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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 11:33am

Students discover a new protein while investigating Streptococcus infection

Strep throat, something we've all had at some point in our lives, is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Infection by Streptococcus can be fatal in serious cases and is the leading cause of death among flesh-eating diseases, resulting in over half a million deaths annually.

That scratchy, sore feeling at the back of your throat is a result of Streptococcus pyogenes infected by viruses called bacteriophages. These "phages" carry the genes for toxins that are responsible for strep throat, and when they invade Streptococcus pyogenes, they transfer these genes, enhancing the bacterium's ability to cause infection.

However, many people carry Streptococcus pyogenes on their bodies, and it doesn't make them sick. Some of the big questions in the field are when, how and why does it make you sick? And why does Streptococcus become a pathogen?

Two graduate students have discovered that phages use paratox to control the metabolism of Streptococcus, redirecting DNA processing pathways for the benefit of the phage.

With help from undergraduate student Julia Horne, the team was able to demonstrate that paratox also likely regulates when it is time for the phage to leave Streptococcus and go on to infect new bacteria. Muna and Horne now have a protein named after them, JM3 which stands for Julia Muna construct 3.

 This discovery, published in Nucleic Acids Research, has opened many doors for future research projects.

Tasneem Hassan Muna et al, The phage protein paratox is a multifunctional metabolic regulator of Streptococcus, Nucleic Acids Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae1200

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 11:24am

However, glycosylation has traditionally been notoriously difficult to study. Only a small portion of proteins in the cell are glycosylated and concentrating enough of them in a sample for studying (a process called 'enriching') tends to be laborious, expensive, and time-consuming.
So far, it's not been possible to do such studies on a systematic scale, in a quantitative fashion, and with high reproducibility. These are the challenges the researchers managed to overcome with the new method.
DQGlyco uses easily available and low-cost laboratory materials, such as functionalized silica beads, to selectively enrich glycosylated proteins from biological samples, which can then be precisely identified and measured. Applying the method to brain tissue samples from mice, the researchers could identify over 150,000 glycosylated forms of proteins ('proteoforms'), an increase of over 25-fold compared to previous studies.

The quantitative nature of the new method means that researchers can compare and measure differences between samples from different tissues, cell lines, species etc. This also allows them to study the pattern of 'microheterogeneity'—the phenomenon where the same part of a protein can be modified by many (sometimes hundreds of) different sugar groups.

One of the most common examples of microheterogeneity is human blood groups, where the presence of different sugar groups on proteins in red blood cells determines blood type (A, B, O, and AB). This plays a major role in deciding the success of blood transfusions from one individual to the other.

The new method allowed the team to identify such microheterogeneity across hundreds of protein sites.
With this new weapon, teh researchers tackled the present problem.
The team found that when compared to "germ-free mice," i.e. mice grown in a sterile environment such that they completely lack any microbes in and on their body, mice colonized with different gut bacteria had different glycosylation patterns in the brain. The changed patterns were particularly apparent in proteins known to be important in neural functions, such as cognitive processing and axon growth.

The study's datasets are openly available via a new dedicated app for other researchers.

Clément M. Potel et al, Uncovering protein glycosylation dynamics and heterogeneity using deep quantitative glycoprofiling (DQGlyco), Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41594-025-01485-w

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 11:20am

Gut bacteria can alter brain proteins: New glycosylation method uncovers link

Our guts are home to trillions of bacteria, and research over the last few decades has established how essential they are to our physiology—in health and disease. A new study by researchers shows that gut bacteria can bring about profound molecular changes in one of our most critical organs—the brain.

The new study, published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, is the first to show that bacteria living in the gut can influence how proteins in the brain are modified by carbohydrates—a process called glycosylation. The study was made possible by a new method the scientists developed—DQGlyco—which allows them to study glycosylation at a much higher scale and resolution than previous studies.

Proteins are the workhorses of our cells and their main building blocks. Sugars, or carbohydrates, on the other hand, are among the body's main sources of energy. However, the cell also uses sugars to chemically modify proteins, altering their functions. This is called glycosylation.

Glycosylation can affect how cells attach to each other (adhesion), how they move (motility), and even how they talk to one another (communication).

It is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer and neuronal disorders.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 11:09am

Helping Evolution: How humans unintentionally altered the skulls of pigs

Short snouts and a flat profile—within a span of 100 years, humans have significantly changed the shape of the skulls of German domestic pigs. According to a team of scientists , this is likely down to new breeding practices introduced at the beginning of the 20th century.

The researchers analyzed 3D scans of 135 skulls of wild boars and domestic pigs from the early 20th and 21st centuries. Surprisingly, the same effects can even be observed in species that were kept separately. Their findings have been published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Humans have been keeping pigs as livestock for several centuries. During this time, the animals have changed considerably. For example, they have become larger and have lost their black and brown bristles and darker skin tone.

The demand for pork in some countries increased significantly at the beginning of the 20th century and breeders were encouraged to optimize their animals. They needed them to grow quickly, provide good meat, and be fertile.

For the current study, researchers analyzed 135 skulls from three different breeds: Deutsches Edelschwein, Deutsches Landschwein—and wild boars, who acted as a control group. The skulls were either from the early 20th century or were only a few years old.

The two domestic pig breeds exhibited significant changes: The animals' snouts became significantly shorter and flatter, while the skulls of the more contemporary animals no longer had a slightly outwardly curved forehead. Researchers  didn't expect such pronounced differences to appear within a span of only 100 years.

Remarkably, both breeds of domestic pig underwent the same changes, despite being kept separately. "These changes occurred even though breeders did not select the animals specifically for their skull shape, as this trait was not important for breeding. Instead, the changes appear to be an unintended by-product of selecting the desired traits.

Another reason for the alterations could be related to changes in the animals' diet. Nutrition is known to influence the growth and development of animals. Today, pigs are mainly fed pellets that are high in protein. In contrast, the skulls of wild boars, who remain omnivores, have not undergone such changes.

The findings demonstrate how strongly humans can influence the evolution of animals.

Charles Darwin assumed that long periods of time—millions of years—are required for major changes to take place. This work is further proof that humans can greatly accelerate this process through selective breeding, say the researchers.

Creationists are you listening?

A. Haruda et al, Evolution under intensive industrial breeding: skull size and shape comparison between historic and modern pig lineages, Royal Society Open Science (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.241039

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 10:01am

Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets

Nearly all nations missed a UN deadline Monday to submit new targets for slashing carbon emissions, including major economies under pressure to show leadership following the US retreat on climate change.

Just 10 of nearly 200 countries required under the Paris Agreement to deliver fresh climate plans by February 10 did so on time, according to a UN database tracking the submissions.

Under the climate accord, each country is supposed to provide a steeper headline figure for cutting heat-trapping emissions by 2035, and a detailed blueprint for how to achieve this.

Global emissions have been rising but need to almost halve by the end of the decade to limit global warming to safer levels agreed under the Paris deal.

This latest round of national pledges are the most important policy documents of this century.

Yet just a handful of major polluters handed in upgraded targets on time, with China, India and the European Union the biggest names on a lengthy absentee list.

Most G20 economies were missing in action with the United States, Britain and Brazil—which is hosting this year's UN climate summit—the only exceptions.

There is no penalty for submitting late targets, formally titled nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

They are not legally binding but act as an accountability measure to ensure countries are taking climate change seriously and doing their fair share toward achieving the Paris goals.

The sluggish response will not ease fears of a possible backslide on climate action as leaders juggle Trump's return and other competing priorities from budget and security crises to electoral pressure.

Source: News Agencies

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 9:43am

Potassium-enriched salt shows promise for cutting recurrent stroke risk in clinical trial

Potassium supplements in salt were associated with reduced rates of recurrent stroke and mortality in a large-scale cluster randomized clinical trial involving patients.

Findings come from a subgroup (stroke patients) analysis within the original Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS), an international study conducted by researchers.

Stroke ranks among the top causes of death and disability in low- and middle income countries, and recurrent events remain a major concern. High sodium intake and low potassium intake are considered key risk factors.

The SSaSS trial involved 600 villages and 20,995 individuals in rural China. In the previous studies, researchers replaced participants' salt with a 75% salt, 25% potassium chloride substitute.

In the study, "Salt Substitution and Recurrent Stroke and Death: A Randomized Clinical Trial," published in JAMA Cardiology, the team analyzed data from 15,249 participants who had previously reported suffering from stroke.

Researchers used data from the original study, which monitored blood pressure, stroke recurrence, mortality, and safety outcomes, including hyperkalemia risk. Urinary sodium/potassium excretion was also tracked.

Over the study period, recurrent stroke was 14% lower in the 25% potassium substitute group compared with the regular salt group, the same as found in the original full cohort study.

Mean systolic blood pressure over follow-up was lower in the salt substitute group compared with controls. A total of 2,735 recurrent stroke events occurred, with 691 fatal and 2,044 nonfatal episodes.

Hemorrhagic stroke showed a 30% relative reduction, and stroke-related deaths decreased by 21%. No meaningful difference in hyperkalemia was observed between groups.

Findings indicate that salt reduction with 25% potassium is a safe, low-cost dietary intervention that can reduce stroke recurrence and mortality among stroke survivors. Researchers suggest broader implementation of salt substitutes, particularly in regions with high sodium intake and limited access to preventive health care.

Xiong Ding et al, Salt Substitution and Recurrent Stroke and Death, JAMA Cardiology (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.5417

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 11, 2025 at 9:21am

Earth's inner core is less solid than previously thought

The surface of the Earth's inner core may be changing, as shown by a new study by  scientists that detected structural changes near the planet's center, published in Nature Geoscience.

The changes of the inner core have long been a topic of debate for scientists. However, most research has been focused on assessing rotation.

Located 3,000 miles below the Earth's surface, the inner core is anchored by gravity within the molten liquid outer core. Until now, the inner core was widely thought of as a solid sphere.

But a study conducted recently showed a different picture.

The study utilized seismic waveform data—including 121 repeating earthquakes from 42 locations near Antarctica's South Sandwich Islands that occurred between 1991 and 2024—to give a glimpse of what takes place in the inner core.

As the researchers analyzed the waveforms from receiver-array stations located near Fairbanks, Alaska, and Yellowknife, Canada, one dataset of seismic waves from the latter station included uncharacteristic properties the team had never seen before.

 The new study indicates that the near surface of the inner core may undergo viscous deformation, changing its shape and shifting at the inner core's shallow boundary.

The clearest cause of the structural change is interaction between the inner and outer core. The molten outer core is widely known to be turbulent, but its turbulence had not been observed to disrupt its neighbour the inner core on a human timescale.

The discovery opens a door to reveal previously hidden dynamics deep within Earth's core, and may lead to better understanding of Earth's thermal and magnetic field.

John Vidale, Annual-scale variability in both the rotation rate and near surface of Earth's inner core, Nature Geoscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-025-01642-2. www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01642-2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 9, 2025 at 11:09am

PRESS RELEASE sent to me by DST, Govt. of India to share online:

CSIR-NIIST develops technology for converting biomedical waste into soil additives

· Science & Technology Minister Jitendra Singh to launch the Research-based Point-of-Care Validation of technology at AIIMS New Delhi on Feb 10

New Delhi, Feb 08: Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh will formally launch an automated biomedical waste conversion rig that can disinfect pathogenic biomedical waste such as blood, urine, sputum, and laboratory disposables, without the use of costly and energy-intensive incinerators, besides imparting a pleasant fragrance to these foul-smelling toxic waste.

The rig, christened as “Sṛjanam” and developed by CSIR-NIIST based at Thiruvananthapuram, will be installed and commissioned at a function at AIIMS, New Delhi on February 10.

The prototype equipment, with a daily capacity of 400 kg, can handle 10 kg degradable medical waste per day in the initial phase. The technology, once validated, will be ready for full-scale implementation after securing approval from competent authorities.

Through this technology, CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology) aims at an innovative and alternative solution for the safe, inexpensive and environment-friendly disposal of pathogenic biomedical waste.

The event will be attended by Dr. M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi; Dr. (Mrs.) N Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & DG, CSIR; Shri Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, MoEFCC; Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR & DG, ICMR; and Dr. V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog.

Dr. C Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, will propose the vote of thanks.

The technology, developed by CSIR-NIIST, has been confirmed by expert third-parties for its antimicrobial action and non-toxic nature of the treated material. It can also disinfect laboratory disposables for direct recycling. Soil studies have confirmed that the treated biomedical waste is superior to organic fertilizers like vermicompost.

“With its potential to transform treated waste into value-added soil additives with minimal human intervention, our technology provides a safer solution for healthcare facilities, avoids the risk of spills and occupational exposure, and assists in preventing uncontrolled spread of infectious microbes,” said Dr. C Anandharamakrishnan.

India produces 743 tonnes of biomedical waste daily, according to the 2023 annual report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It presents a significant challenge for proper management and disposal.

Improper segregation, open dumping, open burning, and inadequate incineration lead to severe health hazards, such as the release of harmful human carcinogens, particulate matter, and ash residues. Increased biomedical waste generation demands more transportation facilities, increasing the risk of accidents and spills. The WHO has also emphasized the importance of innovative and alternative protocols for pathogenic biomedical waste disposal.

Dr. C Anandharamakrishnan said the dumping of biomedical waste at any premise is prohibited by law. However, there have been several incidents of dumping the biomedical waste generated in one state across the borders of the neighbouring states.

Incineration is a costly energy-intensive strategy that forces the stakeholders to adopt simpler and cheaper, but sometimes illegal means, to dispose biomedical waste.

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 8, 2025 at 12:00pm

Evidence of cannibalism by ancient Magdalenian people found in cave in Poland

A team of archaeologists, paleontologists, and historians from several institutions in Spain, Germany, and Poland, has found evidence of Magdalenian people from approximately 18,000 years ago, living in a cave in what is now Poland, engaging in cannibalism. In their paper published in Scientific Reports, the group describes their analysis of bones found in the cave many years ago, and the evidence that strongly suggests that the early people were consuming human flesh.

Prior research has shown that multiple groups or entire cultures have at times throughout human history engaged in cannibalism. The practice has most often been performed as part of a ritual of some sort, although there are also many examples of people resorting to eating the remains of others in their group due to starvation conditions.

For this new study, the researchers took a new look at bones and bone fragments that had been removed from Maszycka Cave in southern Poland from digs that took place in the 19th century and as recently as the 1960s. Because the bones had been broken and splintered, it was not known until now that they were even of human origin.

In taking a close look at some of the fragments, the researchers noted there were marks on them consistent with marks on bones from animals that had been cut up and consumed. They also found that many of the bones had been cracked open so that the nutrient-rich marrow inside could be removed, and perhaps also consumed. They also note that the human bones were mixed in among bone fragments of other animals which had the same types of cut marks on them, suggesting they too were consumed.

The final piece of evidence was the timing; all the bones were from roughly the same time period, suggesting that they had been entombed together, possibly during a single event. Also, the bones are from a time not long after the last ice age—as more land opened up with the receding ice, cannibalism may have reflected the violence of competing for territory.

The research team suggests that taken together, the evidence strongly suggests cannibalism, though they acknowledge there is a little wiggle room. Some early cultures have been known to strip the bones of their dead clean as a form of ritual or burial. They note it is possible the people who left the bones behind were doing something similar.

 Francesc Marginedas et al, New insights of cultural cannibalism amongst Magdalenian groups at Maszycka Cave, Poland, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86093-w

**

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on February 8, 2025 at 10:26am

Common bacterial infection may trigger lung transplant rejection

A large team of surgeons and organ transplant researchers affiliated with multiple institutions  has found an association between lung transplant patients who become infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and rejection of the transplanted lung.

In their study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group analyzed lung transplant case histories looking for patients with P. aeruginosa and lung rejection.  Other researchers have published a Focus piece in the same journal issue outlining the work.

The relief that patients with sick lungs experience after a lung transplant is often quickly displaced by fear of their body rejecting the new lungs despite immunosuppressive drugs. Lung transplantation has one of the lowest rates of success of all organ transplants. One of the team members noticed that many patients who experienced lung rejection also had a P. aeruginosa infection.

The team wondered if such infections played a role in transplant rejections. To find out, they analyzed patient case histories and found the rate to be higher than expected. This prompted them to conduct experiments with lab mice.

In their lab experiments, otherwise healthy lab mice were infected with P. aeruginosa and were then given new lungs from another mouse. As the team monitored their progress, they found that the test mice infected with P. aeruginosa experienced bacterial spread to lymphoid tissue, where the infection killed CD4+ cells. That led to growth in the number of B cells expressing a protein called CXCR3, which were sensitive to antigens in the donated lungs. As a result, the B cells produced donor-specific antibodies, which led to rejection of the lungs.

The team also found that giving the test mice drugs that blocked the expression of CXCR3 by the B cells inhibited the mechanism that led to rejection, allowing the mice to keep their new lungs. Thus, the team not only found a possible association between P. aeruginosa infections and rejection of transplanted lungs, but a possible solution for the problem.

Fuyi Liao et al, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection induces intragraft lymphocytotoxicity that triggers lung transplant antibody-mediated rejection, Science Translational Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adp1349

Idaira M. Guerrero-Fonseca et al, No tolerance for Pseudomonas in lung transplants, Science Translational Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adu6563

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