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

A protein found in human sweat may protect against Lyme disease      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Human sweat contains a protein that may protect against Lyme disease. About one-third of the population carries a genetic variant of this protein that is associated with Lyme disease in genome-wide association studies.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Animals Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Genes identified that allow bacteria to thrive despite toxic heavy metal in soil      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Some soil bacteria can acquire sets of genes that enable them to pump the heavy metal nickel out of their systems, a study has found. This enables the bacteria to not only thrive in otherwise toxic soils but help plants grow there as well. A research team pinpointed a set of genes in wild soil bacteria that allows them to do this in serpentine soils which have naturally high concentrations of toxic nickel. The genetic discovery could help inform future bioremediation efforts that seek to return plants to polluted soils.

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

Industrial societies losing healthy gut microbes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Our eating habits in industrialized societies are far removed from those of ancient humans. This is impacting our intestinal flora, it seems, as newly discovered cellulose degrading bacteria are being lost from the human gut microbiome, especially in industrial societies.

Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology
Published

New discovery concerning occurrence of antibiotic resistance      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study shows how heteroresistance, a transient resistance common in many bacteria, can act as a precursor to the development of antibiotic resistance.

Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Rise in global fungal drug-resistant infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A global wave of infections caused by fungi growing drug-resistant has the medical community issuing precautions on how to protect yourself.

Biology: Botany Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species
Published

Cacao plants' defense against toxic cadmium unveiled      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers used bright X-rays to unveil how cacao trees protect themselves from toxic metal cadmium.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Microbiology
Published

Newborn piglets serve as a model for studying influenza      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Although prevention and treatment strategies are available for influenza, they are not sufficient for vulnerable populations such as young children and newborns. A team of researchers has studied newborn piglets to better understand the progression of influenza infections.

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

Engineers measure pH in cell condensates      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a first for the condensate field, researchers have figured out how nucleolar sub-structures are assembled. This organization gives rise to unique pH profiles within nucleoli, which they measured and compared with the pH of nearby non-nucleolar condensates including nuclear speckles and Cajal bodies.

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

'Noisy' roundworm brains give rise to individuality      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research has demonstrated individual differences in and successfully extracted commonalities from the whole-brain activity of roundworms. The researchers also found that computer simulations based on the whole-brain activity of roundworms more accurately reflect real-brain activity when they include so-called 'noise,' or probabilistic elements.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Gut bacteria make neurotransmitters to shape the newborn immune system      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Investigators discovered that unique bacteria colonize the gut shortly after birth and make the neurotransmitter serotonin to educate gut immune cells. This prevents allergic reactions to food and the bacteria themselves during early development.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Even inactive smokers are densely colonized by microbial communities      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Everything is everywhere -- under certain conditions microbial communities can grow and thrive, even in places that are seemingly uninhabitable. This is the case at inactive hydrothermal vents on the sea floor. An international team is presently working to accurately quantify how much inorganic carbon can be bound in these environments.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Infections from these bacteria are on the rise: New blood test cuts diagnosis time from months to hours      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have designed a platform to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria, simplifying and shortening a long-complicated procedure from 6 months to 2 hours. Rapid, accurate diagnosis has never been more important as cases of NTM infections have continued to increase annually, spreading from subtropical regions to more temperate zones in part due to global climate change.

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

New study on mating behaviors offers clues into the evolution of attraction      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In examining the mating rituals of roundworms, researchers uncovered a unique approach to reproduction that maximizes genetic fitness.

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

Dog-killing flatworm discovered in Southern California      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have confirmed that a potentially fatal dog parasite is present in a portion of the Colorado River that runs through California.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology
Published

Gut bacteria important for overcoming milk allergy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered a link between gut bacteria and the success of milk-allergy oral immunotherapy. The study found that Bifidobacterium -- a genus of beneficial bacteria in the gut -- was associated with a higher chance of successful treatment. The finding may help in the development of more effective oral immunotherapies, perhaps by combining them with probiotic supplements.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

It's hearty, it's meaty, it's mold      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists are exploring how tuning the genomes of mushrooms and molds can transform these food sources into gourmet, nutrient-packed meals made with minimal processing and a light environmental footprint.

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

Alzheimer's drug fermented with help from AI and bacteria moves closer to reality      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers combined artificial intelligence and chemical biosensors to ferment the precursor of an Alzheimer's drug in bacteria.