A team led by Johns Hopkins researchers has solved important puzzles concerning how certain proteins guide the reproduction of bacteria, discoveries that could lead to a new type of antibiotics.

In a recent study published in the journal Current Biology, the scientists reported how a belt-like structure called a Z ring, which pinches a rod-shaped bacterium to produce two offspring, can be disabled by a protein called MinC. By exploiting this vulnerability, the researchers said, pharmaceutical companies may find a way to fight infections that no longer respond to older medications.
(more…)

Wellmune WGP, a natural immune-enhancing ingredient from Biothera, reduced the incidence of fever and eliminated the need for study subjects to miss work or school due to the cold-like symptoms, researchers reported at the 2008 Experimental Biology annual meeting.

Don Cox, Ph.D., Vice President of Research & Development for Biothera’s Healthcare Group, said, “This study’s results are exciting because they show the potential for Wellmune WGP to naturally enhance the body’s innate immune response to protect against and ameliorate the symptoms of something that every one of us encounters - the common cold. These results are consistent with numerous other immune health studies conducted with our ingredient, and indicate the real-life benefits that Wellmune WGP supplementation can provide.”
(more…)

Recent studies have suggested an association between chronic inflammation and cancers of the prostate, colon, stomach and liver. Now scientists at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine report success in blocking an early step in metastasis of prostate cancer cells by interrupting the communication between the cancer cells and other cells that promote inflammation.

Their success suggests new ways to control cancer spread and metastasis. The findings also provide an impetus to look more closely at existing inflammation-controlling drugs including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, antioxidants and statins. It is possible, says Dr. Paul Lindholm, that these widely available drugs could be used to control aggressive cancer cell growth and spread for these and other inflammation-associated cancers.
(more…)

A team led by Johns Hopkins researchers has solved important puzzles concerning how certain proteins guide the reproduction of bacteria, discoveries that could lead to a new type of antibiotics.

In a recent study published in the journal Current Biology, the scientists reported how a belt-like structure called a Z ring, which pinches a rod-shaped bacterium to produce two offspring, can be disabled by a protein called MinC. By exploiting this vulnerability, the researchers said, pharmaceutical companies may find a way to fight infections that no longer respond to older medications.
(more…)

The journal Respirology has launched a special supplementary issue on the avian influenza. Published by Wiley-Blackwell, the collection of papers present an inclusive insight into the threat of the avian influenza pandemic by addressing a wide range of topics including the basic biology of the virus, updates on laboratory diagnosis and influenza anti-viral, treatment options, and pandemic planning.

Philip Thompson, editor of (more…)