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Categories: Biology: Microbiology, Geoscience: Geology
Published 3D-printed 'living material' could clean up contaminated water
(via sciencedaily.com) A 'living material,' made of a natural polymer combined with genetically engineered bacteria, could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to clean pollutants from water. Researchers developed their living material using a seaweed-based polymer and bacteria that have been programmed to produce an enzyme that transforms various organic pollutants into harmless compounds. In tests, heir material decontaminated water solutions tainted with a pollutant from textile manufacturing: indigo carmine, a blue dye that is used to color denim.
Published Scientists unpick how lung cells induce immune response to influenza
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have discovered some new and surprising ways that viral RNA and influenza virus are detected by human lung cells, which has potential implications for treating people affected by such viruses.
Published Optics and AI find viruses faster
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed an automated version of the viral plaque assay, the gold-standard method for detecting and quantifying viruses.
Published Acting fast when an epidemic hits
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a method for forecasting the short-term progression of an epidemic using extremely limited amounts of data.
Published Newly discovered fungus helps destroy a harmful food toxin
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Patulin is a harmful mycotoxin produced by fungi typically found in damaged fruits, including apples, pears, and grapes. In a recent breakthrough, researchers identified a new filamentous fungal strain that can degrade patulin by transforming it into less toxic substances. Their findings provide important insights into the degradation mechanisms for patulin found in nature, and can lead to new ways of controlling patulin toxicity in our food supplies.
Published Two out of three volcanoes are little-known. How to predict their eruptions?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source What is the risk of a volcano erupting? To answer this question, scientists need information about its underlying internal structure. However, gathering this data can take several years of fieldwork, analyses and monitoring, which explains why only 30% of active volcanoes are currently well documented. A team has developed a method for rapidly obtaining valuable information. It is based on three parameters: the height of the volcano, the thickness of the layer of rock separating the volcano's reservoir from the surface, and the average chemical composition of the magma.
Published Tiny mineral inclusions picture the chemical exchange between Earth's mantle and atmosphere
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Using synchrotron techniques, scientists have unveiled important information on The Great Oxidation Event by studying apatite inclusions in zircon crystals from old magmas.
Published Algae provide clues about 600 million years of plant evolution
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers generated large scale gene expression data to investigate the molecular networks that operate in one of the closest algal relatives of land plants, a humble single-celled alga called Mesotaenium endlicherianum.
Published Antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Antibiotic-resistant bacteria get extra nutrients and thrive when the drugs kill 'good' bacteria in the gut, according to new research that could lead to better patient risk assessment and 'microbiome therapeutics' treatments to help combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Published Could a cancer drug hold the key to an HIV cure?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Australian researchers have found an existing blood cancer drug can kill 'silent' HIV cells and delay reinfections -- a significant pre-clinical discovery that could lead to a future cure for the disease.
Published Inhalable molecules neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in mice, study finds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Nanofitins, which are derived from a protein in an archaeal microorganism found in hot springs -- successfully neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in mice and were well-tolerated. When inhaled by the rodents, the engineered nanofitins, which inhibit the virus by binding to its spike proteins, were observed to quickly reach the lungs in high doses both preventing and clearing early infections, researchers report.
Published Bacteria treatment reduces insulin resistance, protects against diabetes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have discovered a type of gut bacteria that might help improve insulin resistance, and thus protect against the development of obesity and type-2 diabetes. The study involved genetic and metabolic analysis of human fecal microbiomes and then corroborating experiments in obese mice.
Published Newly engineered versions of bacterial enzyme reveal how antibiotics could be more potent
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers applied a new technology to generate the full inventory of mutations in the bacterial species Escherichia coli where the antibiotic rifampicin attaches to and disables an essential bacterial enzyme known as RNA polymerase (RNAP).
Published Some hosts have an 'evolutionary addiction' to their microbiome
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source We've long known that hosts malfunction without their microbiome -- whether they are missing key microbial species or are completely microbe free. This malfunctioning is usually explained by the need for microbes to perform unique and beneficial functions, but evolutionary ecologist is questioning that narrative.
Published AI-powered triage platform could aid future viral outbreak response
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A team of researchers has developed an innovative patient triage platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that the researchers say is capable of predicting patient disease severity and length of hospitalization during a viral outbreak.
Published Enhancing cancer therapy using functionalized photosynthetic bacteria
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Selective targeting of cancerous cells poses major clinical challenges during cancer therapy. However, this limitation can be overcome by using bioengineered bacteria with highly optimized chemical modifications. A recent study demonstrates the use of chemically modified purple photosynthetic bacteria for the successful detection and elimination of colon cancer cells in a mouse model. The study also sheds light on the underlying mechanism of action.
Published Common origin behind major childhood allergies
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Several major childhood allergies may all stem from the community of bacteria living in our gut, according to a new study. The research identifies gut microbiome features and early life influences that are associated with children developing any of four common allergies -- eczema, asthma, food allergy and/or hay fever. The findings could lead to methods of predicting whether a child will develop allergies, and ways to prevent them from developing at all.
Published Titanium micro-spikes skewer resistant superbugs
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings may be more effective at combating drug-resistant superbugs, including fungus, than previously understood.
Published New species of marine bacteria isolated from a deep-sea cold seep
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have isolated a new strain of marine bacteria with unique characteristics from the ocean seabed.
Published Enhanced chemical weathering: A solution to the climate crisis?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Could blending of crushed rock with arable soil lower global temperatures? Researchers study global warming events from 40 and 56 million years ago to find answers.