Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Enhancing nanofibrous acoustic energy harvesters with artificial intelligence      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have employed artificial intelligence techniques to improve the design and production of nanofibers used in wearable nanofiber acoustic energy harvesters (NAEH). These acoustic devices capture sound energy from the environment and convert it into electrical energy, which can then be applied in useful devices, such as hearing aids.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Antibodies may aid effort to fight influenza B      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have isolated human monoclonal antibodies against influenza B, a significant public health threat that disproportionately affects children, the elderly and other immunocompromised individuals.

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

Researchers discover 'trojan horse' virus hiding in human parasite      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team has found a new RNA virus that they believe is hitching a ride with a common human parasite. The virus is associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, leading the team to hypothesize that it exacerbates toxoplasmosis disease.

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

The world's most powerful anti-fungal chemistries cause fungal pathogens to self-destruct      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

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.

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

New, modified CRISPR protein can fit inside virus used for gene therapy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a novel version of a key CRISPR gene-editing protein that shows efficient editing activity and is small enough to be packaged within a non-pathogenic virus that can deliver it to target cells.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Scientists invent 'living bioelectronics' that can sense and heal skin      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Reaserchers have created a prototype for what they call 'living bioelectronics': a combination of living cells, gel, and electronics that can integrate with living tissue. Tests in mice found that the devices could continuously monitor and improve psoriasis-like symptoms, without irritating skin.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Sea Life
Published

Novel virus identified in zebrafish from the pet trade causes disease in laboratory fish      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Zebrafish in the pet trade are asymptomatic carriers of previously undescribed microbes, including a novel virus that causes hemorrhaging in infected laboratory fish, researchers report.

Biology: Microbiology Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Indian Ocean surface temperature could help anticipate dengue outbreaks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Although dengue outbreaks cannot be prevented, it is possible to anticipate them. Scientists have recently identified a global climate indicator that may help improve predictions about the magnitude of dengue outbreaks several months in advance. This indicator, which can be used for any world region, is based on temperature fluctuations at the surface of the Indian Ocean. Obtaining reliable long-term predictions could facilitate efforts to tackle this infection, which has been on the rise for several decades and threatens half of the world's population.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Researchers expose new symbiosis origin theories, identify experimental systems for plant life      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research work on symbiosis -- a mutually beneficial relationship between living organisms -- is pushing back against the newer theory of a 'single-origin' of root nodule symbiosis (RNS) -- that all symbiosis between plant root nodules and nitrogen-fixing bacteria stems from one point--instead suggesting a 'multiple-origin' theory of sybiosis which opens a better understanding for genetically engineering crops.

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

hnRNPM, a guardian of the integrity of cellular protein production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered that the protein hnRNPM prevents the cell from making mistakes while it is producing new proteins, which helps maintain the integrity of this vital process.

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

Editing without 'cutting': Molecular mechanisms of new gene-editing tool revealed      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research has determined the spatial structure of various processes of a novel gene-editing tool called 'prime editor.' Functional analysis based on these structures also revealed how a 'prime editor' could achieve reverse transcription, synthesizing DNA from RNA, without 'cutting' both strands of the double helix. Clarifying these molecular mechanisms contributes greatly to designing gene-editing tools accurate enough for gene therapy treatments.

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

Chicken feathers to deliver chemotherapy drugs and repair enzymes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new method of drug delivery using proline, an amino acid found in chicken feathers and skin tissue, could be used to limit the side effects of chemotherapy and repair important enzymes, new research suggests.

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

New antibiotic kills pathogenic bacteria, spares healthy gut microbes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a new antibiotic that reduced or eliminated drug-resistant bacterial infections in mouse models of acute pneumonia and sepsis while sparing healthy microbes in the mouse gut. The drug, called lolamicin, also warded off secondary infections with Clostridioides difficile, a common and dangerous hospital-associated bacterial infection, and was effective against more than 130 multidrug-resistant bacterial strains in cell culture.

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

New research approach: Exploring the mouthfeel of food with a microscope      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new perspectives article focuses on different ways to study the mouthfeel of food using atomic force microscopy to better understand the biophysical mechanisms that contribute to taste sensations in a broader sense. New findings in this area could drive the development of health-promoting products that contain less salt, fat, sugar and calories but still have a convincing mouthfeel.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Scent detection dogs discern odour molecules better than previously thought      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

According to a recent study, dogs trained to detect scent may be able to identify significantly lower concentrations of odour molecules than has previously been documented.

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

Bird flu: Diverse range of vaccines platforms 'crucial' for enhancing human pandemic preparedness      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Review of research to-date suggests vaccination remains the most effective strategy for avian influenza prevention and control in humans, despite varying vaccine efficacy across strains.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Intermittent fasting shows promise in improving gut health, weight management      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Participants following an intermittent fasting and protein-pacing regimen, which involves evenly spaced protein intake throughout the day, saw better gut health, weight loss and metabolic responses. These benefits were notably greater than those seen with simple calorie restriction. The findings could advance our understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and metabolism and improve strategies for managing obesity.

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

Mechanisms for selective multiple sclerosis treatment strategy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have demonstrated how B cells infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can contribute to a pathogenic, inflammatory phenotype that contributes to multiple sclerosis (MS); the group has also shown how these problematic B cells can be selectively targeted in a way that reduces the damaging autoimmune response of multiple sclerosis.