More Healthy Land – Page 20
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NewsWild birds’ health and likely survival is affected by the gut microbiome
Researchers have found that the gut microbiome affects the health of wild birds, which could impact their survival rates and ultimately population sizes.
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NewsStudy shows how bacterium tweaks its lipopolysaccharides to survive chill of Antarctic lake
Scientists have uncovered some of the unique biochemical survival tactics employed by a species of Pseudomonas found living in an ice-covered lake in Antarctica.
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NewsCrews sample lichens in ‘dress rehearsal’ for Martian exploration
During simulated extra-vehicular activities, Mars 160 mission specialists wearing simulated spacesuits scouted out various habitats in two Mars analog stations, seeking out lichen species growing in various microhabitats.
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NewsFungi recognise shapes and adjust direction of growth
A study suggests that the mycelial network of fungi can communicate information about its surroundings throughout the entire network, and change its direction of growth accordingly based on the shape.
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NewsWood-degrading fungal enzymes reprogrammed to biorecycle plastic
Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases secreted by filamentous fungi break down the surface of cellulose to weaken it and make complete degradation easier, making them perfect candidates for engineering into chimera enzymes for plastic degradation.
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NewsMore than 160,000 new virus species discovered by AI
161,979 new species of RNA virus have been discovered using a machine learning tool that researchers believe will vastly improve the mapping of life on Earth and could aid in the identification of many millions more viruses yet to be characterised.
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NewsSymbiotic bacterium affects reproduction of biological control insect
Researchers have revealed that the symbiotic bacterium Rickettsia induces strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in the predatory mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis, which preys on agricultural pests such as whiteflies and thrips.
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NewsStudy reveals how parasites thrive by balancing specialisation with exploiting diverse species communities
A new study reveals that the prevalence of malaria-like blood parasites in birds increases with the number of species present in local bird communities. The findings indicate that parasites thrive when they can exploit a wide range of different bird species.
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NewsGenomic signatures of domestication in a fungus obligately farmed by leafcutter ants
Researchers have harnessed cutting-edge genome sequencing approaches to decode the genetic building blocks that comprise Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the fungus farmed by leafcutter ants.
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NewsScientists unravel the secrets of the spiral bacterium
A team of researchers has discovered the mechanism that determines the spiral shape of Rhodospirillum, shedding new light on the link between cell shape and fitness.
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NewsBioengineered mussel-inspired sticky microorganisms to help break down plastic waste
Scientists have tapped into nature’s adhesive genius, the sticky power of mussels, to create bioengineered microorganisms with powerful cling that could help transform environmental cleanup.
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News2-billion-year-old rock home to living microbes
Pockets of microbes have been found living within a sealed fracture in 2-billion-year-old rock. This could help us understand very early life on Earth and the hunt for evidence of life on Mars.
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NewsAsteroid that doomed dinosaurs created fungus farming among ants
Scientists analyzed genetic data from 475 species of fungi and 276 species of ants to craft detailed evolutionary trees, allowing them to pinpoint when ants began cultivating fungi millions of years ago, a behavior that some ant species still exhibit today.
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NewsPlastic-eating enzyme identified in wastewater microbes
Plastic pollution is everywhere, and a good amount of it is composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, ♳). This polymer is used to make bottles, containers and even clothing. Now, researchers report in ACS’s Environmental Science & Technology that they have discovered an enzyme that breaks apart PET ...
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NewsNovel Pseudomonas species supports plant growth at high altitudes
Scientists have discovered a new Pseudomonas species isolated from cold Himalayan soil that helps to promote plant growth, offering potential as a bio-inoculant for sustainable agriculture in high-altitude regions.
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NewsScientists study how a bacterium becomes a permanent resident in a fungus
To study the beginnings of endosymbiosis between two organisms, a team of researchers initiated such partnerships in the laboratory and observed what exactly happens at the beginning of a possible endosymbiosis.
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NewsMicrobial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulants boost tomato crop
A team of researchers in Italy have shown that use of microbial biofertilisers and algae-based biostimulants can significantly enhance both the yield and quality of organic tomatoes.
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NewsBovine H5N1 influenza may spread via milking
Milking practices may be linked to the transmission of bovine H5N1 influenza virus, which affects dairy cattle and was first detected in the U.S. in spring 2024.
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NewsPlankton bloom off Madagascar linked to drought in South Africa
Researchers show that dust from drought-stricken Southern Africa caused a bloom of marine phytoplankton off the southeast Madagascar coast from November 2019 through February 2020.
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NewsStudy shows how emissions from Brazilian Pantanal’s soda lakes contribute to climate change
Characterized by high pH and salinity, these soda lakes have practically dried up because of rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and wildfires. The study shows how the local microbial community influences greenhouse gas emissions.