EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This month, we’re focusing on infectious diseases, a topic that affects lives and communities around the world. Here, you’ll find the latest research news, insights, and discoveries shaping how infectious diseases are being studied, prevented, and treated globally.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 14-Dec-2025 09:11 ET (14-Dec-2025 14:11 GMT/UTC)

24-Jul-2025

New study in Ukraine indicates significant lifetime exposure and ongoing transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses among the general population

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A nationwide study in Ukraine has found evidence of substantial lifetime exposure to the hepatitis B and C viruses in a 2021 nationwide, representative sample of the population.

Journal: Eurosurveillance
Funder: World Bank Group, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

24-Jul-2025

Bird-to-human jump by trichomonas parasites illuminated in new study

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals how genetic changes in the parasite responsible for one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections may have helped it adapt to human hosts.

Journal: Nature Communications

23-Jul-2025

Stealth genetic switch in mosquitoes halts malaria spread

University of California - San Diego
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers have developed a system that blocks malaria transmission in mosquitoes, which continue to be the deadliest animals on Earth. The CRISPR-based gene-editing system changes a single molecule within mosquitoes, a tiny but effective change that stops the malaria-parasite transmission process.

Journal: Nature
Funder: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH/National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Open Philanthropy Project

23-Jul-2025

How does infection with respiratory syncytial virus affect the health of older adults?

Wiley
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a retrospective study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, adults aged 65 and older hospitalized for RSV in Ontario, Canada experienced significantly higher rates of adverse outcomes such as longer length of hospital stay, transfer to intensive care, and 30-day mortality, compared with patients hospitalized with influenza, urinary tract infection, or fracture.

Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

22-Jul-2025

More accurate measures required to help diagnose sepsis in children

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

More accurate measures are needed to help diagnose children with sepsis as a current clinical tool is failing to detect those requiring hospital care, according to a new MCRI-led study.

Journal: The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Funder: NHMRC, MRFF, Royal Children's Hospital Foundation

22-Jul-2025

Candida’s hidden toolbox: Scientists discover a previously unknown infection strategy

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team led by the Leibniz-HKI in Jena has uncovered a new way in which the yeast Candida albicans can damage human tissue. In a study published in Nature Communications, the scientists describe an alternative pathogenicity strategy involving the human serum protein albumin. This mechanism had not previously been described and may help explain why certain clinical isolates of Candida albicans appear harmless in laboratory tests, yet cause infections in patients.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

21-Jul-2025

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of COVID-19 hospitalization

University of South Australia
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As the latest wave of COVID-19 shows no signs of abating, University of South Australia experts say it’s not just booster shots that could offer protection – healthy levels of vitamin D may also play a role.

Journal: PLOS One