Latest Biofilm Stories

DNA from cystic fibrosis patients with and without chronic infections points to unsuspected mutation Comparing the DNA from patients at the best and worst extremes of a health condition can reveal genes for resistance and susceptibility. This approach discovered rare variations in the DCTN4 gene among cystic fibrosis patients most prone to early, chronic airway infections. The DCTN4 gene codes for dynactin 4. This protein is a component of a molecular motor that moves trouble-making...

Synoplex® treats infected, chronic and non-infected wounds in elephants and rhinoceroses, Claremont CA (PRWEB) July 01, 2012 Elephants and Rhinoceroses frequently encounter chronic non-healing infected abscesses and cutaneous wounds that become resistant to traditional antibiotics and treatments. Over time, these wounds can have serious long-term consequences such as systemic infections and impaired mobility. Recognizing the difficulty in treating these types of wounds, the FDA’s...

SAN CLEMENTE, Cali, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ICU Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICUI) today announced that it has signed a contract with ROi (Resource Optimization & Innovation) for MicroClave® Clear neutral displacement needlefree IV connectors to be used on central and peripheral IV lines at Mercy, the eighth largest Catholic health care system in the United States, serving more than 3 million people annually. ROi is the health care supply chain company founded by Mercy more...

VISTA, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For many couples, the secret to a quality relationship is to develop a mutual understanding and respect. The more each sex knows about the other, the stronger their bonds can be. Astroglide offers tips about women for those men who are already married, engaged, or actively looking for that perfect partner. Many of the tips came from Astroglide's own male and female Twitter followers who offered some insights into the minds of women. "10...

A coating of selenium nanoparticles significantly reduces the growth of Staphylococcus aureus on polycarbonate, a material common in implanted devices such as catheters and endotracheal tubes, engineers at Brown University report in a new study. Selenium is an inexpensive element that naturally belongs in the body. It is also known to combat bacteria. Still, it had not been tried as an antibiotic coating on a medical device material. In a new study, Brown University engineers report that...

Research May Explain Recurrent Ear Infections in Children LOS ANGELES, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kathleen Maguire, a Marlborough High School Senior, is presenting a poster at the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Conference in San Francisco on June 16-19. In order to attend the conference, Maguire became a special member of the society. She is the first high school student to have a poster presentation at an ASM 112th General Meeting. Maguire will be presenting...

University of Alberta researchers found a chink in the molecular armor of the pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii There's new hope for development of an antibiotic that can put down a lethal bacteria or superbug linked to the deaths of hundreds of hospital patients around the world. Researchers from the University of Alberta-based Alberta Glycomics Centre found a chink in the molecular armour of the pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. The bacteria first appeared in the 1970's and in the last...

While scientists remain uncertain exactly how the mineral dolomite is formed, an international team of researchers say that they have discovered that the process can be facilitated by bacteria. According to a recent press release jointly issued Monday by the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" and GEOMAR | Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, the mineral is primarily formed in extreme ecosystems like lakes and lagoons with high salinity. The exact process behind dolomite's...

Doctors can now get a peek behind the eardrum to better diagnose and treat chronic ear infections, thanks to a new medical imaging device invented by University of Illinois researchers. The device could usher in a new suite of non-invasive, 3-D diagnostic imaging tools for primary-care physicians. The research team, led by University of Illinois electrical and computer engineering professor Stephen Boppart, will publish their advance in the online Early Edition of the journal Proceedings...

Discovery could play role in treatments for food and prep areas Researchers at Washington State University have found that a compound in garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, one of the most common causes of intestinal illness. Their work was recently published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. The discovery opens the door to new treatments for raw and processed meats and food preparation surfaces. "This...