Irish potato famine pathogen stoked outbreaks on six continents
North Carolina State University researchers continue to track the evolution of different strains of the plant pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine in the 1840s, which set down roots in the United States before attacking Europe......»»
Toxoplasmosis: Researchers identify protein that evolved alongside infection machinery
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease found worldwide, caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In humans, infection poses a particular risk to pregnant women, as it can lead to birth defects. Like the closely related malaria pathogen.....»»
Erratic weather fueled by climate change will worsen locust outbreaks, study finds
Extreme wind and rain may lead to bigger and worse desert locust outbreaks, with human-caused climate change likely to intensify the weather patterns and cause higher outbreak risks, a new study has found......»»
Using text analytics, scientists map the spread of potato blight prior to the Irish potato famine
North Carolina State University researchers used text analytics on both historic and modern writing to reveal more information about the effects and spread of the plant pathogen—now known as Phytophthora infestans—that caused the 1840s Irish pota.....»»
Study finds climate change has contributed to the spatial expansion of West Nile virus in Europe
West Nile virus is an emerging pathogen in Europe and represents a public health threat in previously non-affected European countries. Occurring in a cycle involving transmission between bird and mosquito species, this virus can be transmitted to hum.....»»
New UN weather agency chief says rate of global warming is speeding up
The new chief of the World Meteorological Organization said it looks to her that the rate of human-caused climate change is accelerating and that warming has triggered more Arctic cold outbreaks in North America and Europe, weighing in on two issues.....»»
A new approach for fast and cost-effective pathogen detection
The ability to detect diseases at an early stage or even predict their onset would be of tremendous benefit to doctors and patients alike. A research team led by Dr. Larysa Baraban at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) develops intellige.....»»
Uncovering genetic metabolite markers associated with anthracnose resistance to blueberry fruit rot
Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR), caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum fioriniae, is the most destructive and widespread fruit disease of blueberry, impacting fruit quality and yield. The reliance on fungicides prompts the need for sustainable sol.....»»
Shedding light on shadows: Unveiling the impact of low light on tomato disease susceptibility and defense mechanisms
The global challenge of plant disease outbreaks under low light intensities leads to significant crop yield losses, with the mechanisms of low light's impact on plant defense poorly understood. Research has identified high light conditions as enhanci.....»»
Grape white rot resistance and the role of VvWRKY5 in enhancing pathogen defense through the jasmonic acid pathway
Grape white rot, caused by Coniella diplodiella (Speg.) Sacc. (Cd), significantly impacts grape production and quality, highlighting the need for effective disease management strategies beyond fungicide use due to concerns over food safety and enviro.....»»
Humans are living longer than ever no matter where they come from
Disease outbreaks and human conflicts help dictate regional differences in longevity. Enlarge (credit: Catherine Falls Commercial) Most of us want to stay on this planet as long as possible. While there are still differe.....»»
Expert says multistate foodborne illness outbreaks impact restaurant stock price, public perception
As demand for food from restaurants soars in the U.S., so does the importance of understanding the impacts of foodborne illness outbreaks. A new paper co-written by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign expert in food marketing and food policy fi.....»»
Researchers uncover source rocks of the first real continents
Geoscientists have uncovered a missing link in the enigmatic story of how the continents developed—a revised origin story that doesn't require the start of plate tectonics or any external factor to explain their formation. Instead, the findings pub.....»»
Researchers engineer viruses to kill deadly pathogens
Northwestern University researchers have successfully coaxed a deadly pathogen to destroy itself from the inside out......»»
Positive associations revealed as key driver in maintaining soil biodiversity and ecological networks
In a study published in PNAS, researchers analyzed 151 ecosystems across six continents, delved into the intricate coexistence network among diverse species including bacteria, fungi, protists, and invertebrates, and for the first time, linked biotic.....»»
Measles is “growing global threat,” CDC tells doctors in alert message
Since December, there have been 23 measles cases in the US, including two outbreaks. Enlarge / A baby with measles. (credit: CDC) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is putting clinicians on alert about the g.....»»
Seaweed "could survive nuclear war, avert famine," says new study
Imagine a catastrophic event that blocked out the sun, such as the eruption of a large volcano, or even a nuclear war......»»
Jujube witches" broom phytoplasmas inhibit ZjBRC1-mediated abscisic acid metabolism to induce shoot proliferation
Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), an important species in the Rhamnaceae family, has been cultivated in China for over 7,000 years and is vulnerable to Jujube witches' broom (JWB) disease. This disease, caused by the JWB plant pathogen, leads t.....»»
Single-city climate conventions damaging carbon emissions pledges, says study
Holding Conference(s) of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP) across multiple continents simultaneously should become the norm to dramatically lower carbon emissions from attendee travel, researchers have argued......»»
Food-borne pathogen Listeria may hide from sanitizers in biofilms
An estimated 1,600 people in the U.S. contract a serious infection from Listeria bacteria in food each year, and of those individuals, about 260 people die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Penn State researchers may now b.....»»
Syphilis-like diseases were already widespread in America before the arrival of Columbus, new study finds
Researchers at the Universities of Basel and Zurich have discovered the genetic material of the pathogen Treponema pallidum in the bones of people who died in Brazil 2,000 years ago. This is the oldest verified discovery of this pathogen thus far, an.....»»