Household environment, not genetics, shapes salivary microbes.

Household environment, not genetics, shapes salivary microbes.The mix of microorganisms that inhabit a person's saliva are largely determined by the human host's household, new research shows. The study shows that early environmental influences play a far larger role than human genetics in shaping the salivary microbiome--the group of organisms that play a crucial role in oral and overall health. Researchers in the United Kingdom have discovered that the mix of microorganisms that inhabit a person's saliva are largely determined by the human host's household. The research team wanted to know how the salivary microbiome gets established and which factors are most responsible for the mix of bacteria found there. This study shows that environments shared during upbringing play a major role in determining what community of bacteria gets established.

Sun's role in mitigating fungal disease of mango fruit.

Sun's role in mitigating fungal disease of mango fruit.Mango fruits play host to some economically damaging fungal diseases, especially during ripening and storage; but mango growers and suppliers have a new ray of hope...in the form of sunlight. The occurrence of stem end rot (SER) during storage means major losses for mango fruit growers and suppliers. A new research explores sunlight's role in cultivating a beneficial mix of microorganisms that help mitigate SER. The new research explores the role of sunlight in boosting the levels of beneficial microorganisms in mango fruits to combat stem end rot. The researchers showed that high sunlight exposure in an orchard has the effect of turning the mango's skin red. Mango fruits with less sunlight exposure remain green. Using a novel deep sequencing technique, they studied the dynamics in the microbial and fungal community inside the stem end tissues of both red and green mango fruits during storage. They found that both fungal and bacterial community changes were dependent on fruit peel color, storage duration, and storage temperature.

Blood transfusions in high risk malaria zones could be made safer with new blood treatment technology.

Blood transfusions in high risk malaria zones could be made safer with new blood treatment technology.Patients, especially children, who undergo blood transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of transfusion-transmitted malaria. A new trial suggests that treating donated blood with a new technology that combines UV radiation and vitamin B is safe and could minimize the risk of malaria infection following blood transfusions. In many countries in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic, a high proportion of the population carry the parasite but do not show any clinical symptoms. This is a serious concern when it comes to donated blood transfusions as it puts the recipients at high risk of infection if no blood treatment procedure is provided.

Why a deadly blood cancer often affects children with malaria.

New research helps explain why a deadly blood cancer often affects children with malaria.Children in equatorial Africa who suffer from malaria are at high risk of developing Burkitt's lymphoma, a highly aggressive blood cancer. A new study sheds light on the long-standing mystery of how the two diseases are connected. The parasite that causes malaria infects red blood cells and liver cells, while Burkitt's lymphoma originates in infection-fighting white blood cells called B lymphocytes. So how could a malaria infection increase a child's risk of developing this type of cancer? A team of Rockefeller University researchers found that the same enzyme that helps create antibodies that fight off the malaria parasite also causes DNA damage that can lead to Burkitt's lymphoma.

Global birth season study links environment with disease risk.

Global birth season study links environment with disease risk.A new study sheds light on connections between birth month and risk for certain diseases.Studies have shown that babies born in winter tend to have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes at some point, while fall babies have a greater lifetime risk of depression. In the analysis of health information from more than 10 million patients living in three countries and five different climates, data scientists have found that a woman's exposure to certain seasonal or environmental factors during pregnancy may affect her offspring's lifetime disease risk. The findings were reported online in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

How to curtail pig-to-person spread of influenza virus at fairs .

How to curtail pig-to-person spread of influenza virus at fairs. The spread of influenza among pigs is common at fairs and other gatherings, and protective measures including cutting the length of time pigs and people congregate make good sense for both the animals and humans. Researchers say that protective measures can cut risk of animal and human infections.The research appears in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although most of these infections caused mild, manageable illness, new flu viruses jumping from pigs to people raises the risk of a flu pandemic,but the good news is that there are ways to curtail the spread of disease without eliminating swine fairs totally. The H3N2 virus implicated in these pig-to-human transmissions didn't originate in swine. In fact, people passed the virus to the pigs. The ease with which viruses can pass between pigs and people and evolve into new, more concerning viruses illustrates the importance of continued monitoring of swine to detect viruses that can threaten animals and man. The human infections that arise from exposure at the fair are often in the exhibitors, because they have prolonged exposure to the animals. The measures to curb the spread of disease transmission include: 1)Vaccinating pigs against flu. 2)Designing the intake process for animals when they arrive at the fairgrounds so that they aren't all touching the same surfaces with their snouts. 3)Posting guidance for hand-washing and supplying hand sanitizer near animal exhibits. 4)Posting signs warning against eating and drinking around animal exhibits. 5) Encouraging those at higher risk of flu complications to forego visits to the animal fairs. People who fall into this category are babies, young children, adults over 65 and those with illnesses that weaken the immune system.

Anti-cancer properties of soybeans.

Anti-cancer properties of soybeans. The proteins found in soybeans could inhibit the growth of colon, liver and lung cancers according to new research.Soybean meal is a bi-product of oil extraction from soybean seeds and used to feed livestock. It is rich in protein, which usually makes up around 40% of the nutritional components of the seeds and also contain high oleic acid.#soybeans. The study showed the role soybeans could have in the prevention of cancer. Using a variety of soybean lines which were high in oleic acid and protein, the researchers to monitored the bioactivity between the peptides derived from the meals of soybean and various types of human cancer cells. The study showed that peptides derived from soybean meal significantly inhibited cell growth by 73% for colon cancer, 70% for liver cancer and 68% for lung cancer cells using human cell lines. #cancer #soybeans.