Science class experiment reveals vitamin B12 secret

For decades, scientists have wondered how living organisms manufacture the essential vitamin B12. Now, using laundry whitener and dirt-dwelling bacteria—the everyday ingredients of an undergraduate science experiment—researchers may have found the major clue they need to solve the mystery. more  

New oral vaccine may protect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in humans

A new oral vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium commonly known for afflicting patients with lung dysfunction, has shown to protect healthy human volunteers from infection say researchers from England and Australia. Their findings appear in the February 2006 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity. more

New Norovirus identified and associated with global outbreaks

Researchers from Australia identified a novel strain of a gastrointestinal virus that may be responsible for outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the globe. They report their findings in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. more  

First international World Health Organization collaborative study examines HPV DNA detection

Researchers report the results of the first World Health Organization international collaborative study of detection of human papillomavirus DNA in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. more

Northwestern researchers launch Avastin trial for pancreatic tumors 

A Phase II clinical trial is under way at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in conjunction with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to determine if bevacizumab (also referred to as Avastin®, an anti-angiogenesis drug that is designed to inhibit the growth of blood vessels in tumors) in combination with abdominal radiation therapy and chemotherapy can reduce localized pancreatic tumors that have not metastasized or spread to other systems or organs in the body. Northwestern Memorial is the sole clinical site where the research trial is being conducted. more

FDA approves new treatment for fungal infections  

The Food and Drug Administration approved Eraxis™ (anidulafungin) to treat certain infections caused by Candida, a yeast-like fungus that can cause serious infections in hospitalized patients or patients with compromised immune systems. more

Prescribing information - Eraxis (anidulafungin)

Eraxis, a new molecular entity that has never been marketed in the United States, is an antifungal drug that is administered intravenously, and is used to treat Candida infections in the esophagus (candidiasis), blood stream (candidemia), and other forms of Candida infections, including abdominal abscesses and peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity). more