Bumblebee foraging behavior altered by low levels of pesticides, changing floral preferences and hindering learning skills.
Scientists from the UK and US are working together to develop new synthetic vaccines and understand how viruses interact with their environment. Repeated strain of Potato virus Y in the US has caused greater crop damage and is harder to control, according to research. Avian influenza poses a threat to food security worldwide.
New research predicts more frequent extreme weather events will disrupt global food production, leading to 'food shocks' that can wreak havoc on markets and families worldwide. The study highlights the increasing interconnectedness of global food systems, making countries vulnerable to distant production shocks.
Scientists have developed a rapid diagnostic test to combat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a deadly sleeping sickness. The test requires a pin-prick blood sample and is more heat-stable and user-friendly than existing methods.
Three high-value research projects will receive £13.9M in funding to develop cheap and effective vaccines for poultry, create self-fertilising plants and breed elite lines of wheat. The projects are led by world-leading researchers and will address major scientific challenges with five years of funding.
Researchers discovered a 'self-protection' protein in predatory bacteria that binds to enzymes, temporarily deactivating them. This mechanism helps Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus protect itself from its own attack while killing other bacteria.
Researchers uncovered molecular mechanisms behind caste differentiation in insects, revealing subtle gene networks and lack of DNA methylation. The study used two species, dinosaur ants and red paper wasps, to gain insights into social evolution.
Researchers challenge current theories of ageing by finding that brain activity in older adults is not reduced as previously thought. A new study using resting state fMRI measurements suggests that age-related differences in brain signal amplitude are due to vascular health, rather than brain function.
The UK government has announced a £40 million investment in synthetic biology, aiming to create biological 'factories' that produce essential products like medicines and chemicals. Three new research centres will be established in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Warwick to boost national research capacity.
Scientists have mapped the physical structure of the nuclear landscape to understand changes in genomic interactions during cell senescence and ageing. They reconciled two models of ageing, finding that SAHF domains show a dramatic loss of local interconnectivity and internal structure in senescent chromatin.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has funded five high-value research projects worth £15.8M to tackle major scientific challenges in health, energy and agriculture. The projects will focus on producing clean energy, developing new medicines and protecting livestock from disease.
A new study links climate change to the spread of an exotic honey bee parasite, which could lead to increased colony losses in Britain. The research suggests that warmer temperatures will allow the parasite to become more prevalent, negatively impacting native species.
The UK will receive £125M over five years to support PhD training in agriculture, food security, industrial biotechnology, bioenergy, and health. This funding aims to build on the country's strengths in these areas and tackle major challenges such as food demand, sustainable industries, and healthcare.
Researchers have identified variant straw plants with highly digestible cell walls, paving the way for cost-effective and sustainable biofuels. These discoveries could help ease pressure on global food security and reduce carbon emissions, making them a promising solution to address climate change.
Scientists from the John Innes Centre are developing a new business concept to revive heritage lines of barley for brewing, offering greater choice and added value to farmers and brewers. The venture aims to provide sustainable production and high-quality malting barley, capitalizing on the demand for unique beer ingredients.
A new study reveals that p38 MAPK is activated by low nutrient levels and age-related signals, leading to the decline of immune function in older T lymphocytes. Blocking this pathway may help restore their function, potentially improving immunity in older adults.
Researchers developed a powerful single-cell technique to study environmental effects on DNA, mapping epigenetic marks in individual cells. This approach has the potential to enhance clinical applications like cancer therapy and fertility treatments.
Research identifies TOR signalling pathway as key driver of endoplasmic reticulum expansion in cancer cells, enabling constant protein and lipid production. The findings may uncover future targets for cancer treatment.
A recent study discovered how the bloodsucking parasitic mite Varroa destructor transforms Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) into a major threat to UK honeybees. DWV is usually harmless, but when transmitted by Varroa, it amplifies a virulent form of the virus associated with disease.
Six projects funded to improve understanding of food choice, develop healthier foods, and explore the impact of small behavioural changes on weight management and osteoarthritis. The research aims to deliver real health benefits to UK consumers.
The UK has invested £5.64M in the European X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFEL) project, allowing UK researchers to use serial femtosecond crystallography for high-resolution biological molecule determination. This cutting-edge technology will enable scientists to study the smallest building blocks of life at unprecedented speeds and reso...
Researchers have discovered how proteins fetuin-A and albumin can slow down the uptake of calcium phosphate crystals by blood vessel cells, reducing damage. The study offers potential to develop treatments to prevent and reduce the damaging effects of calcification in ageing and several diseases.
Researchers at King's College London have identified new pain relief targets that could help chemotherapy patients who suffer from persistent pain. The discovery was made by investigating how pain occurs in nerves and found that the immune system plays a key role in causing pain.
A new computer model, BEEHAVE, simulates the life of a honey bee colony over several years, investigating the losses of honeybee colonies and identifying key factors affecting their health. The model shows that food availability, mite infestation, and disease are critical to maintaining healthy hives.
Research finds that common honeybee diseases can infect and spread to wild bumblebees, potentially causing decline. The study suggests that managing honeybees is crucial for supporting wild bee populations and reducing the impact of emerging diseases.
The UK has established three new synthetic biology research centres, with £40M+ investment, to drive advancement in modern synthetic biology research and develop new technologies. The centres will focus on diverse expertise to stimulate innovation in this area.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is investing £10M in advanced scientific research instruments. This funding supports world-leading research in various fields, including plant biology, microscopy, and protein interactions.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC) have jointly awarded £1.43M to support the development of CCP4, a world-leading x-ray crystallography software resource. This funding renewal aims to further scientific knowledge and promote economic growth through innovative approache...
The UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has launched 13 unique collaborative networks to promote interaction between academia and industry, pooling skills to develop research projects with potential to overcome major challenges in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy. The networks will unlock innovative ways t...
The institute will utilize the UAV to monitor thousands of crop plots, enabling detailed evaluations of growth and functionality. The technology will substantially increase throughput and precision in analysis, contributing to various crop improvement projects.
Researchers used gaming technology to capture atomic movements in carbohydrates, shedding light on their role in neuronal development, inflammation and cell structure. The study provides a new view of biochemical barcodes and opens opportunities for designing drugs or biomaterials that mimic carbohydrate shape.
Researchers found that reindeer eyes change color in response to seasonal changes in light levels, from gold in summer to blue in winter. This adaptation helps them see better in the limited light of winter, increasing their sensitivity to detect moving predators.
Plants have a 24-hour circadian rhythm that allows them to measure time and adjust their biology accordingly. Researchers found that sugar production plays a key role in regulating this internal clock.
A new method has produced beautiful 3D models that more accurately show the complex shape and folding of chromosomes. These images reveal a truer picture of their structure, which is rarely like the X-shape, and have direct consequences for health, ageing and disease.
Three projects aim to revolutionise farming methods by enabling crops to fix their own nitrogen, reducing the need for artificial fertilisers. Researchers will search for a lost bacterium with special properties, create synthetic biological modules to produce fertiliser, and engineer beneficial relationships between plants and microbes.
Scientists have discovered a new enzyme that can break down wood into simple sugars, which can then be fermented to produce liquid biofuels. The gribble cellulase is extremely resistant to aggressive chemical environments, making it ideal for industrial applications and potentially reducing costs.
A new grass hybrid, Festulolium, has been developed to reduce the impact of flooding by capturing more water in the soil. The hybrid grass shows potential for reducing flood generation while providing high-quality forage for food production under changing climate conditions.
Researchers found that exposure to combined pesticides interferes with the learning circuits in bees' brains, causing slower learning or forgetting important associations. This has profound implications for honeybee colony survival as bees unable to learn will not be able to find food.
Research models estimate post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) costs British pigs up to £84 per pig, with a two-day quarantine and vaccination strategy saving farmers up to £11,500 per year. The disease affects 30% of cases, causing emaciation and death.
The report outlines key challenges facing UK food imports, such as declining self-sufficiency, food fraud, and reducing food waste. Scientists and experts emphasized the need for a better functioning supply chain, social science perspective, and understanding global diets to address these issues.
The BBSRC has awarded funding to two projects: the Nornex consortium, studying the molecular and cellular basis of interactions between the fungus and ash trees, and Professor Christopher Gilligan's team, developing computer models to predict the spread of ash dieback in the UK.
The UK biopharmaceutical sector is set to receive £6.5M in funding for innovative projects, including industrial-scale production of antibodies and stem cell preservation at room temperature. The funding will support the development of new tools and methods for bioprocessing, which is crucial for developing new drugs.
Researchers identify metabolic switch that turns on aggressive infection in antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The discovery could lead to new treatments for cystic fibrosis patients and superbugs.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched two new schemes to support industrial biotechnology and bioenergy research in the UK. The funding will create networks and collaborative research between academia and industry, fostering sustainable economic growth and new 'green collar' jobs.
Researchers have discovered that the majority of demethylation occurred earlier than previously thought, revealing key insights into methyl group removal. The study identifies regions of DNA that avoid demethylation, potentially explaining how environmental information can be transferred from parent to offspring.
Scientists have unlocked key components of the genetic code of bread wheat, providing a strong foundation for accelerating wheat improvement through advanced molecular breeding and genetic engineering. The analysis enables breeders to select plants with desirable combinations of genes using genetic landmarks in the wheat genome.
A £16M initiative will develop ways to improve the sustainability of vital food crops in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The projects aim to increase sustainable crop yields and improve global food security.
Two new research projects have been awarded £12.2 million in funding to tackle Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and emerging poultry viruses. The projects will focus on developing novel solutions for disease control, including the use of weakened viruses to prompt an immune response.
Research found that chronic exposure to two pesticides impaired natural foraging behaviour and increased worker mortality in bumblebee colonies. This led to significant reductions in colony success and increased rates of colony failure.
A high-resolution draft of the barley genome has been published, revealing insights into its genetic makeup and potential for improvement. The sequence data will aid in breeding more resilient crops that can withstand climate change and disease, benefiting the £20 billion UK beer industry.