All Editorial articles – Page 12
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NewsSome human GII.4 norovirus are better than others at infecting cells; researchers have found out why
A study reveals that human GII.4 noroviruses have evolved a uniquely potent entry mechanism with clear strain-specific differences. The findings open new possibilities for identifying the elusive human norovirus receptor as well as developing vaccines and treatments.
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NewsLong-term biochar use boosts soil health and soybean yields, study finds
A decade-long field study has revealed that biochar can significantly improve soil quality and boost soybean production in continuous cropping systems. The findings provide new evidence that biochar could be a powerful tool for making agriculture more sustainable.
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NewsHeart rhythm disorder POTS common in patients with long COVID
A new study shows that an unusual heart rhythm disorder, POTS, is particularly common in people with long COVID. The majority of those affected are middle-aged women.
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NewsSummer studentship: Shen explores how a novel peptide can destabilise the outer membrane of E. coli
Li Shen reports back on his AMI-sponsored summer studentship which investigated a novel antibiotic adjuvant at the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London.
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NewsScientists revive almost forgotten Balkan yoghurt recipe that deploys bacteria, acids - and ants
Researchers recreated a nearly forgotten yogurt recipe that was once was once common across the Balkans and Turkey—using ants. The team shows that bacteria, acids, and enzymes in ants can kickstart the fermentation process that turns milk into yogurt.
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NewsBreakthrough results from elephant herpesvirus trial find vaccine to be safe
The world’s first vaccine trial against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) – a leading cause of death in young Asian elephants – is safe and triggers a strong virus-fighting immune response, according to a research team.
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NewsNew antibiotic targets IBD — and AI predicted how it would work before scientists could prove it
The new antibiotic, enterololin, attacks and kills only a specific group of disease-causing bugs, which includes the type of E. coli that drives Crohn’s disease. It is a promising new treatment option for people affected by Crohn’s and other IBD-related conditions.
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NewsWhooping cough can be fatal in young infants, experts warn
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is on the rise and incidence now exceeds pre-pandemic numbers. Pertussis in young infants can be life-threatening and experts are strongly encouraging vaccination, especially during pregnancy.
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NewsPlant microbiota: War and peace under the surface
Scientists unveil the subtle alliances and rivalries that unfold between bacteria and roots, hidden beneath the soil. A new study probed how and when root exudates are released at the microscale relevant to microorganisms.
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NewsScientists develop rapid and scalable platform for in planta directed evolution
Researchers have developed a new system that enables rapid and scalable directed evolution of diverse genes directly in plant cells. To address the challenge of slow cell division rate in plants, the researchers harnessed geminiviruses.
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NewsAncient plankton hint at steadier future for ocean life
A team of scientists has uncovered a rare isotope in microscopic fossils, offering fresh evidence that ocean ecosystems may be more resilient than once feared. They analyzed nitrogen isotopes preserved in the shells of tiny plankton called foraminifera.
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NewsCould a fungus provide a blueprint for next-gen hydrogels?
New research finds one fungal species, Marquandomyces marquandii, shows promise as a potential building block for new biomedical materials. It can grow into hydrogels, materials that hold lots of water and mimic the softness and flexibility of human tissues.
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NewsGenetic ‘Trojan horse’ selectively kills cancer cells linked to Kaposi’s sarcoma
A highly targeted gene therapy that could revolutionize treatment for cancers linked to a common herpesvirus harnesses an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver a genetic “Trojan horse” into infected cells.
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NewsDo stranded dolphins have Alzheimer’s disease - and how are cyanobacteria involved?
Scientists have come up with an unusual hypothesis: perhaps dolphins become disoriented by suffering from a form of Alzheimer’s disease. It appears that Alzheimer’s-type neuropathology and disorientation may result from chronic exposure to toxic molecules produced by cyanobacteria.
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NewsNew herpes virus–based vaccine could cure cancer in the future without side effects
The Herpes simplex virus is a widespread virus that often causes cold sores, and most people carry it. By removing a virulence gene, i.e. a gene that makes the virus harmful to humans, the herpes virus can be repurposed as a cancer vaccine.
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NewsQdenga vaccine shows effectiveness against dengue under real-world conditions during Brazil’s 2024 outbreak
An international team of researchers has demonstrated that the tetravalent dengue vaccine Qdenga provides significant protection against the disease under real-world conditions, during the large 2024 epidemic in São Paulo, Brazil.
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NewsHigh-latitude phytoplankton particularly sensitive to climate change
A team of researchers have investigated how high-latitude phytoplankton communities responded to ancient climate warming. High-latitude communities are historically understudied and likely to be particularly sensitive to human-driven climate change.
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NewsGene editing, traditional crossbreeding produce disease-resistant cacao plants
Researchers reported that they edited the gene TcNPR3 in cacao plants, ultimately resulting in disease-resistant cacao plants that had 42% smaller disease lesions when infected with phytophthora, compared to non-edited plants.
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NewsNew insights into how pathogens build protein machinery for survival in the gut
New research reveals how pathogenic bacteria construct tiny protein-based compartments, known as Eut microcompartments, which enable them to digest ethanolamine - a nutrient commonly found in the gut.
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NewsIndia could bear biggest impact from chikungunya, new maps suggest
Based on existing evidence of chikungunya transmission, an infectious disease model predicts 14.4 million people could be at risk of infections globally each year, with 5.1 million people at risk in India.