Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Giant phage holds promise as treatment for lung infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered a new bacterial killer that can target common lung infection caused by Burkholderia bacteria that has exciting potential for biotechnological applications.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Endangered Species
Published

Discovery could end global amphibian pandemic      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A fungus devastating frogs and toads on nearly every continent may have an Achilles heel. Scientists have discovered a virus that infects the fungus, and that could be engineered to save the amphibians.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

New discovery unravels malaria invasion mechanism      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent breakthrough sheds light on how the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, invades human red blood cells. The study reveals the role of a sugar called sialic acid in this invasion process. The findings have major implications for malaria vaccine and drug development.

Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Scientists further our understanding of how a foodborne bacterium can survive in food preparation environments      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered that bacterial populations remain stable on factory floor despite cleaning efforts in ready-to-eat food production facilities.

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Published

First results from BREAD experiment demonstrate a new approach to searching for dark matter      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

One of the great mysteries of modern science is dark matter. We know dark matter exists thanks to its effects on other objects in the cosmos, but we have never been able to directly see it. And it s no minor thing currently, scientists think it makes up about 85% of all the mass in the universe.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Scientists link certain gut bacteria to lower heart disease risk      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Changes in the gut microbiome have been implicated in a range of diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Now, a team of researchers has found that microbes in the gut may affect cardiovascular disease as well. The team has identified specific species of bacteria that consume cholesterol in the gut and may help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk in people.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Infant gut microbes have their own circadian rhythm, and diet has little impact on how the microbiome assembles      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, even when they are cultivated outside of the body. Researchers report that the rhythm is detectable as early as 2 weeks after birth but becomes more pronounced with age. The finding comes from a randomized controlled trial that also showed that diet has less impact on the development and composition of the infant microbiome than previously thought.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

New method reveals hidden activity of life below ground      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have refined an innovative method for measuring the activity level of microbes and linking that to their individual genetic code, providing new insights into the microbial communities that thrive in extreme environments.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology
Published

New antibiotic class effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered a new class of antibiotics with potent activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria, and have shown that it cures bloodstream infections in mice. Two publicly-funded initiatives dedicated to advancing early-stage antibiotic development, ENABLE and ENABLE-2, provided the resources and expert support without which this antibiotic would not have been developed.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

When inequality is more than 'skin-deep': Social status leaves traces in the epigenome of spotted hyenas in Tanzania      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research consortium provides evidence that social behavior and social status are reflected at the molecular level of gene activation (epigenome) in juvenile and adult free-ranging spotted hyenas. They analyzed non-invasively collected gut epithelium samples from both high-ranking and low-ranking female hyenas and showed that rank differences were associated with epigenetic signatures of social inequality, i.e., the pattern of activation or switching off of genes that regulate important physiological processes such as energy conversion and immune response in several genome regions.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

How the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified how the tick-borne Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells. The results are an important step in the development of drugs against the deadly disease.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

TB vaccine may enable elimination of the disease in cattle by reducing its spread      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Vaccination not only reduces the severity of TB in infected cattle, but reduces its spread in dairy herds by 89%, research finds.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Ecology: Endangered Species Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Researchers discover key gene for toxic alkaloid in barley      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Barley is one of the most important cereal crops on a global scale. Many barley cultivars produce a toxic alkaloid called gramine that affects the suitability of barley as fodder, but also helps to protect barley from pathogens. So far, the potential of manipulating gramine levels has not been harnessed for plant breeding, because the genetic basis of gramine production has been unresolved. Research groups now disclose the complete biosynthetic pathway of gramine and demonstrate how gramine biosynthesis can be introduced into model organisms or removed from barley.

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Published

Unlocking supernova stardust secrets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research has discovered a rare dust particle trapped in an ancient extra-terrestrial meteorite that was formed by a star other than our sun.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Connecting the dots to shape growth forces      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Branching patterns are prevalent in our natural environment and the human body, such as in the lungs and kidneys. For example, specific genes that express growth factor proteins are known to influence the development of the lungs' complex branches. Researchers have unveiled a regulatory system linking signal, force, and shape in mouse lung structure development. The team recognized that the signal protein ERK plays an active role in causing growing lung tissue to curve.

Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

ALMA finds new molecular signposts in starburst galaxy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The ALMA radio telescope has detected more than 100 molecular species, including many indicative of different star formation and evolution processes, in a galaxy where stars are forming much more actively than in the Milky Way. This is far more molecules than were found in previous studies. Now the team will try to apply this knowledge to other galaxies.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology
Published

New method developed to isolate HIV particles      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a new method to isolate HIV from samples more easily, potentially making it easier to detect infection with the virus. They focus on peptide nanofibrils (PNFs) on magnetic microparticles, a promising tool and hybrid material for targeted binding and separation of viral particles.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

A combination of approved drugs enhances the delivery of anti-bacterial medications to treat tuberculosis      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have found that approved drugs that were originally shown to normalize blood vessels surrounding tumors (to improve drug delivery to cancer cells) can enhance the delivery of anti-microbial medications to kill tuberculosis bacteria residing in the lungs.