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First simulation of a full-sized mitochondrial membrane

Scientists from the University of Groningen have developed a method that combines different resolution levels in a computer simulation of biological membranes. Their algorithm backmaps a large-scale model that includes features, such as membrane curvature, to its corresponding coarse-grained molecular model. This has allowed them to zoom in on toxin-induced membrane budding and to simulate a full-sized mitochondrial lipid membrane. Their approach opens the way to whole-cell simulations at a molecular level.




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How a molecular 'alarm' system in plants protects them from predators

Some plants, like soybean, are known to possess an innate defense machinery that helps them develop resistance against insects trying to feed on them. However, exactly how these plants recognize signals from insects has been unknown until now. In a new study, scientists in Japan have uncovered the cellular pathway that helps these plants to sense danger signals and elicit a response, opening doors to a myriad of agricultural applications.




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Newly discovered cell type plays crucial role in immune response to respiratory infections

With a discovery that could rewrite the immunology textbooks, an international group of scientists, including the teams of Bart Lambrecht, Martin Guilliams, Hamida Hammad, and Charlotte Scott (all from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) identified a new type of antigen-presenting immune cell.




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Like a molecular knob: That is how a gene controls the electrical activity of the brain

Its name is Foxg1, it is a gene, and its unprecedented role is the protagonist of the discovery just published on the journal Cerebral Cortex. Foxg1 was already known for being a "master gene" able to coordinate the action of hundreds of other genes. As this new study reports, the "excitability" of neurons, namely their ability to respond to stimuli, communicating between each other and carrying out all their tasks, also depends on this gene.




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Computer modeling reveals behavior of individual lipid molecules

Lipids are essential building blocks of cell membranes, which control the exchange of substances and energy between a cell and its environment. Developed at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, a new open-source software tool PCAlipids aims to analyze lipid behavior.




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How to manipulate light on the nanoscale over wide frequency ranges

An international team has discovered an effective method for controlling the frequency of confined light at the nanoscale in the form of phonon polaritons (light coupled to vibrations in the crystal). The results have now been published in Nature Materials.




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USF researchers find human-driven pollution alters the environment even underground

The Monte Conca cave system in Sicily is showing signs of being altered by pollution from above.




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International research improves quality of CT scan imagery

Computerized tomography (CT) is one of the most effective medical tests for analysing the effects of many illnesses, including COVID-19. An international team has developed a new method that improves the quality of the images obtained from CT scans. The algorithm, tested on simulated data, enables them to distinguish different body's tissue types better and opens the door to lowering the doses of radiation to which patients are exposed during this type of test.




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The Lancet: New triple antiviral drug combination shows early promise for treating COVID-19 in phase 2 randomized trial

A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin, started within 7 days of showing COVID-19 symptoms, is safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate illness, according to the first randomized trial of this triple combination therapy involving 127 adults (aged 18 and older) from six public hospitals in Hong Kong.




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Neandertals were choosy about making bone tools

Evidence continues to mount that the Neandertals, who lived in Europe and Asia until about 40,000 years ago, were more sophisticated people than once thought. A new study from UC Davis shows that Neandertals chose to use bones from specific animals to make a tool for specific purpose: working hides into leather.




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Stroke evaluations drop by nearly 40% during COVID-19 pandemic

A study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that stroke evaluations fell by nearly 40% during a period of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that many stroke patients are not seeking potentially life-saving medical treatment.




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Talent is key to school turnarounds

New research has shown that the key to implementing successful reform in low-performing schools is hiring and retaining effective principals and teachers.




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Neighborhood and cognitive performance in middle-age: Does racial residential segregation matter?

A study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that black subjects who were exposed to highly segregated neighborhoods in young adulthood exhibited worse performance in cognitive skills in mid-life. This outcome may explain black-white disparities in dementia risk at older age.




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Epithelial GPS: Position of RNAi machinery is associated with epithelial identity

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina show in a new report that the RNA interference machinery, normally thought to reside in the nucleus or cytoplasm, predominantly localizes to these apical junctions and influences cell biology in the colon. Interestingly, in colon tumors, this localization is dysregulated and may shift the balance of RNAs to promote tumorigenesis.




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Immune system discovery paves way to lengthen organ transplant survival

A new discovery in mice shows the innate immune system has 'memory,' previously thought to be a unique feature of the adaptive immune system. Blocking this memory prevented transplanted organs from being rejected, providing a way to more specific drugs that could lengthen organ transplant survival.




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Plasma medicine research highlights antibacterial effects and potential uses

As interest in the application of plasma medicine -- the use of low-temperature plasma (LTP) created by an electrical discharge to address medical problems -- continues to grow, so does the need for research advancements proving its capabilities and potential impacts on the health care industry. Across the world, many research groups are investigating plasma medicine for applications including cancer treatment and the accelerated healing of chronic wounds, among others.




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OSU study shows grange a 'natural partner' for expanding health outreach

In the ongoing struggle to address health care disparities in rural communities across the US, a recent study found that the perfect partner may be hiding in plain sight. The grange, founded in 1867, is a community-based organization that is likely familiar to anyone who's spent time in a small town. In addition to political advocacy on behalf of farmers, the grange's missions around community and family also align closely with the goals of public health.




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Individualized mosaics of microbial strains transfer from the maternal to the infant gut

Researchers have used a microbiome 'fingerprint' method to report that an individualized mosaic of microbial strains is transmitted to the infant gut microbiome from a mother giving birth through vaginal delivery. They detailed this transmission by analyzing existing metagenomic databases of fecal samples from mother-infant pairs, as well as analyzing mouse dam and pup transmission in a germ-free, or gnotobiotic, mouse model, where the dams were inoculated with human fecal microbes.




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'Detailed' plans being drawn up to restart economy, Jenrick says as testing falls below 100,000 for fourth day

The update comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he would set out a lockdown exit strategy on Sunday.




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Debenhams accused of 'stealing' as retailer demands 90% discount on clothes from suppliers already at UK ports

ITV News has seen correspondence from Debenhams’ administrator to Bangladeshi suppliers demanding a 90% discount on garments orders.




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Charity warns of 'mental illness timebomb' as calls increase by 200%

The number of callers to the charity SANE’s telephone helpline has increased by 200 percent since the lockdown began.




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Hospices still denied access to PPE as Health Secretary insists government is doing 'as much as we can'

One hospice ITV News spoke to is three days away from running out of protective gowns needed to treat patients with coronavirus.




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Former Scotland rugby captain takes on walking challenge to raise money for NHS

A former Scotland rugby captain, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash, is walking to raise money for the NHS.




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'Almost criminal' coronavirus testing isn't available for everyone, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown says

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for "more than 200,000" coronavirus tests to be carried out.




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Coronavirus: 'Delays in action on care home crisis cost thousands of lives', documents reveal

Data which identified a massive in Covid-19 was sent to ministers a month before the government's Care Home Action Plan was published.




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Medieval arrows caused similar injuries to gunshots, say archaeologists

Arrows fired from longbows could penetrate right through the human skull creating small entry and large exit wounds.




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Co-op launches new funeral Covid-19 funeral packages

The company wants to ensure mourners can still say their goodbyes.




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Eating disorder sufferer’s anguish shines light on mental health provision

Emily Nuttall, 26, has sought help from charities such as Mind and Beat to help her cope with mental health problems during lockdown.




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First patients given plasma in coronavirus treatment trial

Hospitals in London and Birmingham have been supplied with fourteen units of convalescent plasma to see if it helps people who are battling




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Special front cover of The Big Issue created by Gruffalo illustrator

Characters created by Axel Scheffler from his popular books with Julia Donaldson are on the cover.




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Duchess of Cambridge calls on budding photographers to capture life under coronavirus lockdown

The Duchess of Cambridge has teamed up with the National Portrait Gallery to launch the Hold Still project.




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Only half of businesses prepared to return to pre-crisis levels after lockdown lifts

One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced.




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Thai elephants return to villages due to fall in tourist numbers

The pandemic has meant more than 100 of the animals are walking as far as 95 miles to their homes.




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At least eight dead and thousands taken to hospital after chemical leak in India

The incident led to panic among locals within a three-kilometre radius.




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Why no one really knows the economic outcome of the coronavirus crisis

From a rapid recovery to prolonged depression and everything in between, the range of possible outcomes from the coronavirus crisis is vast.




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Nicola Sturgeon says lockdown must continue in Scotland but people may be allowed out more than once per day to exercise

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the lockdown period in the country should be extended.




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Notting Hill Carnival 2020: Event cancelled for the first time ever

Notting Hill Carnival has been cancelled for the first time ever because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.




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Spread of coronavirus in hospitals and care homes is the big problem, writes Robert Peston

In the community, the rate of transmission is probably as low as 0.5/0.6, which means its progress through the population has been arrested.




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Police chief calls on Premier League clubs objecting to neutral venues to 'get a grip'

Mark Roberts believes those who say the proposal compromises the integrity of the league need to look at the broader context.




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Legal proceedings launched against Andrew ‘over unpaid ski resort bill’

Le Temps newspaper says the chalet was bought in 2014.




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Retail sales plummet in April despite record jump in online trading

Closures dragged total sales down, despite a 109.6% jump in online retail sales for the month – the highest increase on record.




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Lower paid essential workers ‘substantially constrained’ over childcare

The report stated that the groups identified are not an exhaustive list of essential employees.




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Call to ‘grab chance’ to end overfishing in Europe’s seas amid lockdown

A drop in demand from overseas markets and restaurants at home means 2020 could be the first year without overfishing in European waters.




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GCHQ reveals last message from German Second World War network

Historian Tony Comer says it is ‘a small insight into the real people behind the machinery of war’.




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How Florence Nightingale shaped the way modern nurses are tackling coronavirus

Nightingale pioneered many of the practices carried out today, such as maintaining good hygiene and regularly washing hands




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Nine veterans die with Covid-19 at Royal Chelsea Hospital

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw revealed the losses ahead of VE Day on Friday.




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Lockdown changes for Wales to be announced tomorrow

Welsh ministers understood to have agreed only 'cautious' changes to lockdown restrictions here in Wales




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Lockdown extended for three more weeks in Wales

Exercise will be permitted more than once a day but only if it begins and ends at home.




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Our royal team on Kate's photography project and Princess Charlotte's birthday

In this week's Royal Rota, our team discuss the Duchess of Cambridge's latest volunteer work and Princess Charlotte birthday celebrations.




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Train kills 16 migrant workers in India walking back home in lockdown

Sixteen migrant workers were crushed to death by a goods train in Aurangabad in Western India.