Archived articles

Microbiology

Cell biology
Researchers discover yeast self-destruct pathway
Published April 14, 2022
Finding adds to evidence that unicellular organisms have "regulated cell-death" processes like those found in animals; discovery could one day lead to new antifungal drugs
Seasonal flu
Fast-spreading mutation helps common flu subtype escape human immune response
Published July 15, 2020
Unlike the novel coronavirus, which has been shown to mutate slowly, strains of influenza virus have acquired a mutation that blocks antibodies from binding to a key viral protein, making vaccine development more complex
Planetary science
Life on the rocks
Published May 5, 2020
By studying how tiny organisms in the Atacama Desert extract water from rocks, Johns Hopkins researchers have revealed how, against all odds, life can exist in extreme environments
Microbiology
Mission will put melanin's superpower to the test
Published Nov 1, 2019
Melanin samples are headed to the International Space Station, where their ability to protect against harmful radiation will be explored
Health
Baby's first bacteria
Published Aug 19, 2019
Microbes passed down from mothers during birth may be a signifier of future health, researchers find
Cellular biology
ALS-linked genetic mutation causes dysfunction in lipid metabolism
Published Nov 1, 2018
Study raises possibility that problems in cellular metabolism could contribute to illnesses such as ALS, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease
Microbiology
Microbes go dark to stay warm in cooler climates
Published Aug 2, 2018
Microbes and fungi that darken when in colder climates have better survival and may be an important variable in modeling climate change, researchers find
Malaria
Sequencing a motherline
Published July 30, 2018
First-ever sequencing of mitochondrial DNA for An. funestus mosquito could yield new avenues for combating malaria
Biology
Studying stress-resistant extremophiles
Published March 5, 2018
Understanding how tiny microbes thrive in harsh environments could lead to better treatments for human diseases
Science+Technology
A new dimension of research
Published July 31, 2017 Video
3-D microscope gives researchers unprecedented views of organs, tissue, live specimens