All Asia & Oceania articles – Page 8
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NewsScientists research potential anti-ulcer vaccine targeting Helicobacter pylori
Scientists are on the way to finding a vaccine to fight off the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, possibly preventing stomach ulcers and lowering the risk for stomach cancer. They used immunoinformatics to scan its genetic makeup and predict which parts can trigger a strong immune response.
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NewsRoot chemistry determines how antibiotic resistance spreads from manure to crops
Researchers found that the rhizosphere, the narrow soil zone surrounding plant roots, is a major hotspot for the accumulation of manure-derived ARGs. Across eight common crops, ARG abundance in rhizosphere soil was on average 1.24 times higher than in bulk soil.
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NewsScientists reveal role of paeoniflorin in mediating microbiota-gut-brain axis
Paeoniflorin treatment significantly reduced depression-like behaviours in stressed rats, while gut microbiota analysis revealed that the treatment corrected imbalances in key metabolites associated with brain function, a study shows.
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NewsCHIKVdb: A comprehensive genomic resource for chikungunya virus surveillance and outbreak response
Scientists have developed the Chikungunya Virus Database (CHIKVdb), a comprehensive genomic resource. CHIKVdb integrates 8,193 nucleotide sequences and 10,637 protein sequences from five major host categories across 99 countries, spanning 40 years.
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NewsTracking infectious disease spread via commuting pattern data
Researchers have introduced a Commuter Metapopulation Model (CMPM) to simulate the spread of COVID-19 with actual commuting data provided by the country’s second-largest telecommunication network, revealing it could better capture spatial variety in outbreak patterns.
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NewsWhen faucets rest: hidden microbial risks emerge in hours
Stagnant water in building plumbing systems is a well-known driver of microbial growth and contamination, including L. pneumophila. A new study highlights a short “microbial safety window” of 2–4 hours, after which risks increase significantly.
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NewsData-guided bioelectrodes pave way for greener remediation
There is an urgent need to develop data-driven strategies that can accelerate and scale up microbial dechlorination for contaminated environments. Researchers report a new machine learning framework that integrates experimental features with microbial biofilm data to optimize bioelectrodechlorination.
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NewsScientist invents MICROCAP, an algae-based oxygen generator that removes CO₂ and purifies indoor air
A lecturer in Thailand has invented the MICROCAP air purifier, which uses photosynthetic algae to absorb carbon dioxide and produce 20 times more oxygen than trees.
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NewsRevolutionizing bioplastics: a microbial platform for fully bio-based long-chain polyesters
Researchers have developed a scalable, end-to-end microbial process transforming plant oils into sustainable polyesters comparable to petroleum-based plastics.
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NewsScientists develop safer and more sustainable antimicrobials to prevent infection of cow udders
A new study has unveiled an alternative class of potent antimicrobial compounds that could be used in the agriculture industry to combat multi-drug-resistant bacteria that cause bovine mastitis.
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NewsExpanding the genetic toolkit: nitrogen-response promoters developed for Bacillus licheniformis
Promoters are crucial expression elements in synthetic biology, and Bacillus licheniformis serves as an excellent chassis cell for industrial production, but is restricted by a lack of nitrogen source-responsive promoters.
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NewsEarth’s oxygen boom: a fresh perspective for a billion-year-old problem
A new study examines nickel and urea in early microbial habitats, showing how ancient cyanobacteria adapted to their chemical surroundings. By recreating Archean conditions in the lab, researchers uncovered clues about the delicate balances that shaped early cyanobacterial life.
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NewsHow microbial strain variations influence neurobehavior
Microbial single nucleotide variations influence host cognitive behavior by regulating metabolism, a new study of merino sheep reveals.
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NewsFrom glucose to gourmet: engineered bacteria churn out key food additive
Researchers used E. coli as the chassis to produce inosinic acid (IMP), a popular umami enhancer. By reprogramming the metabolic flux network of E. coli and introducing amino acid mutations in the key enzymes in the synthesis pathway, the yield was significantly increased.
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NewsResearchers uncover hidden plant–microbe strategy that boosts crop growth under nutrient stress
Scientists discovered that when soil microbes compete with each other in the rhizosphere, they release a well-known compound called glutathione. This compound enhances plant growth under sulphur-deficient conditions.
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NewsChemobiological platform enables renewable conversion of sugars into core aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum
Researchers have developed a chemobiological platform that converts renewable carbon sources such as glucose and glycerol into oxygenated precursors, which are deoxygenated in the same solvent system to yield benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene (BTEX).
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NewsBiochar and plants join forces to clean up polluted soils and boost ecosystem recovery
A review explores how combining biochar with rhizoremediation, a nature-based process that uses plant roots and beneficial microbes to break down pollutants, can greatly enhance soil restoration. Biochar acts as both a catalyst and a habitat for microbes.
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NewsMore than a feeling: Could a healthier gut improve mental health?
A new review finds strong causal evidence that gut microbes can change brain chemistry, stress responses and behaviours in animal models; and evidence that probiotics, diet changes, and faecal microbiota transplants improve mood and anxiety.
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NewsSlime mold metabolites are a promising, eco-friendly repellent of root-knot nematodes
A team of researchers has discovered 14 compounds secreted by slime molds that repel root-knot nematodes (RKNs) - worm-like parasites of the genus Meloidogyne - and could be the source of new, non-toxic anti-RKN pesticides.
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NewsLittle-known strep bacteria behind growing number of severe infections
An under-recognised strep bacterium is causing a growing number of serious infections in Australia, with First Nations Australians disproportionately affected, according to new research.