All Massachusetts Institute of Technology articles
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NewsNew study shows how Toxoplasma parasite evolved to adapt to crowded conditions in host cells
How Toxoplasma reshapes its metabolism to keep growing under crowded conditions in a tissue cyst has been unclear. A new study identifies a parasite-specific protein that helps coordinate this response, allowing Toxoplasma to manage oxidative stress.
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NewsHow the most widespread parasite on earth reads its genome
Researchers have uncovered new details about how Toxoplasma controls the timing of protein production, ensuring the right molecular tools are available exactly when they are needed. Two protein complexes manage this process.
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NewsNew study advances dry mRNA vaccine patch design
New research could help make future mRNA vaccines easier to store and distribute. The study identified conditions that help protect the particles that carry mRNA in dry vaccine patches, offering practical guidance for future patch design.
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NewsReal-time brain monitor detects infections earlier
A research team has created a new monitoring system to save lives and significantly reduce health-care costs in brain-injury cases through the early detection of infections in intensive care units. NeuroSense connects to drainage lines to detect biomarkers of infection.
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NewsMapping the hidden gene highways of wastewater biofilms
A new study uncovers the hidden microbial connections within wastewater biofilms by combining Hi-C sequencing with multi-omics to directly map which phages and plasmids are associated with which microbial hosts.
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NewsResearchers uncover how bacteria suppress immune defences in stubborn wound infections
A common bacterium can suppress the body’s early warning system in wounds, causing infections to persist and create an environment that allows other bacteria to take hold. Enterococcus faecalis releases large amounts of lactic acid in the wound, which lowers pH, weakens immune cells and prevents them from fighting an infection.
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NewsGroundbreaking new projects launched to lower the cost of monoclonal antibody production
LifeArc and the Gates Foundation have awarded more than $5m to seven projects aimed at developing cheaper and more efficient ways to produce monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments. The innovative approaches include using filamentous fungus to produce mAbs.
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NewsNew ‘cough simulator’ mimics TB transmission with unprecedented accuracy
Researchers have developed a new experimental system called Transmission Simulation System (TSS) that replicates the airborne transmission of TB – by simulating the human cough – with unparalleled realism and never-before-seen precision.
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NewsResearchers develop UV and machine learning-aided method to detect microbial contamination in cell cultures
This is the first novel technology that utilises machine learning to analyse unique ultraviolet light “fingerprints” on cell cultures to quickly identify the presence of contamination.
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NewsMiso made in space tastes nuttier, researchers on the ISS find
A new study reveals how researchers successfully made miso on the International Space Station (ISS). They found that the miso smelled and tasted similar to miso fermented on Earth—just with a slightly nuttier, more roasted flavor. The team hopes this research will help broaden the culinary options available to astronauts.
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NewsH5N1 influenza viral lineages beginning to evade human immunological defenses
A new computer modelling approach predicts the protein-antibody interactions of the potentially pandemic-causing H5N1 avian influenza virus lineage. It helps to understand the viral evolution to ensure high vaccine efficacy.
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NewsTunnel-building virus: How Zika transmits from mother to fetus
For the first time, researchers demonstrated the component involved in the tunneling nanotubes built by Zika virus to infect placental cells, an infection mechanism which is unique to the Zika virus alone.
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NewsStudy discovers tuberculosis genes necessary for airborne transmission
Tuberculosis bacteria rely on a family of genes that help them survive the challenging journey from one person’s lungs to another person’s during coughing, sneezing or talking, according to a study that offers new targets for tuberculosis therapies.
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NewsA new vaccine approach could help combat future coronavirus pandemics
Researchers are able to create a mosaic nanoparticle vaccine - mosaic-8, based on the sarbecovirus receptor-binding proteins (RBDs), which would help combatting SARS-CoV-2 variants and other coronavirus subtypes.
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NewsStudy identifies protein that helps COVID-19 virus evade immune system
Discovery of a new viral evasion mechanism, and of a monoclonal antibody that subverts it, is an advance in immunotherapy that offers the prospect of effective host-directed treatment to combat infections.
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NewsNew study reveals that marine cyanobacteria can communicate using membrane nanotubes
Transfer of substances via membrane nanotubes not only occurs in cyanobacteria of the same lineage, but also between those of different genders, something that has been verified not only at the laboratory level, but also in natural ocean samples.
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NewsNew study finds possibility of nitrogen-fixing organelles
Scientists who discovered nitrogen-fixing symbiotic organisms exhibiting behaviors similar to organelles suggest these symbiotic organisms – UCYN-A, a species of cyanobacteria – may be evolving organelle-like characteristics.
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NewsProtein found in human sweat may protect against Lyme disease
Researchers also found that a variant of the protein is not as protective against the bacterium and increases susceptibility to the disease.
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NewsB cell deficient patients gain protective T cell immunity after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, infection
Researchers found that vaccinated B cell-deficient individuals had significantly reduced risk of moderate and severe disease in comparison to those who were not vaccinated, despite an absence of anti-spike antibody responses.
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NewsTiny magnetic beads produce an optical signal that can detect pathogens
Engineers have identified a new optical signature in a widely used class of magnetic beads, which could be used to quickly detect contaminants in a variety of diagnostic tests.