Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Beneficial bacteria in the infant gut uses nitrogen from breast milk to support baby's health      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A nutrition scientist who has spent his career studying breast milk has demonstrated how beneficial microbes in the gut of infants use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development.

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

HIV genomes that hide in white blood cells offer new target to eliminate infections      (via sciencedaily.com) 

To develop treatments that may one day entirely rid the body of HIV infection, scientists have long sought to identify all of the places that the virus can hide its genetic code. Now, in a study using blood samples from men and women with HIV on long-term suppressive therapy, a team of scientists reports new evidence that one such stable reservoir of HIV genomes can be found in circulating white blood cells called monocytes.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Molecular Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Human cells help researchers understand squid camouflage      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Squids and octopuses are masters of camouflage. But some aspects of how they become reversibly transparent are still 'unclear,' because researchers can't culture cephalopod skin cells in the lab. Now, researchers have replicated the tunable transparency of squid skin in mammalian cells, which are more easily cultured.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species Geoscience: Earth Science
Published

Researchers find clue to help plants grow with low phosphorus levels      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Phosphorus is a natural mineral found in fertilizer that is essential for plant growth and development, and Earth's agricultural-grade phosphorus reserves are expected to be depleted in 50 to 100 years. A new discovery is changing their understanding of iron toxicity in plants caused by low phosphorus levels.

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

Pathogen mapped: Evolution and potential treatments      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A parasite which has devastating impacts on agriculture and human health is the first pathogen to have its proteins located and mapped within its cells -- providing clues to their function and helping to identify potential drug targets.

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

RNA vaccination in rabbit mothers confers benefits to offspring in the womb      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Newly developed mRNA vaccines against Zika virus and HIV-1 produced strong antibody responses that transferred from pregnant rabbits to their offspring, researchers report. As noted by the authors, the results support further development of their vaccine platform, LIONTM/repRNA, for maternal and neonatal settings to protect against mother-to-child transmission of pathogens in animals and humans.

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

A readily available dietary supplement may reverse organ damage caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

MitoQ, a mitochondrial antioxidant that is available to the public as a diet supplement, was found in a mouse study to reverse the detrimental effects that HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) have on mitochondria in the brain, heart, aorta, lungs, kidney and liver.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Extinction Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General
Published

Habitat will dictate whether ground beetles win or lose against climate change      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The success of North American crops from corn to Christmas trees partly depends on a relatively invisible component of the food web -- ground beetles. Nearly 2,000 species of ground beetle live in North America. New research shows that some of these insects could thrive while others could decline as the climate changes. The team found that the response will largely depend on the species' traits and habitats and could have significant implications for conservation efforts.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Global natural history initiative builds groundbreaking database to address 21st century challenges      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A group of natural history museums has mapped the total collections from 73 of the world's largest natural history museums in 28 countries. This is the first step of an ambitious effort to inventory global holdings that can help scientists and decision makers find solutions to urgent, wide-ranging issues such as climate change, food insecurity, human health, pandemic preparedness, and wildlife conservation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Ecology: Trees
Published

Can insights from the soapbark tree change the way we make vaccines?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The medicinal secrets of the Chilean soapbark tree have been laid bare, unlocking a future of more potent, affordable, and sustainably sought vaccines. Researchers have taken a major step forward in addressing this problem, by using a combination of genome mining and bioengineering techniques to produce saponin-based vaccine adjuvants in the laboratory without harvesting material directly from trees.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: General Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Microplastics limit energy production in tiny freshwater species      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Microplastic pollution reduces energy production in a microscopic creature found in freshwater worldwide, new research shows.

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

Harnessing power of immune system may lessen reliance on antibiotics for infections like TB      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have found that the body's process of removing old and damaged cell parts, is also an essential part of tackling infections that take hold within our cells, like TB. If this natural process can be harnessed with new treatments, it could present an alternative to, or improve use of antibiotics, especially where bacteria have become resistant to existing drugs.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Molecular
Published

Newly discovered cell in fruit flies is essential for touch sensation      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have uncovered a key role for a new type of cell in touch detection in the skin of the fruit fly.

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

Researchers discover a way to fight the aging process and cancer development      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Damage in the human genome can be repaired. But this works better in germ cells, sperm and eggs, than in normal body cells. Responsible for this is the DREAM protein complex, which prevents the activation of all available repair mechanisms. A research team has now shown that normal body cells can also be repaired better once this complex has been deactivated. In the long run, the scientists hope to develop better therapies to prevent cancer and aging-associated diseases.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Environmental: General
Published

Pressure-based control enables tunable singlet fission materials for efficient photoconversion      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Applying hydrostatic pressure as an external stimulus, researchers demonstrate a new way to regulate singlet fission (SF), a process in which two electrons are generated from a single photon, in chromophores, opening doors to the design of SF-based materials with enhanced (photo)energy conversion. Their method overrides the strict requirements that limit the molecular design of such materials by realizing an alternative control strategy.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Without this, plants cannot respond to temperature      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have significantly advanced the race to control plant responses to temperature on a rapidly warming planet. Key to this breakthrough is miRNA, a molecule nearly 200,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Ecology: Endangered Species Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Genome of a drought-tolerant plant: Many genes are involved in 'resurrection'      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Some plants can survive months without water, only to turn green again after a brief downpour. A recent study shows that this is not due to a 'miracle gene.' Rather, this ability is a consequence of a whole network of genes, almost all of which are also present in more vulnerable varieties.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Environmental: General
Published

Robotic system offers hidden window into collective bee behavior      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a temperature-modulating robotic system that can be seamlessly integrated into notoriously sensitive honeybee hives, providing both a never-before-seen view of honeybee behavior and a means to influence it.