Research Briefing |
Featured
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Nature Podcast |
Cat parasite Toxoplasma tricked to grow in a dish
Cat-only life-cycle stage cultured in vitro, and the mysterious giant proteins that might turn bacteria into killers.
- Nick Petrić Howe
- & Shamini Bundell
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Article
| Open AccessBioactive glycans in a microbiome-directed food for children with malnutrition
Two Prevotella copri metagenome-assembled genomes that are positively associated with ponderal growth are the principal contributors to MDCF-2-induced expression of metabolic pathways involved in utilizing the component glycans of MDCF-2—a microbiome-directed complementary food.
- Matthew C. Hibberd
- , Daniel M. Webber
- & Jeffrey I. Gordon
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Article
| Open AccessIn vitro production of cat-restricted Toxoplasma pre-sexual stages
A study describes the molecular basis of sexual development of Toxoplasma gondii entirely in vitro, demonstrating the role and interaction of AP2XII-1 and AP2XI-2 in the developmental program of this protozoan parasite.
- Ana Vera Antunes
- , Martina Shahinas
- & Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
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Article |
SlyB encapsulates outer membrane proteins in stress-induced lipid nanodomains
SlyB, a lipoprotein in the PhoPQ stress regulon in Gram-negative bacteria, forms stable stress-induced complexes with the outer membrane proteome.
- Arne Janssens
- , Van Son Nguyen
- & Han Remaut
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News |
The world’s largest proteins? These mega-molecules turn bacteria into predators
A candidate for the largest known protein might help killer aquatic bacteria to devour other microbes — but it’s not easy to study the behemoths, or prove they’re even real.
- Ewen Callaway
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News |
Self-copying RNA vaccine wins first full approval: what’s next?
Researchers look ahead to the potential uses and benefits of a technology that has been more than 20 years in the making.
- Elie Dolgin
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Article
| Open AccessReverse metabolomics for the discovery of chemical structures from humans
A new discovery strategy, ‘reverse metabolomics’, facilitates high-throughput matching of mass spectrometry spectra in public untargeted metabolomics datasets, and a proof-of-concept experiment identified an association between microbial bile amidates and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Emily C. Gentry
- , Stephanie L. Collins
- & Pieter C. Dorrestein
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News |
Microbiologists at COP28 push for a seat at the climate-policy table
At this week’s big climate summit and beyond, scientists are campaigning for microbes to be included in climate models and solutions.
- Katherine Bourzac
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News Explainer |
Why has swine flu emerged in a person in the UK — and what’s next?
Scientists are closely monitoring a virus that has been detected for the first time in a UK individual.
- Katharine Sanderson
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Comment |
This is how the world finally ends the HIV/AIDS pandemic
Putting the specific needs of individuals and communities at the heart of HIV/AIDS care, by harnessing behavioural science, is key to building on the progress already been made.
- John Nkengasong
- , Mike Reid
- & Ingrid T. Katz
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News Feature |
These volunteers want to be infected with disease to aid research — will their altruism help?
An advocacy group is pushing for more ‘human challenge’ trials to spur vaccine discovery. Following COVID-19 and Zika studies, hepatitis C could be next.
- Ewen Callaway
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News Explainer |
What’s behind China’s mysterious wave of childhood pneumonia?
Scientists expected a surge in respiratory disease, but what is happening in China is unusual.
- Gemma Conroy
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News |
‘Treasure trove’ of new CRISPR systems holds promise for genome editing
An algorithm that can analyse hundreds of millions of genetic sequences has identified DNA-cutting genes and enzymes that are extremely rare in nature.
- Sara Reardon
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News |
‘Politicians don’t understand science’: advisers give evidence at UK COVID inquiry
Patrick Vallance, Chris Witty and others reflect on advising the UK government during the ongoing investigation into the country’s pandemic response.
- Katharine Sanderson
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Research Highlight |
That itchy, scratchy feeling strikes when Staph bacteria get to work
An enzyme wielded by a common skin bacterium acts on nerve receptors that trigger intense itching.
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Article |
Phages overcome bacterial immunity via diverse anti-defence proteins
A study reports the discovery and characterization of four distinct families of phage-encoded anti-defence proteins that inhibit a variety of bacterial defence systems.
- Erez Yirmiya
- , Azita Leavitt
- & Rotem Sorek
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Article |
Porin-independent accumulation in Pseudomonas enables antibiotic discovery
We use a whole-cell accumulation assay to assess the ability of non-antibiotic, structurally diverse small molecules to accumulate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with potential application in developing drugs to target this pathogen.
- Emily J. Geddes
- , Morgan K. Gugger
- & Paul J. Hergenrother
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Article
| Open AccessHIV-1 Env trimers asymmetrically engage CD4 receptors in membranes
HIV-1 Env trimers bound to one, two and three CD4 molecules are observed at membrane–membrane interfaces between HIV-1 and CD4-decorated virus-like particles.
- Wenwei Li
- , Zhuan Qin
- & Walther Mothes
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Article
| Open AccessStructural basis of Gabija anti-phage defence and viral immune evasion
X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM and biochemical analysis provide insight into the assembly of the bacterial Gabija complex, an anti-phage system, and reveal how viruses can evade this defence mechanism.
- Sadie P. Antine
- , Alex G. Johnson
- & Philip J. Kranzusch
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Article
| Open AccessIntermediate conformations of CD4-bound HIV-1 Env heterotrimers
Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structures of HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimers bound to one or two CD4 receptors identify intermediate Env conformations that precede host–virus fusion and inform the design of therapeutics to prevent HIV-1 infection.
- Kim-Marie A. Dam
- , Chengcheng Fan
- & Pamela J. Bjorkman
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Research Briefing |
The highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.86 is still neutralized by antibodies in the blood
The spike protein of BA.2.86 — a subvariant of Omicron — has a large number of mutations, and binds to its receptor in host cells with high affinity. Despite these characteristics, BA.2.86 is no more resistant to antibodies from vaccinated individuals than are the dominant variants that are currently in circulation.
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Technology Feature |
Microbial miners take on rare-earth metals
As a tech-hungry world gobbles up rare-earth elements, researchers are adapting bacteria that can isolate and purify the metals in the absence of harsh chemicals.
- Amber Dance
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Research Briefing |
Pathogenic bacteria build an iron-storage system for growth and survival in their hosts
Clostridioides difficile can form iron-storage organelles known as ferrosomes. These protect bacteria from iron toxicity and promote infection by acting as a countermeasure to the host’s defence mechanism of iron sequestration.
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Research Briefing |
A viral RNA molecule activates the bacterial immune system during infection
In both humans and bacteria, viral infections lead to the activation of enzymes that generate cyclic nucleotides as messengers to start the immune response. However, how bacteria sense viral invasion was unknown. A structured viral RNA molecule produced during infection has now been identified as a molecular trigger of the bacterial enzyme.
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Article
| Open AccessBacterial cGAS senses a viral RNA to initiate immunity
Staphylococcus CdnE03 cyclase recognizes structured RNA molecules produced by staphylococcal phages, triggering cyclic oligonucleotide production and, thereby, bacterial cell death—a mechanism of antiviral defence conserved across domains of life.
- Dalton V. Banh
- , Cameron G. Roberts
- & Luciano A. Marraffini
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Article |
Clostridioides difficile ferrosome organelles combat nutritional immunity
Ferrosome organelles produced by Clostridioides difficile are required to support colonization of the inflamed gut, highlighting the potential of targeting ferrosome formation as an antimicrobial strategy against this important pathogen.
- Hualiang Pi
- , Rong Sun
- & Eric P. Skaar
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Editorial |
How our memories of COVID-19 are biased — and why it matters
Our view of the effectiveness of past pandemic responses is influenced by our present vaccination status. Public inquiries and future research must take this factor into account.
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Outlook |
Tropical diseases move north
As Earth warms, the creatures that spread neglected tropical diseases are gaining a foothold in Europe. Wealthy countries must prepare themselves for more cases.
- Claire Ainsworth
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Nature Index |
Four science stars on the fast-track to impact
With the world at their feet, these prolific young researchers are making their mark.
- Sandy Ong
- & Chris Woolston
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Nature Podcast |
How to tame a toxic yet life-saving antifungal
Researchers modify drug to prevent kidney damage, and the mystery of the phosphorus at the Milky Way’s edge.
- Benjamin Thompson
- & Nick Petrić Howe
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Article |
Single-molecule dynamics show a transient lipopolysaccharide transport bridge
As well as being the substrate for the lipopolysaccharide transport protein complex comprising LptA–G, lipopolysaccharide binding to Lpt proteins promotes their assembly into a bridge linking the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria.
- Lisa Törk
- , Caitlin B. Moffatt
- & Daniel Kahne
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News Explainer |
Dengue is spreading. Can new vaccines and antivirals halt its rise?
Scientists warn that it will take multiple methods to stop the disease, which is also known as breakbone fever and was once confined to the tropics.
- Mariana Lenharo
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Research Highlight |
Potent antibodies have surprise source: people with chronic infections
Bacteria-fighting immune molecules are isolated from people who have long-term infections with the micro-organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Research Briefing |
Personal motivations polarize people’s memories of the COVID-19 pandemic
How accurately a person recalls the COVID-19 pandemic is affected by motivational factors, including how they feel about their vaccination status. The recollections of vaccinated and unvaccinated people are skewed in opposite directions, leading to different retrospective narratives about the pandemic. This distorted recall influences how individuals evaluate past political action, and will complicate preparation for future crises.
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Research Briefing |
Genome rewriting generates mouse models of human diseases
Many human diseases lack accurate mouse models because it is technically difficult to create extensively genetically humanized mice. A technique that allows large stretches of DNA to be rapidly rewritten in mouse embryonic stem cells can be used to produce improved animal models.
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News |
‘Groundbreaking’: first treatment targeting ‘super-gonorrhoea’ passes trial
Antibiotic could turn the tide on drug-resistant form of the infection — if it’s used wisely.
- Ewen Callaway
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News |
Blood-sucking fish had flesh-eating ancestors
Two ‘superbly preserved’ fossil lampreys from the Jurassic period help piece together the past of the unusual jawless fish.
- Xiaoying You
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Article |
TMPRSS2 is a functional receptor for human coronavirus HKU1
We demonstrate that the transmembrane protease TMPRSS2 is a receptor for coronavirus HKU1; it triggers HKU1-mediated cell–cell fusion and viral entry by binding to both HKU1A and HKU1B spikes.
- Nell Saunders
- , Ignacio Fernandez
- & Olivier Schwartz
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Article |
Leishmania genetic exchange is mediated by IgM natural antibodies
Genetic exchange of Leishmania parasites in the sand fly host is mediated by natural IgM antibodies, providing insights that will help generate reproducible and increased recovery of backcrosses for research purposes.
- Tiago D. Serafim
- , Eva Iniguez
- & Jesus G. Valenzuela
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News & Views |
Anti-COVID drug accelerates viral evolution
Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, induces numerous mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that can increase the rate at which the virus evolves — yielding viral variants that might survive and be passed on.
- Sergei L. Kosakovsky Pond
- & Darren Martin
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News |
Inflammation in severe COVID linked to bad fungal microbiome
An overabundant ‘mycobiota’ in the gut might be involved in triggering harmful immune responses.
- McKenzie Prillaman
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Article |
Antigenicity and receptor affinity of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 spike
A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron subvariant, BA.2.86, was found to be no more resistant to human sera than the currently dominant XBB.1.5 and EG.5.1, but it had a remarkably higher receptor affinity.
- Qian Wang
- , Yicheng Guo
- & David D. Ho
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News |
Scientists deliberately gave women Zika — here’s why
‘Human challenge’ results suggest that such trials could be used to test vaccines when Zika incidence is low.
- Mariana Lenharo
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News & Views |
The language of bacterial defences expands
Cells use specialized nucleotide signals to activate defences. A bacterial study reveals a previously unknown class of signals, formed by linking molecules of ATP and S-adenosyl methionine.
- Douglas R. Wassarman
- & Philip J. Kranzusch
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Nature Podcast |
An anti-CRISPR system that helps save viruses from destruction
Tactic could be co-opted to make gene-editing more precise, and how much melting of Greenland’s ice sheet can be prevented.
- Nick Petrić Howe
- & Shamini Bundell
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Comment |
Long COVID research risks losing momentum – we need a moonshot
Investing US$1 billion every year for the next ten years into long COVID research could improve the lives of millions and save trillions in economic costs.
- Lisa McCorkell
- & Michael J. Peluso
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News & Views |
Viruses use RNA decoys to thwart CRISPR defences
Bacteria and archaea are microorganisms that often use RNA-guided defences called CRISPR to destroy the genomes of viruses that infect them. It now emerges that viruses make RNAs that act as mimics to divert such defences.
- Carolyn Kraus
- & Erik J. Sontheimer
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News |
How the current bird flu strain evolved to be so deadly
Genetic changes to avian influenza viruses have led to spread among many wild species, creating an uncontrollable global outbreak.
- Miryam Naddaf
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Article
| Open AccessBacteriophages suppress CRISPR–Cas immunity using RNA-based anti-CRISPRs
In response to bacterial CRISPR–Cas immunity, phages and plasmids have evolved small non-coding RNA anti-CRISPRs, known as Racrs, that sequester Cas proteins in abberrant complexes and thereby inhibit immunity.
- Sarah Camara-Wilpert
- , David Mayo-Muñoz
- & Rafael Pinilla-Redondo
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