All Florida Atlantic University articles
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NewsMicrobial clues uncover how wild songbirds respond to stress
A study of free-living Northern cardinals revealed that even relatively mild challenges can leave a clear mark on the gut microbiome. Birds exposed to social or environmental stressors showed changes in the composition of their gut bacteria, while the total number of microbial types remained stable.
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NewsResearchers discover novel bacteria in Florida’s stranded pygmy sperm whales
Researchers have identified three previously unknown genotypes of Helicobacter bacteria living inside stranded pygmy sperm whales. The study represents the first documented occurrence of these unique Helicobacter genotypes – now designated Kogia Helicobacter 1, 2 and 3 – in pygmy sperm whales.
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NewsPower grids to epidemics: study shows small patterns trigger systemic failures
Why do some systems collapse suddenly after what seems like a minor disturbance? In nature, a local disease outbreak can quickly escalate into an epidemic. New research suggests that in many cases, the key isn’t the entire system – but its smallest building blocks.
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NewsCAROSEL offers new ‘spin’ on monitoring water quality in real time - and tracking harmful algal blooms
Researchers can continuously track the exchanges of different forms of nitrogen between bottom sediments and the overlying water. Their novel approach enables measuring how much ammonium (NH₄⁺) is released from sediments in real time, multiple times a day, over an extended period.
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NewsNew research rewrites origins of world’s first recorded pandemic - the Plague of Justinian
For the first time, researchers have uncovered direct genomic evidence of the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian — the world’s first recorded pandemic — in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the outbreak was first described nearly 1,500 years ago.
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NewsScientists receive $1M grant to study gulf’s mesophotic coral habitats
Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has received a $999,664 grant from FLRACEP for a three-year project titled, “Influences of Upwelling and Riverine Nutrient Plumes on the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of the West Florida Shelf.”
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News‘Loop’hole: HIV-1 hijacks human immune cells using circular RNAs
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) to evade the body’s natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication.
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NewsFAU secures $1.3 million NIH grant for breakthrough in HIV self-test technology
To address the urgent need for a reliable, rapid and affordable self-test for early HIV detection, researchers have been awarded phase-II of a five-year, $1.3 million grant which will support the development of an innovative disposable microchip technology designed for HIV-1 self-testing during the first two weeks post-infection.
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NewsAI learns to ‘speak’ genetic ‘dialect’ for future SARS-CoV-2 mutation prediction
Researchers have developed a new method to predict mutations in virus protein sequences called Deep Novel Mutation Search (DNMS), a type of artificial intelligence model that uses deep neural networks.
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NewsResearchers develop new weapon against harmful algal blooms
Few studies have looked into how algal biomass, especially cyanobacteria, can be used to create materials that remove phosphate from water. Now, researchers have transformed cyanobacterial biomass, which is typically a hazardous waste, into custom-made adsorbent materials that can pull harmful phosphorus out of water.
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NewsWild bird's gut microbiome linked with its sexual ornamentation and body condition
A new study provides the first description of how a wild bird’s microbiome relates to its ornamentation and body condition. A Northern cardinal’s gut microbiome diversity can be predicted by its body condition, and the quality of its ornamentation – red plumage and beak.
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NewsResearchers confront new US and global challenges in vaccinations of adults
Decreasing vaccination rates now threaten the huge beneficial impacts of vaccinations in the U.S. and globally. Researchers discuss the barriers including increasing vaccine hesitancy and new clinical and public health challenges in vaccinations of U.S. adults.
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NewsDeeper corals may help shallow reefs recover in the Florida keys
Using the blushing coral star (Stephanocoenia intersepta), found throughout the Western Atlantic, researchers have investigated how coral populations at different depths and locations may be related or ‘connected’ to each other.
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NewsWhat’s really ‘fueling’ harmful algae in Florida’s lake Okeechobee?
Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida and the second largest in the Southeastern United States. Over the past two decades, blooms of blue-green algae (Microcystis) have emerged in the lake and have been flushed into nearby urban estuaries, causing serious environmental and public health issues. Source: ...
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NewsFAU lands $1.3M NSF grant to boost dryland soil quality amid climate stressors
To enhance understanding of climate resistance of individual microbes and improve microbial remediations to reduce soil degradation under climate change, Florida Atlantic University has received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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NewsStudy assesses potential health hazards of toxic algae blooms to humans
Researchers find unique patterns of cytotoxicity associated with toxins in Florida’s Indian river lagoon.
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NewsFAU to create South Florida’s first microbiome innovation center
Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with Florida International University, has received a four-year USDA $1 million grant to establish South Florida’s first-of-its-kind FAU Microbiome Innovation Center.
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NewsCommon wristbands are hotbed for harmful bacteria
A new study tested various textures of wristbands and their ability to harbour harmful pathogenic bacteria.
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NewsBiological clocks of people and malaria parasites tick in tune
Research could pave the way to new anti-malarials that work by ’jet-lagging’ the parasites that cause the disease.
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NewsSticky Vibrio teams with seaweed and plastic to stir up perfect storm
A new study uncovers how the interplay between Sargassum spp., plastic marine debris and Vibrio bacteria creates the perfect “pathogen” storm that has implications for both marine life and public health. Source: Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash Vibrio bacteria are found in waters around ...