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Categories: Biology: Microbiology, Ecology: Extinction
Published Lockdowns had an impact on gut microbes and allergies in newborns, new research reveals
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the gut microbiome development of babies born during these periods according to new research. Our gut microbiome, an ecosystem of microbes that live in our digestive tract, plays an essential role in human health. The study reveals significant differences in the microbiome development of babies born during lockdown periods when compared to pre-pandemic babies.
Published Older African elephants will be most severely affected by the changing climate
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Older elephants in East Africa will be most severely impacted by climate change, threatening the long-term survival of this vulnerable African mammal, according to a new study.
Published Study reveals accelerated soil priming under climate warming
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study highlights a crucial biosphere feedback mechanism and its effects on releasing soil carbon into the atmosphere.
Published New tool helps decipher gene behavior
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have extensively researched the structure and sequence of genetic material and its interactions with proteins in the hope of understanding how our genetics and environment interact in diseases. This research has partly focused on 'epigenetic marks', which are chemical modifications to DNA, RNA, and the associated proteins (known as histones).
Published In fight against brain pathogens, the eyes have it
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The eyes have been called the window to the brain. It turns out they also serve as an immunological barrier that protects the organ from pathogens and even tumors, researchers have found. In a new study, researchers showed that vaccines injected into the eyes of mice can help disable the herpes virus, a major cause of brain encephalitis. To their surprise, the vaccine activates an immune response through lymphatic vessels along the optic nerve.
Published Avian influenza virus is adapting to spread to marine mammals
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Avian influenza virus H5N1 has adapted to spread between birds and marine mammals, finds a new study.
Published Radio waves can tune up bacteria to become life-saving medicines
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have found a new way to alter the DNA of bacterial cells -- a process used to make many vital medicines including insulin -- much more efficiently than standard industry techniques.
Published Counting rays: Aerial surveys reveal ample populations in Southeast Florida
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A unique long-term study quantified the abundance of whitespotted eagle and giant manta rays in Southeast Florida. Researchers conducted 120 survey flights between 2014 and 2021 from Miami north to the Jupiter Inlet. One or both species were seen on nearly every flight and both populations appear to be stable in the region. The giant manta rays were more abundant in the south and the whitespotted eagle rays were found all along the coast. Neither species seems to be deterred by the greater human population density in Fort Lauderdale/Miami.
Published Double trouble at chromosome ends
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New findings suggest the end-replication problem, an old standby of biology textbooks, is twice as intricate as once thought.
Published Change in gene code may explain how human ancestors lost tails
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A genetic change in our ancient ancestors may partly explain why humans don't have tails like monkeys.
Published Low-Temperature Plasma used to remove E. coli from hydroponically grown crops
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In a new study, a team sterilized a hydroponic nutrient solution using low-temperature plasma generated from electricity and the oxygen in the atmosphere. This new sterilization technique may allow farmers to grow crops without the use of chemical pesticides, representing an important advance in agricultural technology for sustainable crop production.
Published New discovery shows how cells defend themselves during stressful situations
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A recent study has unveiled an exciting discovery about how our cells defend themselves during stressful situations. The research shows that a tiny modification in the genetic material, called ac4C, acts as a crucial defender, helping cells create protective storage units known as stress granules. These stress granules safeguard important genetic instructions when the cell is facing challenges. The new findings could help shed light on relevant molecular pathways that could be targeted in disease.
Published Extinctions could result as fish change foraging behavior in response to rising temperatures
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Fish species respond to temperature increases by going after more readily available prey. Models suggest this behavior could lead to more extinctions.
Published Scientists use blue-green algae as a surrogate mother for 'meat-like' proteins
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have not only succeeded in using blue-green algae as a surrogate mother for a new protein -- they have even coaxed the microalgae to produce 'meat fiber-like' protein strands. The achievement may be the key to sustainable foods that have both the 'right' texture and require minimal processing.
Published Microbial comics: RNA as a common language, presented in extracellular speech-bubbles
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Decoding the conversations between microbes of hypersaline environments reveals deep insights into the origins of complex life.
Published 'Janitors' of the Sea: Overharvested sea cucumbers play crucial role in protecting coral
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers discovered that sea cucumbers -- sediment-eating organisms that function like autonomous vacuum cleaners of the ocean floor -- play an enormous role in protecting coral from disease.
Published Cutting-edge 'protein lawnmower' created
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have designed the first synthetic protein-based motor which harnesses biological reactions to fuel and propel itself. 'Imagine if a Roomba could be powered only by the dirt it picks up,' says one of the authors of the study. The motor uses the digestive enzyme trypsin to cut the peptides and convert them into the energy it needs to propel itself.
Published Scientists assemble a richer picture of the plight and resilience of the foothill yellow-legged frog
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Up to only a few inches in length, with a lemon-hued belly, the foothill yellow-legged frog may seem unassuming. But its range once stretched from central Oregon to Baja California. In 2023, it was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Its rapidly decreasing range is due in part to a fungal pathogen called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd, that has devastated amphibians around the world.
Published Robots, monitoring and healthy ecosystems could halve pesticide use without hurting productivity
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Smarter crop farming that combats weeds, insect pests and plant diseases by integrating modern technologies like AI-based monitoring, robotics, and next-generation biotechnology with healthy and resilient agricultural ecosystems.
Published Blindness from some inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Sight loss in certain inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, and is potentially treatable by antimicrobials, finds a new study in mice.