All Editorial articles – Page 18
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NewsFungal compound could help protect against influenza
A preclinical trial uncovers how beta-glucan, a compound found in all fungal cell wall, can ‘reprogram’ immune cells to prevent lung inflammation from influenza and lower the risk of death by the host immune responses.
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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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NewsMass polio vaccination campaign to continue in the Gaza Strip
The emergency polio outbreak response in the Gaza Strip is continuing, with a mass vaccination campaign scheduled from 22 to 26 February 2025. The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) will be administered to over 591,000 children under 10 years of age.
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NewsGround-breaking technique deploys bacterium to deliver drugs directly to the brain
A landmark study using the nasal bacteria technique promises new treatments for neurological disorders by bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
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NewsUltrasound cleaning promotes phenolic synthesis in fresh-cut red cabbages
Not only can ultrasonic cleaning technology enhance the quality of fruits and vegetables and reduce microbial contamination on their surfaces but it can also serve as an abiotic stressor, inducing the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive compounds.
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NewsScientists unveil novel anti-CRISPR protein mechanism
Apart from their counter-defensive function, anti-CRISPR proteins hold great promise for enabling more precise control over CRISPR technologies. Researchers have now further elucidated the function of an important yet so far uncharacterized anti-CRISPR protein.
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NewsNo more antibiotics? Scientists pioneer a safer way to protect cultured meat
A new study explores the use of Random Antimicrobial Peptide Mixtures (RPMs) as a safe and effective alternative to antibiotics in cultured meat production. These synthetic peptide cocktails eliminate bacterial contamination without harming stem cell viability or contributing to antibiotic resistance.
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NewsResearchers uncover how Staphylococcus aureus ‘steals’ iron from our blood during infections
Researchers have revealed how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria extract iron from hemoglobin – a process crucial to their survival during infections. The study has identified the full sequence of protein–protein interactions during this iron ‘theft’.
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NewsScientists develop new natural killer cell strategy to target HIV
Scientists have successfully identified a new approach using natural killer (NK) cells to target and kill the HIV-positive cells that allow the virus to persist. They genetically modified NK cells to express CD64, a protein not normally expressed by NK cells.
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NewsMonitoring approach could help snuff out Legionella outbreaks
Routine, relatively low-cost monitoring of several factors influencing water safety could ward off Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care settings, a new study suggests.
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NewsProfessor awarded NSF grant to advance research on silica-scaled chrysophytes
A new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant will support a major effort to synthesize decades of research on protists. The project will integrate findings from Professor Peter Siver’s lifelong study of silica-scaled chrysophytes, a group of protists found in freshwater environments.
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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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NewsThe hidden battle in your gut: How one bacterium outsmarts its rivals
Scientists have undertaken a deep dive into the inner workings of the ‘microbial arms race’ in your gut, revealing an elegant strategy that gut microbes use to stay a step ahead of their neighbors.
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NewsEliminating HIV funding program would lead to >600k deaths in South Africa alone: warning
A new analysis finds that eliminating PEPFAR would lead to 601,000 HIV-related deaths, 565,000 new HIV infections, and would increase population-level healthcare expenditure by $1.7 billion over the next decade in South Africa alone.
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NewsScientists to forecast climate tipping points by capturing ocean’s pulse - plankton
A new project is set to revolutionise climate forecasting by focusing on plankton as the “canaries in the coalmine” of ocean health. Next-generation autonomous underwater robots will deliver near real-time observations in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre.
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NewsOpen water swimmer contracts Legionnaires’ disease from lake dip
Swimming in some lakes with still water can lead to infection with Legionella, bacteria that can cause pneumonia, and people who engage in open water swimming should be aware of this risk, a new paper warns.
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NewsVentilation fans can significantly lower the risk of inhaling bacteria particles after toilet flushing
New research finds that unhealthy concentrations of bacteria are released into the air by toilet flushing - but active ventilation with an exhaust fan reduce the risk by 10 times.
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NewsUse of AI-driven science could yield unexpected consequences for the healthcare sector, paper warns
Unexpected consequences may arise if scientific conclusions formed using AI-driven data are applied to the healthcare sectors, a new opinion piece warns.
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NewsResearch team identifies carbonate-dissolving microorganisms
Researchers have identified new microscopic players in the global carbon cycle, a discovery that paints a clearer picture of carbon flow through the environment and provides key information for the sustainable development of bioenergy sources.