New toxin facilitates disease infection and spread in wheat
Although wheat was among the first domesticated food crops, it remains a global dietary staple several millennia later. Grown on every continent except Antarctica, wheat is the second highest produced grain worldwide, with nearly 800,000 metric tons.....»»
How and why people spread rumors is key to understanding how false information travels and takes root
On Sept. 20, 2024, a newspaper in Montana reported an issue with ballots provided to overseas voters registered in the state: Kamala Harris was not on the ballot. Election officials were able to quickly remedy the problem, but not before accusations.....»»
H5N1 Detected in Pig Highlights the Risk of Bird Flu Mixing with Seasonal Flu
Humans and pigs could both serve as mixing vessels for a bird flu–seasonal flu hybrid, posing a risk of wider spread.....»»
Study reveals superbug MRSA"s double defense against antibiotics
Scientists have discovered the mechanism which allows the superbug methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to become highly resistant to antibiotics, paving the way for new approaches to control infectious disease......»»
Destructive weed, found in New York state, resists common herbicides
The invasive pigweed Palmer amaranth, first found in New York soybean fields in 2019, has been dubbed the "spotted lanternfly of weeds" for its ability to spread quickly and wreak havoc on crops. Now a new study sheds light on how formidable an oppon.....»»
Single-molecule tracking technology streamlines drug discovery
New drug discovery is a critical step for improving patients' lives. First, researchers must identify molecules in the body's cells that help drive disease, as these are potential targets for new drugs. The next step is to screen candidate drugs that.....»»
Person accidentally poisoned 46 coworkers with toxin-loaded homemade lunch
Testing found S. aureus in a homemade noodle dish caused the illnesses. For some, microwaving fish in the employee lunch room is the ultimate work faux pas. But for one (likely mo.....»»
Expert explains how misinformation thrives on emotional triggers—and why traditional fact-checking often misses the mark
A recent Gallup poll showed public trust in the electoral process—a cornerstone of American democracy—is eroding as the rampant spread of misinformation and organized disinformation campaigns breed dangerous skepticism among voters. Now, with ear.....»»
AI algorithm accurately detects heart disease in dogs
Researchers have developed a machine learning algorithm to accurately detect heart murmurs in dogs, one of the main indicators of cardiac disease, which affects a large proportion of some smaller breeds such as King Charles Spaniels......»»
Discovery of critical iron-transport protein in malaria parasites could lead to faster-acting medications
Malaria kills over 600,000 people a year, and as the climate warms, the potential range of the disease is growing. While some drugs can effectively prevent and treat malaria, resistance to those drugs is also on the rise......»»
The Surprising Story of How Peaches Became an Icon of the U.S. Southeast
The Spanish brought peaches to the U.S., but Indigenous peoples spread the fruit across the eastern half of the U.S......»»
An Enormous Meteorite, Bird Flu in Washington State and a Troubling Scurvy Case Study
We cover a 3.26-billion-year-old meteorite impact, the spread of bird flu and a scurvy case study that serves as a cautionary tale in this week’s news roundup......»»
AI model predicts diarrheal disease outbreaks related to climate change
Climate change-related extreme weather, such as massive flooding and prolonged drought, often results in dangerous outbreaks of diarrheal diseases particularly in less developed countries, where diarrheal disease is the third leading cause of death a.....»»
Bacterial pathogen must balance between colonizing airways and developing antibiotic tolerance, study reveals
Imagine trying to settle into a new home while constantly being attacked. That's what the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa faces when it infects the lungs, and it can't both spread and protect itself from antibiotics at the same time......»»
Study shows weak external electric fields may protect crops from infection
Research from Dr. Giovanni Sena's group in the Department of Life Sciences highlights an intriguing method to help protect plants from pathogen attacks using weak electric fields......»»
Bird flu hit a dead end in Missouri, but it’s running rampant in California
No new cases in Missouri, but plenty in California and Washington. As H5N1 bird flu continues to spread wildly among California dairy herds and farmworkers, federal health officia.....»»
Warming lakes and rivers may spread fish pathogens
Michigan's rivers and lakes were once cold enough that fish were protected from some infection-causing parasites. As the Great Lakes ecosystem warms, a Michigan State University researcher is investigating new pathogens that may become relevant to th.....»»
Nanomedicine advances deliver precise antibiotic doses to fight infections and drug resistance
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have developed a new technology that can hold an entire course of antibiotics in one tiny dose and deliver on demand just the right amount of medication that a particular patient needs to fight an infection.....»»
When ribosomes go rogue
Unusual variations in the cellular protein factory can skew development, help cancer spread, and more. But ribosome variety may also play biological roles, scientists say. In the.....»»
Understanding the influence of specific gene mutations on starch properties in barley
Cereals such as rice, wheat, maize, and barley are essential in the human diet and have various uses in the food industry. Their suitability for different industrial applications depends on the properties of their grains. The major component of these.....»»
Risk of cardiovascular disease linked to long-term exposure to arsenic in community water supplies
Long term exposure to arsenic in water may increase cardiovascular disease and especially heart disease risk even at exposure levels below the federal regulatory limit (10µg/L) according to a study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Hea.....»»