Biology: Microbiology
Published

Double risk of dementia after mouth ulcer virus      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

People who have had the herpes virus at some point in their lives are twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those who have never been infected. A new study confirms previous research on whether herpes can be a possible risk factor for dementia.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees
Published

Scientists are unravelling the secrets of red and grey squirrel competition      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified significant differences between the diversity of gut bacteria in grey squirrels compared to red squirrels which could hold the key to further understanding the ability of grey squirrels to outcompete red squirrels in the UK.

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

Team creates novel rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team has created 20 new recombinant rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping that offer a range of significant advantages over existing tools, including the ability to detect microstructural changes in models of aging and Alzheimer's disease brain neurons.

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

Researchers uncover mechanisms behind enigmatic shapes of nuclei      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

White blood cells known as neutrophils feature a nucleus that is structured strikingly different than most nuclei. These unique shapes permit neutrophils to travel all over the body to combat invading pathogens. Scientists have now deciphered the shapeshifting puzzle of the neutrophil nucleus.

Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Invasive Species
Published

Climate change drove the emergence of West Nile virus in Europe      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers demonstrate the contribution of climate change to the spatial expansion of West Nile virus in Europe, a virus that constitutes a new public health threat in the continent. Their findings highlight a notable increase in the area ecologically suitable for the virus circulation since the beginning of last century and an increase in the human population at risk of exposure, due in part to climate change.

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

Pesticides to help protect seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

While pesticides protect crops from hungry animals, pesky insects, or even microbial infections, they also impact other vital organisms, including bees and earthworms. And today, research reveals that worms are affected by the relatively small amounts of chemicals that can leach out of pesticide-treated seeds. Exposure to nonlethal amounts of these insecticides and fungicides resulted in poor weight gain and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in the worms.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Case study: Drug-resistant bacteria responds to phage-antibiotic combo therapy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An experimental treatment using viruses to kill bacteria gave a mother more months of life and furthered knowledge to help future patients, researchers report in a recent case study.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Fundamental equation for superconducting quantum bits revised      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Physicists have uncovered that Josephson tunnel junctions -- the fundamental building blocks of superconducting quantum computers -- are more complex than previously thought. Just like overtones in a musical instrument, harmonics are superimposed on the fundamental mode. As a consequence, corrections may lead to quantum bits that are 2 to 7 times more stable. The researchers support their findings with experimental evidence from multiple laboratories across the globe.

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

By growing animal cells in rice grains, scientists dish up hybrid food      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

From lab-grown chicken to cricket-derived protein, these innovative alternatives offer hope for a planet struggling with the environmental and ethical impacts of industrial agriculture. Now, scientists add a new recipe to the list -- cultured beef rice -- by growing animal muscle and fat cells inside rice grains. The method results in a nutritious and flavorful hybrid food that, once commercialized, could offer a more affordable protein alternative with a smaller carbon footprint.

Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: General Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Biomanufacturing using chemically synthesized sugars enables sustainable supply of sugar without competing with food      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have succeeded in biomanufacturing from chemically synthesized sugar for the first time in the world. With refinement of this technology, one can envision a future society in which the sugar required for biomanufacturing can be obtained 'anytime, anywhere, and at high rate'. In the future, biomanufacturing using chemically synthesized sugar is expected to be a game changer in the biotechnology field -- including the production of biochemicals, biofuels, and food, where sugar is an essential raw material -- ultimately leading to the creation of a new bio-industry.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Low-cost microbe can speed biological discovery      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have created a new version of a microbe to compete economically with E. coli -- a bacteria commonly used as a research tool due to its ability to synthesize proteins -- to conduct low-cost and scalable synthetic biological experiments.

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

New trial highlights incremental progress towards a cure for HIV-1      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new clinical trial suggests that a combination of the drug vorinostat and immunotherapy can coax HIV-infected cells out of latency and attack them. The findings highlight how close -- yet still far -- researchers have come to developing a cure for HIV-1.

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

Interactions between flu subtypes predict epidemic severity more than virus evolution      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have shed new light on how viral evolution, population immunity, and the co-circulation of other flu viruses shape seasonal flu epidemics.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Better diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A global guideline for the management of cryptococcosis, a fungal infection that can have serious health consequences, has been developed.

Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Compounds released by bleaching reefs promote bacteria, potentially stressing coral further      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research revealed that when coral bleaching occurs, corals release unique organic compounds into the surrounding water that not only promote bacterial growth overall, but select for opportunistic bacteria that may further stress reefs.

Biology: Botany Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Researchers uncover a key link in legume plant-bacteria symbiosis      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery shedding light on the intricate play between legume plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Their study details the crucial role played by phosphorylation in driving the formation of symbiotic organs, known as nodules, on plant roots. The long-term goal is to enable symbiosis in root nodules in important crops such as barley, maize and rice to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

3D ice printing can create artificial blood vessels in engineered tissue      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new 3D printing method uses ice to build a template for artificial blood vessels in engineered tissue. Researchers hope the vessels could eventually be used in artificial organ transplants or drug testing.