All Editorial articles – Page 39
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NewsEngineering oncolytic bacteria as precision cancer therapeutics
A new review summarizes recent advances in the design and application of synthetic biological strategies that enhance bacterial precision, safety, and efficacy in tumor therapy.
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NewsApplications of AI in antimicrobial resistance prevention and control
Researchers have published a review shedding light on how AI is revolutionizing the prevention and control of AMR. The article illustrates how machine learning and deep learning are transforming surveillance, diagnosis, treatment optimization, and drug discovery.
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NewsBacteria double as Trojan horse for artificial amino acids
Researchers have hijacked a natural transport system of the bacterium E. coli to develop a solution that allows artificial amino acids to be introduced into bacteria efficiently. This means the “amino acid toolbox” can be expanded for widespread use in medicine and the biotech industry.
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NewsPersistent antibiotic resistance of cholera-causing bacteria in Africa revealed
In 2024, representatives from 14 African countries came together for a five-day intensive workshop on a whole-genome sequencing method called Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) aimed at strengthening cholera surveillance capabilities across the continent.
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NewsGlobal Virus Network announces appointment of new board members
The Global Virus Network (GVN), a worldwide coalition of leading human and animal virologists, has announced the appointment of eight distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors.
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NewsScalable nanoengineered gauze with sustained natural product release
A multi-institutional Chinese research team has developed PPCZ@Gauze – a novel nanoengineered dressing that synergistically combines antibacterial, anti-adhesive, and pro-angiogenic functions.
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NewsUnique bond identified as key to viral infection speed
Viruses are typically described as tiny, perfectly geometric shells that pack genetic material with mathematical precision, but new research reveals a deliberate imbalance in their shape that helps them infect their hosts.
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NewsResearchers discover how Ebola and Marburg disrupt the gastrointestinal tract
A new study sheds light on the mechanisms behind the damage caused by Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) to the gastrointenstinal tract. TIt found that both viruses are capable of infecting and replicating within human gut epithelial cells and that the viruses interfere with the cells’ ability to regulate fluid secretion, mirroring the severe symptoms observed in patients.
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NewsPandemic ‘beneath the surface’ has been quietly wiping out sea urchins around the world
Over the last four years, an unrecognized pandemic that has been wiping out sea urchins around the world has hit the Canary Islands. The consequences on marine ecosystems aren’t yet fully known, but likely profound.
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NewsStudy shows why mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis
Investigators have unearthed the biological process by which mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 can cause heart damage in some young men and adolescents — and they’ve shown a possible route to reducing its likelihood.
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NewsOlder age, chronic kidney disease and cerebrovascular disease linked with increased risk for paralysis and death after West Nile virus infection
Older people with a history of chronic kidney disease or conditions affecting blood flow to the brain such as stroke face about double the risk for developing neuroinvasive disease that can lead to paralysis and death following infection with West Nile virus, new research finds.
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NewsIn pneumonia’s tug-of-war, lung microbiome could tip the balance
Scientists have found the lungs’ own microbial community, or microbiome, appears to influence how pneumonia evolves, who responds well to treatment and whether a patient will recover successfully or continue to deteriorate.
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NewsNew 15-minute hepatitis C test paves the way for same-day treatment
Scientists have developed the fastest test yet for diagnosing hepatitis C virus (HCV). The highly accurate diagnostic delivers results to patients in just 15 minutes - crucial for kickstarting patients’ treatment before they leave their appointment.
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NewsOpioid use linked to higher risk of C. difficile infection
New research from the University of Georgia suggests that opioid use could make patients more vulnerable to infections. The meta-analysis examined four studies of almost 120,000 patients. The researchers found that about 31% of patients who were prescribed and taking opioids caught C. diff, compared to 17% of patients who weren’t using them.
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NewsScientists create microneedle system to deliver living biofertiliser directly into plants, boosting growth with less waste
A dissolving patch delivers beneficial microbes into leaves and stems, speeding growth in vegetables while using over 15 per cent less biofertiliser than soil application.
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NewsStudy reveals promising gut-targeted therapy for C. difficile infections
Researchers have uncovered how the body’s bile acids bind to block C. diff’s most dangerous toxin. The research has informed the development of a new compound that can protect against C. diff in preclinical models, offering hope for safer, more effective treatments.
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NewsRice resists change: Study reveals viral tools for probing gene function fall short
Researchers tested two popular viral vectors - barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) and foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) - to see if they could temporarily switch genes on or off in rice (Oryza sativa). They found no evidence that these virus-enabled reverse genetics (VERG) techniques work in rice.
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NewsHuman ‘mini-noses’ help understand why RSV infections are more severe in children than in adults
Why does RSV affect babies more severely? To better understand the cellular reasons behind this age-related difference, researchers compared infant and adult human nose organoids, also called mini-noses, regarding their susceptibility and response to infection.
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NewsNew method to accelerate vaccine and drug development for norovirus
Researchers have developed a simple and efficient system for understanding the functions of specific norovirus genes, providing new avenues for developing antivirals and vaccines.
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NewsReceptors in mammary glands make livestock and humans inviting hosts for avian flu
A new study shows that the mammary glands of several other production animals besides cows – including pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle and alpacas – are biologically suitable to harbor avian influenza, due to high levels of sialic acids.