Three Die After Untreatable "Superbug" Fungus Infections in Two Different Cities
"U.S. health officials said Thursday they now have evidence of an untreatable fungus spreading in two hospitals and a nursing home," reports the Associated Press: The "superbug" outbreaks were reported in a Washington, D.C, nursing home and at two D.....»»
Researchers discover crucial step in creating blood stem cells
A microbial sensor that helps identify and fight bacterial infections also plays a key role in the development of blood stem cells, providing a valuable new insight in the effort to create patient-derived blood stem cells that could eliminate the nee.....»»
Nanoparticles with antibacterial action could shorten duration of tuberculosis treatment
A low-cost technology involving nanoparticles loaded with antibiotics and other antimicrobial compounds that can be used in multiple attacks on infections by the bacterium responsible for most cases of tuberculosis has been developed by researchers a.....»»
Europe"s earliest cities relied on fertilizer and plant protein, isotope analysis shows
Nutrition in Trypillia mega-sites is currently the focus of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1266 at Kiel University (CAU). In the forest steppe northwest of the Black Sea—today the territory of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine—mega-sit.....»»
What turns a fungal scavenger into a killer?
Beware the sticky, tricky genetic weapons of a fungal carnivore. Enlarge / The fungus' favorite food. (credit: Bishwo Adhikari, Brigham Young University) Some of the scariest monsters are microscopic. The carnivorous fun.....»»
Could Culver City"s landmark deal to end oil production be a model for other cities?
Culver City has struck a deal with one of California's largest oil producers to end petroleum extraction and plug all wells within the city limits by the end of the decade—an agreement that environmentalists say could serve as a model for other mun.....»»
Research reveals regions in US where heat adaptation and mitigation efforts can most benefit future populations
Extreme heat waves, once considered rare, are now frequent and severe in cities due to climate change. Phoenix faced such a brutal heat wave in July of 2023 when it endured 31 consecutive days of high temperatures of at least 110° F. The severity of.....»»
Ancient DNA reveals how a chicken virus evolved to become more deadly
An international team of scientists led by geneticists and disease biologists from the University of Oxford and LMU Munich have used ancient DNA to trace the evolution of Marek's Disease Virus (MDV). This global pathogen causes fatal infections in un.....»»
Drug-resistant fungus is on the rise worldwide, says molecular biologist
The Candida auris fungus is spreading across the globe at an "alarming" speed. This species of fungus, which can cause fatal infections in risk groups and was first discovered only 10 years ago, can now be found all over the world. In nearly all case.....»»
Our cities will need to harvest stormwater in an affordable and green way—here"s how
When it rains, stormwater runs down surfaces like streets and parking lots and into drains. Most of the time, we see it as a problem because it can cause floods. Recent storms across eastern Australia created huge amounts of stormwater and flooding......»»
Study finds configuration of green spaces in cities determines the characteristics of their birds
An international team including researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), has studied the distribution of 115 species of birds in spring and 72 that spend the winter in nine European cit.....»»
Novel early-detection method aims to stem disease spread in animal trade
A new article published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution by researchers describes a simplified method to detect a deadly fungus killing European salamanders. The ability to rapidly find the fungus is significant as the disease, althoug.....»»
Google Fiber’s 20-gig service is coming to these cities for $250 a month
Service starts in "Kansas City, North Carolina’s Triangle Region, Arizona, and Iowa." Enlarge (credit: Google) In October, Google Fiber announced a ridiculously fast new tier of its Internet service: 20Gbps symmetrical.....»»
A nanoprobe with a barcode: Sensors detect active proteases
Protein-splitting enzymes play an important role in many physiological processes. Such proteases are generally present in an inactive state, only becoming activated under certain conditions. Some are linked to diseases like infections or cancer, maki.....»»
Structure of a central component of the human immune system revealed
A central component of the human immune system, the NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in fighting off infections. However, its chronic activation is also implicated in a variety of common diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple.....»»
Methane emissions from Dutch canals underestimated, researcher finds
Researchers have so far underestimated methane emissions from canals in five major Dutch cities. That is the conclusion of microbiologist Koen Pelsma, who will defend his Ph.D. thesis on this topic at Radboud University on 13 December......»»
New fungus is the oldest disease-causing species found to date
The earliest disease-causing fungus has been discovered within the Natural History Museum's fossil collections. The new fungal plant pathogen, Potteromyces asteroxylicola, which is 407-million-years-old, has been named in honor of celebrated Tales of.....»»
Much effort, little prey: Poor foraging success drives bats away from cities
While some wildlife species thrive well in cities, it's harder for large, insectivorous bat species to find enough food. To get their fill, city-dwelling common noctules (Nyctalus noctula) have to hunt longer than their rural counterparts and yet the.....»»
Nanomaterial with "light switch" kills Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria
Health care-associated infections are a common problem in suppurating wound care, as is the rise in multi-drug resistant bacteria. In order to effectively and selectively combat bacterial infections, a team of researchers has developed a bactericidal.....»»
New methods for improving water management to develop sustainable cities
Water, as one of the essential natural resources, is vital for the growth of any region. How much water a city has access to and how water is distributed is a crucial part of sustainable development......»»
Building African cities that cope with climate shocks—experts outline what it will take
The international climate change negotiations began almost three decades ago when many were still hesitant to accept that human activities were changing the planet. Now the scientific evidence is unequivocal. Climate change is a major threat to our w.....»»