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Stowers scientists uncover a hidden blueprint in aphids, providing a way to predict what AI couldn't solve alone

Researchers at the Stowers Institute used AlphaFold2 and evolutionary data to predict protein structures in aphids, which were previously inaccessible to AI. The study reveals a common architectural plan among 2,400 BICYCLE proteins, showcasing the evolution's role in helping AI predict protein structures.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2026

Immune system and mental health

Researchers analyzed studies of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mood disorders, finding distinct patterns of innate immune activity. TLR4, TLR8, and TLR10 were increased in schizophrenia, while TLR2, TLR5, and TLR6 were increased in mood disorders, indicating partially distinct mechanisms of innate immune activation.

SourceWroclaw Medical University·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 25, 2026

New uOttawa study suggests gene linked to Parkinson's disease holds clues to battling deadly bacterial infections

Researchers have discovered a gene linked to Parkinson's disease may also strengthen the body's ability to fight dangerous infections. The study found that a well-studied mutation in the LRRK2 gene increases the production of reactive oxygen species, making immune cells more effective at eliminating intracellular bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Building your immunity: Tissue-resident immune cells defend human lungs from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections

A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

Completeness, accuracy nearly doubled for Japanese genome mapping

A team of researchers has made a significant contribution to understanding human genetics by mapping the Japanese genome, revealing new insights into genetic disease shaping in the Japanese population. The study nearly doubled the complete reconstruction rate to 91.2%, enabling better personalized medicine and treatment options.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

How cells fight infection from the inside

Scientists discovered a new way cells fight infection, using a method called antibody-directed xenophagy (ADX), which can digest bacteria and viruses inside infected cells. ADX is triggered by a protein called TRIM21, which flags invading pathogens for destruction.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2026

Tort immunity and nursing home staffing

A cohort study found that introducing immunity in US nursing homes was associated with lower overall staffing and staff-to-resident time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states adopted immunity from tort liability for harms to nursing home residents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateJun 1, 2026

We can help the body fight entire viral families

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that combining key vaccine ingredients could give the body the tools it needs to fight the entire family of arenaviruses with a single vaccine. This approach may protect against life-threatening infections from Lassa virus, Junin virus, and many other arenaviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2026

Breaking the bottleneck in in vivo and in situ monitoring: Science Bulletin reports a host-based antifouling gold nanotube sensor for the selective detection of mechanically sensitive serotonin release in intestinal mucosa

Researchers developed a flexible electrochemical sensing platform that captures dynamic small-molecule chemical signals in the gut. The platform reveals a new mechanism underlying enhanced intestinal mechanosensation under microbe-related stimulation, enabling real-time monitoring of serotonin release.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2026

Links discovered between mitochondrial lipid deficiency and inflammation of the gut

A study published in Nature Metabolism has found a crucial link between mitochondrial lipid deficiency and gut inflammation, revealing that cardiolipin plays a key role in maintaining immune homeostasis. The research suggests that targeting the metabolism of immune cells could be a new approach to treating inflammatory bowel diseases.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Blood stem cells evade immunity in aplastic anemia by similar genetic mutations arising independently

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that blood stem cells with aplastic anemia escape the immune system by acquiring different gene mutations independently. These mutations, such as HLA loss and CHIP gene changes, allow cells to hide from the immune system and provide long-term remission.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 1, 2026

How bacteria outsmart the immune system: Two-pronged strategy revealed

Researchers have discovered how a disease-causing bacterium uses a single protein to interfere with the body's defenses in multiple ways, offering a clearer picture of how infections take hold at the cellular level. This discovery highlights the importance of targeting specific interactions between bacterial proteins and human cells in...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

Smarter tissue and organ repair thanks to made in Ottawa next-gen hydrogel

Researchers from the University of Ottawa have developed a groundbreaking biomaterial that combines strength, adaptability, and biological compatibility for soft tissue repair. The hydrogel is made from synthetic peptides and can be precisely tailored through chemical design, making it an attractive alternative to existing biomaterials.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2026

How age, sex and genetics shape our antibodies

A study found that age, biological sex, and human genetic factors determine the quantity and specificity of antibodies produced in response to viral infections. The research has significant implications for vaccine and therapeutic design, as it shows that individual profiles can be tailored to improve treatment effectiveness.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Immunology·TypeCase study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Ribosomal engineering creates “super-probiotic” bacteria

Researchers from Shinshu University used ribosome engineering to modify probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, resulting in increased colonization and enhanced immune stimulation. The engineered bacteria exhibit altered surface protein expression and induce higher activation of immune cells.

SourceShinshu University·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026