More UK & Europe News – Page 8
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NewsAn edible fungus could make paper and fabric liquid-proof
Researchers report a way to waterproof materials using edible fungus. In a proof-of-concept study, the fungus grew an impervious film on common materials such as paper, denim, polyester felt and thin wood, revealing its potential to replace plastic coatings with sustainable materials.
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NewsFungi paved the way for life on land hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought
After reviewing the evolutionary timeline of fungi, scientists have determined that their origin dates back to between 900 million and 1.4 billion years ago. This means that fungi had already been living on Earth hundreds of millions of years before plants took root on our planet.
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NewsNew compound cuts off protein supply to parasites
There is an urgent need for new active ingredients that are capable of circumventing existing resistances in malaria. Researchers have now identified a new drug candidate, ’Substance 31’, which could enable the development of a new malaria drug.
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NewsAfter injuries, carpenter ants use amputation to stop potential infections from spreading
Carpenter ants are not squeamish when it comes to caring for the wounded. To minimise the risk of infection, the insects immediately amputate injured legs – thereby more than doubling their survival rate.
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NewsBay Area Lyme Foundation opens applications for 2026 Emerging Leader Awards and research grants
Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a leading sponsor of Lyme disease research in the US, has announced its call for applicants from academia and the private sector for the 2026 Emerging Leader Awards (ELA).
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NewsRare virus transmitted by rats infects woman in Germany—link to private pet rat breeding facility
The Seoul virus, which has been rarely detected in Germany to date and can be transmitted by rats, caused a woman to become seriously ill. Given that rats are becoming increasingly popular as pets, health experts view this as a warning sign.
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NewsBacteria deliver synthetic, animal-free way to grow organoids in 3D
Researchers have developed a completely animal-free gel to grow organoids, miniature three dimensional versions of organs. By combining the bacterial protein invasin with a synthetic gel, they created an environment in which organoids can grow and expand long-term.
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NewsMarine algae use unique pigment to shield photosynthesis from excess light
Researchers have discovered that marine algae have evolved unique pigments not only to capture the green-blue light available underwater but also to enhance their resilience against excessive sunlight.
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NewsCommon source, common food vehicle: investigations of recurring Salmonella Strathcona outbreaks in Europe since 2011
Across 17 countries and over a time span of 14 years, 662 cases of the rare Salmonella type have been identified – and linked to small tomatoes from Sicily.
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NewsBabies born eight to ten weeks early can be safely milk fed without risk of gut complications, finds a new study
A major study has found that babies born between eight to ten weeks early can be fed with milk through a tube in their stomach straight after birth rather than being given intravenous feeds through a drip.
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NewsBiochar and wetter soils offer breakthrough path to slash farm emissions without cutting crop yields
Raising groundwater levels and adding biochar to agricultural peat soils could dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining healthy crop production, according to a new study from Bangor University. The study, published in Biochar (2025), tested how water table management and biochar, a charcoal-like soil additive made ...
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NewsGlobal platform for pandemic preparedness to be established at DTU National Food Institute
A new global online infrastructure aims to prevent disease outbreaks from developing into pandemics. DTU National Food Institute in Denmark will serve as the focal point for the new infrastructure. Work to build the platform will begin on 1 January 2026.
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NewsDoes floral scent affect insect visitors and bacterial strains on flowers?
A new study reveals that high floral scent chemodiversity is associated with increased pollinator richness but reduced bacterial richness on flowers. The findings led the scientists to propose the ’Filthy Pollinator Hypothesis’.
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NewsImportant algal phenomenon discovered in the Arctic – could boost marine life
The shrinking sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is, overall, a disaster. But paradoxically, the melting of the ice can also fuel the engine of the Arctic food chains: algae. A new study indicates there will probably be more of it in the future than previously thought.
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NewsNew role of gut bacteria provides hope for a novel IBS treatment
Research clarifies the complex interaction between gut bacteria and IBS, identifying two bacteria that together can produce serotonin: Limosilactobacillus mucosae and Ligilactobacillus ruminis.
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NewsHydrothermal plumes - and microbes - revealed as invisible transport pathways for iron
A new review highlights how hydrothermal vents on the seafloor shape iron availability and influence the global oceanic element cycles.
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NewsCrop-killing pathogen found to disable plant ‘alarm system’
An international team has discovered that the pathogen Phytophthora infestans - which caused the Irish potato famine - employs special enzymes, called AA7 oxidases, to disable the plants’ early warning system, weakening their defenses before they can respond.
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NewsUS funding cuts could result in nearly 9 million child tuberculosis cases, 1.5 million child deaths
A new study projects that US funding cuts to global health aid will have a catastrophic effect on pediatric TB, with children in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia likely to experience a spike in preventable cases and deaths over the next decade.
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NewsNew platform for the production of versatile active ingredients
With the help of a newly developed chemo-enzymatic platform, researchers have succeeded in producing a large number of different furanolides in larger quantities and characterizing their biological activity.
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NewsNovel fungal phyla and classes revealed by eDNA long reads
Via a thorough analysis of the EUKARYOME long-read database, an international team has discovered that a large proportion of unknown eukaryotes uncovered with long-read sequencing belong to deep, hitherto undescribed fungal lineages.