All UK & Rest of Europe articles – Page 18
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NewsDecline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
A new study has used more than six decades of data to show that plankton abundance is declining across vast swathes of the North East Atlantic – a region covering the Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Norway, and the entirety of the North Sea.
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NewsGut microbiome could hold important clues as to how IBD develops and progresses
The gut microbiome could hold important clues as to how IBD develops and progresses – and which treatment is best suited to individual patients.
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NewsHow YouTube shapes public understanding of avian influenza
A new study analyzing more than 11,000 YouTube videos and comments found that online narratives surrounding avian influenza evolved alongside major outbreak developments, including increasing reports of infections in mammals, sporadic human cases, and economic consequences.
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NewsNatural compound may help boost vaccine responses
A team of researchers has found that the naturally occurring compound spermidine can help boost vaccine response in older adults by reducing molecular markers of immune system ageing.
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NewsBiofilm “scaffolds” protect bacterium responsible for food poisoning from antibiotics
Bacillus cereus, which is responsible for human infections and food poisoning, builds organized communities that act as a ‘shield’ against antibiotics, a new study reveals.
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NewsThe miracle microbes that could save crops from impact of rising sea levels
A new study reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes help plants – including maize, tomato and rapeseed - survive in harsh environments, with major implications for agriculture worldwide.
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NewsLarge-scale microbiome study identifies robust colorectal cancer signature
Researchers have identified a robust microbial signature associated with colorectal cancer. The study also analysed 906 intestinal tissue samples to compare stool-based microbiome signals with microbes found directly in tumour tissue.
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CareersLAMECS 2026: An important milestone for early-career microbiologists
Ekramul Karim reveals why LAM ECS 2026 has been an important milestone in his own journey as an early-career microbiologist and how it has broadened his appreciation for the versatility of microbiology beyond biomedical and environmental settings.
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NewsThe climate crisis threatens river microbial biodiversity
A study warns that the biodiversity and biological functions of aquatic fungi in rivers are at risk due to rising temperatures, prolonged dry periods and the loss of riparian vegetation caused by climate change.
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NewsDiscovery of severe pneumonia subtypes could lead to tailored treatments for life-threating disease
New research shows that severe pneumonia has three different subtypes, helping explain why some patients in intensive care units (ICUs) recover quickly, while for other patients the disease can be life-threatening.
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NewsHidden protein linked to severe COVID-19 and lung disease risk
A genetic difference carried by nearly one in three people may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and lung fibrosis by disrupting the function of a previously unknown protein, according to a new study.
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NewsThe early immune clues that determine who develops TB
An early view of the immune response to bacteria in the lungs provides clues as to why some people keep TB in check, while others develop disease, suggesting new ways to intervene earlier and stop TB.
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NewsNatural symbiosis: How plants and microbes share vital nutrients in fragile ecosystems
Researchers using stable isotope labelling to investigate how different forms of nitrogen are used by plants and microbes in alpine heath environments found that plants and microbes use distinct strategies to access this critical nutrient.
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CareersLAMECS 2026: microbes, career motivation, and exploring life on Mars!
Jemima Swain reports back on her experiences of the Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Symposium 2026 at Manchester Metropolitan University, which brought together almost 100 delegates for a day of scientific presentations, posters, careers talks, and opportunities for discussion and networking.
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NewsOrdinary enzyme evolves into a ‘control switch’ revealing a new weak spot in tuberculosis
A protein that acts as a ‘control switch,’ preventing Mycobacterium tuberculosis from accessing the energy sources it needs to survive, has been identified by researchers. The discovery points to a specific vulnerability in the bacterium that could be targeted by new TB treatments.
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NewsHow cyanobacteria developed photosynthetic membranes over the course of evolution
New research analyses hundreds of cyanobacterial genomes to understand the origin of thylakoids, the internal membranes involved in photosynthesis.
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NewsWhy do viruses not kill the mosquitoes that transmit them?
A new study reveals the mechanism that allows viruses such as chikungunya or dengue to be harboured in mosquitoes without killing them, thus facilitating their transmission.
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NewsProtective human antibodies target West Nile and related viruses
New research defines vulnerable sites on West Nile virus that could inform vaccine development, and highlight antibody candidates with prophylactic and therapeutic potential. They may also guide interventions for a wider group of encephalitic orthoflavivirus infections.
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NewsAlgae microbots take aim at bladder cancer
Tiny algae-based robots guided by magnets could improve bladder cancer treatment by boosting delivery of chemotherapy drugs into tumours. Tracked using real-time imaging, the miniature robots help drugs penetrate deep into tumour tissue while limiting damage to healthy cells.
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NewsCaught in the act: A gene jumps into the void
Self-splicing introns are a special group of jumping genes. It is more difficult for a gene to jump into another cell or another species. Until now, it had been assumed that, for this to happen, the jumping genes travelled as ‘hitchhiker’ in the genomes of plasmids or viruses, but researchers have made a surprising observation.