All University of Wisconsin-Madison articles
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NewsLight-to-electricity nanodevice reveals how Earth’s oldest surviving cyanobacteria worked
An international team of scientists have unlocked a key piece of Earth’s evolutionary puzzle by decoding the structure of a light-harvesting “nanodevice” in one of the planet’s most ancient lineages of cyanobacteria.
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NewsStudy uncovers how the plastisphere can influence growth of harmful algal blooms
A new study published in Sustainable Microbiology delves into how the age and size of microplastics affects the growth of harmful algal blooms.
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NewsSome bacteria evolve like clockwork with the seasons
The longest natural metagenome time series ever collected, with microbes, reveals a startling evolutionary pattern on repeat.
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NewsNewly discovered cyanobacteria could help sequester carbon from oceans and factories
Strains specialized to live in high-CO2 oceanic environments have evolved traits that are useful for decarbonization and bioproduction.
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NewsNew findings on animal viruses with potential to infect humans
Scientists investigating animal viruses with potential to infect humans have identified a critical protein that could enable spillover of a family of organisms called arteriviruses.
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NewsSurvey finds epidemiologists believe viral and mosquito-borne pathogens are priority concerns for disease outbreaks
A new survey reveals that infectious disease experts point to viral pathogens and mosquito-borne pathogens as likely to spark outbreaks as humans, animals and viruses overlap; and new viruses are as concerning as changes to existing viruses.
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NewsClimate change increases foodborne illness risk from raw produce
New research shows that bacterial leaf spot of lettuce and high humidity promote Salmonella enterica growth in lettuce, and climate change is predicted to increase humid periods.
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NewsHibernation status matters when white-nose syndrome pathogen infects bats
The fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats uses different cell entry strategies depending on the host’s hibernation status – cold and inactive, or warm and active.
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NewsBiting flies on dairy farms can spread bovine mastitis
A study has identified Stomoxys flies (also known as stable flies) as carriers of pathogenic bacteria that cause bovine mastitis.
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NewsHigh H5N1 influenza levels found in mice given raw milk from infected dairy cows
Mice administered raw milk samples from dairy cows infected with H5N1 influenza experienced high virus levels in their respiratory organs and lower virus levels in other vital organs, according to new research.
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NewsThe rise of microbial cheaters in iron-limited environments
Competition and cooperation are fundamental forces that govern the evolutionary and ecological dynamics among species. The balance between these forces varies across ecological contexts, with some environments favoring cooperative behaviors that promote mutual benefit, while others reward competitive strategies that maximize individual fitness. Among microbial communities, chemicals ...
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NewsResearchers develop more broadly protective coronavirus vaccine
Researchers have developed a new vaccine that offers broad protection against not only SARS-CoV-2 variants, but also other bat sarbecoviruses.
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NewsLeading scientists issue ‘gain of function’ recommendations
A workshop of leading scientists has reviewed the benefits and risks of ’gain of function’ research, and proposed a foundation to guide discussions and improve oversight moving forward.
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NewsBioluminescent bacteria coordinate signalling to colonize squid’s light organ
Researchers reveal how bioluminescent bacteria coordinate their behaviour to colonize the Hawaiian bobtail squid through cellular signaling and cues from the environment.
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NewsInter-species interactions may stymie antibiotics
A new study suggests that between-species interactions within the gut microbiome may impact the efficacy of antibiotics aimed at treating C. difficile infections.
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NewsStunningly detailed blueprint revealed of viral genome replication machinery
Scientists have shed new light on the crucial early stages of RNA virus infection and their control.