All Editorial articles – Page 4
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NewsCommon cold sore virus may reprogram the brain’s immune defenses
Researchers have discovered how herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, can fundamentally change how the brain’s immune cells respond to infection, revealing a potentially important connection between viral infection, chronic inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease.
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NewsStudy uses artificial intelligence to design potential antiviral compounds
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-guided strategy to discover molecules that inhibit deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS), a human enzyme involved in eIF5A hypusination, a process that supports the replication of a broad range of viruses. The researchers experimentally tested AI-generated molecules.
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NewsPlasmonic coating on bacterial surfaces paves the way for rapid sepsis diagnosis
Researchers have developed a label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis technology that rapidly detects extremely low concentrations of viable bacteria by directly growing plasmonic metal nanostructures on and around bacterial cells.
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NewsWomen with history of recurrent UTIs more likely to report perioperative vaginal estrogen use and have a perioperative UTI
Postmenopausal women are at greater risk for multiple health issues, such as hip fractures and urinary tract infections (UTIs), due to estrogen loss. Vaginal estrogen is used to prevent recurrent UTIs, but a new study suggests its use may be associated with perioperative hip fracture complications, like UTIs.
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NewsSkin injection of live flu virus provides durable protection without lung damage
A single subcutaneous injection of a live, unattenuated influenza virus can provide durable protection against lethal flu without causing lung damage, according to new findings that challenge the long-standing trade-off between the safety of inactivated vaccines and the potent immunity of live vaccines.
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NewsVirus-based tool opens a faster route to studying cowpea genes
Genome sequencing of cowpea has provided researchers with numerous candidate genes, and genetic transformation has enabled studies of traits such as drought and heat tolerance. A new study reports sustained gene silencing across seven cowpea varieties and demonstrates the system’s utility for investigating jasmonate regulation during leafminer infestation.
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NewsTextile and food waste co-digestion boosts methane yields
Anaerobic co-digestion of textile waste with food waste (FW) could turn two stubborn waste streams into renewable methane while reducing landfilling and incineration. A study examined mono- and co-digestion of cotton, polycotton, and wool with FW under mesophilic conditions, testing substrate-to-inoculum (S/I) ratios of 0.5 and 1 and multiple feedstock mixing ratios.
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NewsNew platform reveals broad viral exposure histories in pigs
Pigs can retain antibody traces of past viral encounters, yet conventional tests usually examine only a limited number of viruses at a time. Researchers have developed a platform that uses 36,416 short protein fragments from 140 swine-associated viruses to screen many antibody responses in parallel.
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NewsManganese-enhanced biochar helps soil retain nitrogen while reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Adding manganese to biochar can help soil retain more nitrogen by strengthening a natural microbial process. Scientists demonstrated that manganese-loaded biochar increased a key nitrogen-conserving microbial process by 2.9 times compared with untreated soil, while substantially reducing emissions of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas.
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NewsHantavirus and the mouth: Review maps early oral warning signs, salivary clues, and precautions for dental teams
A review brings together the virology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of human hantavirus infection and examines what each means for the mouth and for dental care.
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News£4 million awarded to develop vaccines that protect livestock and tackle growing biosecurity threat
Scientists are set to receive £4 million to help tackle the growing biosecurity threat faced by the UK. The project will develop an mRNA vaccine platform for use across major livestock species. This platform will help prepare for future epidemics, tackle antimicrobial resistance, and accelerate the development of next-generation animal vaccines.
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NewsProposed changes to Hepatitis B vaccination schedule could significantly increase infections, model suggests
A modeling study suggests that replacing universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth with delayed vaccination or a shared decision-making approach, as recommended by the U.S. federal government this year, could lead to substantially more chronic hepatitis B infections among U.S. children.
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NewsCharité opens new HIV cure research center
A new research centre in Berlin is aiming to move HIV care beyond lifelong treatment and towards cure or long-term remission. Building on two rare HIV cures achieved in the city, researchers will investigate antibody, immune, gene and cell therapies designed to eliminate the virus or keep it permanently under control without medication.
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NewsImmune protein may fight viruses while limiting harmful inflammation
A naturally occurring immune protein may help the body fight viruses without triggering the damaging inflammation that can make infections worse. New research suggests interferon lambda can strengthen antiviral defences while keeping inflammatory responses under tighter control.
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NewsPlague never disappeared, but modern medicine has changed the risk
Plague may sound like a disease from the history books, but Yersinia pestis still circulates in wildlife around the world. Despite recent concern over a possible laboratory-linked death in Russia, experts stress that human cases remain rare and the infection is usually treatable when diagnosed quickly.
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NewsGut-inspired biobattery uses bacteria to generate electricity
The tiny finger-like structures lining our small intestine have inspired a new design for bacteria-powered batteries. By mimicking intestinal villi, researchers created a bioelectrode with more surface area and better nutrient flow, allowing bacteria to generate stable electricity for hours.
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NewsNewly discovered viruses could bridge a missing link in evolution
Researchers have uncovered previously unknown viruses that appear to bridge the evolutionary gap between viruses and protein compartments found inside cells. The discovery suggests these systems may have evolved from one another repeatedly, offering new clues about the origins of cellular organisation and the early evolution of life.
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NewsResearch finds vegan honey could be made with similar antimicrobial properties to mānuka honey
Vegan honey alternatives could be engineered to have similar antimicrobial properties to prized mānuka honey from New Zealand, according to research. Two components of mānuka honey proved to be particularly effective when added to vegan honey formulations - methylglyoxal (MGO) and hydrogen peroxide.
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NewsResearchers discover Achilles’ heel of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Even highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria become more vulnerable when their cell wall transport system is disrupted, according to a new study. The discovery reveals a previously overlooked weakness that could help researchers develop new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.
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NewsOne-step rapid syphilis test detects infection earlier, researchers report
A new rapid test detects lower levels of the two types of antibodies the body makes to fight syphilis bacteria and respond to disease-related cell damage, potentially leading to earlier interventions and fewer appointments for patients.