All articles by Linda Stewart – Page 27
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NewsBacteria in polymers form cables that grow into living gels
Scientists have discovered that bacterial cells growing in a solution of polymers, such as mucus, form long cables that buckle and twist on each other, building a kind of “living Jell-O.”
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NewsExtreme rain heightens E. coli risks for communities of color in Texas
New research shows that communities of color in Texas face pronounced risks of E. coli exposure in nearby waters following storms that dump abnormally high amounts of rain.
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NewsMachinery behind bacterial nanowires discovered
Almost all living things breathe oxygen to eliminate the excess electrons produced when nutrients are converted into energy. However, most microbes that mitigate pollution and climate change don’t have access to oxygen. Instead, these bacteria—buried underground or living deep under oceans—have developed a way to eliminate electrons by “breathing minerals” ...
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NewsRotavirus protein NSP4 manipulates gastrointestinal disease severity
This study is among the first to show that the rotavirus protein NSP4 is both necessary and sufficient for multiple aspects of rotavirus infection by disrupting calcium signaling not only within infected cells but also in nearby uninfected cells.
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NewsBioactive compounds with possible industrial applications are identified in extremophilic bacteria from the Andes
Researchers isolated a strain of Pseudomonas alcaligenes that can withstand temperatures as high as 44 °C from a hot spring in Chile, and characterized the substances produced by the bacterium that help it survive extreme conditions.
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NewsNew study provides insight into how some species thrive in dark, oxygen-free environments
A new study sheds light on how a species of foraminifera, single-celled organisms found in almost all marine habitats, thrives in a dark, oxygen-free environment.
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NewsResearchers team with dogs to discover new truffle species
Researchers have discovered two new species of truffle. Tuber canirevelatum, meaning the ‘dog-found’ truffle, was named in honor of truffle dogs. The other, Tuber cumberlandense, was named for the Cumberland Plateau where it was found.
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NewsGene-edited soil bacteria could provide third source of nitrogen for corn production
If corn was ever jealous of soybean’s relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, advancements in gene editing could one day even the playing field. A recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows that gene-edited bacteria can supply the equivalent of 35 pounds of nitrogen from the air during early corn ...
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NewsOral cancer and microbiome: new insights into tumor growth mechanisms
A recent study has made significant strides in uncovering how the oral microbiome plays a crucial role in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), unveiling metabolic pathways and mechanisms that may serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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NewsStudy takes stock of the known and unknown microbial space
Using publicly available genome sequence data generated over the past three decades, a new study assesses what fraction of the microbial diversity we know about, and proposes a path forward to curate and cultivate what is still unknown.
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NewsReading the genome and understanding evolution: Symbioses and gene transfer in leaf beetles
A new study shows how repeated horizontal gene transfer and the establishment of symbioses with bacteria enabled leaf beetles to rapidly adapt to a plant-based diet, contributing to their remarkable evolutionary success.
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NewsIn the US Northeast, 50% of adult ticks carry Lyme disease carrying bacteria
A new study finds that 50% of adult blacklegged ticks in the US Northeast carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease while 20% to 25% of the younger (nymph) blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria.
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NewsUprooting Cassava Disease: scientists identify causes of two devastating diseases
In a series of studies, researchers have established the pathogens and the first diagnostic tests for two diseases: Cassava Frogskin Disease and Cassava Witches’ Broom Disease.
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NewsChild undernutrition may be contributing to global measles outbreaks
A study of fully vaccinated children finds a link between stunted growth and weakened immunity, suggesting combatting child hunger could help prevent the disease’s spread.
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NewsReview offers guidance to clinicians on animal-borne infections in the Canadian Arctic
A new review on zoonotic infections in the Canadian Arctic provides timely guidance to clinicians as the region experiences heightened global interest as well as climate change, which threatens the region and increases risk of disease transmission.
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NewsApplied Microbiology International launches 2025 Grant Portfolio
Applied Microbiology International has launched a call for applications after announcing its 2025 Grant Portfolio.
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NewsChain reaction: HIV vaccines can lead to antibodies against antibodies
Scientists have discovered that repetitive HIV vaccinations can lead the body to produce antibodies targeting the immune complexes already bound to the virus—knowledge that could lead to better vaccines.
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NewsChanges in microbiome predict risk for sexually transmitted disease
Researchers have found that bacterial vaginosis consists of two subtypes—one of which significantly increases the risk of developing chlamydia infections.
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NewsStudy identifies ventilation strategies to prevent super-spreader events aboard cruise ships
New research emphasises the importance of targeted ventilation strategies to reduce disease transmission risk on cruise ships, with crowded dining spaces identified as priority areas for improved air circulation.
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NewsBiorefinery innovation: Transforming waste into high-value products
A new study showcases a cutting-edge biorefinery capable of converting sewage sludge and food waste into valuable volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The research evaluates the environmental impact of this biorefinery, located in Galicia, Spain.