All USA & Canada articles
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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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NewsResearchers developing new easy-to-use viral biosensor test, giving patients more accurate and immediate results
An interdisciplinary team of researchers is creating a single low-cost test to detect HIV & Hepatitis B and C simultaneously, that may be used in resource-limited settings. With quicker and more accessible results, the test has potential to save lives.
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NewsWhen faucets rest: hidden microbial risks emerge in hours
Stagnant water in building plumbing systems is a well-known driver of microbial growth and contamination, including L. pneumophila. A new study highlights a short “microbial safety window” of 2–4 hours, after which risks increase significantly.
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NewsMeasles immunity 90% in BC’s Lower Mainland
In British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, 90% of people have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection, according to a new study.
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NewsTwo-dose recombinant shingles vaccine is effective even accounting for prior receipt of live shingles vaccine
A target trial emulation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) accounting for prior receipt of live zoster vaccine (ZVL) and immunocompetence. The results suggest individuals vaccinated with ZVL should be revaccinated with two doses of RZV.
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NewsSped-up evolution may help bacteria take hold in gut microbiome
A genetic mechanism inserts mutations into key DNA hotspots that enable bacteria to adapt to new environments, a new study finds.
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NewsResearchers map correlations between gene variants and proteomes
Scientists have discovered a way to predict the effects of numerous mutations in yeast - a valuable tool for better understanding molecular mechanisms. Key to this discovery was a detailed analysis of the proteome – the collection of all proteins inside a cell.
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NewsStudy finds HEPA purifiers alone may not be enough to reduce viral exposure in schools
In a secondary analysis of a study of 200 classrooms, researchers found respiratory viral exposures were still high in those with HEPA purifiers, suggesting additional interventions are needed.
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NewsPoultry growers: Have you checked your water lines lately?
Water quality could impact the kind of microbial populations in poultry drinking water lines and lead to the buildup of a biofilm that can harbor pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella, according to a new study.
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NewsNew global burden of disease study: Mortality declines, youth deaths rise, widening health inequities
The world faces an emerging crisis of higher death rates in adolescents and young adults in North America and Latin America due to suicide and drug and alcohol consumption, and in sub-Saharan Africa due to infectious diseases and unintentional injuries.
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NewsParasite paparazzi take millions of photos of secret malaria proteins
Using millions of microscope images magnified up to 130,000 times, researchers have unraveled the structure of two key proteins in the malaria parasite. With this knowledge, scientists are developing new vaccines that block the transmission of parasites via mosquitoes.
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NewsRare bacterium ‘plays dead’ to evade detection in NASA clean rooms
A rare novel bacterium found in an unexpected environment may be evading detection by “playing dead”. Discovered in NASA spacecraft assembly clean rooms, Tersicoccus phoenicis could have major implications for planetary protection and clean room sterilization practices.
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NewsEngineered bacterial therapy activates immune response in cancer preclinical studies
Researchers have developed a new bacterial immunotherapy that delivers immune-activating proteins directly to solid tumors, which can often suppress the immune system. ACTM-838 targets phagocytic immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.
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NewsScientists discover regulatory pathway behind cyanobacteria’s carbon-fixing factories
A new study illuminates a key regulatory pathway between cyanobacteria’s light-harvesting systems and the inner compartments where carbon fixation happens, helping us to understand how cyanobacteria balance their energy demands.
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NewsWastewater plants produce twice as much greenhouse gases as officially estimated
Wastewater plants emit about twice as much greenhouse gas as previously believed, according to a new study. Collectively sewer plants produced 1.9 times the nitrous oxide gas estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency and 2.4 times the methane.
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NewsResearch team with the latest Nobel Prize laureate reveals regulatory immune cell precursors disrupted in severe COVID-19
A research team joined by Professor Shimon Sakaguchi – the latest Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine – has identified a subset of immune cells called precursor T follicular regulatory cells (preTfr) that play a critical role in preventing autoantibody production.
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NewsSoil bacteria and minerals form a natural ‘battery’ that breaks down antibiotics in the dark
Researchers have unveiled a surprising new way that soil microbes can use sunlight energy. The team developed a “bio-photovoltage soil-microbe battery” that can capture, store, and release solar energy to power the breakdown of antibiotic pollutants in the dark.
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NewsMicrobiome and nanoparticle discoveries hold promise for treating gut pain
In an effort to develop targeted treatments for gut pain, scientists have discovered a new enzyme in gut bacteria and are using nanoparticles to deliver drugs inside cells. PAR2, a receptor involved in pain signaling, is activated by certain enzymes called proteases.
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NewsResearchers find key to stopping deadly infection
New research has identified a key step that enables rotavirus to infect cells. The researchers found that disabling the process in tissue culture and in mice prevented infection.
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NewsNew vaccine shows promise against typhoid and invasive salmonella in first human trial
Researchers have completed a successful Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel vaccine designed to protect against both typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella–two major causes of illness and death among children in sub-Saharan Africa.