antibiotics

A new blood test can differentiate between bacterial and viral infections in newborns, according to a report by Inside Precision Medicine. The development could help doctors avoid unnecessary antibiotics in babies with viral illnesses while ensuring those with bacterial infections get prompt treatment, an area where diagnosis in infants has long been difficult and often relies on broad-spectrum antibiotics as a precaution.

The University of Kansas has received a $5.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund research into antibiotic resistance. The funding will support efforts to develop new ways to fight drug-resistant bacteria, a growing public health threat. The award highlights ongoing federal investment in biomedical research addressing one of medicine's most urgent challenges.