All USA & Canada articles – Page 2
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NewsHow plants unwittingly help fungal pathogens
Infecting a maize plant is no simple task for a fungal pathogen such as Ustilago maydis. A group of researchers has now uncovered how the fungus detects that it has successfully entered its host. This signal triggers changes in fungal growth.
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NewsCommon cold sore virus may reprogram the brain’s immune defenses
Researchers have discovered how herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, can fundamentally change how the brain’s immune cells respond to infection, revealing a potentially important connection between viral infection, chronic inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease.
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NewsWomen with history of recurrent UTIs more likely to report perioperative vaginal estrogen use and have a perioperative UTI
Postmenopausal women are at greater risk for multiple health issues, such as hip fractures and urinary tract infections (UTIs), due to estrogen loss. Vaginal estrogen is used to prevent recurrent UTIs, but a new study suggests its use may be associated with perioperative hip fracture complications, like UTIs.
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NewsProposed changes to Hepatitis B vaccination schedule could significantly increase infections, model suggests
A modeling study suggests that replacing universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth with delayed vaccination or a shared decision-making approach, as recommended by the U.S. federal government this year, could lead to substantially more chronic hepatitis B infections among U.S. children.
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NewsImmune protein may fight viruses while limiting harmful inflammation
A naturally occurring immune protein may help the body fight viruses without triggering the damaging inflammation that can make infections worse. New research suggests interferon lambda can strengthen antiviral defences while keeping inflammatory responses under tighter control.
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NewsGut-inspired biobattery uses bacteria to generate electricity
The tiny finger-like structures lining our small intestine have inspired a new design for bacteria-powered batteries. By mimicking intestinal villi, researchers created a bioelectrode with more surface area and better nutrient flow, allowing bacteria to generate stable electricity for hours.
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NewsNewly discovered viruses could bridge a missing link in evolution
Researchers have uncovered previously unknown viruses that appear to bridge the evolutionary gap between viruses and protein compartments found inside cells. The discovery suggests these systems may have evolved from one another repeatedly, offering new clues about the origins of cellular organisation and the early evolution of life.
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NewsOne-step rapid syphilis test detects infection earlier, researchers report
A new rapid test detects lower levels of the two types of antibodies the body makes to fight syphilis bacteria and respond to disease-related cell damage, potentially leading to earlier interventions and fewer appointments for patients.
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NewsResearcher to investigate challenges affecting drinking water infrastructure
Researchers investigating the critical challenges affecting drinking water infrastructure will explore the interactions of biofilms, pipe materials, disinfectants and corrosion-control additives to mitigate corrosion and improve public health outcomes in the future.
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NewsWinners of Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2026 announced
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2026 have been announced. These awards celebrate the brightest minds in the field and promote the research, group, projects, products and individuals who continue to help shape the future of applied microbiology.
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NewsFree webinar: How living conditions can shape microbiomes
A fascinating free webinar will reveal how microbiomes are not based only on biology - but how we live. ‘Microbiomes, Inequity, and Structural Conditions: Rethinking What Shapes Health’ underlines that microbiomes don’t exist in isolation — they reflect the systems we live in.
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NewsMuseum specimens help solve a 50-year mystery of disappearing frogs
A 50-year-old mystery surrounding frog disappearances in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest may finally have an answer. By testing decades-old museum specimens, researchers found that the chytrid fungus arrived just as amphibian populations collapsed, offering some of the clearest evidence yet linking the pathogen to the historic die-off.
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NewsBreast milk antibodies show broad antiviral activity and protect mice against influenza
Researchers show that a polyclonal secretory immunoglobulin A preparation, purified from breast milk pooled from multiple donors, neutralized respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human adenovirus type 5, and H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in laboratory assays.
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NewsScientists discover a way to reverse coral bleaching at record speed
For the first time, scientists have observed bleached corals on the brink of death fully recover through brief contact with healthy clones. Ghostly white corals returned to full health in a laboratory setting within seven weeks, the fastest documented recovery to date, according to a study.
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NewsVaccinating mothers protects offspring from deadly superbug
Researchers found that a vaccine given to pregnant mice protected their newborn pups from a severe bloodstream infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, a dangerous bacterium that kills thousands of infants in low- and middle-income countries each year and is the leading killer of children globally.
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NewsNew sequencing tool tracks harmful algal blooms as they emerge
A portable DNA sequencer can detect harmful algae in coastal waters in near real time, including species present at very low levels before blooms become obvious. Researchers also found that several harmful species often appear together, suggesting shared environmental triggers may help drive their growth.
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NewsA new generation of mRNA antibody therapies may tackle ever-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants
Researchers have fashioned an advanced antibody therapy that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 while constraining the virus’ ability to escape recognition. The therapy protected mice against infections with an immune-evasive Omicron variant, and provides a structural template for antiviral antibodies that can keep up with their constantly evolving viral targets.
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NewsScientists explore the latest threats and promising technologies in the fight against antimicrobial resistance
Scientists dive into the latest challenges and opportunities in humanity’s fight against antimicrobial resistance. Highlighted topics include the grave danger posed by drug-resistant tuberculosis and the rollout of AI technologies to streamline the discovery of antibiotics.
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NewsStudy finds Helicobacter pylori exposure may be associated with more than one in five colorectal cancer cases worldwide
An international collaborative research study has found that exposure to Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to cause stomach ulcers and gastric cancer, may be associated with approximately 22% of colorectal cancer cases globally.
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NewsResearchers engineer more sensitive CRISPR tool for virus detection
Researchers have engineered a more sensitive version of the RNA-targeting CRISPR enzyme Cas13a, improving its detection performance by 100-fold without sacrificing stability. The tool could support faster and more adaptable tests for HIV and a wide range of other RNA viruses.