A minimalist bacterial defense strategy: Scientists discover single protein that disrupts viral assembly
A single bacterial protein, Rip1, can detect bacteriophage infection and disrupt viral assembly by binding to phage proteins and forming membrane pores. This dual-function mechanism causes premature bacterial cell death, halting phage propagation. Rip1 integrates both sensing and defense roles, representing a streamlined bacterial immune strategy.

Karen Maxwell, A pore-forming antiphage defence is activated by oligomeric phage proteins, Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-10075-1. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10075-1

High-dose antioxidants linked to offspring birth defects

Antioxidants have been marketed as miracle supplements, touted for preventing chronic diseases and cancers; treating COPD and dementia; and slowing aging.

While antioxidant therapies are widely used to treat male infertility, a new study  found that regularly consuming high doses of antioxidants negatively influences sperm DNA and may lead to offspring born with differences in craniofacial development.
Regular consumption of high doses of antioxidants such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine and selenium in male mice alters sperm DNA and is associated with craniofacial abnormalities in offspring, particularly in females. These effects occur without observable health changes in the fathers, indicating potential reproductive risks of excessive antioxidant supplementation prior to conception.

They found that offspring of male mice exposed to antioxidants for six weeks exhibited skull and facial shape differences, even while the father's health didn't change.

These findings suggest that men should exercise caution when consuming high doses of antioxidants, especially if they're planning to have children in the near future.

Destani D. Derrico et al, Therapy to teratology: chronic paternal antioxidant supplementation alters offspring placental architecture and craniofacial morphogenesis in a mouse model, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1697843

Could fecal transplants be the new way to fight cancer?
Fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) are being explored as a method to modify gut microbes in cancer patients, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy, especially for those with less diverse gut microbiomes. Early clinical data indicate FMT may improve treatment response rates and outcomes, but safety concerns require that FMT be administered under medical supervision.

Could fecal transplants be the new way to fight cancer?