All McGill University articles
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NewsPathogenic fungus transmitted by domestic cat scratches is present in wild animals
Researchers detected pathogenic species of Sporothrix in the internal organs of mammals, birds, and reptiles that were killed by vehicles on Brazilian roads. The study reveals a new reservoir for fungi and highlights the need for surveillance.
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NewsModerate UV light is best to boost the vitamin D content of edible mushrooms, study finds
Researchers have discovered that moderate ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is best when the technique is used to enhance vitamin D₂ in edible mushrooms. Excessive exposure leads to nutrient degradation or a plateau effect, they found.
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NewsNon-producing oil and gas wells emit microbial methane at rates 1,000 times higher than previously estimated
Microbial methane leaking from non-producing oil and gas wells is being emitted at rates about 1,000 times higher than previously estimated, according to a new study.
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NewsIn polar regions, microbes are influencing climate change as frozen ecosystems thaw, review finds
Microbes across Earth’s coldest regions are becoming more active as glaciers, permafrost and sea ice thaw, accelerating carbon release and potentially amplifying climate change, according to a new international review.
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NewsLithium study yields insights in the fight against HIV
Lithium, a widely used treatment for bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, has shown early promise in suppressing HIV. A new study found lithium can prevent infected cells from reactivating, and that it does so through an unexpected biological mechanism.
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NewsStudy reveals negative consequences of trained immunity in the lungs
Exposure to a common fungal molecule can reprogram immune cells in the lungs, causing them to overreact to infection-like signals and worsen lung damage, according to new research.
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NewsMicrobiome stability shapes how corals withstand extreme heat
A new study reveals why some corals resist bleaching while others don’t: the answer lies in a complex partnership between corals and their microbial allies, shaped by the history of the waters they inhabit.
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NewsEndangered mountain caribou possess unique gut microbiome that may be important for recovery efforts
Endangered mountain caribou in British Columbia possess a unique gut microbiome in late winter when they feed on tree lichens, a finding that could guide caribou recovery efforts, according to a new study.
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NewsCoral Art: Drawing out the secrets of coral reef resilience to high ocean temperatures
A researcher uses her art to explain how corals from more variable ocean environments may be better equipped to survive rising ocean temperatures than corals from more stable environments.
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NewsAntibiotics from human use are contaminating rivers worldwide, study shows
Millions of kilometres of rivers around the world are carrying antibiotic pollution at levels high enough to promote drug resistance and harm aquatic life, a new study warns.
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NewsProactively exposing ecosystems to mild environmental stressors appears to offer protection
Mild, proactive exposure to environmental stress can help biological communities resist severe disturbances and maintain genetic diversity, a recent study has found.
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NewsChild undernutrition may be contributing to global measles outbreaks
A study of fully vaccinated children finds a link between stunted growth and weakened immunity, suggesting combatting child hunger could help prevent the disease’s spread.
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NewsPregnancy enhances natural immunity to block severe flu
Scientists discover a natural flu defense mechanism that activates in the nasal cavity during pregnancy.
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NewsNew evidence links gut microbiome to chronic disease outcomes
A new review consolidates recent findings that demonstrate a causal role for the gut microbiome in the progression of multiple diseases, ranging from gastrointestinal conditions to immune-related and psychiatric disorders.
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NewsStudy identifies potential novel drug to treat tuberculosis
A new study demonstrates that a novel semi-synthetic compound can be derived from natural compounds to produce potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant strains.
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NewsAn antidiabetic helps the immune system recognize reservoirs of HIV
Metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, could help deplete the viral reservoir and eliminate it entirely in people living with HIV who receive antiretroviral therapy, a new study reveals.
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NewsInternational consortium with NASA reveals hidden impact of spaceflight on gut health
Scientists have uncovered how spaceflight profoundly alters the gut microbiome, revealing previously unknown effects on host physiology that could shape the future of long-duration space missions.
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NewsHope for a cure for visceral leishmaniasis, an often fatal infectious disease
Scientists have observed a surprising immune mechanism linked to chronic visceral leishmaniasis.
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NewsMillions of gamers accelerate knowledge of human microbiome via mini-game
Leveraging gamers and video game technology can dramatically boost scientific research according to a new study published in Nature Biotechnology. Source: Gearbox By playing Borderlands Science, a mini-game within the looter-shooter video game Borderlands 3, 4.5 million gamers have helped trace the evolutionary relationships of more than a ...
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NewsEven the oldest eukaryote fossils show dazzling diversity and complexity
Researchers reveal that eukaryotic organisms had already evolved into a diverse array of forms even 1.64 billion years ago.