personalities more prone to accidents,

Bacteria in medical implants on purpose? Opening the way to living implants Supramolecular chemistry is the science that is concerned with molecular self-assembly: chemical building blocks which, when you combine them, naturally form larger ordered structures. Researchers have now found a method that allows them to ensure that living cells - in this case bacteria from the human body - can be incorporated in materials while maintaining their mobility. This opens the way to a wide range of new applications, for example as part of medical implants.

Scientists find new mutation that may lead to better diabetes medications and prevention A new genetic mutation that appears to protect people from developing Type 2 diabetes has been identified by an international team of researchers. The finding could lead to the development of new drug therapies to treat Type 2 diabetics who rely on insulin and oral medication to manage the life-threatening disease

Nanoengineering used as alternative for reducing bacteria on fresh produce  Nearly half of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. from 1998 through 2008 have been attributed to contaminated fresh produce. Prevention and control of bacterial contamination on fresh produce is critical to ensure food safety. The current strategy remains industrial washing of the product in water containing chlorine. However, due to sanitizer ineffectiveness there is an

Impulsive, angry personalities more prone to aggressive driving, accidents, Drivers with impulsive, angry personality characteristics are more likely than other drivers to engage in the kind of belligerent driving that potentially leads to accidents, a new study confirms. These conclusions could be used in designing more effective traffic safety publicity campaigns,.

2/8/15 Health News: A phone so smart, it sniffs out disease ♦ Hydrogen sulfide helps lower blood pressure ♦ Biomaterial coating improves success of medical implants

A phone so smart, it sniffs out disease

Imagine a smartphone that not only finds the nearest five-star restaurant or hails a cab with a quick click, but also diagnoses illness. New technology would enable smartphones to screen their users' breath for life-threatening diseases, developers report. Continue Reading

Hydrogen sulfide could help lower blood pressure

A new compound, called AP39, which generates minute quantities of the gas hydrogen sulfide inside cells, could be beneficial in cases of high blood pressure and diseases of the blood vessels that occur with aging and diabetes, new research suggests. Continue Reading

Biomaterial coating raises prospect of more successful medical implants

A novel, bacteria-repelling coating material that could increase the success of medical implants has been created. The material helps healthy cells 'win the race' to the medical implant, beating off competition from bacterial cells and thus reducing the likelihood of the implant being rejected by the body. Continue Reading

Shared symptoms of Chikungunya virus, rheumatoid arthritis may cloud diagnosis

A mosquito-borne virus that has spread to the Caribbean and Central and South America and has caused isolated infections in Florida often causes joint pain and swelling similar to that seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Continue Reading