All articles by Basil Fok – Page 3
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NewsCould microRNAs help us understand why different birds react differently to being infected with bird flu?
Since microRNA was found to have a role in cell protein production, a connection between microRNA and birds infected with bird flu has been found in ruddy turnstones, which has significance with respect to the spread of bird flu due to their long distance flights.
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NewsAlgal blooms intensify in global large lakes over the past two decades
With climate change affecting algal blooms, researchers have discovered that the combined nutrient and meteorological factors have significant influence on bloom frequency in large lakes across the world.
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NewsUsing population-level characteristics for the surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea
As the antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) gonorrhea poses a major threat to public health, there is an urgent need for expanding the surveillance of its prevalance to control the spread of the pathogen, through monitoring its association with the population density and HIV prevalence in cities.
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NewsStalled microbiomes: cystic fibrosis disrupts early gut development in infants
A new study highlights key differences in the gut microbiome (communities of bacteria) of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) compared to that of healthy infants, and how these alterations may adversely affect their health.
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NewsEvolutionary tradeoffs: Research explores the role of iron levels in COVID-19 infections
Iron has been found to be essential to both human physiology and pathogen replication. The richer the iron availability, the more likely to be susceptible to infections, such as COVID-19. A balance of iron levels is thus critical for homeostasis and preventing pathogenic infections.
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NewsResearchers shed light on the mechanisms of bacterial flagellar motors
Researchers have determined the structure and mechanisms of the key components in the flagellar motor, which bacteria use to turn their flagella and move.
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NewsProfessor Cristobal Uauy appointed as Director of the John Innes Centre
Following an international search, Professor Cristóbal Uauy has been appointed as the next Director of the John Innes Centre.
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NewsFungus ‘hacks’ natural immune system causing neurodegeneration in fruit flies
A fungus, called Beauveria bassiana, is found to manipulate the innate immunity of the fruit flies to attack their own brain cells, causing the penetration into the blood-brain barriers and eventually neurodegeneration.
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NewsMpox: a better understanding of tecovirimat resistance
Through biochemical and structural studies, researchers managed to find out how the mutation of an enzyme could affect the interactions between it and the antiviral drug against mpox virus, tecovirimat, hence leading to a better understanding in developing new therapeutic approach against all mpox strains.
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NewsSymbiotic bacteria ride along with marine cells in ocean’s upper layer
Symbiotic bacteria often accompany single-celled protists in the ocean’s upper layer. Some of these symbionts, scientists have discovered, are close relatives of bacteria pathogenic to animals, including humans.
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NewsProtein shuttling mechanism helps bacteria pump out antibiotics
By a joint-university effort, the mechanism of a bacterial efflux pump complex to remove molecules, including antibiotics, has been determined and the extent of bacterial toxin resistance by the complex has also been evaluated with a cutting-edge device.
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NewsUnravelling the complex role of climate in dengue dynamics
A research recently shows that specific climates of the region could greatly influence the change in disease dynamics of dengue fever and other climate-related infectious diseases, through analyzing the casual relationships between both.
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NewsReemergence of dengue serotype 3 may increase severity of outbreaks of the disease in Brazil
From the genomic and epidemiological surveillance of the circulating dengue virus strains, a more severe dengue epidemic may occur in Brazil, due to the re-establishment of dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) and persists alongside with the serotype 1 and 2 (DENV-1 and DENV-2).
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NewsNew study sheds light on the causes of fevers of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa
By conducting a retrospective observational study, the causes of fevers of unknown origin (FUO) in sub-Saharan Africa were investigated using conventional diagnostic methods, highlighting the appropriate needs of point-of-care testing in the regions.
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NewsBiosensing platform simultaneously detects vitamin C and SARS-CoV-2
A portable and sensitive biosensing device has been developed by engineering researchers to detect both SAR-CoV-2 and vitamin C simultaneously, to monitor and boost health for the general public.
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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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NewsMicrobiome as a potential key to better treatment: Clinical study on new therapy for Crohn’s disease
A joint research project has found that a combination of dietary therapy and fecal microbiome transfer (FMT) greatly alleviate intestinal inflammation in mice. A clinical trial on this new therapeutic approach is under way to potentially treat Crohn’s disease.
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NewsFlexible and resilient: remarkable cell functions of newly discovered algae species
A new species of algae, demonstrating its incredible resilience to extreme environmental conditions including cold and light, is identified in the Baltic Sea and Arctic tundra. Its unique property could be applied to potential cosmetic product manufacturing.
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NewsBlood test eases diagnosis of invasive mold disease
A newly developed blood test, as a non-invasive alternative, could be used to provide a rapid and safe diagnosis for invasive mold infections of the immunocompromised. It can also be applied for other infectious diseases, e.g. tuberculosis.
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NewsA realistic ‘micro-gut’ model reflects the relationship between gut microbes and human diseases
An innovative and more physiologically relevant 3D micro-gut model, known as Gut-Microbiome on a chip (GMoC), provides an in-depth understanding of the complex interactions between the microbial community within the gut microbiome and their impacts on human gut health.