Latest news
Bee hives found to be ‘living immune systems’ that protect bees
Researchers have discovered honey beehives act as ‘living immune systems’ that help protect the bee colony, their offspring, and food supplies from disease. In a remarkable example of insect engineering each part of the hive is ‘built in’ strategically across different compartments of the hive.
‘Hiding in plain sight’ - new bacteria discovered in DNA samples from prostate cancer patients
Researchers have discovered the genetic blueprints of 18 new bacterial species collected from prostate cancer patients. Most came from the mouth, including new types of Porphyromonas, which the team has previously linked to more aggressive prostate cancer, and Treponema.
How plants unwittingly help fungal pathogens
Infecting a maize plant is no simple task for a fungal pathogen such as Ustilago maydis. A group of researchers has now uncovered how the fungus detects that it has successfully entered its host. This signal triggers changes in fungal growth.
Common cold sore virus may reprogram the brain’s immune defenses
Researchers have discovered how herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, can fundamentally change how the brain’s immune cells respond to infection, revealing a potentially important connection between viral infection, chronic inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Study uses artificial intelligence to design potential antiviral compounds
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-guided strategy to discover molecules that inhibit deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS), a human enzyme involved in eIF5A hypusination, a process that supports the replication of a broad range of viruses. The researchers experimentally tested AI-generated molecules.
Could plywood provide a better home for oil-degrading microbes?
The material used to support microbial biofilms could influence their potential role in treating water generated during oil production. Researchers examined whether different supporting materials affect the formation, abundance, and composition of biofilms inside a 14-hectare constructed wetland treating oil-produced water.
Bee hives found to be ‘living immune systems’ that protect bees
Researchers have discovered honey beehives act as ‘living immune systems’ that help protect the bee colony, their offspring, and food supplies from disease. In a remarkable example of insect engineering each part of the hive is ‘built in’ strategically across different compartments of the hive.
‘Hiding in plain sight’ - new bacteria discovered in DNA samples from prostate cancer patients
Researchers have discovered the genetic blueprints of 18 new bacterial species collected from prostate cancer patients. Most came from the mouth, including new types of Porphyromonas, which the team has previously linked to more aggressive prostate cancer, and Treponema.
How plants unwittingly help fungal pathogens
Infecting a maize plant is no simple task for a fungal pathogen such as Ustilago maydis. A group of researchers has now uncovered how the fungus detects that it has successfully entered its host. This signal triggers changes in fungal growth.
Perpetual Next signs agreement to accelerate the roll-out of standardized biomethanol plants
Perpetual Next have signed a License and Engineering Agreement with Air Liquide Engineering and Technologies for the supply of syngas-to-methanol technology for Perpetual Next’s first biomethanol facility, with an option to extend across other biomethanol sites.
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.
Plasmonic coating on bacterial surfaces paves the way for rapid sepsis diagnosis
Researchers have developed a label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis technology that rapidly detects extremely low concentrations of viable bacteria by directly growing plasmonic metal nanostructures on and around bacterial cells.
New platform reveals broad viral exposure histories in pigs
Pigs can retain antibody traces of past viral encounters, yet conventional tests usually examine only a limited number of viruses at a time. Researchers have developed a platform that uses 36,416 short protein fragments from 140 swine-associated viruses to screen many antibody responses in parallel.
One-step rapid syphilis test detects infection earlier, researchers report
A new rapid test detects lower levels of the two types of antibodies the body makes to fight syphilis bacteria and respond to disease-related cell damage, potentially leading to earlier interventions and fewer appointments for patients.
£4 million awarded to develop vaccines that protect livestock and tackle growing biosecurity threat
Scientists are set to receive £4 million to help tackle the growing biosecurity threat faced by the UK. The project will develop an mRNA vaccine platform for use across major livestock species. This platform will help prepare for future epidemics, tackle antimicrobial resistance, and accelerate the development of next-generation animal vaccines.
Charité opens new HIV cure research center
A new research centre in Berlin is aiming to move HIV care beyond lifelong treatment and towards cure or long-term remission. Building on two rare HIV cures achieved in the city, researchers will investigate antibody, immune, gene and cell therapies designed to eliminate the virus or keep it permanently under control without medication.
Plague never disappeared, but modern medicine has changed the risk
Plague may sound like a disease from the history books, but Yersinia pestis still circulates in wildlife around the world. Despite recent concern over a possible laboratory-linked death in Russia, experts stress that human cases remain rare and the infection is usually treatable when diagnosed quickly.