Viruses and Bacteria

Black cats may be a symbol of bad luck in many Western societies, but one such sooty feline has brought good fortune to scientists, playing a key role in identifying a new virus that can infect humans. It's the second novel bug Pepper has hunted down.

Every couple of years we see a wave of stories claiming picking your nose is a causal factor in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. So where does this story come from and why is it, according to neuroscientists New Atlas contacted, "extremely unlikely."

If you were given a choice of vaccine delivery method, would you rather a needle or a skin cream? Thought so. Well, the latter might be a viable option soon, as Stanford scientists have used a topical cream to strongly vaccinate mice against tetanus.

Nobody wants to get a respiratory infection, but vaccines aren't 100% effective, and constantly taking drugs can be problematic. That's where a new nasal spray may come in, as it's been shown to prevent such illnesses without the use of drugs.

A new device has been shown to protect wearers from airborne viruses while leaving their face mask-free. It blocks microbes via a curtain of air which has itself been pretreated to kill any viruses present within it.

To help combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers have been experimenting for years with drug-free methods to blast disease-causing bugs. A new type of stainless steel does exactly that, in a convenient and affordable way.

When it comes to toilet etiquette, do you put the lid down before you flush, or leave it up? A new study has shown just what happens when you leave it up – and the results might have you questioning just what you do behind closed doors.

A study has demonstrated that a bacterial defense mechanism against invading viruses can be used to combat bacterial infection, opening the door to new anti-bacterial therapeutics, particularly important in the setting of rising antibiotic resistance.

Our bodies are home to trillions of microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and a whole host of others. Now, Stanford scientists have discovered an entirely new class of biological entities inside us, which they’ve ominously named “Obelisks.”

Bacteria often go dormant to avoid being wiped out by antibiotics, which makes treatment difficult. Now scientists have discovered a virus that can attack these sleeping bugs, clearing out infections effectively when paired with drugs.

Current evidence suggests many organisms will struggle to keep pace with a changing climate. However, unlucky for us, some pathogens may thrive – including, as this new study suggests, the bugs that cause the common diarrhea illness campylobacteriosis.

Hospitals are meant to heal people, but patients often pick up superbugs during their stay. Scientists have now developed long-lasting antimicrobial coatings for textiles that could allow hospital curtains to quickly kill viruses and bacteria.