All articles by Linda Stewart
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NewsFrog’s coat of bacterial armor helps protect it from fungal disease
The bacteria living on frogs’ skin could serve a vital role in protecting the animal from a deadly fungal disease. A team of researchers found that frogs’ natural skin bacteria can help them fight disease and improve their chances of survival.
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NewsNew insights into coral reproductivity could help protect our reefs
Scientists have uncovered an important missing piece in the puzzle of how some coral reefs can recover from climate events, providing critical information that could help guide future conservation and restoration efforts.
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NewsGut bacteria-derived metabolite contributes to host lifespan extension
Researchers use genetically engineered Escherichia coli to reveal how gut bacteria-derived polyamines extend the lifespan of fruit flies.
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NewsKibble with microbial proteins appeals to cats and dogs in new study
In a new study, cats and dogs showed a short-term preference for kibble containing some protein derived from microorganisms over kibble containing only standard, animal-derived protein.
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NewsA new mechanism of action against an old enemy
Researchers identified corramycin as a promising candidate against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the laboratory, the natural compound is effective against various forms of the tuberculosis pathogen, including strains from clinical samples that are already resistant to common antibiotics.
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NewsHow human impacts increase risk of emerging infectious disease outbreaks
Global fragmentation of ecosystems and changing patterns of rainfall have increased the risk of diseases spreading to humans from animals, mosquitoes and ticks, finds a study.
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NewsResearchers uncover what could make some bacteria-killing viruses more effective than others
Bacteriophages — or phages, for short — are viruses that kill bacteria, and scientists have been studying them for decades as a possible solution to antibiotic-resistant infections. But phages are notoriously picky eaters — a phage that can eradicate one bacterial strain is often powerless against others, even if the ...
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NewsResearchers reveal snapshots of a key molecular machine in tropical parasites
A study reveals, with near-atomic precision, the three-dimensional structure and function of a gigantic molecular machine essential to the survival of trypanosomatid parasites, which cause serious diseases in humans, animals and plants.
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NewsCan this biotech innovation halt the destructive march of a cereal killer?
Researchers explored a recently discovered class of plant defence receptors, showing at molecular level how they function to limit blast pathogen attacks and how they might be bioengineered to introduce broader more durable immunity into wheat, barley, and rice.
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NewsResearchers use computational design to engineer immune cells to fight cancer and viruses
Researchers have used advanced computational design methods to enhance the ability of genetically engineered immune cells to recognize and attack cancer and viral targets.
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NewsA shorter, better-tolerated treatment for chagas disease is possible
A 30-day course of benznidazole taken once a day could offer people with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection a safer and more practical option than the current standard treatment, taken twice a day for 60 days.
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NewsTarget identified in treatment of neuroHIV
NeuroHIV occurs when HIV infection affects the function and structural integrity of the brain and, to some extent, the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. New research has identified a brain protein driving this damage, pointing toward a possible treatment.
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NewsHot spring organism breaks record for heat tolerance of complex life
Scientists describe a new species of amoeba that can eat and reproduce in hot spring water as warm as 63°C (145°F) in California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park. The amoeba can protect itself at temperatures up to 70°C (158°F) by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer.
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NewsCould these pills help people with anorexia? A new study aims to find out
A new clinical trial is recruiting people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa as researchers hope to discover if fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) capsules could help better manage this eating disorder.
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NewsCorals show ‘vaccine-like’ responses after pathogen exposure
To boost the resilience of corals in the face of increasing sea temperatures and the spread of disease, researchers have found that controlled, low-level exposure to dead pathogenic cells can help corals resist future infection.
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NewsScientists advance fungi-based upcycling of waste concrete
Scientists are investigating how fungi can be harnessed to transform demolished concrete into reliable, high-value materials for future infrastructure.
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NewsDirect rescue of segmented negative-sense RNA viruses from complementary DNA in monkey kidney Vero cells
This technology enables the direct rescue of segmented negative-sense RNA viruses from complementary DNA in monkey kidney Vero cells, facilitating safer and more efficient live-attenuated vaccine production.
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NewsSimple cleaning reduced bacteria on single-use medical devices
Three simple cleaning methods reduced bacterial levels on used single-use medical devices, according to a study. The findings could prove useful as a last-resort measure during severe shortages of medical supplies in a crisis or war.
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NewsScientists reveal tissue culture-free (“ex vitro”) transformation method for trees
This technology introduces a novel “ex vitro” transformation method that utilizes Agrobacterium rhizogenes to genetically modify the roots of woody plants without the necessity for tissue culture.
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NewsRainwater tanks may be harbouring hidden health risks
Rainwater tanks are a popular way for Australians to save water, but new research has found they can also harbour potentially harmful bacteria and metals that could pose health concerns.