Leo Wilson

Using a new approach to shine a light on hidden plant microbes

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Using a new approach to shine a light on hidden plant microbes

A standard metagenomic workflow can be divided into three main stages: Experimental Design, Sequencing Rationale, and Taxonomy & Functional Classification. Credit: Frontiers in Plant Science (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1405042 Despite there being more microbes on Earth than stars in our galaxy, only a tiny fraction have been discovered. An approach called metagenomics—a type of DNA sequencing—may … Read more

Crude oil jumps nearly 3% as Israel vows ‘painful’ response to Iran missile attack

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Crude oil jumps nearly 3% as Israel vows ‘painful’ response to Iran missile attack

U.S. crude oil rose nearly 3% on Wednesday as traders fear Israel could target Iran’s oil infrastructure in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, vowed late Tuesday that Israel will exact a “painful” response against Iran. Danon’s threat came hours after the Islamic Republic launched around 180 … Read more

Antibodies in breast milk provide protection against common GI virus

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Antibodies in breast milk provide protection against common GI virus

A study led by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that breast milk provides protection against rotavirus, a common gastrointestinal disease that causes diarrhea, vomiting and fever in infants. Babies whose mothers had high levels of specific antibodies in their breast milk were able to fend off the infection for a longer … Read more

Synthetic modules boost production of animal-based nutrients in plants

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Synthetic modules boost production of animal-based nutrients in plants

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain It’s important to eat your veggies, but some essential vitamins and nutrients can only be found in animals, including certain amino acids and peptides. Now, in a proof-of-concept study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers have developed a method to produce creatine, carnosine and taurine—all animal-based nutrients … Read more

I’ll never be an optimist – but how do I resist becoming cynical? | Well actually

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I’ll never be an optimist – but how do I resist becoming cynical? | Well actually

I’d never describe myself as cynical. Yes, I have little faith in the likelihood of our coming together as a species to solve the climate crisis, make housing affordable or vote for the non-criminal presidential candidate. But that’s based on evidence. Who could reflect on current events and feel optimistic about the future? That’s what … Read more

Markets watch for dangers of further escalation

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Markets watch for dangers of further escalation

Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, October 1, 2024  Amir Cohen | Reuters Israel’s government has vowed a severe response to Iran’s unprecedented missile barrage into Tel Aviv, leaving the Middle East on edge as fears rise over a possible all-out war between the two long-time foes. On Tuesday … Read more

New mouse models offer valuable window into COVID-19 infection

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Antibodies in breast milk provide protection against common GI virus

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have developed six lines of humanized mice that can serve as valuable models for studying human cases of COVID-19. According to their new study in eBioMedicine, these mouse models are important for COVID-19 research because their cells were engineered to include two important human molecules that are … Read more

Fires taking Amazon closer to ‘point of no return’: Expert

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Fires taking Amazon closer to ‘point of no return’: Expert

Carlos Nobre, 73, is one of the world’s top experts on the Amazon rainforest, and used to be bullish on the vital region’s prospects. A year ago, Carlos Nobre, one of Brazil’s top climate scientists, was a rare voice of optimism about the future of the planet. The 73-year-old, one of the top experts on … Read more