All Asia & Oceania articles
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NewsResearchers probe how natto produces supersulfide molecules in fermentation
Natto, a Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with the Bacillus subtilis var. natto microorganism, is rich in supersulfide molecules, which are attracting attention in the medical and nutritional fields. Researchers extensively analyzed supersulfide content in natto fermentation using various methods.
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NewsTesting menstrual blood for HPV could be “robust alternative” to cervical screening
Testing menstrual blood for human papillomavirus (HPV) could be a “robust alternative or replacement” for current cervical cancer screening by a clinician, finds a study. The researchers say using menstrual blood for HPV testing is convenient and non-invasive.
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NewsA mint idea becomes a game changer for medical devices
Researchers have developed a high‑performance coating made from peppermint essential oil that can be applied to the surfaces of many commonly used medical devices, offering a safer way to protect patients from infection and inflammation.
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NewsGreen chemistry: Friendly bacteria can unlock hidden metabolic pathways in plant cell cultures
Co-culturing plant cells with harmless bacteria can expand the diversity of obtainable plant-derived compounds for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemicals, a new study shows.
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NewsSugar molecules point to a new weapon against drug-resistant bacteria
Researchers have developed a powerful new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria by designing antibodies that recognise a sugar found only on bacterial cells – an advance that could underpin a new generation of immunotherapies for multidrug resistant hospital-acquired infections.
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NewsGut microbe–derived butyrate activates immune cells to enhance vaccine efficacy
Researchers have uncovered a new mechanism showing how butyrate—a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut commensal bacteria—enhances T follicular helper (Tfh) cell activity to promote antibody production and strengthen mucosal vaccine efficacy.
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NewsSoil pH shapes nitrogen competition between wheat and microbes, new study finds
A new study reveals that soil acidity plays a critical role in determining how wheat competes with soil microorganisms for nitrogen, a nutrient essential for plant growth and global food production.
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NewsHow a single protein helps a fungal pathogen invade tea oil trees
Scientists report the discovery of a key mitophagy regulator in Colletotrichum camelliae, the fungus responsible for anthracnose in tea oil trees. A SUN family protein, CaSun1, directly recruits the autophagy protein CaAtg8 to mitochondria, enabling mitophagy during infection.
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NewsClinical data gaps keeping life-saving antibiotics from children
Antibiotics that could treat severe infections in babies and children aren’t accessible due to a lack of data around safety and dosage. Of 12 antibiotics recommended for serious bloodstream infections caused by a harmful, Gram-negative bacteria, only six were licensed in children aged under 12 and just three in babies.
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NewsScientists fight superbugs with nets, light switches - and egg white
A new gel could combat resistant bacteria in wounds and around implant sites, while also supporting healing. The hydrogel, which is inspired by natural immune defences, has produced highly promising results in animal models.
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NewsHow brick-building bacteria react to toxic chemical in Martian soil
Researchers investigated how bacteria that can mould Martian soil into brick-like structures fare in the presence of perchlorate, a toxic chlorine-containing chemical discovered in Martian soil. It slows down bacterial growth - but surprisingly leads to the formation of stronger bricks.
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NewsVaping zebrafish suggest E-cigarette exposure disrupts gut microbial networks and neurobehavior
Researchers hope to spark broader public discussion on the health risks of e-cigarettes and provide scientific evidence to support a reassessment of existing regulations.
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NewsFrom sea to soil: Molecular changes suggest how algae evolved into plants
A research team used cryo-electron microscopy to look at the three-dimensional structure and function of Lhcp, a unique prasinophyte LHC, from the microscopic alga Ostreococcus tauri. The team compared their results to LHCII, which is found in terrestrial plants.
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NewsResearchers uncover hidden toxin risks during nutrient-starved algal blooms
Researchers have shown that extended nutrient deprivation can significantly increase toxin content per cell in the benthic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima, even when cell numbers remain relatively stable. Toxin risk may increase quietly under nutrient-poor conditions without obvious bloom expansion.
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NewsHow bacteria in the mouth may offer new clues to cognitive dysfunction in people with schizophrenia
An association between oral microbiota and cognitive performance in schizophrenia has been reported by researchers. The study shows that lower oral microbial diversity is associated with poorer cognitive function, with specific predicted microbial metabolic pathways potentially linked to this relationship.
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NewsNatural sunscreen compounds show potential to support skin health and blood pressure
Researchers have discovered that natural ‘sunscreen’ compounds found in algae and cyanobacteria may also support skin and heart health.
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NewsDissolved bubble microneedles enable more efficient therapy of acne vulgaris
Researchers report a new microneedle-based strategy for acne therapy in a new study. The team developed dissolved bubble microneedle patches that can simultaneously deliver hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs directly into acne-affected skin.
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NewsPros and cons of pesticides and fertilizers in real-world mandarin orange farms
Researchers examined how different kinds of pesticides and fertilizers affect mandarin oranges across Japan. Advanced statistical analysis showed that while reducing pesticides enhanced the diversity of microbes in the soil, it also led to an increase in fruit disease caused by leaf pathogens.
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NewsMachine learning reveals how to maximize biochar yield from algae
Researchers have developed a powerful machine learning framework that can accurately predict and optimize biochar production from algae, offering a faster and more sustainable path toward carbon rich materials for climate mitigation, soil improvement, and environmental applications.
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NewsInconsistent standards may be undermining global tracking of antibiotic resistance
A comprehensive review of how antimicrobial resistance is monitored in the environment and why inconsistent interpretation of laboratory results may be distorting our understanding of the scale of the problem.