Toxin News and Research

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Bullfrog Protein Saxiphilin Acts as Effective Antidote for Marine Saxitoxin

The "red tide" algal blooms that are becoming more frequent along the Pacific coast produce one of the most potent neurotoxins known: saxitoxin, or STX.

17 Jul 2026

Advanced Cellular Mapping Preserves Spatial Architecture During Holistic Herb Interventions

Traditional Chinese medicine is widely recognized for its holistic and systematic mode of action, often described as "multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway" regulation.

17 Jul 2026

Intermicrobial Antagonism Controls Essential Bacteria Populations in Human Guts

Mougous, John F. Enders Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), studies bacterial warfare, or how different microbes defend their ecological niches against other species.

14 Jul 2026

Ancient Plague Killed Hunter Gatherers Long Before Medieval Cities

Plague is commonly associated with rats, crowded medieval cities, and the epidemics that swept across Europe during and after the Middle Ages.

18 Jun 2026

Evolutionary Biology Unlocks Secret Toxins Hidden Inside Poison Dart Frogs

There is a group of colorful amphibians that are known for storing defensive alkaloids in glands on their skin.

16 Jun 2026

Brazilian Researchers Identify Forty Five New Toxins in Salmonella Samples

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have discovered 45 new toxins produced by Salmonella bacteria, some of which are associated with foodborne infections.

12 Jun 2026

Genomewide CRISPR Screen Reveals Unexpected Structural Protein Link Behind Chronic Colon Inflammation

Since a landmark 2009 study, researchers have known that a common gut bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, drives colon tumor formation, potentially leading to colorectal cancer, by secreting a toxin that damages the lining of the colon. But until now, the exact mechanism the toxin uses to latch onto those cells remained a mystery.

25 May 2026

Novel Formicitoxins Found in Carpenter Ant Venom Offer Drug Discovery Impetus

The venom of forest ants and horse ants contains numerous substances that protect the insects from pathogens. Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and Freie Universität Berlin have succeeded for the first time in identifying and characterizing these novel antimicrobial substances in the insects' venom.

19 May 2026

New Epigenetic Marker Reveals Lasting Impact of Arsenic Exposure

Public health experts estimate that more than 200 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic through contaminated drinking water.

5 May 2026

How the Microbiome Shapes Cancer Immunity and Therapy Response

This review examines how the human microbiome regulates anti-tumor immunity through DNA damage, inflammation, immune-cell activity, microbial metabolites, and tumor microenvironment remodeling. It highlights emerging microbiome-based strategies, including FMT, probiotics, prebiotics, engineered bacteria, and live biotherapeutics, while stressing the need for rigorous validation and clinical trials.

29 Apr 2026

Computational Tool Improves Detection of Microbes in Tumor Sequencing Data

When scientists sequence tumor DNA, they typically find small amounts of genetic code from bacteria, viruses and fungi – microorganisms that, if actually present in tumor tissues, could influence how they grow, evade immunity or respond to treatment.

11 Mar 2026

Transplanted Mitochondria Enhance Cell Metabolism and Survival Under Stress

Mitochondria, also known as the powerhouses of the cell, are essential for cell survival, repair, and adaptation.

5 Mar 2026

New Bioelectronic Scaffold Captures Coordinated Brain-Like Activity in 3D Tissues

A team led by Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab scientists have developed a new technology that can eavesdrop on the hidden electrical dialogues unfolding inside miniature, lab-grown human brain-like tissues.

19 Feb 2026

Tool Enables Accurate Detection of Microbes in Cancer Genomes

10 Feb 2026

Stem Cells Mimic Earliest Stages of Brain Development in a Dish

Researchers have made great strides to understand early signs of autism. Studies have found that certain factors like genetics, sleep deprivation, excess fluid in the brain-and brain size-can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions, like autism.

26 Dec 2025