All Asia & Oceania articles – Page 5
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NewsCan a compound produced by deep-sea bacteria treat cancer?
Investigators purified a long-chain sugar molecule, or exopolysaccharide, from deep-sea bacteria and demonstrated that it triggers pyroptosis—an inflammatory form of programmed cell death—to inhibit tumor growth.
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NewsVitamin D deficiency increases risk of COVID-19 hospitalization
Experts say it’s not just booster shots that could offer protection against Covid-19 – healthy levels of vitamin D may also play a role. Researchers found a clear link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of being hospitalised by the virus.
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NewsCo-infections in young bats could underpin coronavirus emergence
A new study finds that young bats are infected more frequently by coronaviruses and could be a key source of viral spillover into other species. It also reveals the dynamics of coronaviruses circulating in Australian bats, which pose no known risk to humans.
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NewsStudy identifies world-first treatments to prevent a life-threatening virus infection
A study found two HIV antivirals already on the market can suppress transmission of HTLV-1 in humanised mice and prevent disease. When used in combination with a compound that induces cell death, infected cells were killed – flagging a potential future curative strategy.
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NewsBacteriostatic activity and mechanism of minerals containing rubidium
A new paper on traditional Chinese medicine outlines the bacteriostatic activity and mechanism of minerals containing rubidium (MCR).
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NewsFermented stevia leaf extract has potential as anticancer treatment, researchers find
Stevia may provide more benefits than as a zero-calorie sugar substitute. When fermented with bacteria isolated from banana leaves, stevia extract kills off pancreatic cancer cells but doesn’t harm healthy kidney cells, according to a research team.
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NewsStudy uncovers the hidden emerging pathogen behind Aspergillosis cases in Japan
Scientists have discovered the ancestral evolutionary links of Aspergillus latus strains through in-depth genome sequencing analyses.
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NewsTumor-targeting fluorescent bacteria illuminate cancer for precision surgery
Researchers have developed a next-generation intraoperative imaging platform using engineered beneficial bacteria that emit fluorescence specifically at tumor sites. This illuminates tumors like a neon sign during surgery, enabling more precise resection and reducing risk of recurrence.
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NewsStudy proposes first toxicity-based exposure limits proposed for indoor airborne fungi
A new study provides the first species-specific health risk estimates for indoor airborne microbes based on animal toxicity data. This is the first study to estimate human health risks from indoor microbes using benchmark doses derived from animal toxicity data.
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NewsHow tumor microbes shape cancer: New insights into microbial diversity in the tumor microenvironment
Intratumoral microbiota—the microbial populations residing within solid tumors—have emerged as pivotal components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic outcomes.
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NewsMetabolic engineering boosts yeast antioxidant power for drug production
A recent study engineered the yeast Candida glabrata to boost its resistance to oxidative stress, a common challenge in industrial bioproduction. The team enhanced the yeast’s ability to produce malate, a key molecule linked to antioxidant activity.
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NewsFirst global-to-local study reveals stark health inequalities from COVID-19 in 2020–2021
An international research team has conducted the first comprehensive global-to-local assessment of the direct health burden of COVID-19, spanning 920 locations worldwide and revealing pronounced and widespread disparities in COVID-19 outcomes across and within areas.
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NewsDeep life’s survival secret: Crustal faulting generates key energy sources for microbes, study shows
Researchers have identified how microbes in deep subsurface areas can derive energy from chemical reactions driven by crustal faulting, offering critical insights into life deep below Earth’s surface.
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NewsScientists discover tRNA methyltransferase with an unusual domain architecture and functional features
Scientists identified and characterized a novel tRNA modification enzyme in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis.
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NewsTaking the sting out of ulcerative colitis
Researchers reveal that the intestinal flora works in combination with the mutated OTUD3 gene and STING signaling to aggravate ulcerative colitis.
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NewsOmicron strain BA.2.86 emergence ‘defies natural explanation’
A researcher investigating the origin of the BA.2.86 lineage found that sporadic cases were identified in multiple, geographically distant locations around the world during its initial appearance in the summer of 2023.
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NewsHow do traditional and biodegradable microplastics affect agricultural ecosystems?
With biodegradable plastics viewed as potential alternatives to traditional plastics in agriculture, researchers investigated the differences in their impacts on agricultural fields and the health of the crop-soil system.
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NewsDual lifestyle plant fungus turns ally, protecting cereal crops against harmful Fusarium infections
A plant-friendly fungus that colonises cereal crops can protect the plants against harmful fungal infestations, a new study reveals.
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NewsBacteria gene discovery enhances key antibiotic production for farming and medicine
Monensin is a vital antibiotic used in agriculture and medicine. By analyzing the genome of Streptomyces cinnamonensis, the team discovered that specific genes (fadD, fadE, fadB, fadA) in the fatty acid degradation pathway significantly boost monensin synthesis.
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NewsEngineered microbe offers promising high-quality protein from methanol
Researchers have identified Methylophilus sp. HN238, a bacterium capable of efficiently converting methanol into high-quality protein. The protein meets WHO standards for quality, containing all 18 amino acids with essential amino acids making up 44.1% of the composition.