Infectious Diseases Experts Concerned by Cuts to Prevention and Public Health Fund
February 8th 2018The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) says it is alarmed by the continuing resolution passed by the House of Representatives’ that would initiate a series of cuts to the Prevention and Public Health Fund in FY2021.
Study Sheds New Light on Antibiotics Produced by Ants
February 7th 2018Ants, like humans, deal with disease. To deal with the bacteria that cause some of these diseases, some ants produce their own antibiotics. A new comparative study identified some ant species that make use of powerful antimicrobial agents - but found that 40 percent of ant species tested didn't appear to produce antibiotics. The study has applications regarding the search for new antibiotics that can be used in humans.
Vanderbilt Signs Agreement to Develop Methods for Preventing Global Spread of Deadly Viruses
February 7th 2018The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has signed a five-year cooperative agreement worth up to $28 million with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to develop methods for preventing the global spread of viruses like chikungunya and Zika.