USDA scientists found that non-pathogenic E. coli strains can survive longer in underwater sediments than in water, supporting the use of sediment as an indicator of fecal contamination. The study also revealed that higher levels of organic carbon and fine particles in sediment prolonged E. coli survival.
A study found that poor pre-pregnancy diet can lead to reduced birth weights, catch-up growth after weaning, and increased insulin sensitivity in offspring. These effects combined increase the risk of developing type II diabetes and obesity later in life.
Researchers sequenced the microbial communities inside a Tammar wallaby's gut, identifying a bacterium that could help reduce methane emissions in livestock. The study provides insights into the unique gut microbiome of macropods and may lead to strategies for modifying fermentation to produce less methane.
Researchers sequenced 40 new specimens of thaliaceans, a type of free-swimming tunicate, to gain insights into their evolutionary relationships. The study found close ties between thaliaceans and sea squirts, revealing a common ancestor for these groups.
A new study reveals details of the first documented cookiecutter shark attack on a live human, highlighting concerns for swimmers entering warm summer waters. The sharks' unique feeding behavior leaves victims with crater-like wounds requiring plastic surgery, and their bioluminescent features may aid in tracking movement patterns.
The tiny water boatman has been recorded as the loudest animal on Earth, with a sound equivalent to 99.2 decibels. Researchers are now exploring the biological and engineering aspects of this phenomenon to clarify its mechanisms and potential applications.
Zooplankton have adapted to survive in low-oxygen areas by suppressing their metabolism and using anaerobic glycolysis. However, as climate change expands these zones, zooplankton will face increased predation risk, potentially leading to population crashes and cascading effects on the ocean ecosystem.
Researchers found that virus-tested foundation seed increases yield, but quality declines when integrated into commercial farms. Seed productivity and quality vary from year to year and location to location.
A Stanford study has linked gamma-interferon, a key immune molecule, to the severity of asthma. High levels of gamma-interferon in children's blood may protect against asthma development, but severe asthmatics' lungs often have high concentrations.
A comprehensive 8-year study found that holding preservatives increased the vase life of 53 cultivars, while hydrating preservatives reduced it in 18 species. The researchers concluded that a universal recommendation for use of holding preservatives cannot be made due to its negative effect on some cultivars.
Leeds researchers investigate the effectiveness of pure Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) in preventing the spread of bowel cancer to the liver. Previous studies have shown that EPA may prevent large bowel polyps, a precursor to colorectal cancer.
Researchers have developed a new treatment approach to Usher syndrome, a debilitating disease causing congenital deaf-blindness. A small molecule called PTC124 (Ataluren) has been shown to ignore stop signals in mutated genes, allowing for continued protein synthesis and potentially reversing sight loss.