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

Improved nutrition, sanitation linked to beneficial changes in child stress and epigenetic programming      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study provides some of the clearest and most comprehensive evidence to date on what is known about stress physiology and 'epigenetic programming.'

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

Aligned peptide 'noodles' could enable lab-grown biological tissues      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed peptide-based hydrogels that mimic the aligned structure of muscle and nerve tissues, which could enable the development of functional lab-grown tissue.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Nature
Published

Genomes of 'star algae' shed light on origin of plants      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Land plants cover the surface of our planet and often tower over us. They form complex bodies with multiple organs that consist of a broad range of cell types. Developing this morphological complexity is underpinned by intricate networks of genes, whose coordinated action shapes plant bodies through various molecular mechanisms. All of these magnificent forms burst forth from a one-off evolutionary event: when plants conquered Earth's surface, known as plant terrestrialization.

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

How E. coli get the power to cause urinary tract infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research examines how the bacteria Escherichia coli, or E. coli -- responsible for most UTIs -- is able to use host nutrients to reproduce at an extraordinarily rapid pace during infection despite the near sterile environment of fresh urine.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Ecology: Endangered Species Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Plants utilize drought stress hormone to block snacking spider mites      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Recent findings that plants employ a drought-survival mechanism to also defend against nutrient-sucking pests could inform future crop breeding programs aimed at achieving better broadscale pest control.

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

Source of pregnancy complications from infections revealed by placenta map      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The placenta's response to infections from malaria, toxoplasmosis and listeria has been mapped in high resolution, possibly paving the way for new treatment options.

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

New discovery of a mechanism that controls cell division      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered that how a special protein complex called the Mediator moves along genes in DNA may have an impact on how cells divide. The discovery may be important for future research into the treatment of certain diseases.

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

Novel chemical tool for understanding membrane remodeling in the cell      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers describe a natural product-like molecule, Tantalosin, that inhibits interaction between two proteins in complexes that reshape membranes inside the cell. The findings lead to a deeper understanding of how membrane remodeling works in human cells and future development of new drugs.

Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

For microscopic organisms, ocean currents act as 'expressway' to deeper depths      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Some of the ocean's tiniest organisms get swept into underwater currents that act as a conduit that shuttles them from the sunny surface to deeper, darker depths where they play a huge role in affecting the ocean's chemistry and ecosystem, according to new research.

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

Scientists track 'doubling' in origin of cancer cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Working with human breast and lung cells, scientists say they have charted a molecular pathway that can lure cells down a hazardous path of duplicating their genome too many times, a hallmark of cancer cells.

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

Deeper understanding of malaria parasite development unlocks opportunities to block disease spread      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Natural malaria infections have been genetically analysed at a higher resolution than ever before, giving insights that could help understand and block transmission.

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

Promising new treatment strategy for deadly flu-related brain disorders      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have found that a brain disorder associated with flu (influenza-associated encephalopathy, or IAE) can be caused by the influenza virus entering the brain from the blood via endothelial cells. In these cells, the researchers observed viral protein accumulation, suggesting that antivirals targeting viral transcription/translation may be useful treatments for some patients. Given the lack of effective treatments for IAE, this finding will likely improve patient care and reduce IAE-related deaths worldwide.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

New approach in the synthesis of complex natural substances      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Many natural substances possess interesting characteristics, and can form the basis of new active compounds in medicine. Terpenes, for example, are a group of substances, some of which are already used in therapies against cancer, malaria or epilepsy. They are found as fragrances in cosmetics or as flavorings in food, and form the basis of new medications: Terpenes are natural substances that occur in plants, insects and sea sponges. They are difficult to produce synthetically. However, chemists are now introducing a new method of synthesis.

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

Activation of innate immunity: Important piece of the puzzle identified      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have deciphered the complex interplay of various enzymes around the innate immune receptor toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), which plays an important role in defending our bodies against viruses.

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

Malaria may shorten leukocyte telomeres among sub-Saharan Africans      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The length of telomeres in white blood cells, known as leukocytes, varies significantly among sub-Saharan African populations, researchers report. Moreover, leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is negatively associated with malaria endemicity and only partly explained by genetic factors.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

When good bacteria go bad: New links between bacteremia and probiotic use      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers discovered a concerning association between bacteremia and probiotic use, particularly with Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) MIYAIRI 588. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that all C. butyricum bacteremia strains were probiotic derivatives. Out of 6,576 cases of positive blood cultures, C. butyricum was detected in only five cases, all derived from probiotics. The study underscores rare but serious adverse events linked to probiotics, advocating cautious prescribing practices, especially for hospitalized patients.

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

Archaea can be picky parasites      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A parasite that not only feeds of its host, but also makes the host change its own metabolism and thus biology. Microbiologists have shown this for the very first time in a specific group of parasitic microbes, so-called DPANN archea. Their study shows that these archaea are very 'picky eaters', which might drive their hosts to change the menu.

Anthropology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Feathers, cognition and global consumerism in colonial Amazonia      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Amazonia is the home of the largest variety of birds in the world. In such a unique environment, craft cultures have flourished by translating the beauty and creativity of environmental materials like feathers into stunning pieces of art. A new article examines artisanal featherwork within the context of early modern colonialism and globalization.

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

Key functions of therapeutically promising jumbo viruses      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Viruses known as 'jumbo' phages are seen as a potential tool against deadly bacterial infections. But scientists must first decipher the extraordinary makeup of these mysterious viruses. Researchers have now uncovered a key piece of jumbo phage development that helps them counter bacteria.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Marriage of synthetic biology and 3D printing produces programmable living materials      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists are harnessing cells to make new types of materials that can grow, repair themselves and even respond to their environment. These solid 'engineered living materials' are made by embedding cells in an inanimate matrix that's formed in a desired shape. Now, researchers have 3D printed a bioink containing plant cells that were then genetically modified, producing programmable materials. Applications could someday include biomanufacturing and sustainable construction.