Body

'Canaries' of the ocean highlight threat to world's ecosystems

Fifty-nine finfish species have 'disappeared' from fishermen's catches in the world's most species rich and vulnerable marine region, new research has shown.

In the largest study of its kind, experts from Newcastle University, UK, have highlighted the impact that uncontrolled fishing in particular is having on coral reefs.

Drawing on the knowledge of local fishermen in the Philippines, the team were able to build a picture of how finfish populations have declined over the last 65 years.

Researchers solve the structure of the Zika virus helicase

A team led by researchers from Tianjin University (P.R. China) has solved the structure of the Zika virus helicase, which is a key target for antiviral development. The research is published in Springer's journal Protein & Cell.

The Zika virus can cause microcephaly and other severe birth defects. However, as there are currently no effective vaccines or therapies available to contain ZIKV infection, ZIKV remains a significant challenge to public health.

Man-eating monster crocodile may be Florida's newest invasive species

Spotting native alligators and crocodiles in Florida is common, but anyone who sees a large reptile may want to take a second look-- man-eaters that can grow to 18 feet long and weigh as much as a small car have been found in the Sunshine State.

Using DNA analysis, University of Florida researchers have confirmed the capture of multiple Nile crocodiles in the wild.

Harvard chemists develop simple new platform for development of macrolide antibiotics

Harvard researchers have created a new, greatly simplified, platform for antibiotic discovery that may go a long way to solving the crisis of antibiotic resistance.

In a study just published in the journal Nature, Andrew G. Myers and colleagues describe "a platform where we assemble eight (chemical) building blocks by a simple process to make macrolide antibiotics" without using erythromycin, the original macrolide antibiotic, and the drug upon which all others in the class have been based since the early 1950s.

Liquid order: Fluid self-organizes into structure that controls cell growth and health

Although known since the 1830s as a round, dark spot in a cell's nucleus, only recently has the nucleolus gotten its full due. Scientists have learned that besides building a cell's protein factories, this specialized subunit, or organelle, serves more broadly as a control center for cellular growth and health.

In obese prostate cancer patients, robotic surgery reduces risk of blood loss

MAYWOOD, IL. -- In obese prostate cancer patients, robotic-assisted surgery to remove the prostate reduces the risk of blood loss and prolonged hospital stays, a Loyola Medicine study has found.

The study by senior author Gopal Gupta, MD and colleagues is published in the journal Current Urology. Dr. Gupta is an assistant professor in the Department of Urology of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Cochrane review: Fixed-dose combinations vs single-drug for treating pulmonary TB

A research team from Spain has prepared a Cochrane systematic review that explores the efficacy, safety, and adherence to fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of drugs versus single-drug formulations to treat people who are newly diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).

Tuberculosis (TB) is a curable and preventable disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and most often affects the lungs of infected individuals. This disease is found worldwide, and 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Also, TB is the leading killer of HIV-positive people.

UMMS scientists create computational tool for greater understanding of metabolic network

Scientists at UMass Medical School have created a computational network model that will enable the unraveling of the mechanisms by which different macro- and micronutrients contribute to the physiology of the nematode C. elegans, which is a primary model for understanding human physiology and disease. The purpose of the new network, called iCEL1273, is to provide a framework to gain a broader understanding of the interactions between the animal and its bacterial diet.

Developing tropical storm triggers deadly landslides in Sri Lanka

A storm does not have to be especially powerful in terms of its winds to be deadly. Such is the case with Tropical Cyclone 01B (TC 01B) in the Bay of Bengal. Despite only reaching minimal tropical storm intensity just this morning at 06 UTC 18 May 2016, the system has been responsible for dumping heavy rains in and around Sri Lanka and southern Indian over the past few days as it tried to organize itself in the southwestern Bay of Bengal. This set the stage for two massive landslides, which buried 3 villages in south central Sri Lanka.

SEISE tool uses semantic gaps to detect website promotional attacks

By detecting semantic inconsistencies in content, researchers have developed a new technique for identifying promotional infections of websites operated by government and educational organizations. Such attacks use code embedded in highly-ranked sites to drive traffic to sketchy websites selling fake drugs, counterfeit handbags and plagiarized term papers - or installing drive-by malware.

NIST forensic scientist helps Vietnamese counterparts identify wartime remains

In a Hanoi, Vietnam, hotel conference room, Mike Coble led a group of scientists through a series of calculations. Coble's presentation was heavy on the statistics, and this created a lot of work for the translators. It took two of them, working tag-team, to keep up.

Large-scale HIV vaccine trial to launch in South Africa

An early-stage HIV vaccine clinical trial in South Africa has determined that an investigational vaccine regimen is safe and generates comparable immune responses to those reported in a landmark 2009 study showing that a vaccine can protect people from HIV infection. Consequently, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and its partners have decided to advance the experimental HIV vaccine regimen into a large clinical trial.

Scientists uncover novel therapeutic targets and candidate biomarkers in childhood cancers

Porto Alegre, May 12th, 2016 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Researchers at the Children's Cancer Institute (Instituto do Câncer Infantil, ICI), the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), the Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, and the Pediatric Oncology Service at the university hospital (Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, HCPA) have obtained evidence suggesting that proteins known to regulate neuronal development and plasticity may be useful biomarkers and therapeutic targets in childhood cancers.

How birds turn red

In the bird world, the color red has special significance. Many species use red signals to attract mates or deter rivals, adding the color to their beaks, feathers, or bare skin. Generally speaking, as far as many birds are concerned, redder is better. Now, two teams of researchers have independently identified an enzyme-encoding gene that allows some bird species to convert yellow pigments from their diets into that remarkable red. Their findings are reported on May 19 in Current Biology.

'Piggybacking' mitochondrial DNA can compromise mitochondrial replacement therapy

Mitochondrial replacement therapy, where a nucleus from a mother's egg cell is transferred into a donor egg containing healthy mitochondria, shows promise for preventing the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA diseases. However, small amounts of mitochondrial DNA can sometimes hitch a ride with the transferred nucleus, and a study publishing May 19 in Cell Stem Cell shows that this DNA can override the mitochondria in the donor cell. The findings may call into question the beneficial effect of nuclear transfer for mitochondrial replacement therapy.