Microbiology

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Study sheds new light on the early stages of viral evolution

Scientists from the Universities of York and Leeds, in association with Hilvert Laboratory at the ETH Zurich, have investigated the evolution, structure, and assembly of virus-like particles. According to the researchers, this breakthrough discovery will impact the way viruses are treated in the future.

11 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 virus does not spread on hospital surfaces

By observing what was going on across the world in early 2020, researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine knew that their region will soon be flooded with patients infected with COVID-19—the disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

From UC San Diego 11 Jun 2021

COVID-19 spread varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent transmission

New research shows transmission of the virus behind COVID-19 varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent transmission.

10 Jun 2021

Study reveals new insights into role of polyphenols in the soil microbiome

Fruits, vegetables, red wine and chocolate are all rich in polyphenols, natural plant compounds that double as cancer-fighting antioxidants. We can access these foods' health benefits because the microbes in our guts happily feast on them, breaking them down into smaller chemical components.

10 Jun 2021

Pre-trained viruses are more effective in countering antibiotic resistance

The risk of antibiotic resistance increases as bacteria continue to evade even the most powerful contemporary medicinal treatments. Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms threaten to take more than 10 million lives by 2050, as present-day treatments prove ineffective.

9 Jun 2021

International travelers may pick up AMR genes from different destinations

According to a research work published in the Genome Medicine journal, travelers abroad may contract bacteria and other vectors with genes that confer antibiotic resistance, which linger in the travelers’ gut when they return home.

9 Jun 2021

Study reveals how coronavirus aerosols flow through the lower lungs

When we inhale isolated coronavirus particles, more than 65% reach the deepest region of our lungs where damage to cells can lead to low blood oxygen levels, new research has discovered, and more of these aerosols reach the right lung than the left.

8 Jun 2021

Study explores how the microbiome could be manipulated for good

There's a lot of interest right now in how different microbiomes--like the one made up of all the bacteria in our guts--could be harnessed to boost human health and cure disease. But Daniel Segrè has set his sights on a much more ambitious vision for how the microbiome could be manipulated for good: "To help sustain our planet, not just our own health."

7 Jun 2021

Scientists discover two drugs that provide effective SARS-CoV-2 suppression

COVID-19 continues to claim lives across the world and is infecting millions more. Although several vaccines have recently become available, making significant strides towards preventing COVID-19, what about the treatment of those who already have the infection?

From Tokyo University of Science 4 Jun 2021

Three plausible solutions mitigates zoonotic risk associated with intensive animal agriculture

As early as the Neolithic period (circa 3900 BC), the domestication of animals likely led to the development of diseases including measles and smallpox. Since then, zoonotic disease has led to other major transnational outbreaks including HIV, Ebola, SARS, MERS, and H1N1 swine flu, among others.

3 Jun 2021

Scientists design new gene drive to stop the transmission of devastating diseases

CRISPR-based technologies offer enormous potential to benefit human health and safety, from disease eradication to fortified food supplies. As one example, CRISPR-based gene drives, which are engineered to spread specific traits through targeted populations, are being developed to stop the transmission of devastating diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

From UC San Diego 3 Jun 2021

Global land-use changes are creating “hot spots” favorable for new coronaviruses

Global land-use changes -- including forest fragmentation, agricultural expansion and concentrated livestock production -- are creating "hot spots" favorable for bats that carry coronaviruses and where conditions are ripe for the diseases to jump from bats to humans, finds an analysis published this week by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, the Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan) and Massey University of New Zealand.

2 Jun 2021

Study highlights need for sustainable solutions to provide safe drinking water

Lead is not the only danger when it comes to drinking water - harmful bacteria can also find their way into the water we consume despite treatment prior to distribution. In the face of water scarcity and aging infrastructure, there is a need for innovative, affordable, and portable solutions to sustainably provide safe drinking water across the globe.

From University of Pittsburgh 2 Jun 2021

Researchers identify new therapeutic targets for flaviviruses

In a recent study, Australian scientists used an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses with an unprecedented level of detail, identifying small molecules known as 'pocket factors' as new therapeutic targets.

2 Jun 2021

Each city has its own exclusive microbiome, finds study

A new study performed by researchers report that each city has its own exclusive microbiome or a “fingerprint” of bacteria and viruses that uniquely identify it.

1 Jun 2021

Worm cells sense metabolism changes to stimulate their defense against pathogens

Microbial infections form part of the wider repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and researchers are focusing more on such infections.

1 Jun 2021

Genetic differences within microalgal symbionts relate to the coral species they inhabit

The microscopic algae that live inside and provide nutrients to their reef-building coral hosts may be evolving in tandem with the corals they inhabit, so each partner is fine-tuned to meet one another's needs.

From Penn State University 1 Jun 2021

New consortium of bacteria can be used to treat aggressive colitis in humanized mouse models

A new study reported in Nature Communications shows that a consortium of bacteria, developed to complement lacking or poorly represented functions in the imbalanced microbiome of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, inhibited and treated chronic immune-mediated colitis in humanized mouse models.

31 May 2021

“Topologically tunable” DNA-based material has potential applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration

DNA is usually idealized as the “molecule of life,” but it is also a highly advanced polymer that can be used for cutting-edge materials. Apart from storing information, other interesting aspects of DNA are its topological and geometrical properties, like super-coiling and knotting.

31 May 2021

Novel drug is highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice

The drug diABZI -- which activates the body's innate immune response -- was highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice that were infected with SARS-CoV-2,

31 May 2021

Microbiology

Study sheds new light on the early stages of viral evolution

SARS-CoV-2 virus does not spread on hospital surfaces

COVID-19 spread varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent transmission

Study reveals new insights into role of polyphenols in the soil microbiome

Pre-trained viruses are more effective in countering antibiotic resistance

International travelers may pick up AMR genes from different destinations

Study reveals how coronavirus aerosols flow through the lower lungs

Study explores how the microbiome could be manipulated for good

Scientists discover two drugs that provide effective SARS-CoV-2 suppression

Three plausible solutions mitigates zoonotic risk associated with intensive animal agriculture

Scientists design new gene drive to stop the transmission of devastating diseases

Global land-use changes are creating “hot spots” favorable for new coronaviruses

Study highlights need for sustainable solutions to provide safe drinking water

Researchers identify new therapeutic targets for flaviviruses

Each city has its own exclusive microbiome, finds study

Worm cells sense metabolism changes to stimulate their defense against pathogens

Genetic differences within microalgal symbionts relate to the coral species they inhabit

New consortium of bacteria can be used to treat aggressive colitis in humanized mouse models

“Topologically tunable” DNA-based material has potential applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration

Novel drug is highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice

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