Disease

New research has identified a specific genetic variant that may act as a biomarker for patients that are unlikely to respond to new biologic treatments for Crohn's disease.

A new study shows that disabling a single protein in human cells could render the cold virus ineffective.

​Acyclovir is one of the most commonly-used herpes-treatment drugs. It can also damage the kidneys, however, so the less of it that's used, the better. According to a new study, combining the drug with activated carbon helps make it more effective, so a smaller amount of it is required.

A new artificial intelligence (AI) app developed by researchers from Bioversity International allows banana​ farmers to identify and combat outbreaks of pests and diseases. Designed to be used with a smartphone, both on and offline, it's claimed to operate with an average success rate of 90 percent.

​As crop plants "breathe" through the pores in their leaves, they release an assortment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. A new smartphone-connected device analyzes those chemicals within a matter of minutes, detecting and identifying any diseases that may be indicated.

​Sepsis occurs when the body's immune system releases chemicals to fight an infection, triggering widespread inflammation. If not treated soon enough, organ failure and even death can ultimately result. A new device, however, could detect it earlier than ever.

​Killing up to 200,000 people annually, schistosomiasis is one of THE most deadly parasitic diseases in the world, second only to malaria. Soon, however, prawn aquaculture could be used to control the snails that spread it – and to provide revenue for people in developing nations.

A team of researchers in Poland has proposed a novel, non-invasive test for screening and monitoring gut diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The technique uses a tiny blood / stool sample to determine gut permeability, a key marker of these diseases.

The Pirbright Institute has revealed it destroyed the largest remaining stock of rinderpest virus. The destruction of one of a handful of laboratory samples of the deadly cattle virus was carried out under a program to prevent any future outbreaks of the disease by eliminating it entirely.

Researchers have uncovered a new weakness that could be exploited to produce new antiviral drugs. The team discovered a compound that can prevent certain classes of viruses from infecting cells, paving the way for new treatments against diseases like the common cold, meningitis or polio.

​If your child has a persistent cough, it goes without saying that you should check to see if it's anything serious. Taking them to the doctor is the best bet, but an experimental new cough-analyzing smartphone app could help in situations where that isn't possible.

A provocative new study is suggesting the same bacteria responsible for gum disease is also the primary pathogenic cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Not only that, but a new drug developed to inhibit these bacterial toxins and treat Alzheimer’s is moving into major human clinical trials later this year.