Model analyzes how viruses escape the immune system
Using this computational system, researchers can identify viral protein sequences that could make better vaccine targets.
Jan. 14, 2021 • ~8 min
mathematics genetics artificial-intelligence covid-19 hivaids broad-institute microbes vaccines viruses research school-of-engineering school-of-science electrical-engineering-computer-science-eecs computer-science-and-technology computer-science-and-artificial-intelligence-laboratory-csail national-science-foundation-nsf biological-engineering mit-schwarzman-college-of-computing
Study finds link between gut microbes and Type 2 diabetes
A large-scale international study uses metagenomics and blood analysis to uncover gut microbes associated with the risks for common illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Jan. 11, 2021 • ~5 min
diet obesity type-2-diabetes health-medicine plant-based-diet gut-microbes andrew-t-chan personalized-responses-to-dietary-composition-trial-1 predict-1
Inspired by kombucha tea, engineers create “living materials”
A symbiotic culture of specialized yeast and bacteria can generate tough materials able to perform a variety of functions.
Jan. 11, 2021 • ~5 min
microbes research sensors school-of-engineering electrical-engineering-computer-science-eecs biological-engineering
Scientists discover slimy microbes that may help keep coral reefs healthy
The bacteria scrub out nitrogen, potentially defending against certain nutrient overloads.
Jan. 8, 2021 • ~7 min
chemistry environment bacteria biology microbes research school-of-science oceanography-and-ocean-engineering eaps ocean-science
Turning microbiome research into a force for health
A diverse group of researchers is working to turn new discoveries about the trillions of microbes in the body into treatments for a range of diseases.
Jan. 5, 2021 • ~10 min
health medicine bacteria startups broad-institute microbes disease research drug-development school-of-engineering innovation-and-entrepreneurship-ie alumniae biological-engineering
Peatlands keep a lot of carbon out of Earth's atmosphere, but that could end with warming and development
Peat beds around the world hold huge quantities of carbon and keep it from warming the planet. But rising temperatures and over-use could turn them from a brake on climate change into an accelerant.
Dec. 7, 2020 • ~9 min
climate-change amazon microbes carbon-sequestration permafrost congo soil-carbon wildfires wetlands peatlands peat whisky
Microbes might be gatekeepers of the planet’s greatest greenhouse gas reserves
If so, then the possibility of planetary super-heating in future has just become much more real.
Nov. 12, 2020 • ~6 min
climate-change microbes methane
Antarctic sea ice may not cap carbon emissions as much as previously thought
Study suggests sea ice blocks the flow of carbon both into and out of the ocean, in roughly equal measure.
Oct. 1, 2020 • ~6 min
climate-change environment climate carbon carbon-dioxide microbes research school-of-engineering school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf civil-and-environmental-engineering computer-modeling eaps ocean-science earth-and-atmospheric-sciences
Ancient microbial life used arsenic to thrive in a world without oxygen
How ancient microbes survived in a world without oxygen has been a mystery. Scientists discovered a living microbial mat that uses arsenic instead of oxygen for photosynthesis and respiration.
Sept. 25, 2020 • ~9 min
metabolism mars microbes photosynthesis oxygen arsenic astrobiology origin-of-life stromatolites
How a pregnant mouse's microbes influence offspring's brain development – new study offers clues
Microbes in the gut aren't just important for digesting your food. In pregnant women, these gut microbes are producing chemicals that are essential for proper brain development of the fetus.
Sept. 23, 2020 • ~8 min
health medicine biology microbiome microbes viruses pregancy virome vaginal-microbiome
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