All University of Helsinki articles
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NewsUrbanization reshapes soil microbes: Bacteria adapt, fungi resist
A groundbreaking study reveals that urban environments favor bacterial generalists, which adapt to diverse conditions, whereas fungi maintain specialized ecological roles. Despite these divergent responses, the functional overlap between bacteria and fungi ensures ecosystem resilience.
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NewsCircadian rhythms in tea plant microbiomes shed light on nutrient cycling
A groundbreaking study has uncovered a fascinating connection between the circadian rhythms of tea plants and the microbial communities in their rhizosphere, providing new insights into nutrient cycling.
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NewsOutokumpu’s bedrock reveals a smelly surprise
In a borehole in Finland, volatile organic compounds (VOC) are detected in the bedrock and groundwater due to the presence of a highly diverse underground microbial community, which reflects the composition of VOC and thus the bedrock characteristics.
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NewsNew study reveals how COVID-19 variants hijack human cells
A research team has successfully mapped what they call the “hijackome”, detailing how SARS-CoV-2 variants exploit specific cellular pathways.
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NewsPossible colon cancer vaccine target uncovered in bacteria
Higher rates of certain cancers may be linked to two particular strains of bacteria. Targeting these with treatments or vaccines could help reduce the risk of colorectal, bladder, and prostate cancers.
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NewsInfant gut microbiota development predicts future health
Infants’ gut microbiota development follows one of five predictable trajectories, significantly influenced by infant exposures, according to a new study. These are strong indicators of later health outcomes, including allergies, growth patterns, and infections.
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NewsPromising antibiotic candidates discovered in microbes deep in the Arctic Sea
A new study demonstrates that prospecting novel habitats like the Arctic Sea can yield novel antivirulence drugs that are less likely to select for resistance.
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NewsWestern superbugs do not dominate in Pakistan, study reveals
Certain antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria endemic to the UK, Norway and the USA have not taken hold in Pakistan despite the widespread use of antibiotics in this region.
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NewsResearchers develop predictive model for cross-border COVID spread
A study on the spread of infections across Nordic borders from spring until the end of 2020 sheds light on the efficacy of cross-border travel restrictions, helping to better understand which measures actually make a difference.
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NewsGenome research reveals the global march of malaria
Researchers have reconstructed ancient Plasmodium genome-wide data from 36 malaria-infected individuals spanning 5,500 years of human history on five continents, reconstructing the worldwide spread of malaria and its historical impact.
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NewsStudy reveals role of fathers in seeding the microbiota of newborns
A new paper shows the important contributions that fathers make to the composition of microbes colonizing a baby’s gut, and confirms that maternal fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) in babies born by C-section can help to correct microbiota disturbances.
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NewsUrban gardening may improve human health - thanks to immune-boosting microbial exposure
A one-month indoor gardening period increased the bacterial diversity of the skin and was associated with higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules in the blood, demonstrated a new study.
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NewsProtein found in human sweat may protect against Lyme disease
Researchers also found that a variant of the protein is not as protective against the bacterium and increases susceptibility to the disease.
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NewsCOVID-19 infection alters gene transcription of olfactory mucosal cells in Alzheimer’s disease
A new study identifies alterations in the transcriptomic signatures in human olfactory mucosal cells of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection, potentially contributing to exacerbated COVID-19 outcomes.
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NewsA healthy mouth helps to maintain balanced metabolic profiles
Common oral infections, periodontal diseases and caries are associated with inflammatory metabolic profiles related to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, a new study suggests.
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CareersNew research IDs 28 genetic regions linked to susceptibility and severity of COVID-19
A study identifies 51 significant genome-wide loci associated with both COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, providing valuable information about the disease.
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NewsDesulfovibrio implicated in Parkinson’s disease
Researchers have demonstrated that certain strains of Desulfovibrio bacteria are the likely cause of Parkinson’s disease in most cases.
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NewsNasal spray protects against coronavirus infection- including recent immune-evasive variants
Researchers have developed a molecule that is, when administered nasally, extremely effective in preventing the disease caused by all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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NewsGut microbiota may be harnessed as a tool to diagnose fatty liver disease
A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä comparing the gut microbiota and gut-derived metabolites between healthy controls and individuals with fatty liver revealed that certain microbial metabolites are associated with liver fat content.