Lasers vs. antibiotic resistance | Stopping hospital infections | Hope for CF
- ST. LOUIS, MO—Antibiotic resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. This can make certain conditions hard to treat. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that lasers that emit ultrashort pulses of light can kill drug-resistant bacteria and bacterial spores.
- PITTSBURGH—Speaking of bacteria, did you know that one in 10 people admitted to the hospital will contract an infection while there? A team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new system that can quickly detect outbreaks and put a stop to them before they spread through a hospital.
- COLUMBUS, OH—Another example of ‘tis better to give than receive: Researchers at The Ohio State University have done a study that indicates that helping and supporting family and friends is linked to lower levels of chronic inflammation. The team analyzed data from 1,054 adults between the ages of 34 and 84 for the project.
- EAST LANSING, MI—There may be some new hope for people who have cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. Spectrum Health is partnering with Michigan State University to study the effectiveness of a new drug called Trikafta. The drug has the potential to eliminate the mucus that causes breathing difficulty in CF patients.
- ST. PAUL, MN—Medtech firm Minnetronix Medical has won the TEKNE award for its expandable port to be used in neurosurgery. The port is designed to facilitate deep brain access in the treatment of stroke, cancer and other conditions.