New research uncovers potential reason for ongoing loss of smell following COVID-19 infection

New research, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, may have identified why some individuals suffering from long COVID-19 fail to recover their sense of smell. Anosmia, or loss of smell, is a common symptom for those suffering from COVID-19, but in most cases this sense returns soon after recovery from the infection. However for … Read more

Antibiotic misuse in children still a concern in the US

Children in the US are still being incorrectly and over-prescribed antibiotics, new research has shown. Published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the study showed that children under 2 years of age in US emergency departments are regularly prescribed antibiotics to treat bronchiolitis, a common viral lung infection in the young. The … Read more

The Mla pathway – a potential Achilles heel for gram-negative bacteria?

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have identified a potential new target against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections – which could be applied to help treat all gram-negative infections. It was found that by interfering with the Mla pathway in P. aeruginosa, the bacteria became more permeable, and more susceptible to immune components. P. aeruginosa, … Read more

A modified spider peptide shows greater antibacterial activity

Scientists have found a way to boost the antibacterial activity of an antimicrobial peptide originating from a spider, according to a recent publication in the journal ACS Chemical Biology. With increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance a global concern, scientists are attempting to find alternatives to the traditional antibiotic drugs which we have relied on for … Read more

New study highlights the prevalence of resistance genes in Kenya

The bacterial species Klebsiella may contribute to a dangerously high level of antibiotic resistance in Kenya, a recent study suggests. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study is a collaborative effort between institutions including the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). In many developing nations, the occurrence of … Read more

A major source of antibiotics may also contribute to antibiotic resistance, new research suggests

Could pathogens obtain antibiotic resistance genes from the same organisms that we use to produce our antibiotics? A new study suggests that this could indeed be the case, as resistance genes bearing striking similarity to one another are found in two key groups of microorganisms. In addition, the study resulted in the proposal of a … Read more

WHO’s Essential Medicine List updated, with new guidelines on how antibiotics should used

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated their Essential Medicines List (EML), adding 10 new antibiotics which should be used in adults, and 12 for children. In addition, they’ve also decided to try a new approach to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria by dividing antibiotics into three different categories; access, watch and reserve. It’s hoped that … Read more

A triple modified form of vancomycin boosts the drug’s antibacterial power

A modified form of vancomycin gives the drug key advantages which could greatly boost its efficiency against dangerous bacteria and reduce the chances of resistant strains developing, new research shows. The study, conducted by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in the US, was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of … Read more

A novel antibiotic treatment inspired by our immune system

Researchers from the National University of Ireland Galway have developed a new antibacterial treatment, effective against drug-resistant bacteria, which takes inspiration from the human immune system. This treatment, called the ‘iodo-thiocyanate complex’, or ITC for short, also showed a low propensity to lead to the development of resistant bacterial strains. The paper was published on … Read more

Researchers develop paper that could help you stay germ-free

Could paper be used to help protect us against dangerous bacteria? New research suggests this could be entirely possible, as a team led by Rutgers University scientists has developed the first paper-based sanitiser. Their work was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The sanitiser paper works by producing ‘plasma’ – … Read more