In a study led by researchers from the NRF-DSTI research chair in African Microbiome Innovation at Stellenbosch University (SU), scientists investigated how antimicrobial resistance genes behave in WWTPs and rivers in a large urban city in South Africa. Because of the lack of such studies in Africa, and the potential implications for water reuse, Dr Makumbi and his co-authors conducted a microbiome study to get a sense of what is happening at WWTWs and connected river systems in South Africa.

Researchers at the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) report new insights into how cone photoreceptors, the cells responsible for central vision, can be protected from degeneration. Screening more than 2,700 compounds in 20,000 lab grown human retinal organoids, the team found both harmful and protective effects, with inhibition of casein kinase 1 emerging as a key protective mechanism. The study also provides an openly accessible dataset to support the development of new therapies for vision loss.

University of Missouri researchers have shown how an all-female fish species called the Amazon molly defies the long-held belief that asexual reproduction is an evolutionary dead end.

Scientists call for a major acceleration in coral assisted evolution research to help reefs cope with rapidly warming oceans.

Chicks, just like pets, also benefit from gentle human touch, new research has revealed.  Scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered that gentle human interactions do not only prevent fear in baby chicks but also triggers positive emotions. The findings offer new insights into how early-life handling affects the welfare of young farm animals.

Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal illness and death, especially among women with a history of premature delivery. Researchers in Japan explored whether taking probiotics early in pregnancy could help reduce the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD). In a multicenter clinical trial, women who consumed probiotics containing Clostridium butyricum showed lower recurrence rates compared with national averages, suggesting that probiotic therapy may offer a simple strategy to help prevent premature births.