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Categories: Biology: Microbiology, Ecology: General
Published Cocaine discovery could pave way for treatment for substance abuse



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.
Published Bacterial gut diversity improves the athletic performance of racehorses



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.
Published Nasal microbiome: Depriving multi-resistant 'bugs' of iron



Whether dangerous staphylococci survive in the nose depends on what other bacteria are present -- and how they obtain iron.
Published Elephants on the move: Mapping connections across African landscapes



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.
Published Ketogenic Diet may reduce friendly gut bacteria and raise cholesterol levels



A study reveals that ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets can increase cholesterol levels and reduce beneficial gut bacteria, specifically Bifidobacterium.
Published Study analyzes potato-pathogen 'arms race' after Irish famine



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.
Published Why virus causing cold sores does not spread to devastating brain infection



A previously unknown defence mechanism in the brain prevents herpesvirus from infecting the brain's nerve cells.
Published Honey added to yogurt supports probiotic cultures for digestive health



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.
Published Discovery of a new population of macrophages promoting lung repair after viral infections



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.
Published New compound effective against flesh-eating bacteria



Researchers have developed a compound that is effective against common bacteria that can lead to rare, dangerous illnesses.
Published Allergy cells' hidden secret



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.
Published Coinfecting viruses impede each other's ability to enter cells



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.
Published Ancient Antarctic microorganisms are aggressive predators



Antarctic dwelling single-celled microorganisms called archaea can behave like parasites, new research shows.
Published Circular RNAs: The new frontier in cancer research



Unravelling the complexities of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancer biology has positioned scientists on the cusp of revolutionary breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A new study predicts remarkable potential for circular RNAs to improve cancer treatment and patient outcomes within the next 5-10 years.
Published Combined effects of plastic pollution and seawater flooding amplify threats to coastal plant species



A new study highlights how a combination of environmental stressors -- namely plastic pollution and seawater flooding -- can increase the threats faced by plants in some of the planet's critical ecosystems. It showed that both stressors had some effects on the species tested, but being exposed to both microplastics and flooding together -- a threat likely to increase as a result of climate change and plastic use -- had a more pronounced impact on their resource allocation.
Published Breakthrough in bid to develop vaccines and drugs for neglected tropical disease



A breakthrough lays the foundations for vaccine development and for testing new preventative measures against the neglected tropical disease leishmaniasis.
Published What gave the first molecules their stability?



The origins of life remain a major mystery. How were complex molecules able to form and remain intact for prolonged periods without disintegrating? A team has demonstrated a mechanism that could have enabled the first RNA molecules to stabilize in the primordial soup. When two RNA strands combine, their stability and lifespan increase significantly.
Published Genetic signatures of domestication identified in pigs, chickens



Wild boars and red junglefowl gave rise to common pigs and chickens. These animals' genes evolved to express themselves differently, leading to signatures of domestication -- such as weaker bones and better viral resistance -- in pigs and chickens, according to a research team.
Published Precise package delivery in cells?



Researchers have developed new real-time microscopy technology and successfully observed the behavior of 'motor proteins', which may hold the key to unraveling the efficient material transport strategy of cells.
Published When it comes to DNA replication, humans and baker's yeast are more alike than different



Humans and baker's yeast have more in common than meets the eye, including an important mechanism that helps ensure DNA is copied correctly, reports a pair of studies. The findings visualize for the first time a molecular complex -- called CTF18-RFC in humans and Ctf18-RFC in yeast -- that loads a 'clamp' onto DNA to keep parts of the replication machinery from falling off the DNA strand.