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Categories: Biology: Microbiology, Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published Division of labor affects the risk of infection
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An international research team reports that, given the same genetic makeup, individual behavior alone determines whether or not an individual in a social group will contract a disease. Clonal raider ants of the species Ooceraea biroi that forage outside the nest are more likely to be infected by parasitic nematodes than conspecifics in the nest. The research team also observed that diseases in the colony altered the behavior of all ants: sick and healthy ants alike remained in the nest and the division of labor was reduced, affecting the overall social organization in the ant colony.
Published Scientists invent new way to sort cells by type using light
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed and demonstrated a new method for high-throughput single-cell sorting that uses stimulated Raman spectroscopy rather than the traditional approach of fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The new approach could offer a label-free, nondestructive way to sort cells for a variety of applications, including microbiology, cancer detection and cell therapy.
Published Tiny magnetic beads produce an optical signal that could be used to quickly detect pathogens
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Engineers identified an optical signature in a widely used class of magnetic 'Dynabeads' that could be used to quickly detect contaminants in food, water, or the human body.
Published Connections between drinking water quality and increased lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source High levels of some minerals and metals in environmental water supplies may increase the risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis, according to a new study. The study found the presence of the metals molybdenum and vanadium along with sulfate -- a collection of mineral salts -- in the U.S. municipal water system was associated with an increased incidence of NTM pulmonary infections, the leading cause of drinking-water associated illnesses.
Published Math enables blending hydrogen in natural gas pipelines
(via sciencedaily.com) Mathematical modeling can show how to safely blend hydrogen with natural gas for transport in existing pipeline systems. A secure and reliable transition to hydrogen is one of the proposed solutions for the shift to a net-zero-carbon economy.
Published Epigenetic mechanism that causes bitter taste distortion discovered
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A bitter taste in the mouth is often a symptom or side effect of illness, which may be the result of how the body reacts to pathogens. A new study sheds light on the mechanisms involved in the complex interplay between taste perception and immune function. Their work also highlights the potential of a sequencing tool for investigating epigenetic mechanisms that affect taste-cell gene expression.
Published Fungi-eating plants and flies team up for reproduction
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Fungi-eating orchids were found for the first time to offer their flowers to fungi-eating fruit flies in exchange for pollination, which is the first evidence for nursery pollination in orchids. This unique new plant-animal relationship hints at an evolutionary transition towards mutualistic symbiosis.
Published Could microplastics in soil introduce drug-resistant superbugs to the food supply?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new review argues ever-present microplastics could promote gene transfer among microbes, potentially resulting in greater antibiotic resistance. The review calls for more research on microplastic-microbe interactions where our food is grown.
Published Biologist gets the scoop on squash bug poop
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A discovery about how a common insect acquires a microbe that is essential for its growth may help in the control of an agricultural pest.
Published Fungus gnats as pollinators not pests
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Many plants and crops rely on insects to pollinate them so they can reproduce. A new study has shown that several flowering plants from the group Euonymus are pollinated by fungus gnats, a dipteran insect. Specifically, they pollinate Euonymus plants which have red-petaled flowers with short stamens and yogurt-like scent. Although fungus gnats are known to pollinate hundreds of plant species, this study shows that the particular traits of red Euonymus flowers were likely to have been acquired via pollination syndrome, evolving over a process of natural selection to be pollinated specifically by fungus gnats. This research highlights the important role of Diptera, which are commonly regarded as pests, in plant diversity and evolution.
Published New antibiotic from microbial 'dark matter' could be powerful weapon against superbugs
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new powerful antibiotic, isolated from bacteria that could not be studied before, seems capable of combating harmful bacteria and even multi-resistant 'superbugs'. Named Clovibactin, the antibiotic appears to kill bacteria in an unusual way, making it more difficult for bacteria to develop any resistance against it.
Published High-fat diets alter gut bacteria, boosting colorectal cancer risk in mice
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have discovered how high-fat diets can change gut bacteria and alter digestive molecules called bile acids that are modified by those bacteria, predisposing mice to colorectal cancer. The findings bring scientists closer to understanding the causes of and how to prevent colorectal cancer.
Published Improvements in silicon-perovskite tandem cells that helped achieve a whopping 32.5 percent efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) In the ongoing quest for more efficient solar cells, the most current published record for tandem perovskite solar cells is 32.5 percent. In a new paper, researchers report on the improvements in silicon-perovskite tandem cells that have made this possible.
Published New antifungal therapy for fungal meningitis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A team of researchers successfully tested a new antifungal therapy to treat fungal meningitis.
Published New approach shows hydrogen can be combined with electricity to make pharmaceutical drugs
(via sciencedaily.com) The world needs greener ways to make chemicals. In a new study, researchers demonstrate one potential path toward this goal by adapting hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
Published Research team developing a nano-sized force sensor and improving high-precision microscopy technology
(via sciencedaily.com) Recent research in cell biology highlights groundbreaking results. An international team of researchers have recently established a tool they developed to study the mechanics of the cell. The tool can be used to study the inner forces of the cell, for example, the stretching of the nuclear membrane. The microscopic force sensor, only about 0.00002 mm long, is constructed of exotic ingredients such as spider web protein parts, fluorescent proteins from jellyfish, and antibodies from alpaca. In addition, the multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed further the sensitivity of super-resolution microscopy technique.
Published 'Viral relicts' in the genome could fuel neurodegeneration
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Genetic remnants of viruses that are naturally present in the human genome could affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers come to this conclusion on the basis of studies on cell cultures.
Published Using big data on livestock farms could improve antimicrobial resistance surveillance
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study suggests that using big data and machine learning in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in livestock production methods could help inform interventions and offer protections against germs that are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Published Study observes sudden acceleration of flow, generates new boundary layer
(via sciencedaily.com) In an experiment on how turbulent boundary layers respond to acceleration in the flow around them, aerospace engineers at the observed an unexpected internal boundary layer.
Published Novel treatment based on gene editing safely and effectively removes HIV-like virus from genomes of non-human primates
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A single injection of a novel CRISPR gene-editing treatment safely and efficiently removes SIV -- a virus related to the AIDS-causing agent HIV -- from the genomes of non-human primates, scientists now report. The groundbreaking work complements previous experiments as the basis for the first-ever clinical trial of an HIV gene-editing technology in human patients, which was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022.