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Crawling Asgardians: Unexpected dynamics of ancient microbes discovered
Microbiologists placed Asgard archaea in an oxygen-free environment and filmed the living cells under a microscope. This resulted in the first live-cell recordings, which show dynamic changes in shape and a novel crawling movement across surfaces. The results reveal a remarkably dynamic, actin-based cytoskeleton, with parallels to that found in human cells.
Chinese mangrove sediments reveal scale-dependent assembly of fungal communities
Researchers collected 300 sediment samples from seven representative mangrove wetlands across six national nature reserves along the southeastern coast of China. The team employed dual-amplicon high-throughput sequencing to simultaneously characterize fungal and prokaryotic communities.
Pneumonia can reveal undiagnosed blood cancer
Severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization, most commonly pneumonia, can be a sign of previously undiagnosed blood cancer and immunodeficiency in adult patients, according to a study.
First insight into the virome composition of the vulnerable Naemorhedus griseus
The Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) has been identified as a vulnerable species on the Red List of China’s Biodiversity. Scientists performed the whole virome profiling of a rescue-failed Naemorhedus griseus, which identified a diverse viral community across multiple organ tissues of the animal.
Researchers work toward universal flu, HIV vaccines
What if there was a way to achieve stronger, multi-year protection from a single flu jab? Researchers are looking to better understand a viral mechanism shared between influenza and HIV with the aim of disrupting infection. This research could help develop effective vaccines for both diseases, as well as new antivirals.
How ancient oceans sustained life
A newly uncovered feedback loop between phosphorus, microbes, and oxygen may explain how Earth stayed habitable billions of years ago, with implications for early life, modern oceans, and the search for life beyond Earth.
Crawling Asgardians: Unexpected dynamics of ancient microbes discovered
Microbiologists placed Asgard archaea in an oxygen-free environment and filmed the living cells under a microscope. This resulted in the first live-cell recordings, which show dynamic changes in shape and a novel crawling movement across surfaces. The results reveal a remarkably dynamic, actin-based cytoskeleton, with parallels to that found in human cells.
Chinese mangrove sediments reveal scale-dependent assembly of fungal communities
Researchers collected 300 sediment samples from seven representative mangrove wetlands across six national nature reserves along the southeastern coast of China. The team employed dual-amplicon high-throughput sequencing to simultaneously characterize fungal and prokaryotic communities.
Pneumonia can reveal undiagnosed blood cancer
Severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization, most commonly pneumonia, can be a sign of previously undiagnosed blood cancer and immunodeficiency in adult patients, according to a study.
AFYREN and Terrial renew their partnership for French-manufactured potash fertilizers
AFYREN and Terrial today announce the renewal of their strategic partnership with the signing of a new multi-year fertilizer supply contract, worth several tens of millions of euros This long-term contract strengthens both companies’ commitment to making French agriculture more sustainable and less dependent on international fertilizer markets.
Sharpening an essential tool for biotechnology
Scientists develop a database of validated guide RNAs to improve engineering of microbes for manufacturing applications.
Green hydrogen production and storage using alcohols, iron, and baker’s yeast
A new recyclable system uses baker’s yeast to store H₂ in organic molecules and iron ions to release it when needed - offering a promising route toward more sustainable hydrogen production and storage.
Honeybee silk could power smarter wound dressings
Recombinant honeybee silk can be bioengineered in a lab, allowing researchers to modify the protein sequence and potentially introduce new features into the materials, such as infection-sensing signals or targeted drug release.
Scientists overcome key barrier to self-amplifying vaccines
Scientists have overcome a key barrier to self-amplifying vaccines. The innovation could enable protection at lower doses, meaning vaccines could be rolled out further and faster than was previously imaginable. saRNA vaccines hold great promise but are hindered by an inherent flaw which undermines their effectiveness.
Wearable nanotech could combat nerve agents
Fungi-inspired nanoparticles could someday provide a new way to help soldiers fight back against deadly nerve agents on the frontline. Scientists developed a nanoparticle-based compound that, when mixed into clothing dyes, could limit the impact of chemicals commonly found in pesticides, insecticides and nerve agents.
Researchers work toward universal flu, HIV vaccines
What if there was a way to achieve stronger, multi-year protection from a single flu jab? Researchers are looking to better understand a viral mechanism shared between influenza and HIV with the aim of disrupting infection. This research could help develop effective vaccines for both diseases, as well as new antivirals.
Researchers warn eye infections can cause preventable vision loss
Rising rates of infectious eye diseases are increasing the risk of preventable sight loss, with researchers warning that delayed diagnosis can have lasting consequences. New reviews highlight the importance of recognising symptoms such as blurred vision, floaters and sudden visual changes early, when treatment is most effective.
APIC and SHEA Statement on reported erosion of CDC capacity
Reports that the CDC has lost nearly a third of its workforce, including experienced scientists in its emerging infectious disease and respiratory disease centers, means guidance is slower to arrive, technical assistance is harder to reach, and scientific expertise is thinner at a time when most needed, experts warn.