All articles by Linda Stewart – Page 54
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NewsA tug-of-war explains a decades-old question about how bacteria swim
Whether a bacterium’s tail spins clockwise or counterclockwise was previously thought to depend on a ‘domino effect’ among proteins inside the tail. However, new research proposes that a tug-of-war is the deciding factor.
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NewsTraditional herb offers new hope for antibiotic-free pig farming
A new review highlights that Houttuynia cordata extract could serve as a multifunctional natural substitute for antibiotics in swine production. Plant-derived flavonoids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides suppress pathogens including Salmonella, PRRSV, and Streptococcus suis.
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NewsHow Mtb safeguards itself from foreign DNA
Researchers have discovered how a key protein in the tuberculosis bacterium helps protect it from the influence of foreign DNA inserted into its genome. Understanding how this protein – called Lsr2 – functions could help develop drugs that target it, thereby aiding in the fight against TB.
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NewsThe secret room a giant virus creates inside its host amoeba
Researchers examined Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus-infected amoeba cells using a combination of sequencing methods, including Ribosome profiling to estimate the frequency of translation pausing and tRNA sequencing to determine tRNA composition.
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NewsCommercially viable biomanufacturing: designer yeast turns sugar into lucrative chemical 3-HP
Using a tiny, acid-tolerant yeast, scientists have demonstrated a cost-effective way to produce industial chemical 3-Hydroxypropanoic acid, making disposable diapers, microplastics, and acrylic paint more sustainable through biomanufacturing.
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NewsNew test shows which antibiotics actually work
Drugs that act against bacteria are mainly assessed based on how well they inhibit bacterial growth under laboratory conditions. A critical factor is whether the active substances actually kill the pathogens in the body. Researchers have presented a new method for measuring how effectively antibiotics kill bacteria.
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NewsTB harnesses part of immune defense system to cause infection
Scientists have made a discovery that helps explain why humans and animals are so susceptible to contracting tuberculosis – and it involves the bacteria harnessing part of the immune system meant to protect against infection. They team discovered that MTB survives within the cells of its host by targeting Dectin-1.
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NewsBiodegradable and conventional plastics shape very different antibiotic resistance risks in river microbiomes
Biodegradable plastics are not always safer for rivers and oceans, according to a new study that tracked how different plastics change the risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria over time in a real river.
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NewsMelting glaciers may release hidden antibiotic resistance into vital water sources
Researchers report that glaciers act as long-term reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes. Once released by glacier melt, these genes can enter rivers, lakes, and ecosystems that supply drinking water and support wildlife in polar and high-altitude regions.
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NewsScientists find microbes enhance the benefits of trees by removing greenhouse gases
Australian researchers have discovered a hidden climate superpower of trees. Their bark harbours trillions of microbes that help scrub the air of greenhouse and toxic gases.
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NewsWhat causes some people’s gut microbes to produce high alcohol levels?
A study of people with a rare condition known as auto-brewery syndrome has found a link between gut microbes and symptoms of intoxication, pointing to new treatment strategies.
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NewsNew biosensor technology could transform how viruses are detected
A new review highlights major advances in a promising class of diagnostic tools known as aptamer-based biosensors, which could help deliver faster, cheaper, and more portable virus testing in clinics, communities, and the field.
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NewsNew research uncovers mechanics behind the skillful movement of shelled amoeba
Researchers have characterized the unique mechanics that enable Arcella, a shelled, single-celled amoeba, to move skillfully across different surfaces. Their findings have shed light on how this tiny microorganism maintains mechanical balance during movement.
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NewsPlastic particles can increase intestinal inflammation
Researchers investigating a possible link between the rising number of people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease and the increasing exposure to micro- and nanoplastics show that plastic particles influence the immune cells and the intestinal microbiome and can thus increase inflammation.
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NewsVictoria’s Secret grant backs cutting-edge ovarian cancer research
Promising ovarian cancer research by Melanie Rutkowski, PhD, at the University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center has won $700,000 in support from the Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers in partnership with Pelotonia and AACR, the American Association for Cancer Research.
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NewsA high-protein diet can defeat cholera infection
A new study has found that diets high in casein, the main protein in milk and cheese, as well as wheat gluten, could make a dramatic difference in the amount of cholera bacteria able to infect the gut.
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NewsRising temperatures reshape microbial carbon cycling during animal carcass decomposition in water
Using metagenomic sequencing across a realistic temperature gradient, researchers show that carcass decay triggers a surge in carbon-degradation genes, while warming selectively favors pathways that rapidly consume easily degradable carbon.
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NewsA single gene underlies begomovirus resistance in eggplant
Researchers identified a gene in eggplant (Solanum melongena) that provides resistance to begomovirus infection. The work reveals a previously unknown defense mechanism and highlights clear biological differences between virus-resistant and virus-susceptible plants.
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NewsA new ally against tooth decay: Arginine offers sweet relief
A new human clinical trial finds arginine can prevent caries due to bacterial plaques by reducing the acidity, altering the plaque structure and reducing harmful bacteria in the plaques.
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NewsHow do biodegradable plastic films affect microplastics and soil microorganisms in paddy fields?
A study shows that biodegradable plastic films not only have the yield-preserving advantages of traditional plastic films, but also reduce the environmental risks of long-term accumulation of microplastics through synergistic effect with soil microorganisms.