News • "COMPASS" method
Using nanoparticles for more sensitive rapid tests
A newly developed rapid test needs only a few seconds to reliably detect pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. It is based on specially designed magnetic nanoparticles.
Infections
News • First on site, but short-lived
New insights into immune defence may explain Covid-19 reinfections
A new study has found that antibodies produced in the nose decline nine months after Covid-19 infection, while antibodies found in the blood last at least a year.
News • Enhancing diagnostics
Al and robots could help detect urinary tract infections early
Scientists are developing artificial intelligence (AI) and talking robots to help to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) in vulnerable people early.
News • Simulated droplet infection
Watching viruses fail (and what it can tell us about antiviral surfaces)
Researchers tracked viruses passing through face masks and compared their failure on the filter layers of different mask types. This could accelerate the development of surfaces that can kill viruses.
News • Microbial keratitis prevention
'Smart contact lenses' to detect eye infections
A pioneering ‘smart contact lens’ to test the eye in a quick, non-invasive way could prevent deaths caused by fungal eye infections in developing countries.
News • Imaging advances
Photon-counting CT shows more post-Covid-19 lung damage
A promising new application for photon-counting CT: The new technology outperforms conventional CT in detecting subtle damage in the lungs of patients with persistent symptoms of Covid-19.
Sponsored • Disease management
Multiplex Testing: A Solution to Manage Surge in Respiratory Illnesses as Concerns over “Multi-demic” Rise
Eunsin Bae, M.D. specializes in laboratory medicine and leads the Institute of Clinical Research at Seegene Inc. Her research focuses on microbiology, molecular biology, and hematology. Dr. Bae is currently working toward implementing a global clinical study and establishing an international network of clinical investigations.
News • Presented at Medica 2022
External catheter solution to end urinary tract infection
At Medica, medical device company Ur24Technology Inc. showcased its TrueClr product line – a non-invasive catheter to minimise infection risk, increase patient comfort and reduce healthcare costs.
Sponsored • Periprosthetic protection
Bone cements containing antibiotics for infection prophylaxis – quo vadis?
Periprosthetic infections and revisions are on the rise in Germany and worldwide, with significant consequences for affected patients as well as for the healthcare systems. Precisely because the number of patients at higher risk of infection in arthroplasty continues to rise, attention is increasingly focused on how this dreaded complication can be avoided.
Sponsored • POCT
Pluslife Biotech – Mini Dock POC Molecular System
The Pluslife Mini Dock System is a Next-Generation POC molecular diagnostic tool that can be used in different application scenarios, which aims to help the decentralization of MDx in diagnosing facilities.
Sponsored • Diagnostics Alliance against SARS-CoV-2
The Global Alliance for Diagnostics Sets Next-Generation POC Molecular Testing Collaboration
The coronavirus pandemic is a huge challenge for global public health and welfare. Decentralized, affordable POC MDx platforms would allow more effective control of SARS-CoV-2 and other infections.
News • Answer to SARS-CoV-2 mutations
One step closer to 'variant-proof' Covid-19 vaccine
A vaccine design approach that could protect against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 but also potentially protects against other coronaviruses is one step closer to reality as a result of new research.
News • Coronavirus consequences
Covid-19 continues to reduce life expectancy (in some countries more than others)
Covid-19 has led to global mortality changes unprecedented in the last 70 years, according to new research. However, the drop in life expectancy is not equally high in all countries.
News • Infection control
Legionnaire's disease: genetic analysis key to understanding risk
Routine sampling of water supplies and genomic sequencing of Legionella bacteria could play a key role in identifying the source of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, research suggests.
News • Neuroinflammation research
Exploring the long-term consequences of infections
Researchers mapped in detail how the immune system acts against pathogens invading the brain. This sheds new light on host-pathogen interactions and the long-term consequences of brain infections.
News • Coronavirus countermeasures
Long Covid: referral drop suggests vaccine effectiveness
Referrals to Cambridge’s long Covid clinic fell dramatically in the period August 2021 to June 2022, which researchers say is likely due to the successful rollout of the vaccine.
News • Disrupted neurogenesis
Covid-19 delirium: new study reveals possible brain mechanisms
Researchers have shown that when brain cells are directly exposed to blood taken from Covid-19 patients with delirium, there is an increase in cell death and a decrease in the generation of new brain cells.
News • Coronavirus mechanism discovered
Organ-on-a-chip reveals how SARS-CoV-2 invades blood vessels
A research group has revealed that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the vascular endothelial barrier by suppressing the expression of Claudin-5 (CLDN5) to invade the blood vessels.
News • Deep mutational scanning for SARS-CoV-2
Preparing rapid tests for future coronavirus variants
How can rapid antigen tests be adjusted to reliably detect future variants of SARS-CoV-2? A research team funded by the National Institutes of Health is currently working on finding an answer.
News • Data submission on skin symptoms and vaccine
Monkeypox: International registry launched
Using a newly launched, comprehensive monkeypox registry, health professionals can share data on the skin symptoms of monkeypox and the vaccine to improve patient care.
News • Biotechnology
Miniature biosensor monitors condition of serious wounds
Researchers at Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have developed a new biosensor capable of accurately monitoring the condition of a chronic wound.
News • mhealth
App accurately detects COVID-19 infection in people’s voices
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to detect COVID-19 infection in people’s voices by means of a mobile phone app, according to research to be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress.
Article • Infection prevention
Vaccination: why ‘positive consensus’ is crucial
Vaccination projects across the world are at a pivotal post-Covid moment, according to one of the leading experts in the field. Speaking to Healthcare in Europe ahead of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) congress in Qatar – where vaccination will be a central topic – Dr Jerome Kim said there is an urgent need to regain a ‘positive consensus’ around the value of vaccines. He…
Sponsored • Orthopaedics
The fragile patient in arthroplasty: Sustainably lower risk of infection in hip fractures
Arthroplasty treatment of fragile patients is a major challenge faced by orthopaedic surgeons. The patients, often geriatric, come with a variety of risk factors and comorbidities that can negatively impact the success of an arthroplasty procedure.
News • Neurological and psychiatric complications
Increased risk of 'brain fog' and other disorders two years after Covid-19 infection
New diagnoses of disorders including psychosis, dementia, seizures and ‘brain fog’ remain commoner two years after Covid-19 than after other respiratory infections, new research finds.