All North Carolina State University articles
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NewsResearchers make probiotic safer for immunocompromised patients
Researchers have modified a probiotic yeast to make it safer for use by immunocompromised people, older adults and infants. Testing in an animal model found the modified yeast is less likely to cause infection than unmodified strains of the same organism.
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NewsStudying yeast in the gut could lead to new, better drugs
A new study sheds light on the behavior of yeast cells in the gut, paving the way for new lines of yeast that more efficiently produce therapeutic drugs tailored to address specific diseases.
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NewsStudy sheds new light on what drives evolution of gut microbiomes
A study of wild African herbivores offers new insight into how environmental conditions – not just diet and anatomy – can influence the evolution of gut microbes that play a critical role in animal health and well-being.
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NewsNovel kirkovirus may be associated with colitis in horses
In a pilot study, researchers have found a novel kirkovirus that may be associated with colitis – and potentially small colon impactions – in horses. The study could offer a route to new therapies for horses with colitis symptoms from unknown causes.
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NewsStudy reveals promising gut-targeted therapy for C. difficile infections
Researchers have uncovered how the body’s bile acids bind to block C. diff’s most dangerous toxin. The research has informed the development of a new compound that can protect against C. diff in preclinical models, offering hope for safer, more effective treatments.
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NewsResearchers confirm new rickettsia species found in dogs
Researchers have confirmed that a species of Rickettsia first seen in dogs in 2018 is a new species of bacteria. The new species is associated with symptoms similar to those of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in dogs, but has not yet been found in humans.
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News$3.7 million awarded for research into sand flies, vectors of parasitic disease leishmaniasis
Professor Gideon Wasserberg at UNC Greensboro has been awarded a prestigious $3.7 million National Institutes of Health R01 grant to advance his research on controlling sand flies, the vectors of the parasitic disease leishmaniasis.
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NewsPig disease vaccine effectiveness linked to T cell response
A new study shows that the effectiveness of current vaccines against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is due to the response of T cells against the disease, rather than the production of antibodies. The work is an important step in identifying specific targets for vaccines on a rapidly mutating virus.
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NewsGroundbreaking new projects launched to lower the cost of monoclonal antibody production
LifeArc and the Gates Foundation have awarded more than $5m to seven projects aimed at developing cheaper and more efficient ways to produce monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments. The innovative approaches include using filamentous fungus to produce mAbs.
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NewsAfrican wildlife poop sheds light on what shapes the gut ecosystem
A study of elephants, giraffes and other wildlife in Namibia’s Etosha National Park underscores the ways in which the environment, biological sex, and anatomical distinctions can drive variation in the gut microbiomes across plant-eating species.
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NewsNew genome editing method inspired by bacteria’s defense strategies
Researchers have developed a new method for precisely editing DNA. Their aim was to make genetic changes in bacteria, plants, and human cells even more accurate and gentle.
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NewsStudy finds ticks carrying Lyme disease moving into western NC
A new surveillance study reveals that the primary vector of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, the blacklegged tick, has been spreading into areas previously considered low risk.
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NewsWarming temps alone fail to trigger increased CO2 levels from soil
A study examining the effects of higher temperatures on soil shows that warming alone does not increase levels of carbon dioxide emitted from the soil. Instead, higher temperatures combined with more added carbon led to higher carbon dioxide levels released from the soil.
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NewsStudy shows not all dietary proteins are digested the same way
As protein-rich diets become increasingly popular, a new study suggests that categorizing dietary proteins as either animal- or plant-based fails to effectively capture the source-specific differences in their composition, digestive efficiency and accessibility to the gut microbiota.
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News‘Controlled evolution’ dramatically boosts pDNA production for biomedical manufacturing
Researchers have controlled the evolution of E. coli bacteria in the lab in order to dramatically increase the amount of plasmid DNA (pDNA) these modified bacteria produce. pDNA is an essential – and expensive – ingredient in many gene therapies.
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NewsStudy looks for markers that predict risk of severe chlamydia infection
A new study has identified markers that may predict whether a chlamydia infection is likely to ascend into the uterus and endometrium. The work could lead to new diagnostics that can predict a woman’s risk of severe infection.
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NewsWhy you may get future vaccines via dental floss
Researchers have demonstrated a novel vaccine delivery method in an animal model, using dental floss to introduce vaccine via the tissue between the teeth and gums. It stimulates the production of antibodies in mucosal surfaces, such as the lining of the nose and lungs.
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NewsProbiotics can help or hinder gut recovery after antibiotic treatment
All probiotics are not created equal, according to new research. In a mouse model, researchers found that different probiotic strains can either accelerate or delay the gut microbiome’s recovery after antibiotic treatment.
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News‘What’s wrong with my lawn?’ Research points toward possible answer
A new article provides critical knowledge about large patch, a disease that can compromise the health, aesthetics and usability of turfgrass. It provides comprehensive information covering the disease’s pathology, progression and management.
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NewsWater researchers develop prediction system for harmful algae
Researchers are collaborating on a next-day prediction model to warn and inform water managers about harmful algal blooms. Using water samples and computer algorithms, the team developed prediction models based on two water sources feeding the Caloosahatchee River.