Immunology

Research shows that breast milk’s complement system crucially shapes infant gut microbiota, offering protection against harmful bacteria and infections. This mechanism operates independently of antibodies, underscoring the unique protective benefits of breastfeeding.Proteins in breast milk boost offspring immunity by influencing gut bacterial composition.A study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that a component of breast milk called the complement system influences…

Smoking has a significant and long-lasting impact on immune responses, with effects enduring years after cessation, a study by the Institut Pasteur reveals. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearch indicates smoking’s prolonged influence on immunity, linked to epigenetic changes, persists even after quitting.Like other factors such as age, sex, and genetics, smoking has a major impact on immune responses. This is the finding recently made by a team of scientists at the Institut Pasteur using theMilieu Intérieurcohort of 1,000…

A groundbreaking study reveals how neutrophils form their unique nuclear structures, solving a mystery from the 1880s. This discovery could revolutionize immune therapy by enabling the engineering of immune cells with new nuclear shapes to enhance their disease-fighting capabilities.Scientists may be able to direct immune cells toward diseased areas. Nearly 150 years ago, scientists discovered that specialized blood cells serve a vital role in immune system protection against infection and illness.Certain groups of these…

Most people only consume about half of the recommended amount of dietary fiber, and it can negatively affect overall health.Fiber is key to gut health and overall wellness, yet many diets lack sufficient fiber. Balance and variety in fiber sources are important for its full health benefits.There’s no shortage of advice about what to eat, including hype about the latest superfoods that will help you live to 100, or about the newest restrictive diets that claim to help you lose weight and look beautiful. As a researcher…

Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which misplaced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can cause inflammation, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention against autoimmune diseases and aging-related inflammation. Credit: SciTechDaily.comSalk scientists outline mouse cell inflammation pathway from mitochondrial stress to leaking endosomes to immune system initiation, revealing new potential therapeutic targets to reduce inflammation in aging and disease.Cells in the human body contain power-generating…

Here’s one weird trick for making the most out of your next two-dose vaccine: get a shot in both arms. A recent study found evidence that a two-arm approach can noticeably, if modestly, improve the body’s immune response to covid-19 compared to two shots in the same arm. More research will be needed to confirm whether this method should become widely recommended for future vaccines, however.Alex Winter on Innovative Horror Movies Several studies have looked at the question of whether arm choice can affect the immune…

A team from RIKEN CSRS has traced the evolutionary history of plant immune receptors, revealing their common ancestry with growth proteins and the potential for creating pathogen-resistant crops through genetic engineering. Credit: SciTechDaily.comRIKEN researchers have mapped the evolution of plant immunity, uncovering a pathway to engineer crops with enhanced disease resistance.Plants are continuously evolving new immune receptors to ever-changing pathogens. Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource…

Research on how microbes may prevent allergies shows mixed results. Studies comparing wild and laboratory mice found that exposure to diverse microbes doesn’t always reduce allergic reactions, challenging the notion that microbial exposure is universally beneficial in allergy prevention. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe notion that some level of microbial exposure might reduce our risk of developing allergies has arisen over the last few decades and has been termed the hygiene hypothesis. Now, an article published in Science…

Transmission electron micrograph of HIV-1 virus particles (red) budding and replicating from a segment of a chronically infected H9 cell (blue). Particles are in various stages of maturity; arc/semi-circles are immature particles that have started to form but are still part of the cell. Immature particles slowly change morphology into mature forms and exhibit the classic “conical or spherical-shaped core.” Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAIDResearchers…

Harvard psychologists show that the way we perceive time affects the speed of physical wound healing. Using experiments where participants experienced time at different rates, the study found that wounds healed faster when more time was perceived to have passed, challenging traditional views on the psychological influences on physical health. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA Harvard study demonstrates that perceived time can accelerate or slow down physical healing, suggesting a strong mind-body connection in health.Perceived…