All Asia & Oceania articles – Page 4
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NewsImmunoglobulin replacement therapy shows no reduction in serious infections for patients with CLL
In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), regular treatment with immunoglobulin replacement therapy was not associated with a reduced risk of serious infections requiring hospitalization, according to a study published in Blood Advances.
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NewsGut microbiome transplants show promise for boosting cancer immunotherapy
A comprehensive new review examines the effects of transferring healthy gut bacteria to cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
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NewsEvaluating the effect of liquid-handling speed on yeast growth using robots
A new experiment indicated that the fastest pipetting speed on cells can be set without relying on thumb rules or guesswork, which is an important guideline for increasing the efficiency and reproducibility of robot-based experiments.
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NewsEconomic evaluation of wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 testing in long-term care settings
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous pressure on healthcare systems and economies around the world, with particularly severe impacts on vulnerable groups like residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). One key lesson from the pandemic is that early detection and treatment can lower hospitalization and death rates while also cutting ...
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NewsWhy some strep infections turn deadly: A genetic clue
Researchers have identified a novel genetic mutation in Streptococcus pyogenes, a common bacterium which causes strep throat. A single mutation in the bacterial ferric ion transporter weakens bacterial growth in human blood.
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NewsMucosal vaccine shows transient action against Covid-19 variant
Mucosal adenovirus vaccine Ad5-XBB.1.5 boosting elicits nasal IgA and transiently prevents JN.1 wave infection for less than 6 months in real-world settings, a new study reveals.
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NewsRisk of deadly diarrheal diseases in children set to worsen as climate changes
Diarrhoea remains one of the most serious health threats to young children in the Global South, and new research shows that climate change is set to worsen the risk substantially.
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NewsNew research reveals diverse survival strategies of reef-building corals in response to ocean acidification
A research paper has revealed diverse survival strategies of reef-building corals in response to ocean acidification, providing a new perspective for understanding and protecting this fragile marine ecosystem.
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NewsSmart bandage with ‘plant power’ heals chronic wounds faster than market leaders
A multidisciplinary team has unveiled a next-generation wound dressing that behaves like a living leaf yet fights like a miniature pharmacy. It combines neomycin-grafted cellulose nonwovens with a polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose-nanofiber aerogel dyed with blueberry anthocyanins.
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NewsFungal-bacterial crosstalk between Shiraia fungus and its fruiting body-associated bacterium via their metabolites
Scientists have uncovered a molecular interplay between the bambusicolous fungus Shiraia and its bacterial partners. When co-cultured without physical contact, bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Rhodococcus sp. No. 3 boosted fungal production of HA by 3.86-fold.
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NewsNew study finds distinct city-specific gut microbiota linked to diet
A new study shows that the human gut microbiota can pinpoint whether an adult lives in Wuhan or Shiyan, two cities 500 km apart in China’s Hubei Province, with 94 % accuracy. This microbial signature is strongly linked to each city’s characteristic diet.
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NewsEngineered yeast converts methanol into valuable compound α-farnesene at scale
Farnesene, a high-value chemical intermediate, has applications in fragrance and pharmaceutical synthesis as well as aviation fuel formulations.To reduce reliance on food-based feedstocks, researchers have engineered microbial cell factories capable of utilizing methanol.
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NewsNew chlorophyll fluorescence imaging technique enables early detection of rice fungal diseases
A research team leverages chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) imaging, a cutting-edge technique, to identify reliable pre-symptomatic diagnostic indicators for rice blast and brown spot.
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NewsBreakthrough engineered enzyme for recycling of PET bottle and blended fibers at moderate temperatures
Researchers engineered a novel PET hydrolase PET2-21M and established large-scale production in yeast. This enzyme dramatically boosted PET bottle-grade PET breakdown, offering a promising, energy-efficient path for a circular plastics economy.
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NewsScientists uncover critical role of membrane protein topology in beta-coronaviruses assembly
Beta-coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, have caused global health problems. How the virus infects host cells and triggers immunological responses has been investigated extensively. However, how the virus replicates and assembles in the cell is largely unknown. Researchers at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have uncovered a conserved mechanism ...
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NewsHigh-efficacy adjuvanted subunit vaccine against variant infectious bursal disease virus in chicks
Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), primarily affecting chicks. Notably, the emergence of new mutant strains that exacerbate the disease can cause serious economic losses to the global poultry industry. To date, there is no commercial vaccine against ...
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NewsNew study brings vaccine hopes for deadly Nipah virus
Researchers have tested experimental Nipah vaccines in pigs, aiming to cut off the virus at one of its key transmission routes. The study describes the development of three vaccine candidates using different viral surface proteins.
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NewsMicrobially synthesized bioplastic may solve marine plastic pollution problem
Researchers have demonstrated a new eco-friendly plastic that decomposes in deep ocean conditions. In a deep-sea experiment, the microbially synthesized poly(d-lactate-co-3-hydroxybutyrate) (LAHB) biodegraded, while conventional plastics persisted.
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NewsResearch reveals STIs during pregnancy linked to adverse birth complications
Common sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy have been linked to a higher risk of significant birth complications including preterm birth, stillbirth and babies born smaller than expected.
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NewsCertain fungi can boost the micronutrient content of bread wheat
New research indicates that bread wheat’s micronutrient content can be increased by cultivating it with a specific type of fungus. Crops grown with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis developed larger grains with greater amounts of phosphorus and zinc.