Infections

A controversial world-first human challenge trial is set to commence in weeks following approval by a UK ethics committee. The research aims to test vaccine efficacy, but the first step will investigate the lowest dose of virus that leads to COVID-19.

A brand new type of particle has been discovered in the human bloodstream. The sausage-shaped structures were first found by researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology in mice with sepsis, and they appear to be related to inflammatory disease.

A new flow visualization study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) starkly demonstrates why face masks with exhalation valves are not effective for slowing the spread of COVID-19.

A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has identified a protein that plays a crucial role in protecting the body’s blood stem cells from damage during infection, a finding that could lead to new ways to slow down the aging process.

When a patient receives a titanium artificial hip, there's always the risk of an infection developing at the interface between the metal and the bone. A new implant-coating process, however, is intended to greatly reduce that risk.

The growing problem of antibiotic resistance isn’t slowing down, which could soon render our best drugs useless against infection. Now, an existing rheumatoid arthritis drug could be repurposed to cancel bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics.

A new study measuring the survival rates of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces found the virus can survive up to 28 days on glass and banknotes. However, experts urge caution as these results do not translate to conditions influencing real-world transmission of COVID-19.

Outer ear infections can get serious if left untreated, which is exactly what may happen in places lacking infrastructure. A new medication could help, though, as it's applied in just one dose, and it doesn't need to be refrigerated.

A new study modeling how effective face shields and face masks with exhaust-valves are in blocking the dispersal of aerosol-sized droplets suggests the growing use of these alternative face coverings may not be helpful in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

A new case study is reporting the first clinically confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection. Responding to the news, infectious disease specialists suggest the re-infection is not surprising, could be rare, and may have implications for the efficacy of a vaccine.

A new article, co-signed by 239 scientists, is calling for health authorities to recognize COVID-19 can be spread by airborne transmission. The scientists appeal for greater mitigation measures to control indoor airborne spread of the virus.

Bacteria build protective communities called biofilms that make it tough to get antibiotics in, leading to further health problems. But now, researchers have found a new weakness in biofilms that could be exploited.