New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Drug-resistant infections could be starved of nutrients using existing medicines

Michael Irving May 26, 2019

Microorganisms are becoming resistant to drugs, hurtling us towards a terrifying future where once-easily-treated infections become potentially life-threatening again. Now researchers have tested an alternative to antibiotics, using existing drugs to starve a fungal infection of vital nutrients.

Existing drugs have been used to starve fungal infections of Candida albicans of nutrients

Medical

World-first human treatment of antibiotic-resistant infection with genetically modified virus

Rich Haridy May 8, 2019

A new case study outlines the first use of a genetically modified virus to treat a life-threatening antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. The successful treatment paves the way for larger clinical trials to establish how effective this experimental process could be in wider patient populations.

Three bacteriophages, or bacteria-eating viruses, were administered to the young patient suffering from a major antibiotic-resistant ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Nordic-style ventilation could reduce hospital-acquired infections

Ben Coxworth March 28, 2019

In Nordic countries, where cold winters can keep people indoors, buildings often feature what are known as "displacement ventilation" systems. A Spanish study now suggests that such technology may also help keep patients from acquiring infections while in hospitals.

Medical

Implant uses copper to fight bone infection

Ben Coxworth January 30, 2019

Resulting from bone-breaks, deep puncture wounds, severe tooth decay or other causes, osteomyelitis is a bone infection that in serious cases may lead to amputations or even death. It's also notoriously difficult to treat, although a newly-developed implant could help change that.

An X-ray showing osteomyelitis in a young person's tibia

Medical Audio available

Malaria spit-test promises detection up to a week before symptoms appear

Rich Haridy January 6, 2019

A team of researchers have revealed an innovative new salvia test that promises to quickly and cheaply screen for the presence of malaria parasites up to a week before any symptoms appear.

It's hoped a new saliva test that offers early detection of malaria will reach the market ...

Medical

UV-emitting fibers could prevent catheter-caused infections

Ben Coxworth August 23, 2018

Medical devices such as catheters extend from within a patient's body out through an opening in their skin, and unfortunately those openings often become infected. Thanks to new research, however, ultraviolet optical fibers may eventually keep such infections from occurring.

One of the far-UVC-diffusing optical fibers used in the study

Medical Audio available

Drug-resistant bacteria are growing tolerant to strong alcohol-based hand rubs

Rich Haridy August 5, 2018

The increased use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and disinfectants in hospitals has been incredibly successful in reducing cases of deadly golden staph infections. However, a new study has found that some bacteria are now becoming resistant to these alcohol-based sanitizers.

Increased hand sanitizer use in hospitals is unexpectedly spurring the growth of bacteria tolerant to alcohol ...

Medical

Inhalable viruses show promise as a better way to treat lung infections

Michael Irving July 18, 2018

As a lung infection, the most direct route to treat pneumonia would be inhalable drugs. Now researchers at Georgia Tech have made a step towards that goal, with breathable viruses that hunt down and kill disease-causing bacteria in the lungs.

Inhalable bacteriophages could be used to treat lung infections like pneumonia

Biology

Herpes virus may boost immune system function in old age

Michael Irving July 8, 2018

It’s long been believed that cytomegalovirus (CMV) probably weakens the immune system in older people, but now mice tests have shown that the opposite is true – somehow, the virus gives the immune system a bit of a late-stage boost.

Contrary to assumptions, cytomegalovirus has been found to improve the function of the immune system in ...

Medical

New tech promises fast and precise detection of infections

Ben Coxworth June 13, 2018

Although there already are methods of determining if someone has an infection, those methods have their limitations. Scientists from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) have developed what they believe is a better technique, which incorporates electrochemistry.