All Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology articles
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NewsFungi set the stage for life on land hundreds of millions of years earlier than thought
New research indicates the diversification of fungi hundreds of millions of years before the emergence of land plants. It suggests a common ancestor of living fungi dating to roughly 1.4–0.9 billion years ago.
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NewsMolecular clock analysis shows bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
Researchers have constructed a detailed timeline for bacterial evolution and oxygen adaptation. Their findings suggest some bacteria could use trace oxygen long before evolving the ability to produce it through photosynthesis.
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NewsStudy reveals how anemonefish avoid stings from their sea anemone hosts - bacteria could be involved
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how anemonefish can live safely among sea anemones without being stung by their venomous tentacles, solving a century-long mystery.
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NewsScientists unveil how the oceans’ most abundant bacteria impact global nutrient flows
A new paper has revealed how key bacterial proteins contribute to global carbon, sulfur and other nutrient cycles.
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NewsTiny heroes and innovative technology can fight back against antibiotic-resistant biofilms
Researchers show that antibiotic-infused silver nanoparticles can effectively break down biofilms and also unveil a new sensing method to assess antimicrobial activity.
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NewsSynthetic droplets cause a stir in the primordial soup
A synthetic droplet may give researchers clues on how the simplest forms of life on the planet could navigate their surroundings.
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NewsScientists reveal the molecular structure of a complex bacteriophage
For the first time, the molecular structure of a complete tailed virus with a flexible tail has been solved in unprecedented detail.
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NewsScientists reveal ‘burrowing effect’ of foraminifera on marine environments
Scientists have shown for the first time that the burrowing of single-celled organisms in marine ecosystems affects oxygen distribution and bacterial diversity in sea sediments.
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NewsResearch on bee virus origins uncovers buzz-worthy breakthrough
A study of deformed wing virus, a key driver in declines among European honey bee populations, show that one of the most common strains, DWV-A, originated in Asia and not Europe, as previously suggested.
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NewsInhaling ethanol may treat respiratory infections
Inhaling low concentrations of ethanol vapour can disable the influenza A virus in mice, without harmful side effects, says a new study by scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). The scientists believe it may also treat similar viruses such as the one that causes Covid-19. ...
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NewsGut bacteria could be behind weaker immune responses to COVID-19 vaccine
Digestion of fucose sugar by bacteria in our digestive tract could be hampering how effectively we respond to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
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NewsResearchers discover how bacteria in deep-sea vents deal with toxic metal environments
A new study investigates how bacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal vents can survive and thrive in the presence of highly toxic copper and cadmium.