All Osaka Metropolitan University articles
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NewsFreshwater alga captures far-red light for photosynthesis by rearranging ordinary chlorophyll
To survive in areas where it is difficult to photosynthesize, some organisms adopt unique strategies. Researchers have found that a freshwater alga captures far-red light as an additional energy source by arranging ordinary chlorophyll in an extraordinary way.
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NewsMethane’s missing emissions: The underestimated impact of small sources
Although efforts are being made to reduce the contribution of big polluters to methane in Japan, new research suggests that smaller sources are vastly underestimated in the Osaka metropolitan area. The team found unaccounted emissions from numerous small sources, including restaurants, commercial facilities, and private residences.
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NewsResearchers probe how natto produces supersulfide molecules in fermentation
Natto, a Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with the Bacillus subtilis var. natto microorganism, is rich in supersulfide molecules, which are attracting attention in the medical and nutritional fields. Researchers extensively analyzed supersulfide content in natto fermentation using various methods.
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NewsFrom sea to soil: Molecular changes suggest how algae evolved into plants
A research team used cryo-electron microscopy to look at the three-dimensional structure and function of Lhcp, a unique prasinophyte LHC, from the microscopic alga Ostreococcus tauri. The team compared their results to LHCII, which is found in terrestrial plants.
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NewsDouble trouble: Tobacco use and Long COVID
Researchers investigating the relationship between Long Covid symptoms and smoking by tobacco type found that certain symptoms correlated with different forms of smoking.
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NewsMutated baker’s yeast at the forefront of petroleum substitute tech
Researchers engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) introduced mutations into the genomic DNA. The researchers engineered four altered strains and subjected them to ethanol, heat, and low pH stressors.
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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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NewsSulfated yeast could help recover rare earth metals from waste liquids
Electronics, optical fibers, and superconducting materials heavily rely on rare earth metals, but innovative recycling solutions are lacking. Now researchers in Japan have successfully achieved selective recovery of metals with S-yeast, a sulfated yeast.
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NewsChanges in gut microbiota influence which patients get AIG-related neuroendocrine tumors
Researchers have discovered how the balance of bacteria in the stomach affects the growth of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). By identifying the specific bacteria involved and the biochemical reactions that cause tumor growth, they hope to detect which patients are most likely to develop cancer.
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NewsHelping me, inhibiting you: Analysis of interactions between intestinal microbiota
Researchers have analyzed the interactions between two bacteria that make up intestinal microbiota. While Faecalibacterium prausnitzii inhibits the growth of Fusobacterium varium, F. varium promotes the growth of F. prausnitzii.
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NewsIlluminated changes: Enhancing D-lactic acid output with UV irradiation
Researchers have developed a Komagataella phaffii (K. phaffii) yeast strain that can efficiently produce D-lactic acid, a raw material for pharmaceuticals and bioplastics, from methanol.
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NewsAntibiotic-resistant Escherichia albertii on the rise in Bangladeshi chicken shops
Researchers have detected alarming rates of Escherichia albertii in retail chicken meat in Bangladesh. Their findings show extensive contamination and significant antimicrobial resistance, underscoring the potential risks to public health.
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NewsGreen recipe: Engineered yeast boosts D-lactic acid production
An optimal combination of genetic “recipe” in a yeast strain achieves high yields of D-lactic acid production from methanol, advancing eco-friendly and sustainable biomanufacturing.
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NewsHelicobacter pylori treatment practices in the Asia-Pacific region
Researchers conducted an online survey of clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region to investigate treatment policies for H. pylori and confirmed that there is a growing consensus of the importance of primary and secondary prevention against H. pylori.
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NewsMotion capture: In a world first, motility apparatus of Mycoplasma mobile clarified
Mycoplasmas, including bacteria that cause pneumonia in humans, are generally nonmotile, but Mycoplasma mobile, as the species name suggests, has been found in the gills of fish and seems to move by gliding along surfaces. The molecular structure that allows it to do so has for the first time been ...
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NewsE. coli strain in Egyptian dairy products also found in Japan school outbreak
Researchers found E. coli prevalent in over 25% of popular milk and dairy products in Egypt. One of the E. coli strains they isolated from the samples collected in 2018 in Egypt had the same characteristics as the E. coli that caused food poisoning in Japan in 2021.
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NewsStudy investigates ozonated water’s effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 in saliva
A research group examined the human salivary organic components, amylase, mucin, and urea, and ozonated water’s effect on SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of these components.
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NewsYeast as food emulsifier? Easily released protein as strong as casein
Researchers looking at yeast proteins as emulsifiers have found emulsifying proteins that can be easily freed from the yeast.
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NewsIdentifying amino acids that prevent sporulation in food poisoning
Scientists who examined how amino acids are involved in Clostridium perfringens spore formation have identified serine as an inhibitor. They found that serine inhibits the pathogen’s cell wall from remodeling, which is necessary in the process of becoming a spore.
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NewsGreener and cleaner: Yeast-green algae mix improves water treatment
Researchers have discovered that yeast and green algae form the best combination in terms of boosting wastewater treatment efficiency.