More USA & Canada News – Page 53
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NewsExtreme rain heightens E. coli risks for communities of color in Texas
New research shows that communities of color in Texas face pronounced risks of E. coli exposure in nearby waters following storms that dump abnormally high amounts of rain.
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NewsMachinery behind bacterial nanowires discovered
Almost all living things breathe oxygen to eliminate the excess electrons produced when nutrients are converted into energy. However, most microbes that mitigate pollution and climate change don’t have access to oxygen. Instead, these bacteria—buried underground or living deep under oceans—have developed a way to eliminate electrons by “breathing minerals” ...
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NewsRotavirus protein NSP4 manipulates gastrointestinal disease severity
This study is among the first to show that the rotavirus protein NSP4 is both necessary and sufficient for multiple aspects of rotavirus infection by disrupting calcium signaling not only within infected cells but also in nearby uninfected cells.
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NewsNew study provides insight into how some species thrive in dark, oxygen-free environments
A new study sheds light on how a species of foraminifera, single-celled organisms found in almost all marine habitats, thrives in a dark, oxygen-free environment.
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NewsResearchers team with dogs to discover new truffle species
Researchers have discovered two new species of truffle. Tuber canirevelatum, meaning the ‘dog-found’ truffle, was named in honor of truffle dogs. The other, Tuber cumberlandense, was named for the Cumberland Plateau where it was found.
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NewsGene-edited soil bacteria could provide third source of nitrogen for corn production
If corn was ever jealous of soybean’s relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, advancements in gene editing could one day even the playing field. A recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows that gene-edited bacteria can supply the equivalent of 35 pounds of nitrogen from the air during early corn ...
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NewsStudy takes stock of the known and unknown microbial space
Using publicly available genome sequence data generated over the past three decades, a new study assesses what fraction of the microbial diversity we know about, and proposes a path forward to curate and cultivate what is still unknown.
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NewsIn the US Northeast, 50% of adult ticks carry Lyme disease carrying bacteria
A new study finds that 50% of adult blacklegged ticks in the US Northeast carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease while 20% to 25% of the younger (nymph) blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria.
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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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NewsReview offers guidance to clinicians on animal-borne infections in the Canadian Arctic
A new review on zoonotic infections in the Canadian Arctic provides timely guidance to clinicians as the region experiences heightened global interest as well as climate change, which threatens the region and increases risk of disease transmission.
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NewsChain reaction: HIV vaccines can lead to antibodies against antibodies
Scientists have discovered that repetitive HIV vaccinations can lead the body to produce antibodies targeting the immune complexes already bound to the virus—knowledge that could lead to better vaccines.
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NewsThe hunt narrows for Ebola virus hosts
A cholesterol-trafficking receptor, Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), was identified for more efficient surveillance of host reservoirs of filoviruses, including Ebolaviruses. It narrows down the host species of the virus and links to the geographic information of pathogen emergence.
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NewsPediatric investigation study examines the diagnostic potential of microbial cell-free DNA testing
A research study has found that plasma-based microbial cell-free DNA testing served as a safer and faster alternative to conventional microbiological diagnostic tests for pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections.
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NewsChanges in microbiome predict risk for sexually transmitted disease
Researchers have found that bacterial vaginosis consists of two subtypes—one of which significantly increases the risk of developing chlamydia infections.
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NewsBird flu is mutating - but antivirals still work
Researchers have identified nine mutations in a bird flu strain from a person in Texas. The bad news: this strain is more capable of causing disease and replicates better in the brain. Good news: approved antivirals are still effective.
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NewsChickpea and pea tempeh under development as new plant-based protein foods
New research focuses on fermenting dry chickpeas and dry peas to create a new type of tempeh, traditionally made with soybeans. Preliminary research suggests meat alternatives may help offset the health risks of the Western diet.
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NewsNew research provides insight into reduced COVID-19 vaccine efficacy in lupus patients
A recent study provides new insights into why the mRNA vaccines developed to fight COVID-19 in 2021 are less effective in patients with autoimmune diseases, highlighting that lupus patients may require tailored vaccination strategies.
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NewsBeach guardians: How hidden microbes protect coastal waters in a changing climate
Coastal water quality is closely impacted by the microbial compositions living in groundwater within beach sands due to the rising sea level, a new study reveals.
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NewsNew computer models open door to far more targeted antibiotics
A powerful computer-modelling approach has been developed to give the antibiotics a laser-like precision for targeting specific types of bacteria among specific parts of the human body.
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NewsBacterial toxin offers hope to tackle soybean nematode pest
A new study reveals how genetically equipping soybean plants with bacterial toxin Cry14 could revolutionize the fight against the microscopic soybean cyst nematode. This approach has been implemented successfully to prevent SCN from feeding on soybean roots.