https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/std/ Sexually transmitted diseases. Read the latest medical research on STDs including prevention and new treatments. en-us Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:42:19 EDT Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:42:19 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/std/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071953.htm Scientists have uncovered a surprising twist in how bacteria share genes—including those that spread antibiotic resistance. Tiny virus-like particles called gene transfer agents (GTAs), once ancient viral invaders, have been repurposed by bacteria into delivery systems that shuttle DNA between neighboring cells. The study reveals a key control hub of three genes, dubbed LypABC, that triggers bacterial cells to burst open and release these DNA-packed couriers. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:44:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071953.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408225950.htm Chronic inflammation often works quietly in the background but can fuel serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. New research reveals that everyday plant compounds—like menthol from mint, cineole from eucalyptus, and capsaicin from chili peppers—can team up inside immune cells to dramatically boost their anti-inflammatory power. While individual compounds showed modest effects, certain combinations amplified results hundreds of times over by activating different cellular pathways at once. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:57:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408225950.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401071951.htm Colorectal cancer may carry a unique microbial “fingerprint,” setting it apart from other cancers and opening a new frontier in diagnosis and treatment. By analyzing DNA from over 9,000 patients, researchers discovered that only colorectal tumors consistently host distinct microbial communities—challenging the long-held belief that all cancers have their own microbial signatures. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:54:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401071951.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044708.htm Scientists have found a way to make one of the most aggressive brain tumors vulnerable to the immune system. A single injection of a modified virus can invade glioblastoma, kill cancer cells, and summon immune fighters deep into the tumor. These immune cells persist and attack, which was linked to longer survival in patients. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:59:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044708.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260221000321.htm A common bacterium best known for causing pneumonia and sinus infections may also play a surprising role in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that Chlamydia pneumoniae can invade the retina and brain, where it sparks inflammation, nerve cell death, and the buildup of amyloid-beta—the hallmark protein linked to Alzheimer’s. Higher levels of the bacterium were found in people with Alzheimer’s, especially those carrying the high-risk APOE4 gene, and were tied to more severe cognitive decline. Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:43:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260221000321.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260217005717.htm Antibiotic resistance is racing toward a global crisis, with “superbugs” projected to cause over 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Now, scientists at UC San Diego have unveiled a powerful new CRISPR-based tool that doesn’t just fight resistant bacteria—it can actively strip away their drug resistance. Inspired by gene drives used in insects, the technology spreads a genetic “fix” through bacterial populations, even inside stubborn biofilms that shield microbes from antibiotics. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:08:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260217005717.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260216044006.htm Northwestern researchers have shown that when it comes to cancer vaccines, arrangement can be just as important as ingredients. By repositioning a small fragment of an HPV protein on a DNA-based nanovaccine, the team dramatically strengthened the immune system’s attack on HPV-driven tumors. One specific design slowed tumor growth, extended survival in animal models, and unleashed far more cancer-killing T cells than other versions made with the exact same components. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:00:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260216044006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260209064314.htm A long-term study of older adults with moderate hearing loss found that hearing aids did not lead to better performance on memory or thinking tests, but the story did not end there. Over seven years, people who were prescribed hearing aids were significantly less likely to develop dementia than those who were not. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:43:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260209064314.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020850.htm Scientists in Australia have uncovered a clever new way to fight some of the most dangerous drug-resistant bacteria by targeting a sugar that exists only on bacterial cells. By designing antibodies that recognize this unique sugar, researchers were able to guide the immune system to attack and eliminate deadly infections that normally shrug off antibiotics. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:09:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020850.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083349.htm A 5,500-year-old skeleton from Colombia has revealed the oldest known genome of the bacterium linked to syphilis and related diseases. The ancient strain doesn’t fit neatly into modern categories, hinting at a forgotten form that split off early in the pathogen’s evolution. This pushes the history of treponemal diseases in the Americas back by millennia and shows they were already diversifying long before written records. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:04:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083349.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003832.htm Aging immune cells may be sabotaging the body from within. Researchers found that macrophages produce a protein that locks them into a chronic inflammatory state, making infections like sepsis more deadly in older adults. Turning off this signal reduced inflammation and improved survival in older models. The findings hint at future treatments that could dial back harmful immune overreactions. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:38:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003832.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093437.htm A new blood test may reveal Crohn’s disease years before symptoms begin. The test detects an unusual immune response to gut bacteria in people who later develop the condition. By studying healthy relatives of Crohn’s patients, researchers identified early warning signals long in advance. The findings raise hope for earlier diagnosis and future prevention. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:34:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093437.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000323.htm Ibuprofen may be doing more than easing aches and pains—it could also help reduce the risk of some cancers. Studies have linked regular use to lower rates of endometrial and bowel cancer, likely because the drug dampens inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Researchers have even found it can interfere with genes cancer cells rely on to survive. Still, experts warn that long-term use carries risks and shouldn’t replace proven prevention strategies. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:47:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000305.htm A new study suggests that micro-doses of THC could help counter many long-term side effects of HIV treatment without causing intoxication. In animal models, low-dose THC reduced inflammation, improved gut bacteria, boosted serotonin, and lowered harmful cholesterol and bile acids. Surprisingly, it also reduced circulating levels of antiretroviral drugs while maintaining viral suppression, potentially protecting the liver. Scientists say the results point to a promising new approach for managing chronic complications of HIV. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:36:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000305.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004149.htm A one-dose oral drug called zoliflodacin has proven highly effective against gonorrhoea in a major international trial. The pill matched the success of current treatments while avoiding injections and complex dosing. As antibiotic resistance spreads, this new option could make treatment simpler and more accessible worldwide. Approval could mark a major step forward in controlling a stubborn global STI. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 03:19:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004149.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084155.htm Researchers discovered a hidden molecular “switch” that herpes viruses rely on to invade cells. By combining AI, simulations, and lab experiments, they identified and altered a single amino acid that shut down viral entry. What once might have taken years was achieved far faster using computational tools. The findings open new possibilities for designing future antiviral treatments. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:45:33 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084155.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220049.htm Researchers discovered that chronic inflammation fundamentally remodels the bone marrow, allowing mutated stem cell clones to quietly gain dominance with age. Reprogrammed stromal cells and interferon-responsive T cells create a self-sustaining inflammatory loop that weakens blood production. Surprisingly, the mutant cells themselves may not be the main instigators. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:00:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220049.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109013246.htm Scientists have turned to advanced AI to decode the intricate ecosystem of gut bacteria and their chemical signals. Using a Bayesian neural network called VBayesMM, researchers can now identify genuine biological links rather than random correlations. The system has already outperformed traditional models in studies of obesity, sleep disorders, and cancer. Mon, 10 Nov 2025 01:21:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109013246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093012.htm UC San Diego researchers combined artificial intelligence with molecular biology to unravel how immune cells in the gut decide between inflammation and healing, a process gone awry in Crohn’s disease. They discovered that the NOD2 gene’s interaction with a protein called girdin is crucial for maintaining balance. When this connection is lost due to a common mutation, inflammation spirals out of control. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:44:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093012.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205009.htm Penn State scientists uncovered an ancient bacterial defense where dormant viral DNA helps bacteria fight new viral threats. The enzyme PinQ flips bacterial genes to create protective proteins that block infection. Understanding this mechanism could lead to breakthroughs in antivirals, antibiotic alternatives, and industrial microbiology. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:05:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205009.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251014014421.htm Endurance exercise may train the immune system as much as the muscles. Older adults with decades of running or cycling had immune cells that functioned better and aged more slowly. Their inflammation levels were lower and their cells resisted fatigue even under stress. The findings point to a direct link between lifelong fitness and healthier immune regulation. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 23:27:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251014014421.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040337.htm Scientists at Mass General Brigham have created HPV-DeepSeek, a blood test that can detect HPV-linked head and neck cancers nearly a decade before diagnosis. By finding viral DNA in the bloodstream, the test achieved 99% sensitivity and specificity. This breakthrough could lead to earlier, less invasive treatments and significantly improve survival. A large NIH trial is underway to confirm the results. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 23:55:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040337.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054923.htm Morning sickness isn’t just random misery—it’s a biological defense system shaped by evolution to protect the fetus. By linking immune responses to nausea and food aversions, UCLA researchers show these symptoms are signs of a healthy pregnancy. Mon, 29 Sep 2025 22:50:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054923.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002412.htm Yale scientists discovered that cavefish species independently evolved blindness and depigmentation as they adapted to dark cave environments, with some lineages dating back over 11 million years. This new genetic method not only reveals ancient cave ages but may also shed light on human eye diseases. Fri, 29 Aug 2025 22:11:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002412.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250811094005.htm NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer, a mission designed to create high-resolution maps of water on the Moon, ended after losing contact with the spacecraft just one day after its February 26 launch. Despite extensive global efforts to reestablish communication, the small satellite’s misaligned solar arrays prevented its batteries from charging, leaving it powerless and drifting in a slow spin into deep space. Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:57:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250811094005.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045708.htm HIV antivirals may be the key to stopping HTLV-1, a deadly virus with no cure. In a decade-long study, researchers successfully suppressed the virus in mice and discovered a way to kill infected cells, offering hope for the first preventative and curative treatments. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:51:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045708.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073443.htm Scientists have discovered a stealthy mechanism that cytomegalovirus (CMV)—the leading infectious cause of birth defects in the U.S.—uses to infiltrate blood vessel cells while evading immune detection. The virus forms a hidden protein complex that acts like a molecular “backdoor,” allowing it to bypass the immune system’s defenses. This newly identified pathway may explain why vaccine efforts have failed for decades and opens the door to targeted therapies that could finally prevent CMV-linked birth defects in newborns and protect vulnerable patients. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:40:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073443.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250621233836.htm HIV is surging among adults over 50 in sub-Saharan Africa, yet prevention and treatment campaigns still focus mainly on the young. New research reveals older adults face comparable or higher infection rates but remain largely invisible in HIV studies, which hampers progress toward global health goals. Persistent stigma, outdated perceptions, and limited education or access in rural areas worsen the situation, especially for older women. Sat, 21 Jun 2025 23:38:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250621233836.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620031207.htm Cold sore-causing HSV-1 doesn't just hijack cells it reconfigures the entire architecture of our DNA to aid its invasion. Researchers discovered that it actively reshapes the 3D structure of the human genome within hours of infection, using host enzymes like topoisomerase I to gain access to crucial genetic machinery. Stunningly, blocking this single enzyme shuts the virus down completely. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 03:12:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620031207.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619090853.htm Researchers from MIT and Scripps have unveiled a promising new HIV vaccine approach that generates a powerful immune response with just one dose. By combining two immune-boosting adjuvants alum and SMNP the vaccine lingers in lymph nodes for nearly a month, encouraging the body to produce a vast array of antibodies. This one-shot strategy could revolutionize how we fight not just HIV, but many infectious diseases. It mimics the natural infection process and opens the door to broadly neutralizing antibody responses, a holy grail in vaccine design. And best of all, it's built on components already known to medicine. Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:08:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619090853.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250609020615.htm A revolutionary STI test developed by UK-based Linear Diagnostics is on track to dramatically reduce the time it takes to detect infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia. Built on ultra-fast EXPAR DNA amplification technology, the platform can deliver lab-accurate results in as little as five minutes, without sending samples to centralized labs. Mon, 09 Jun 2025 02:06:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250609020615.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155806.htm Chronic inflammatory bowel disease is challenging to treat and carries a risk of complications, including the development of bowel cancer. Young people are particularly affected: when genetic predisposition and certain factors coincide, diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease usually manifest between the ages of 15 and 29 -- a critical period for education and early career development. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Researchers have now discovered a therapeutic target that significantly contributes to halting the ongoing inflammatory processes. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:58:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124444.htm New HIV research shows that small changes in the virus affect how quickly or slowly it replicates and how easily it can reawaken in the body. These insights bring researchers closer to finding ways to flush out the dormant virus and eliminate it for good. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:44:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131827.htm A team identified herpes virus saimiri, which infects the T cells of squirrel monkeys, as a source of proteins that activate pathways in T cells that are needed to promote T cell survival. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:18:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131827.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124123.htm In the long battle to create an effective HIV vaccine, scientists have made a major leap forward. A new study shows that a series of vaccines can coax the immune system to produce powerful antibodies capable of blocking a wide range of HIV strains -- including those that are typically the hardest to stop. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124123.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125153.htm Researchers uncover a notorious cholera strain that contains sophisticated immune systems to fend off viruses, which potentially helped it to fuel a devastating epidemic across Latin America. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:51:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125153.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121154.htm Head and neck cancer researchers are reporting the development and testing of HPV-DeepSeek, a novel liquid biopsy assay. In their new study, HPV-DeepSeek achieved 99% sensitivty and specifity for diagnosing HPV-associated head and neck cancers, outperforming standard of care methods. HPV causes about 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S., which are increasing in incidence faster than other head and neck cancers. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:11:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121154.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131255.htm Nanoplastics are everywhere. These fragments are so tiny they can accumulate on bacteria and be taken up by plant roots; they're in our food, our water, and our bodies. Scientists don't know the full extent of their impacts on our health, but new research suggests certain nanoplastics may make foodborne pathogens more virulent. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:12:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131255.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515145628.htm A decades-long scientific challenge in HIV vaccine development has been finding a way to train the immune system to produce antibodies that can target many variants of the virus. Traditional approaches haven't worked -- largely because HIV mutates rapidly and hides key parts of itself from the immune system. Now, a new study combining data from two separate phase 1 clinical trials shows that a targeted vaccine strategy can successfully activate early immune responses relevant to HIV, and, in one trial, further advance them -- a key step toward a long-sought goal in vaccine development. Thu, 15 May 2025 14:56:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515145628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112146.htm Researchers have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables HIV-1 to evade the body's natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication. The 'loophole' is a biological process that involves circular RNAs and marks the first experimental evidence of HIV-1 generating them from an integrated retroviral genome. Findings point to a novel strategy the virus uses to survive, providing a new target in the fight against one of the world's most resilient pathogens. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:21:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112146.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112553.htm Researchers have discovered a type of molecule that can kill chlamydia bacteria but spare bacteria that are important for health. The discovery opens the door for further research towards developing new antibiotics against chlamydia. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:25:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112553.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170649.htm Chemists found a way to identify a complex sugar molecule in the cell walls of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the world's deadliest pathogen. This labeling could lead to simpler, faster TB tests. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:06:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170649.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501164002.htm A new approach to drug design can deliver medicine directly to the gut in mice at significantly lower doses than current inflammatory bowel disease treatments. The proof-of-concept study introduced a mechanism called 'GlycoCaging' that releases medicine exclusively to the lower gut at doses up to 10 times lower than current therapies. Thu, 01 May 2025 16:40:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501164002.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142737.htm Tackling HIV continues to be a major public health challenge, mainly because the persistence of viral reservoirs means that people living with HIV need to take lifelong antiretroviral treatment. But some individuals, known as 'post-treatment controllers,' are able to maintain an undetectable viral load even after stopping treatment. Scientists have now identified specific immunogenetic characteristics in a group of these individuals. The research provides novel information about the immune mechanisms associated with HIV control in the absence of antiretroviral treatment and offers new prospects for the development of immunotherapies aimed at achieving remission or a cure for HIV infection. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:27:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142737.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162830.htm Women who experience urinary incontinence after giving birth may get just as much relief from telehealth as they do from physical therapy, a new study has found. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:28:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162830.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404201407.htm Low vaccination rates for influenza viruses and the lack of an HSV vaccine underscore the need for a new approach to reduce viral transmission. Researchers have now used a clinical-grade antiviral chewing gum to substantially reduce viral loads of two herpes simplex viruses and two influenza A strains in experimental models. Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:14:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404201407.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404122634.htm The Xpert MTB/Ultra molecular diagnostic test for stool samples, until now recommended only for children, could be established as an additional test for diagnosing tuberculosis in adults living with HIV. Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:26:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404122634.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122814.htm Certain antibiotic-resistant infections could be treated with precision medicine in the future, thanks to a new resource mapping plasmids the ultimate vehicle of rapid bacterial evolution. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:28:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402200920.htm Organoids have revolutionized science and medicine, providing platforms for disease modeling, drug testing, and understanding developmental processes. While not exact replicas of human organs, they offer significant insights. Scientists now present a new organoid model that reveals details of the developing nervous system's response to viral infections, such as Rubella. This model could influence pharmaceutical testing, particularly benefiting drug safety for pregnant women. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:09:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402200920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402160657.htm The technology described uses a nanomechanical platform and tiny cantilevers to detect multiple HIV antigens at high sensitivity in a matter of minutes. These silicon cantilevers are cheap and easy to mass produce and can be readily equipped with a digital readout. Built into a solar-powered device, this technology could be taken to hard-to-reach parts of the world where early detection remains a challenge to deliver fast interventions to vulnerable populations without waiting for a lab. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:06:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402160657.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122603.htm Researchers discover a new class of antibiotic that selectively targets Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea. These substances trigger a self-destruction program, which also operates in multi-resistant variants of the pathogen. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:26:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122603.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328172955.htm Roughly one out of three women ages 14-49 in the United States develop a vaginal bacterial imbalance known as bacterial vaginosis (BV) during their lifetime. BV is characterized by unpleasant odors, and potentially painful side effects, as well as the risk of associated health issues later in life. More than half of the patients who seek medical care do not respond to the first-line treatment, the antibiotic metronidazole, leading to recurrence. Now researchers have developed a simple DNA PCR-based lab test -- built on a more detailed genetic analysis of the main group of bacterial organisms that cause the infection -- to help clinicians prescribe the right medicine for each patient. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:29:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328172955.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325120137.htm In addition to causing several types of cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) appears to bring a significantly increased risk of heart disease and coronary artery disease, according to a new study. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:01:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325120137.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143643.htm A study has found that a single dose of the Imvanex vaccine provides protection against Mpox with 84% effectiveness. For people with HIV, however, a single dose of the vaccine fails to offer sufficient protection. All at-risk groups, and people with HIV in particular, should therefore receive the second dose of the vaccine as recommended. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:36:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143643.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163636.htm The Zika virus builds tiny tunnels, called tunneling nanotubes, to stealthily transport material needed to infect nearby cells, including in placental cells, according to a team of researchers from Penn State and Baylor College of Medicine. It's one way the virus crosses the placental barrier, transmitting from mother to fetus during pregnancy without raising alarm in the immune system. The team also demonstrated, for the first time, that one specific Zika protein -- non-structural protein 1 (NS1) -- is responsible for the formation of the nanotubes. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:36:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163636.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250313151958.htm Study findings provide a new gene pathway for potential treatment of the virus affecting millions. Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:19:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250313151958.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250313130808.htm A research team has made further progress in the treatment of intestinal inflammation. A study shows that the semi-synthetic bile acid NorUDCA inhibits in the intestine the formation of pro-inflammatory T helper 17 cells (TH17) and at the same time promotes the generation of anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells. This could be a promising new therapeutic option for patients with TH17-mediated intestinal diseases. Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:08:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250313130808.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312124012.htm MIS-C is a serious inflammatory shock that affects children. It can occur several weeks after a COVID infection and can be life-threatening. Until now, however, the precise cause of the condition was unknown. Researchers have identified that reactivation of a pre-existing, dormant infection with the Epstein-Barr virus triggers an excessive inflammatory response. These insights open the door to new treatment methods, potentially not limited to MIS-C. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:40:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312124012.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250311122707.htm A more affordable, lower-risk polio vaccine is on the horizon, research has found. Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:27:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250311122707.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310131647.htm A study finds that herpes infection through the nose can lead to anxiety, motor impairment and cognitive issues. The research shows that by exploiting a cellular enzyme, the virus can produce behavioral symptoms. The finding emphasizes the need for prevention and treatment of a virus carried by billions of people worldwide. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:16:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310131647.htm