Новости за 09.02.2022

The gut microbiome is an ecosystem of hundreds to thousands of microbial species living within the human body. These populations affect our health, fertility, and even our longevity. But how do they get there in the first place? New research reveals crucial details about how the bacterial communities that comprise each of our individual gut microbiomes are acquired. These findings have major implications for treatments such as fecal transplants and probiotic administration.

Researchers have created artificial colors by 3D printing certain nanostructures inspired by those of a butterfly. This principle can be used in the future to produce color screens.

Chemists describe the key features of a catalyst that determine its selectivity for transforming CO2 and ethane (C2H6) into synthesis gas (useful for generating electricity or making liquid fuels) or, alternatively, ethylene (a building block for making paints, plastics, and other polymers). The findings could inform the rational design of catalysts to yield desired products.

Scientists have taken a big step forward in their quest to design a modular, genetically engineered kill switch that integrates into any genetically engineered microbe, causing it to self-destruct under certain defined conditions.

A new study found concrete evidence that more than 85 percent of the grouper and snapper studied are overfished as a direct result of increasing human demand for seafood.

Field surveys conducted in the days after the 7 January 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake documented more than 300 landslides and severe liquefaction in southern coastal regions, according to a new study.

Astronomers have discovered an unusual massive cluster of young galaxies forming in the early universe. The newly discovered growing galactic metropolis, named MAGAZ3NE J095924+022537, is a newborn galaxy cluster, or protocluster, consisting of at least 38 member galaxies, and is about 11.8 billion light-years away from Earth.

A common virus that causes no harm in most people may be a danger to organ transplant recipients and other immunocompromised people, researchers have found.

Scientists applied their flash Joule heating process to coal fly ash and other toxic waste to safely extract rare earth elements essential to modern electronics and green technologies.

People adopt different social behavior depending on the context they're in. A deeply generous friend may be a cutthroat colleague, for example. Using a game theory framework, researchers find that context-dependent behavior doesn't stop cooperation from flourishing, especially when behavioral strategies can 'spillover' between social settings.

The way we experience the world occurs due to complex and intricate interactions between neurons in the brain. Now, a study suggests that astrocytes -- star-shaped, non-neuronal cells in the brain -- might also play an important role in processing information, and perhaps even memory.

Scientists describe how Ebola virus, which can persist in certain areas of the body, can re-emerge to cause fatal disease -- even long after treatment with monoclonal antibodies.

Fungal disease represents one of the greatest threats to tree industries and forests in the United States. They're carried by invasive wood borers from overseas. A pre-invasion risk assessment tested 111 fungi samples extracted from 55 Eurasian beetles. None of the greenhouse-grown oak or pine saplings inoculated with the fungi died during the study period, and only a few fungi were shown to be weak pathogens.

Sea pineapples are a delicacy in Japan and the Tohoku region is renowned for its extensive sea pineapple industry. Soon they might not only be fueling our appetites, but helping power our future too. A research group demonstrated that the carbonization of cellulose nanofibers within sea pineapple shells produces high-quality carbon that, when mixed with blood waste from the livestock industry, boasts electrical performances similar to that of rare metals.

A new study shows that people with migraine or frequent tension headaches have a reduced work ability in particularly three areas. The researchers hope that the new knowledge may help workplaces become better at accommodating those suffering from headaches.

A research team introduces a new large-scale study on human transcription factors combining two state-of-the art interactomics methods that allow rapid identification of protein-protein interactions and extensive functional information of this important gene family.

A Finnish twin study suggests that the deteriorative effects of cardiovascular risk factors on late-life cognition are stronger in individuals with lower education compared to those with higher education.

The microbiome is home to an estimated 100 trillion bacteria, existing as a dense colony of many different strains and species. Similar to all organisms, bacteria must also compete with one another for space and resources, engaging in "warfare" by releasing toxins to kill competitors. One of the many weapons bacteria use in this inevitable fight is the type VI secretion system (T6SS), which delivers toxic effectors into their enemies.

The fungus-derived compound neoechinulin B demonstrates promising antiviral activity. To realize its potential as an antiviral agent, however, a viable method for preparing more potent derivatives synthetically is necessary. In a recent breakthrough, scientists from Japan designed a simple route for synthesizing neoechinulin B and its derivatives under mild laboratory conditions. Neoechinulin B and six derivatives exhibited excellent antiviral activities against hepatitis C virus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers have demonstrated a new therapeutic way to block a protein that is frequently mutated in cancers. This work, which involves inhibiting the oncogenic protein RAS using small molecules, lays a strong foundation for the development of clinical anti-cancer therapies.

Metal hydrides are considered a cutting-edge storage material for hydrogen. These hydrides function even better, if the micrometer-sized hydride particles are coated with a thin polymer film. Using a sophisticated microscopy technique, a team can now successfully show in detail, how the polymer-coated particles transform during charging and discharging with hydrogen. The results are encouraging and bring practical use of the new technology one step closer.

Researchers found that prunes can help prevent or delay bone loss in postmenopausal women, possibly due to their ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to bone loss.

A routine prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester can identify early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a new study has found.

Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized key player in cancer evolution: clusters of mutations occurring at certain regions of the genome. These mutation clusters contribute to the progression of about 10% of human cancers and can be used to predict patient survival.

Researchers report that sewer slime can accumulate SARS-CoV-2 RNA, which could decompose or slough off later, potentially impacting the accuracy of wastewater epidemiology studies.