Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Recurrent wheezing in children linked to 'silent' viral infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have 'silent' lung infections that would be better treated with antiviral medications than commonly prescribed steroids that can carry lifelong side effects, new research reveals.

Biology: Botany Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Asthma emergencies spike when allergenic pollen blooms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study that tracks how many asthma-related emergency room visits result from pollen in metropolitan areas highlights the importance of knowing local plants and the need for developing science-based pollen forecasts.

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

Viral defense protein speeds up female stem cell production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A viral defense mechanism can be used to accelerate the creation of female stem cell lines in mice. The findings can boost efforts in medical research, drug testing, and regenerative therapies, particularly for women and individuals with two X chromosomes.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Forever chemical pollution can now be tracked      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers developed a way to fingerprint organofluorine compounds -- sometimes called 'forever chemicals' --which could help authorities trace them to their source when they end up in aquifers, waterways or soil.

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

Do smells prime our gut to fight off infection?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In nematodes and humans, mitochondrial stress in the nervous system initiates a whole-body response that is most pronounced in the gut. A recent study showed that in nematodes, the odor of a pathogen triggers the nervous system to broadcast this response to the rest of the organism, prepping mitochondria in intestinal cells to fight a bacterial infection. Humans, too, may be able to sense pathogenic odors that prepare the gut for an infection.

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

Cocaine discovery could pave way for treatment for substance abuse      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Cocaine binds to a specific transporter in the brain that is responsible for regulating dopamine levels. Researchers have studied and described the process, producing new knowledge that may bring us a step closer to designing a drug for cocaine abuse.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Bacterial gut diversity improves the athletic performance of racehorses      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The composition of gut bacteria of Thoroughbred racehorses at one-month-old can predict their future athletic performance, according to a new study. Foals with lower bacterial diversity at 28 days old also had a significantly increased risk of respiratory disease later in life.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Nasal microbiome: Depriving multi-resistant 'bugs' of iron      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Whether dangerous staphylococci survive in the nose depends on what other bacteria are present -- and how they obtain iron.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Elephants on the move: Mapping connections across African landscapes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Elephant conservation is a major priority in southern Africa, but habitat loss and urbanization mean the far-ranging pachyderms are increasingly restricted to protected areas like game reserves. The risk? Contained populations could become genetically isolated over time, making elephants more vulnerable to disease and environmental change.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Advanced chelators offer efficient and eco-friendly rare earth element recovery      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The world is going to need a lot of weird metals in the coming years, according to chemistry professor. But he isn't talking about lithium, cobalt or even beryllium. He's interested in dysprosium, which is so hidden in the periodic table that you'd be forgiven for thinking he made it up.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Concept for efficiency-enhanced noble-metal catalysts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The production of more than 90 percent of all chemical products we use in our everyday lives relies on catalysts. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions, can reduce the energy required for these processes, and in some cases, reactions would not be possible at all without catalysts. Researchers developed a concept that increases the stability of noble-metal catalysts and requires less noble metal for their production.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Ketogenic Diet may reduce friendly gut bacteria and raise cholesterol levels      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study reveals that ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets can increase cholesterol levels and reduce beneficial gut bacteria, specifically Bifidobacterium.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

Study analyzes potato-pathogen 'arms race' after Irish famine      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Honey added to yogurt supports probiotic cultures for digestive health      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

If you enjoy a bowl of plain yogurt in the morning, adding a spoonful of honey is a delicious way to sweeten your favorite breakfast food. It also supports the probiotic cultures in the popular fermented dairy product, according to two new studies.

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

Discovery of a new population of macrophages promoting lung repair after viral infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered a new population of macrophages, important innate immune cells that populate the lungs after injury caused by respiratory viruses. These macrophages are instrumental in repairing the pulmonary alveoli. This groundbreaking discovery promises to revolutionize our understanding of the post-infectious immune response and opens the door to new regenerative therapies.

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

New compound effective against flesh-eating bacteria      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a compound that is effective against common bacteria that can lead to rare, dangerous illnesses.

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

Allergy cells' hidden secret      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Known for their role in allergic reactions, mast cells have long been recognised as key players in our immune system. When they encounter allergens, they release chemicals that trigger typical allergy symptoms such as tissue swelling and inflammation. Now, researchers have discovered a hidden talent of mast cells: they can capture and use another type of immune cell called neutrophils. This surprising discovery sheds new light on how our immune system works, particularly during allergic reactions.

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

Coinfecting viruses impede each other's ability to enter cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The process by which phages -- viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria -- enter cells has been studied for over 50 years. In a new study, researchers have used cutting-edge techniques to look at this process at the level of a single cell.

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

Ancient Antarctic microorganisms are aggressive predators      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Antarctic dwelling single-celled microorganisms called archaea can behave like parasites, new research shows.