Why some coronavirus strains are more infectious than others
The coronaviruses that cause SARS and COVID-19 have spike proteins that move into 'active' and 'inactive' positions. New research indicates how those molecular movements may make the COVID-19 virus more infectious compared to the SARS virus......»»
Researchers discover novel antibiotic substance in the human nose
Researchers at the University of Tübingen have discovered a novel antibiotic substance from the human nose that can be used against pathogenic bacteria. Named epifadin, the molecule is produced from specific strains of the bacterial species Staphylo.....»»
Nanoparticle flu vaccine design shows promise in early tests
Existing flu vaccines provide only limited, seasonal protection because they target highly changeable proteins on the virus. Scripps Research scientists have now designed a vaccine that should work broadly against influenza A strains—one of the two.....»»
Using machine learning to identify microbiota patterns important for plant protection
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, the Vorholt lab investigated the properties of plant microbiota involved in host protection against pathogen colonization. They identified the presence of specific strains that confer robust prote.....»»
Newly identified algal strains rich in phosphorous could improve wastewater treatment
Phosphorus in wastewater is a major contributor to harmful algal blooms in water bodies around the globe, with the potential to harm wildlife, livestock, and even humans. To prevent this, wastewater treatment plants often rely on chemical- and energy.....»»
Nano-sized cell particles are promising intervention tool in treating infectious diseases, says study
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of being prepared with drug interventions to contain viral outbreaks that can otherwise have devastating consequences. In preparing for the next pandemic—or Disease X, there is an urgent need for ve.....»»
The "jigglings and wigglings of atoms" reveal key aspects of COVID-19 virulence evolution
Richard Feynman famously stated, "Everything that living things do can be understood in terms of the jigglings and wigglings of atoms." This week, Nature Nanotechnology features a study that sheds new light on the evolution of the coronavirus and its.....»»
The infectious disease forecast for Thanksgiving is looking dicey
Respiratory virus season is in full swing as people ready for family gatherings. Enlarge / Travelers walk through Union Station as they travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in Washington, DC, November 21, 2023. (credit: Getty.....»»
How the COVID-19 virus makes itself more infectious
Scientists at EPFL have uncovered a cunning strategy that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, uses to increase its infectivity......»»
Surveying wetlands for infectious bird flu—and finding it
Recently, morning omelets and holiday dinners have gotten more expensive. One likely cause is bird flu, outbreaks of which led to the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys from infection or culling in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Ag.....»»
How tiny hinges bend the infection-spreading spikes of a coronavirus
A coronavirus uses protein "spikes" to grab and infect cells. Despite their name, those spikes aren't stiff and pointy. They're shaped like chicken drumsticks with the meaty part facing out, and the meaty part can tilt every which way on its slender.....»»
Researchers confirm six unique strains of African swine fever virus
The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) has announced that researchers have reclassified the number of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus strains from 25 to only six unique genotypes. This scientific innovation may he.....»»
Scientists discover key to a potential natural cancer treatment"s potency
Slumbering among thousands of bacterial strains in a collection of natural specimens at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, several fragile vials held something unexpected, and possibly very useful......»»
The Long Quest for a Universal Flu Vaccine Finally Takes Its First Steps
The search for a shot that could protect us against many strains—and maybe a pandemic—is notching achievements at last. But the flu’s endless mutation and our own biology stand in the way......»»
Yeast with more than 50% synthetic genome is created in the lab
Researchers have combined over seven synthetic chromosomes that were made in the lab into a single yeast cell, resulting in a strain with more than 50% synthetic DNA that survives and replicates similarly to wild yeast strains......»»
Fungal hybrids study finds climate crisis could trigger outbreak of new and lethal infectious diseases
The climate emergency poses a major threat to human health. Rising temperatures and changes in ecosystem conditions, coupled with globalization and human action, such as the extensive use of fungicides and antibiotics in agriculture, can favor the em.....»»
Researchers develop metal-enhanced fluorescence probes for influenza A virus detection
Recurring influenza epidemics, such as the one during World War I, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in the 2010s, and the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years have made it evident that contagious viral respiratory dis.....»»
Learning more about how flu strains evolved may help guide future vaccine development
Simon Fraser University researchers studying the evolutionary history of flu viruses have found that a new quantitative analysis of how they evolved may help predict future strains. The research draws on a field known as phylogenetics, which focuses.....»»
Measuring mechanical stresses and strains in graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes
Texas A&M University researchers have discovered that when charging a supercapacitor, it stores energy and responds by stretching and expanding. This finding can be used to design new materials for flexible electronics or other devices that must be b.....»»
Pig welfare outweighs climate concerns for consumers, study finds
Pork production is a societal concern on several fronts: antibiotics use, infectious disease, poor animal welfare and climate and environmental pressures. Even though the beef, coffee and chocolate industries are each major climate culprits, the worl.....»»
Scientists uncover cause of mysterious deaths of elephants in Zimbabwe
A bacterium, closely associated with deadly septicemia, could have caused the deaths of six African elephants in Zimbabwe and possibly more in neighboring countries. The findings place infectious diseases on the list of pressures on African elephants.....»»