More UK & Europe News
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NewsA fatal mix-up: How certain gut bacteria drive multiple sclerosis
If gut bacteria are too similar to the protective layer of nerves, they can misdirect the immune system and cause it to attack its own nervous system. This mechanism can accelerate the progression of multiple sclerosis.
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NewsOroya fever: Elucidation of disease mechanism opens possibility for novel therapy
An international research team has generated and analyzed more than 1,700 genetic variants of the pathogen that causes Oroya fever, identifying two proteins that Bartonella requires for the destruction of red blood cells.
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NewsNew method means contaminated bathing water easier to detect
A new method can provide both faster and more complete answers on whether the water is safe for swimming or not. The innovation has been successfully tested in Helsingborg, where the response time has been reduced from several days to just a few hours.
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NewsA testing paradox for sexually transmitted infections
Surveillance evidence shows an increase in people infected with other STIs after initiating PrEP. A new study provides a counterintuitive explanation revealing a testing paradox: even when the observed cases increase, the true numbers of STIs can decrease.
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NewsImmune system keeps mucosal fungi in check
Researchers investigating the mechanisms that keep the fungus under control on our mucosa shed light on how homeostasis is maintained through the fine-tuned interplay between Candida albicans and the epithelial barrier on the one hand, and the immune system on the other hand.
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NewsHarmless Klebsiella strain shows powerful protection against gut infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) model
A new study demonstrates that a harmless strain of Klebsiella can eliminate infections and reduce gut inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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NewsSwedish freshwater bacteria give new insights into bacterial evolution
Researchers analyzing the DNA of all known Caulobacterales species, including newly collected samples from Swedish and Finnish forest lakes, discovered that several freshwater species lacked more than a hundred genes typically linked to the group’s complex lifecycle.
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NewsStudy links gut bacteria to bloodstream infections in newborns within sub-Saharan Africa for the first time
New research has shown gut and bloodstream infections are caused by the same bacteria giving hope of better prevention and diagnosis of deadly neonatal sepsis.
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NewsBacteria double as Trojan horse for artificial amino acids
Researchers have hijacked a natural transport system of the bacterium E. coli to develop a solution that allows artificial amino acids to be introduced into bacteria efficiently. This means the “amino acid toolbox” can be expanded for widespread use in medicine and the biotech industry.
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NewsPersistent antibiotic resistance of cholera-causing bacteria in Africa revealed
In 2024, representatives from 14 African countries came together for a five-day intensive workshop on a whole-genome sequencing method called Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) aimed at strengthening cholera surveillance capabilities across the continent.
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NewsPandemic ‘beneath the surface’ has been quietly wiping out sea urchins around the world
Over the last four years, an unrecognized pandemic that has been wiping out sea urchins around the world has hit the Canary Islands. The consequences on marine ecosystems aren’t yet fully known, but likely profound.
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NewsRice resists change: Study reveals viral tools for probing gene function fall short
Researchers tested two popular viral vectors - barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) and foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) - to see if they could temporarily switch genes on or off in rice (Oryza sativa). They found no evidence that these virus-enabled reverse genetics (VERG) techniques work in rice.
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NewsIncreased risk of severe bacterial infection after high teenage BMI
High BMI and poor physical fitness during later adolescence increase the risk of both contracting and dying from sepsis and other severe bacterial infections in adulthood, according to a study.
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NewsHow polyphenol-rich diets promote healthy aging through microbiome and metabolome modulation
New findings suggest that polyphenol-rich diets can serve as a simple, safe, and effective nutritional strategy to counteract inflammation and support healthy aging.
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NewsHow did Bronze Age plague spread? Ancient sheep might solve the mystery
Researchers have found the first evidence of a Bronze Age plague infection in a non-human host. The scientists discovered Y. pestis DNA in a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from Arkaim, a fortified settlement located in the Southern Ural Mountains of present-day Russia.
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NewsInside the gut: What our poo could tell us about our diet, gut microbes and health
Researchers have found that molecules in stool samples can accurately reflect what people eat and how their gut microbiome responds, offering a potential new tool to study nutrition and its impact on health.
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NewsStudy reveals how bacteria resist hostile attacks from rival bacteria
When attacked by bacteria from a different species, Pseudomonas rapidly assembles the type VI secretion system (T6SS) – to inject its aggressor with a toxic cocktail. A new study probes how Pseudomonas can strike back when it has already been hit by a deadly cocktail itself.
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NewsTuberculosis: Scientists develop novel drug candidate for combating resistant pathogens
Researchers have developed a promising new substance for targeting bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The team have produced a compound that inhibits the pathogens’ ability to produce energy and causes them to die.
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NewsNew study reveals how natural humic substances reshape soil carbon cycling and boost antibiotic resistance
Researchers have uncovered surprising links between natural humification processes in soil, carbon metabolism, and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Subtle shifts in the composition of humic substances can reshape microbial metabolism and alter the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes.
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NewsAFYREN and ESSE Skincare begin partnership to offer 100% natural cosmetic solutions with enhanced skincare performance
AFYREN, a greentech company offering manufacturers biobased, low-carbon ingredients through a unique fermentation technology, and South Africa-based Esse Skincare, a leader in microbiome skincare science, are partnering to introduce the world’s first bio-based propionic acid for the skincare industry.