All University of California, Davis articles
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NewsDog daycare leptospirosis outbreak in Los Angeles reveals broader public health risks
A 2021 outbreak of leptospirosis that sickened more than 200 dogs in Los Angeles County reveals critical gaps in vaccination practices and raises broader concerns about the spread of the disease between animals and people.
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NewsResearchers discover the secret behind gray mold’s unstoppable spread
For years, scientists have unsuccessfully tried to breed crops that could resist Botrytis cinerea. New research suggests decades of crop breeding strategies may have overlooked a crucial piece of the puzzle: the pathogen itself. The problem may lie in a fundamental misunderstanding of how plants and the pathogen interact.
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NewsClimate change increases spillover risk of rodent-borne arenaviruses
Climate change is likely to drive rodent-borne arenaviruses into parts of South America that have never faced these diseases, according to an early risk projection model that incorporated climate projections, shifting rodent populations and the risks of human infection.
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NewsNew AI model improves accuracy of food contamination detection
Researchers have significantly enhanced an artificial intelligence tool used to rapidly detect bacterial contamination in food by eliminating misclassifications of food debris that looks like bacteria. Current methods often require specialized expertise and are time consuming — taking several days to a week.
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NewsH5N1 causes die-off of Antarctic skuas
More than 50 skuas in Antarctica died from the high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the summers of 2023 and 2024, marking the first documented die-off of wildlife from the virus on the continent.
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NewsCat disease challenges what scientists thought about coronaviruses
Researchers have uncovered new details about how a once-deadly coronavirus disease in cats spreads through the immune system. For years, the prevailing belief was that the virus behind feline infectious peritonitis infected just one type of immune cell.
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NewsProbiotics can restore gut microbiome in breastfed infants
A new study has found that supplementing exclusively breastfed infants with a probiotic, Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001, between 2 and 4 months of age can successfully restore beneficial bacteria in their gut.
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NewsA microbial blueprint for climate-smart cows
Recent research has shown that feeding cows red seaweed can dramatically cut the amount of methane that is produced and released into the environment. A new study sheds light on that process and reveals which microbes in the cow’s gut might help reduce methane.
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NewsNew hope for cats with eye infections: Study finds common cold sore cream safe and effective for feline use
A common human cold sore cream may soon help cats with painful eye infections: researchers found that 1% penciclovir cream (Fenlips®), when applied to cats’ eyes, was safe, well-tolerated, and maintained antiviral levels for over eight hours.
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NewsLake Tahoe algae experiment suggests seasonal shifts ahead
As the climate warms and nutrient inputs shift, algal communities in cool, clear mountain lakeswill likely experience seasonal changes, according to a new study. The effects of climate warming were especially pronounced in the colder months.
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NewsHow plants are learning to spot sneaky bacterial invaders
Scientists used artificial intelligence to help plants recognize a wider range of bacterial threats — which may lead to new ways to protect crops like tomatoes and potatoes from devastating diseases.
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NewsLong Covid lessons: New cell therapy boosts immune recovery in cats with severe coronavirus
Feline infectious peritonitis is a serious and historically fatal disease in cats caused by a coronavirus. Scientists have found that mesenchymal stromal cells, or MSC therapy, in combination with antiviral drugs, helped cats’ immune systems recover and reduced systemic inflammation.
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NewsFish ‘beauty salons’ offer insight into how microbes move within reefs
A new study highlights the potential impact of cleaner fish in coral reefs and the need to demystify their role in shaping reef microbial diversity and transmission.
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NewsResearchers unravel the gut health benefits of sauerkraut - and shop-bought is just as good
A new study suggests that sauerkraut could help protect your gut, which is an essential part of overall health, supporting digestion and protecting against illness.
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NewsDogs could help predict valley fever spread in humans
Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist soils and becomes airborne during drought. In a new study, researchers show that dogs, who are also susceptible to the disease, can help us understand its spread.
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NewsExpedition confirms spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the Weddell Sea
The CSIC-UNESPA scientific expedition monitoring the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1) in Antarctica has confirmed the presence of the virus in all species detected on six islands in the Weddell Sea.
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NewsKilling H5N1 in waste milk — an alternative to pasteurization
Researchers have found that acidification can kill H5N1 in waste milk, providing dairy farmers an affordable, easy-to-use alternative to pasteurization of waste milk.
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NewsExtreme rain heightens E. coli risks for communities of color in Texas
New research shows that communities of color in Texas face pronounced risks of E. coli exposure in nearby waters following storms that dump abnormally high amounts of rain.
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NewsResearch aims for better control of widespread tomato spotted wilt virus
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have received two grants to develop better control and understanding of tomato spotted wilt virus, one of the top 10 most economically important plant viruses in the world.
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NewsWrong place, wrong time: Why Zika virus hijacks a protein needed for brain growth
A new study shows that the Zika virus hijacks a host protein called ANKLE2, which is important for brain development, to assist its own reproduction. Because Zika can cross the placenta, this can have disastrous consequences in pregnancy.