Research
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NewsTiles, leaves and cotton strips offer practical, affordable method for measuring river health
With the aim of standardising methods for assessing river health and providing a simple, accessible guide for environmental management bodies, researchers analysed the performance of different materials that enable the decomposition processes and organic matter production to be measured.
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News‘Rotten egg’ gas could be the answer to treating nail infections, say scientists
Hydrogen sulphide, the volcanic gas that smells of rotten eggs, could be used in a new treatment for tricky nail infections that acts faster but with fewer side effects, according to scientists.
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NewsHIV significantly affects sleep, with many living in a state akin to chronic jet lag
A new study describes how people living with HIV experience higher rates of sleep issues even when virally suppressed, which has been associated with a higher risk for heart disease, depression and cognitive decline.
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NewsNovel technique reveals insights into soil microbe alarm clock
A new study yields clues about when dormant microscopic bacteria and fungi in soil ‘wake up’ and colonize roots, which influences plant growth and health.
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NewsStudy reveals critical impact of universal cCMV screening on early detection of hearing loss in newborns
A comprehensive eight-year study reveals that approximately one-third of congenital cytomegalovirus-related hearing loss develops after the newborn period—cases that would be missed without universal screening programs.
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NewsMyths about rapid spread of the Black Death influenced by single ‘literary tale’, experts show
Modern portrayals of the Black Death quickly moving across Asia, ravaging Silk Route communities, following the course of traders, have been incorrect because of centuries of misinterpretation of a rhyming fourteenth-century literary tale, experts have found.
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NewsReview probes mechanical and durability properties of microorganism based self-healing concrete
Microorganism-based self-healing concrete, which uses bacteria to induce calcite precipitation for crack sealing, has emerged as a promising solution, but existing studies lack systematic reviews of its mechanical properties and durability performance.
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NewsNew study reveals not all bats carry equal viral risk
A groundbreaking study sheds new light on the relationship between bats and dangerous viruses, showing that contrary to widespread assumptions, not all bats carry viruses with high epidemic potential, only specific groups of species.
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NewsResearchers screen microbial strains to reduce H2S and CH4 emissions from wastewater
A new study demonstrates that S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis effectively reduce H2S and CH4 emissions from wastewater by altering microbial community composition and metabolic pathways, offering a sustainable approach for wastewater treatment.
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NewsHow variations in DOM components affect the stability of microbial communities in drinking water supply systems
In large cities with multi-source and multi-plant water supply, source switching alters dissolved organic matter (DOM) and microbial communities. This study examines the impact of DOM on microbial communities in water supply systems (WSS).
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NewsBiochar mediated microbial synergy in partial nitrification–anammox systems
A study investigates the role of biochar in enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) and stability in partial nitrification–anammox (PN/A) systems, focusing on its selective promotion of partial denitrification and maintaining the dynamic balance between AnAOB and denitrifying bacteria (DNB).
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NewsStudy unveils effects of microplastics on the Nu River sediment microbial community and greenhouse gas emissions:
Microplastics (MPs) in river ecosystems significantly affect sediment microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling. This study compared the effects of conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) on sediment microbial communities and GHG emissions.
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NewsGroundbreaking review reveals how gut microbiota influences sleep disorders through the brain-gut axis
A comprehensive review illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, establishing the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a critical pathway in understanding and potentially treating sleep disorders.
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NewsLichens and drones reveal dinosaur bones
Scientists have found that certain lichen species preferentially colonise exposed dinosaur bones, creating distinctive spectral signatures that can be detected from 30 metres above ground using drones.
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NewsApproach to combat antibiotic resistance turns bacterium’s genes against it
Scientists have found that a structurally modified version of the drug florfenicol exploits drug resistance mechanisms in Mycobacterium abscessus to amplify the effect of the antibiotic perpetually.
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NewsUnprecedented decline in marine viruses in the western Mediterranean linked to climate change revealed
Researchers have described a sustained and unprecedented decrease in the abundance of marine viruses in the northwestern Mediterranean over the last two decades. The findingis based on the longest-known time series data on marine viruses to date.
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NewsAntimicrobial peptides can reduce salmonella in chickens
A new study has found that antimicrobial peptides can combat Salmonella infections in chickens, a major cause of foodborne disease in the U.S. This discovery could help improve food safety and protect public health without relying on antibiotic use.
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NewsNew editorial urges clinicians to address sex-based disparities in sepsis treatment
Standardized antibiotic dosing frequently ignores patient-level variability. A newly published editorial is calling attention to how biological sex and gender inequities contribute to suboptimal sepsis treatment, potentially compromising outcomes for women.
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NewsResearchers pinpoint target for treating virus that causes the stomach bug
Human astroviruses are a leading viral cause of the stomach bug, often leading to vicious cycles of sickness and malnutrition. New research reveals the strategy that the human astrovirus uses to enter the body.
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NewsBacteria reveal how climate-damaging nitrous oxide forms in the ocean
Marine microorganisms produce large amounts of nitrous oxide, a highly potent greenhouse gas. Researchers investigated the exact processes involved during an expedition to the Pacific. The results are important for climate modeling.