pathogens

A new technique, which involves melting bacterial DNA found in blood samples, could deliver diagnoses of potentially fatal infections faster than ever before. Results may be obtained in a few hours, instead of days.Ordinarily, in order to see if harmful bacteria are present in someone's bloodstream, a sample of their blood is placed in a growth medium in a Petri dish. If the bacteria are indeed in the blood, they will proceed to grow. It can take anywhere from 15 hours to several days, however, before they've grown to…

Researchers have used off-the-shelf components to create a sensor device that is not only cost-effective but can quickly detect 32 different pathogens and has sensitivities on par with the state-of-the-art biosensors used in pathology labs. The novel device could have a range of applications, from monitoring the effectiveness of cancer therapies to predicting the course of viral illnesses.Diagnosing diseases early benefits patients and doctors. It enables treatment to slow disease progression and reduces the risk of…

Research published in Microbiology Spectrum demonstrates that tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other harmful bacteria affecting digestive and urinary tract health. This breakthrough suggests that regular consumption of tomatoes can offer natural antibacterial benefits, particularly against pathogens like Salmonella Typhi.A study reveals that tomato juice effectively kills Salmonella Typhi and other harmful bacteria, thanks to specific antimicrobial peptides found in tomatoes. This discovery highlights the…

Researchers at the University of Delaware are looking at how plants grown in space are more prone to infections of Salmonella compared to plants not grown in space or grown under gravity simulations. Credit: Evan Krape/ University of DelawareResearch team finds lettuce and other plants are more susceptible to bacterial infections in space than on Earth.Lettuce and other leafy green vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet — even for astronauts on a mission.It’s been more than three years since the National…

The "microbiome" is the unique population of microorganisms found in and on every plant and animal. Scientists have now genetically altered that population in rice plants, making them more resistant to harmful bacteria. The technology could one day reduce the need for pesticides.In the initial phase of the study, the researchers identified a gene in rice plants which is responsible for their production of lignin (a biopolymer that makes up plants' cell walls).The scientists suspected that this gene also affects the makeup…

Researchers at Monash University have discovered the critical role of the protein IKAROS in immune cell development, offering new insights into cancer therapy and the potential for reevaluating existing drugs targeting this protein for improved treatment options.IKAROS code cracked: insight into an essential protein for immune cell development and protection against pathogens and cancer.In a scientific breakthrough that aids our understanding of the internal wiring of immune cells, researchers at Monash University in…

Researchers found that planting a variety of crops, as opposed to monocultures, increases agricultural yield by limiting soil pathogen growth. The study emphasizes the productivity and stability of diverse plant communities and suggests that these principles can be applied to home gardening. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA University of Kansas study shows diverse crop planting enhances yield by reducing soil pathogen effectiveness, challenging traditional monoculture practices and providing insights applicable to home…

A NASA image containing visible and infrared data revealing the presence of dissolved organic matter – including potential antibiotic-resistant pathogens – in the waterways along coastal North Carolina after Hurricane Florence. Credit: NASAResearch overturns previous beliefs about Salmonella contamination sources in North Carolina, pointing to rivers and streams instead of pig farms, and calls for revised disease control strategies.Researchers report in the journal Geohealth that local rivers and streams were the source…

A NASA image containing visible and infrared data revealing the presence of dissolved organic matter—including potential antibiotic-resistant pathogens—in the waterways along coastal North Carolina after Hurricane Florence. Credit: NASA Researchers report in the journal Geohealth that local rivers and streams were the source of the Salmonella enterica contamination along coastal North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in…

A study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University reveals that the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis can hinder heart muscle repair after a heart attack, suggesting that treating oral infections may help prevent fatal heart attacks. Scientists at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have discovered that the gum disease-causing bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis can disrupt the merging of autophagosomes and lysosomes. This interference aggravates heart tissue restructuring and increases the risk of heart rupture…