ScienceDaily: Plants & Animals News |
| Universal flu vaccine candidate Posted: 29 Mar 2022 03:53 PM PDT Scientists have leveraged on a novel vaccine platform to deliver M2e to immune cells. This allowed them to prove that a single shot immunization containing M2e was able to trigger long-lasting immune responses that could protect effectively against multiple strains of the flu. The team was also able to demonstrate that this vaccination approach significantly enhanced protective immune responses in the context of pre-existing flu immunity. This scenario is particularly relevant in adult and elderly populations, where individuals have been exposed to flu viruses multiple times in the past and have low levels of M2e-specific antibodies in their blood circulation. |
| Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:28 PM PDT The same light bulbs used in offices and public spaces can destroy coronaviruses and HIV, according to a new study. |
| Unravelling the mystery of parrot longevity Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:28 PM PDT Bigger brains have led some species of parrot to live surprisingly long lives, new research shows. |
| Zebra finch males sing in dialects and females pay attention Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:28 PM PDT Male zebra finches learn their song by imitating conspecifics. To stand out in the crowd, each male develops its own unique song. Because of this individual-specific song, it was long assumed that dialects do not exist in zebra finches. However, with the help of an artificial intelligence technique, researchers have now been able to show that the songs of four different zebra finch populations differ systematically. They also discovered that these 'cryptic dialects' are decisive for the females' choice of mate. Thus, female zebra finches pay more attention to a cultural trait than to male appearance. |
| Researchers identify key complex for ribosome generation Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:25 AM PDT Researchers have identified a four-protein complex that appears to play a key role in generating ribosomes -- organelles that serve as protein factories for cells -- as well as a surprising part in neurodevelopmental disorders. The findings could lead to new ways to manipulate ribosome production, which could impact a variety of conditions that affect human health. |
| Head-mounted microscope reaches deeper into mouse brains Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:25 AM PDT Researchers have developed a miniature microscope that is designed for high-resolution 3D images inside the brains of living mice. The new, lightweight design could help scientists understand how brain cells operate by imaging deeper into the brain than previously possible with miniature widefield microscopes. |
| Roundworms’ egg cells have a backup plan Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:25 AM PDT Researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism in roundworms that protects their egg cells from division errors. Uncovering and understanding this hidden mechanism could ultimately lead to new strategies for combating infertility in humans. |
| New software to help discover valuable compounds Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:25 AM PDT Because the comparative metabolomics field lacks sophisticated data analysis tools that are available to genomics and proteomics researchers, metabolomics researchers spend a lot of time hunting for candidate compounds that could be useful as leads for the development of new pharmaceuticals or agrochemicals. To solve this problem, scientists have developed Metaboseek, a free, easy-to-use app that integrates multiple data analysis features for the metabolomics community. |
| Sensor for faster, more accurate COVID-19 tests Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PDT Researchers say the sensor combines accuracy levels approaching that of PCR testing with the speed of rapid antigen tests, and could be used for mass testing at airports, schools, and hospitals. |
| Nature-based carbon removal can help protect us from a warming planet Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PDT A new study finds that temporary nature-based carbon removal can lower global peak warming levels but only if complemented by ambitious fossil fuel emission reductions. |
| Researchers expand target range of CRISPR/Cas Systems Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PDT Researchers have created a genome editing technology that allows for slight variations in target DNA but retains local specificity, and which could help realize the potential of CRISPR/Cas-based gene therapy and pathogen diagnosis. |
| Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PDT According to the latest assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions is required to limit the consequences of climate change. Producing fuel from renewable sources such as waste wood and straw or renewable electricity would be one way to reduce carbon emissions from the area of transportation. |
| Spiders use webs to extend their hearing Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PDT A newly published study of orb-weaving spiders has yielded some extraordinary results: The spiders are using their webs as extended auditory arrays to capture sounds, possibly giving spiders advanced warning of incoming prey or predators. |
| Dried avocado meal, a novel fiber source to be added to commercial dog food Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PDT Thanks to avocados' rise to superfood stardom, there are now more avocado-derived products in the supply chain than ever. In a unique study, researchers looked at the possibility of using avocado meal -- the ground, dried, and defatted pulp, seed, and skin left over after avocado oil processing -- as a fiber source in dry dog food. |
| Residual water from the food industry gives seaweed cultivation a boost Posted: 29 Mar 2022 07:00 AM PDT Process water from the food industry is an excellent fertilizer in land-based seaweed cultivation. Not only does the seaweed grow faster; its protein content also multiplies. In this way, process water can go from being a cost to becoming a resource in the food industry. |
| I was here first! This is how hepatitis C inhibits hepatitis E Posted: 29 Mar 2022 06:07 AM PDT Infections with hepatitis C and E are so common that, going only by statistics, many people should be infected with both viruses at the same time. However, only very few such cases have been reported. A research team has a guess as to why this is the case: The researchers found that the viruses inhibit each other when they infect at the same time. |
| Hundreds of new mammal species waiting to be found, study says Posted: 28 Mar 2022 12:05 PM PDT At least hundreds of so-far unidentified species of mammals are hiding in plain sight around the world, a new study suggests. Researchers found that most of these hidden mammals are small bodied, many of them bats, rodents, shrews, and moles. |
| Invading hordes of crazy ants may have finally met their kryptonite Posted: 28 Mar 2022 12:05 PM PDT Scientists have have demonstrated how to use a naturally occurring fungus to crush local populations of tawny crazy ants. |
| Citizen science data are crucial to understand wildlife roadkill, demonstrates a study in Flanders Posted: 28 Mar 2022 10:37 AM PDT Researchers in Flanders (Belgium) analyzed roadkill records from the last decade in the region, using data provided by citizen scientists. Their study looks at the fate of 17 mammal species on the roads of Flanders. In the last decade, roadkill incidents there have diminished, but the exact reason is hard to pin down. The recorded observations, the scientists warn, 'are only the tip of the iceberg'. |
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