Research News

Fecal matter transplants are more successful in treating Clostridium difficile infections than previously thought, new research has found. The research shows that healthy changes to a patient's microbiome are sustained for up to 21 weeks after transplant, and has implications for the regulation of the treatment.

An important bacterial protein called UmuD may help prevent antibiotic resistance, scientists say. Penny Beuning from Northeastern University's college of science and colleagues are studying UmuD that regulates mutagenesis and may provide important clues about how to sto the process that eventually results in antimicrobial resistance.

Multitasking may hamper your performance and even damage your brain, new research has claimed. A study conducted at Stanford University found that people who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall, or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time.

Sandoz, a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and a  subsidiary of Novartis, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Glatopa. Glatopa is the first FDA-approved, substitutable generic version of Copaxone^® 20mg, a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Sandoz, together with Momenta, is proud to be the first company to receive FDA approval for a substitutable generic version of this important therapy.

Bacteria can use tiny magnetic particles to effectively create a 'natural battery', a new study has found. The bacteria can load electrons onto and discharge electrons from microscopic particles of magnetite, researchers said. This discovery holds out the potential of using this mechanism to help clean up environmental pollution, and other bioengineering applications, they said.

A new study from the Forsyth Institute is helping to shed more light on the important connection between the mouth and heart. According to research recently published online by the American Heart Association, scientists at Forsyth and Boston University have demonstrated that using an oral topical remedy to reduce inflammation associated with periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease, also results in the prevention of vascular inflammation and can lower the risk of heart attack.

Results from the phase 1 clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine based on the current strain of the virus suggests it is safe to use and provokes an immune response in recipients, Chinese scientists say. Until now, all tested Ebola virus vaccines have been based on the virus strain from the Zaire outbreak in 1976.

In a world first, researchers have found that a naturally occurring chemical attracts pregnant malaria transmitting mosquitoes - a discovery which could boost malaria control efforts. The chemical, cedrol, found in mosquito breeding sites near Africa's Lake Victoria, could be used in traps that would 'attract and kill' the female mosquito, preventing reproduction before she lays hundreds of eggs.