All UK & Rest of Europe articles – Page 24
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NewsBody weight affects your gut microbiota
A new study demonstrates that there is a correlation between gut microbiota and body weight. Researchers also observed that having a high BMI is detrimental to gut microbiota.
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NewsDoes agriculture and climate affect feeding activities of soil animals?
An international research team has shown that soil animal communities have greater trophic diversity in agricultural ecosystems and in tropical regions. Animals that feed on microorganisms – such as nematodes, springtails and mites – had higher trophic diversity than those that feed on dead organic matter or live as predators.
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NewsFrom ocean to gut: The bacteria that shape both human health and marine carbon cycling
A group of researchers has discovered that Akkermansia bacteria are not unique to our guts, but can also be found in the ocean. In both habitats they use similar skills to ensure their survival and success. They seem to carry an old and widespread survival toolkit.
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NewsScientists discover ‘hidden switch’ in immune cells that helps the body kill deadly fungus
Scientists have discovered a “control switch” inside our immune cells that helps the body destroy dangerous fungal infections. A protein called RAB5c helps white blood cells kill Aspergillus fumigatus – an airborne fungus that can cause life‑threatening lung infections in people with weakened immune systems.
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NewsSwansea spin-out Bionema Group receives second King’s Award for Enterprise
Bionema Group Ltd, a Swansea University spin-out specialising in biological crop protection and sustainable agriculture, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development 2026. It highlights Bionema’s contribution to developing environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides.
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NewsCRISPR system inhibits hepatitis E virus
Researchers have developed a novel antiviral concept - using the CRISPR/Cas13 system, they were able to specifically suppress the replication of the hepatitis E virus in human cells.
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NewsTen years on, the Nagoya Protocol on sharing genetic resources is still confusing scientists - so here’s some much-needed guidance
More than a decade after the Nagoya Protocol, which aims to fairly share the benefits of utilizing genetic resources, became law, scientists still face practical challenges and confusion. A new guide provides universally applicable frameworks for anyone working with biological resources.
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NewsAndes hantavirus outbreak: ECDC working on the frontline to support EU Member States
Genomic information also shows that the virus involved in the outbreak is similar to Andes viruses already known to circulate in South America, and is not a new variant. There is currently no evidence that this variant spreads more easily or causes more severe disease than other Andes viruses.
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NewsUKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak
The UK Government has announced it has worked with international partners to ensure the safe return of all remaining British nationals on board the MV Hondius, with passengers now safely transferred to Arrowe Park Hospital.
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NewsPregnant women’s mental images are directly linked to vaccine hesitancy and uptake
When pregnant women think about vaccinations, many experience vivid mental images – such as a sick baby in hospital – that have a direct link to their opinion of the vaccine and whether they ultimately have it, new research has shown.
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NewsThawing Arctic soil awakens only half of soil microbes, new study reveals
A study shows that even after months of thawing, around half of the microorganisms in High Arctic soils remain dormant. This challenges the assumption that warming uniformly boosts microbial activity and carbon release from thawing permafrost.
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NewsGut microbiota plays a role in metabolic health after bariatric surgery
Changes in gut microbiota after bariatric surgery are strongly linked to altered metabolic health and sustained improvement in type 2 diabetes. A study shows changes in gut bacterial composition and function are associated with metabolic improvements, including insulin release and blood sugar control.
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NewsExpanded tuberculosis screening does not speed up treatment initiation or improve survival in hospitalized patients with HIV
According to the EXULTANT trial, adding molecular tests on sputum, urine and stool samples does not appear to outperform the standard WHO-recommended diagnostic approach.
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NewsHow soil bacteria help plants defend themselves against disease
A study reveals the mechanism by which surfactin, a molecule produced by beneficial soil bacteria, activates plants’ immune defences. This mechanism, distinct from the classical paradigm of immune recognition, relies on direct interaction with the plant cell membrane.
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NewsHappy 100th birthday! Eight inspiring quotes from Sir David Attenborough
Happy centenary! As Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday today, we dig up some of his most famous quotes that celebrate the vital role that microbes and their ecosystems play on planet Earth.
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NewsHow bacteria ‘chat’ their way to carbon-neutral water treatment
Global climate goals demand that wastewater treatment plants transform their operations. A new review reveals that quorum sensing (QS), the chemical communication system bacteria use to coordinate behavior, could be the key.
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NewsTuberculosis risk: promising approaches for screening and prediction
It is currently difficult to detect TB in its early stages, or predict who will go on to have TB, and therefore preventive treatment is not widely used. Researchers assessed whether a blood-based 3-gene host-response test can detect active tuberculosis and help predict future disease.
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News Researchers unveil new AI-driven system set to transform coral reef restoration
Researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind bespoke AI system designed to assess coral health and detect early stress. BlueBiome is reimagining coral reef care by applying the same principles of preventive, precision health commonly used in human gut health.
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NewsMembrane complex aids rock-eating microbes in converting carbon dioxide to biomass
So-called rock-eating microorganisms obtain their energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) from inorganic sources. Using electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, researchers investigated the structure of DAB2 in the sulfur bacterium Halothiobacillus neapolitanus.
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NewsScientists discover how HIV hijacks a cellular ‘gateway’ to infect resting immune cells
New research reveals that when HIV spreads directly between T-cells it triggers a molecular signalling chain that temporarily ‘unlocks’ the nuclear pore complex, allowing the HIV virus and capsid to enter and integrate into the host’s DNA.