All university of exeter articles
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NewsBacteria breakthrough could accelerate mosquito control schemes
Mosquito larvae grow faster if they’re exposed to particular bacteria, according to a new study that could help global health programmes.
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NewsKeeping fewer friends protects ageing monkeys from diseases
New research shows becoming less sociable protects older monkeys from getting ill.
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NewsScientists have successfully bred corals to improve their heat tolerance
A new study has shown that selective breeding can lead to a modest rise in coral heat tolerance. The study documents the world’s first effort to selectively breed adult corals for the ability to survive intense marine heatwaves.
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NewsPlankton bloom off Madagascar linked to drought in South Africa
Researchers show that dust from drought-stricken Southern Africa caused a bloom of marine phytoplankton off the southeast Madagascar coast from November 2019 through February 2020.
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News‘Invisible forest’ of algae thrives as ocean warms
An ‘invisible forest’ of phytoplankton is thriving in part of our warming ocean, new research shows. The study examined phytoplankton at the ocean surface and the ‘subsurface’ – a distinct layer of water beneath – to see how climate variability is affecting them.
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NewsIntensive farming could raise risk of new pandemics
Intensive livestock farming could raise the risk of new pandemics, researchers have warned. A study examines the effect of social and economic factors – which are often overlooked in traditional assessments.
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NewsThe world’s most powerful anti-fungal chemistries cause fungal pathogens to self-destruct
Scientists have discovered that the most widely-used class of antifungals in the world cause pathogens to self-destruct. The research could help improve ways to protect food security and human lives.
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NewsAlgae could replace animal-derived protein for building muscle
A new study demonstrates that the ingestion of two of the most commercially available algal species are rich in protein which supports muscle remodeling in young healthy adults.
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NewsAncient DNA reveals how a chicken virus evolved to become more deadly
Scientists have used ancient DNA to trace the evolution of Marek’s Disease Virus (MDV), showing how viruses evolve to become more virulent and could lead to the development of better ways to treat viral infections.
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NewsZinc shows promise as surprising emerging treatment for vaginal yeast infections
New research could one day pave the way for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections, by shedding new light on how microbes in the body absorb zinc.
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NewsAntibiotics can help some bacteria survive for longer
Scientists have found a surprising effect of some antibiotics on certain bacteria – that the drugs can sometimes benefit bacteria, helping them live longer.
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CareersPhage against the dying of the light - bacteriophages have been sparking a buzz for over a century now
Tom Ireland’s latest book The Good Virus reveals the rollercoaster history of bacteriophages - and why these prolific entities could offer fresh hope in a time of surging antimicrobial resistance.
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NewsImmune systems develop ‘silver bullet’ defences against common bacteria
Immune systems develop specific genes to combat common bacteria such as those found in food, new research shows.
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NewsPublic embrace phages as antibiotic alternative
The public are in favour of the development of bacteria-killing viruses as an alternative to antibiotics – and more efforts to educate will make them significantly more likely to use the treatment, a new study shows.
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NewsFilamentous phage structure mapped for the first time
Researchers have mapped out what a commonly-used form of phage looks like, which will help researchers design better uses in future.
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NewsFungal diseases threaten global food security
Scientists have warned of the “devastating” impact that fungal disease in crops will have on global food supply unless agencies across the world come together to find new ways to combat infection.
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NewsBCG does not protect health workers against Covid
A world-leading international trial into the immune boosting benefits of the tuberculosis vaccine, BCG, has found it does not protect healthcare workers against COVID-19.
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NewsMicroplastics limit energy production in tiny freshwater species
Microplastic pollution reduces energy production in a microscopic creature found in freshwater worldwide, new research shows.
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NewsMicrobes that co-operate contribute more carbon emissions
Communities of microbes that work together release more carbon dioxide than competitive communities, contributing more to climate change, a new study reveals.
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NewsRegulatory pathway needs to be developed to make the most of phages: AMI
A regulatory pathway needs to be developed if the UK is to reap the benefits of bacteriophage therapy, Applied Microbiology International (AMI) has warned. France, Belgium and Poland are already developing programmes that take advantage of the potential of phage therapeutics, while bacteriophages - viruses that are capable of destroying ...
