WSU BIOL209 Microbiology

Gonorrhea HO41 was discovered two years ago and is not only a very resistant strain of gonorrhea but it can cause septic shock leading to death all within a couple of days

5 different types of fungi have been found growing in Capri Sun but the company says "a mold-related recall is unnecessary...mold must be inhaled to cause allergic symptoms...immersing it in liquid prevents spores from becoming airborne and inhaled." Gross!

WOW! random discoveries are being made every day. Makes you wonder when the cure will come!

pretty interesting that there wasnt rejection from the mice immune system. very cool for furthering research 

Very interesting about the anti-TfR blocking the TfR in the canine cells. I will def read this one when I have more time!

Reduced allergies in children

Drying hands is just as, if not more, important as washing with soap. Drip-drying causes spreading of massive amounts of bacteria, and traditional automatic hand dryers are also hazard; rubbing hands under the heat actually brings bacteria embedded in the skin to the surface. The most sanitary way to dry: paper towels.

Considering I just drank a fountain soda today, this is pretty nasty. According to the article, researchers don't know exactly where the bacteria comes from, but it isn't from customers touching the nozzles. It's believed the bacteria comes from employees during the cleaning and sanitizing process!

Save your cash and keep your toothbrush after experiencing a sore throat. In the study 13 patients with strep, 14 with a sore throat, and 27 healthy participants brushed with a new toothbrush. After incubation in a lab only one brush tested positive for strep.

Research and statistical analysis has proven that the evolution of antibiotic resistance increases as the potency of the treatments becomes more intensive.

Study about the B19 Parvovirus in humans. This virus does not infect dogs or cats and is limited to humans. It is only transmitted between humans. Symptoms are also very different than the CPV virus in canines.

An example of infectors ability to stop the immune response. Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind one of the Ebola virus' most dangerous attributes: its ability to disarm the adaptive immune system. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston scientists determined that Ebola short-circuits the immune system using proteins that work together to shut down cellular signaling related to interferon.

Three die after catching new C. diff strain in Scotland 

A new bacterial species that eats metal... what?! Just more proof that bacteria have the ability thrive anywhere, even under the most extreme conditions. Researchers worry that this new species will eventually completely eat up this historic ship.

We briefly discussed this in my immunology class, and, after hearing about it, I wanted to learn more. While I think these people are crazy for infecting themselves with hookworms (one participant didn't even consider the risks before exposing himself), the fact is that their allergies and asthma did improve, almost to the point of vanishing. Studying hookworms and what exactly they do to the immune response to suppress allergies could lead to a brand new treatment, possibly helping people to elimnate their allergies altogether.

Used as a supplemental source for mine and Megan's presentation