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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 1 minute ago

Hitting bacteria hard and early with diverse phage cocktails may curb resistance

As multidrug antibiotic resistance emerges as a potent public health challenge, medical science has renewed attention on the potential for bacteriophage therapy. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that target, infect and replicate inside bacteria, destroying them in the process. To help maximize the success rate of this approach, researchers recently modeled the dynamics of bacteriophage therapy to explain particular therapies and optimize the composition of bacteriophage cocktails.

Phage are the most prevalent organisms on the planet. They exist everywhere bacteria exist. However, each phage has evolved to narrowly target specific bacteria, and bacteria have evolved various mechanisms of resistance.
Phage cocktails—combinations of particular phages for a patient facing a specific bacterial infection—represent a complicated form of personalized medicine. Given the fast and complex dynamics of bacterial responses to phages, it is not typically known why a particular phage therapy succeeded or failed. As described in the journal PLOS Computational Biology, the research team developed a mathematical model that could describe effective phage cocktails and optimize their diversity and timing.
The researchers developed their mathematical model by building on an existing model calibrated with data from phage therapy in a live mouse. The mathematical model was extended to humans and included multiple phages infecting multiple bacterial strains with varying phage resistance.
The model was able to predict success based on several key factors. The bacteria's pretreatment resistance level was critical, as were the diversity of the phage cocktail and the timing of its delivery. Phage therapy is a complicated dynamic in which more infective phages can wipe out more sensitive (i.e., less resistant) bacteria faster. That leaves resistant bacteria to expand, and they can quickly evolve better resistance, mutating to avoid infection by the phage.

The team found that therapy is best served by a diversity of phages, which overwhelm the bacteria's ability to evolve resistance quickly enough. The team also focused on the timing of phage delivery, determining that immediate treatment with the full phage cocktail offered the most success. That creates a high genetic barrier to bacterial resistance, meaning that the bacteria would need to accumulate several genetic changes or mutations to survive the therapy.
The rapid evolution of resistance is the main challenge to therapy.
That capacity is why antibiotics may not work in the first place. For phage therapy to be effective, the cocktails should be diverse, sufficient and immediate. The approach amounts to 'hit the bacteria hard and early.

Rob J. de Boer et al, Towards modeling phage therapy, PLOS Computational Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1014408

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 8 minutes ago

During natural rock weathering, silicate minerals like olivine dissolve to release primarily magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and silicate (SiO4), trapping atmospheric CO2 in the water as bicarbonate (HCO3-).

MgFeSiO4 + 4CO2 + 4H2O → Mg2+ + Fe2+ + H4SiO4 + 4HCO3−

Specifically, the released iron is not soluble when exposed to the atmosphere. Instead, it covers the mineral surface as rust, slowing down the entire process.

4Fe2+ + 3O2 → Fe2O3 (rust)

By producing siderophores, bacteria can capture, solubilize and take up oxidized (rusted) iron to sustain their own growth. Conveniently, this effectively derusts the mineral surface, speeding up rock weathering.

Researchers used custom bioreactors to tease apart when natural bacteria produce siderophores. They found that even a small amount of iron-containing mineral completely inhibited siderophore production, posing a major problem for siderophore production at an industrial scale.
Once wild bacteria have enough iron to grow, they stop making siderophores completely. To enable enhanced weathering at scale, the researchers engineered A. macleodii to always produce siderophores. They essentially decoupled siderophore production from environmental iron levels.
This way they succeeded in achieving their goal.

Neil C. Dalvie et al, Engineered bacterial siderophore production accelerates rock weathering for carbon removal, Nature Biotechnology (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41587-026-03288-w. On bioRxiv: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.110 … .04.08.647837v2.full

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 11 minutes ago

Engineered bacteria offer a new way to accelerate rock weathering for carbon removal

Rock weathering, the breakdown and dissolving of rocks and minerals caused by their exposure to water, air and biological life, is a major regulator of Earth's atmospheric CO2 levels and climate. Throughout Earth's history, rock weathering has been faster during warm periods with increased atmospheric CO2 levels.
Dissolved minerals ultimately wash into the ocean, where they draw CO2 from the atmosphere and cool the planet again. While this thermostat is responsible for the temperate climate we enjoy on Earth, the weathering cycle occurs over hundreds of thousands of years.

In search of climate solutions, scientists have asked whether the rock weathering cycle could be sped up, resulting in a number of new companies pursuing enhanced rock weathering (ERW).

By scattering crushed silicate rocks on agricultural surfaces or into water, they aim to pull excess CO2 out of the atmosphere. Although this strategy is generally safe and environmentally friendly, it is still too slow to affect the global carbon balance or to be economically viable on an industrial scale.
Now a research team has engineered a potential solution to this problem.
The research team genetically engineered Alteromonas macleodii, a widespread marine bacterium, to produce much higher amounts of so-called siderophores, molecules that extract iron from silicate minerals.
In customized bioreactors with a continuous flow of seawater, the engineered bacterium sped up the weathering of the silicate mineral olivine by 2.6-fold, boosting the amount of CO2 removed from the air.
Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 18 minutes ago

Bumblebees may self-medicate when exposed to fungal infections

It's already known that some animals try to heal themselves when ill. For example, wild chimpanzees have been shown to reach for plants with pain-relieving and antibacterial properties, and some birds line their nests with cigarette butts because the chemicals ward off mites. Previous studies have also shown that honey bees with some types of infections collect more protective plant resin.
Now a new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science suggests that buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) may self-medicate when exposed to a fungal brood disease.

In the experiments conducted, after five days of free foraging, colonies exposed to the fungus Ascosphaera apis became increasingly likely to visit the quercetin-laced flowers and spent more time drinking from them.

However, those exposed to the bacterium Serratia marcescens showed no significant change in their preference for quercetin nectar as the experiment progressed. Colonies from the healthy control group also showed no significant change in their preference for quercetin nectar.

So while the researchers observed a clear behavioral shift toward quercetin nectar, it did not occur for both types of pathogens, suggesting that disease type matters. "Overall, these results indicate that pathogen identity shapes behavioral plasticity in nectar foraging," wrote the study authors in their paper.

However, because the study did not measure whether drinking quercetin actually reduced infection levels or helped more larvae survive, the findings should be treated with caution. The results do not provide a definitive demonstration of formal self- or social medication.

Kamiel Debeuckelaere et al, Hints of self-medication? Pathogen exposure-dependent foraging decisions of bumblebees, Royal Society Open Science (2026). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.260777

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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 21 hours ago

Why do some people react so badly to mosquito bites? The answer lies in mosquito saliva
Mosquito saliva contains anticoagulant and immune-modulating proteins that trigger histamine release and a Th2-type inflammatory response, causing itching, redness, and swelling. Reaction severity varies with immune genetics, age, prior exposure, and mosquito species; hypersensitivity can cause large local reactions. Saliva may also enhance establishment of mosquito-borne infections.

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 21 hours ago

Overuse of inhalers found to increase heart attack risk in asthma and COPD patients

Overuse of reliever inhalers is associated with higher risks of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart attack and ischemic stroke, in patients with asthma and COPD, according to a study published this week in ERJ Open Research.
In asthma and COPD, greater short-acting bronchodilator use was associated with higher cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. Use of ≥3 inhalers annually increased mortality versus ≤2; risks were greater in those without prior cardiovascular disease. Overuse may indicate poorly controlled disease requiring treatment review.
These "reliever" inhalers can help people breathe more easily when their symptoms are particularly bad. However, it is possible to overuse them if a patient's asthma or COPD is not being managed well by "preventer" treatments.
The study assessed real-world data from primary and secondary care for more than 280,000 COPD and asthma patients who used either SABA (short-acting beta-agonist), SAMA (short-acting muscarinic antagonist), both or no short-acting bronchodilators to manage their condition. Researchers took into account differences in age, sex, socioeconomic status, smoking history, nursing home residency, disease severity and other conditions or medications.

Both SABA and SAMA bronchodilators are often used as reliever therapies by asthma and COPD patients. SABA bronchodilators increased the risk of death by 12% and 14% in asthma and COPD patients, respectively, compared with no use. The risk of death from SAMA bronchodilators increased by 73% and 36%, respectively.

The researchers also assessed how the number of inhalers used per year affected cardiovascular health. They found that using three or more inhalers per year for either bronchodilator was associated with an increased risk of death compared with two or fewer inhalers per year. Patients who did not have any prior history of cardiovascular disease were found to be more vulnerable to cardiovascular problems resulting from inhaler overuse.
Overuse of short-acting bronchodilators is an alarm signal that indicates uncontrolled airway inflammation and requires a medical review of treatment. It should prompt patients to have their lungs checked and health care providers to check adherence and inhaler technique against treatment guidelines.
Patients should be informed that short-acting bronchodilators only relax airway muscles briefly. Uncontrolled asthma and COPD are already linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. When this is combined with overuse of SABA and SAMA bronchodilators—which both cause faster, irregular heart rates as a side effect—these risks become even more pronounced. Overreliance on this short relief may allow the underlying disease activity to progress unchecked. This research should draw clinicians' attention to the fact that overuse is common and may be associated with adverse effects, even in patients without cardiac history.

Overuse of inhalers found to increase heart attack risk in asthma and COPD patients, ERJ Open Research (2026). DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00462-2026

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 21 hours ago

Electrically charged raindrops could be corroding metal with protective coatings

Water droplets acquire 0.2–2 nC charges after sliding on common natural and synthetic surfaces. After 3,000 charged droplets contacted Teflon-coated copper, the coating degraded and underlying copper corroded; uncharged droplets caused no detectable damage. This mechanism may affect protective coatings on outdoor metal structures.

Zhongyuan Ni et al, Spontaneously charged water drops induce corrosion, Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10941-6

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 21 hours ago

Scented cleaners can create nanoparticles that reach deep into the lungs within minutes, tiny-home experiment finds

What does a clean room smell like? Many people say citrus, pine, or flowers because these fragrances are common in cleaning products. A research team found that scent compounds in cleaning products—conventional and botanical essential oil-based—quickly react in the air, forming nanoparticles that can travel deep into the lungs if inhaled.
Researchers showed that indoor ozone reactions with fragrances from cleaning produce nanoparticles that carry a respiratory dose comparable to or greater than what you would experience from standing outside along a busy road.
The particles are different in terms of their composition, but the total dose can be higher. You're not seeing smoke, dust or haze in the air. Instead, you think the air smells great, so it must be clean.

To reduce exposure to this invisible pollution, the team suggests using unscented products, running exhaust fans, and avoiding ozone-generating devices while cleaning.
Steps to cut exposure
The researchers want these findings to inform consumers' choices, not alarm them, and provides several steps people can take to reduce their exposure while cleaning:

Choose low-fragrance or fragrance-free products.
Avoid applying several scented products in the same cleaning session.
Run exhaust fans or open windows to ventilate the space.
Do not simultaneously clean surfaces with scented products while using ozone-generating devices, such as far UV-C lamps.
Importantly, cleaning removes viruses and bacteria from surfaces, but it can also generate invisible air pollution. There's no visible dust or smoke in the air, but these particles are forming.

acs.digitellinc.com/live/37/session/591663

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 21 hours ago

Cell therapy substantially reduces severe rheumatoid arthritis in first clinical trial

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own joints. This causes recurrent inflammation and joint swelling and, as the disease progresses, can lead to joint damage. Currently available treatments can usually keep the inflammation under control but do not cure the disease. Patients therefore require lifelong medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that suppress the immune system, with all the associated side effects.

In some patients, even several of the newer treatments fail to produce an adequate response. Doctors then call the disease treatment-refractory. For those affected, this means persistent pain, restricted mobility and a substantial impact on quality of life.
One reason could be disease-driving B cells—memory cells of the adaptive immune system that may survive in the lymph nodes, bone marrow or joint tissue after an infection, where they produce harmful antibodies directed against the body's own tissues and repeatedly reignite the inflammation

Immunotherapies such as CAR T-cell therapy are used primarily to treat cancer. In the future, these patient-specific therapies, manufactured from patients' own immune cells, could also help cure autoimmune diseases. Six patients with particularly severe rheumatoid arthritis have now received this treatment at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin. In the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers report the results from the world's first clinical trial of its kind: Disease activity decreased substantially in all participants. By the end of the observation period, three of the patients no longer required any medication for rheumatoid arthritis.
The researchers hope that CAR T cells, patients' own immune cells genetically modified in the laboratory, could selectively track down the disease-driving B cells, even deep within tissues, reset the pathological B-cell memory as fully as possible and thereby effectively give the B-cell system a fresh start.
Originally developed for cancer treatment, CAR T cells are now being used more widely. In cancer treatment, patients' immune cells are given a kind of "training" to specifically recognize and eliminate tumour cells; in autoimmune diseases, the aim is instead to direct immune cells toward disease-driving memory cells.

Fredrik N. Albach et al, CD19 CAR T cell therapy for treatment-refractory seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: a phase 1 trial, Nature Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-04603-3

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa 23 hours ago

El Niños have been more intense over the last 40 years than in the previous 1,000 years, coral records reveal

El Niño is a natural phenomenon that, every few years, causes the tropical Pacific to become warmer than usual. Under normal conditions, trade winds blow along the equator from east to west. This pushes warm water from South America toward Australia. But when the trade winds weaken, warm water spreads eastward, back toward South America, kicking off an El Niño event.
The atmospheric circulation responds as heavy rainfall shifts from Indonesia into the central Pacific, leaving the western Pacific in drought. This weakens the trade winds further, locking in El Niño conditions that can persist for one to two years. These temperature and precipitation fluctuations originate in the tropical Pacific, but they affect weather all over the world.
For instance, storm tracks over the U.S. shift southward, bringing more rain to the desert Southwest and less to the Northwest. Similar shifts around the world lead to droughts and flooding that bring disease, crop failure, wildfires and other crises that affect people's health and well-being.
The question is not whether the current El Niño will happen, but how bad it is going to be, and how bad the impacts will be? This event now is superimposed on global warming, and it's likely to supercharge the temperature increase that we would normally see from greenhouse gases. There are forecasts that we might get as hot as 1.7 or 1.8 degrees Celsius above preindustrial temperatures, which is quite a bit higher than the current record.

As an El Niño of historic proportions is taking shape in the tropical Pacific now, a new study has found that El Niño events have become nearly 40% stronger in the last 40 years than they were in the preindustrial era.
In fact, the study, which examined modern and ancient corals in the Galápagos Islands, found that El Niño events in the last four decades were stronger than any in the 1,000 years before about 1850, when humans began affecting the climate with greenhouse gases.
We don't see a time in the past where El Niños have been as strong as today, and researchers show that the strength of El Niño changes in parallel with warming global temperatures.
These findings tell us that the big El Niño events of the last 40 years are not normal in the context of the last thousand years.

J.E. Cole, Recent strengthening of eastern Pacific ENSO is unprecedented in the last millennium paleorecord, Science (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.ady2660. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady2660

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