Uncovering the structure of the poxvirus 'portal complex'
Poxviruses have a long history in human disease as well as medicine: The first-ever vaccine was developed to protect against smallpox, which has since been eradicated. Despite this, scientists still don't fully understand how poxviruses infect and replicate inside our cells....
What to take away
Watch whether the progress continues long enough to protect the place or species.
Why it's good
It points to real recovery progress for a vulnerable species or place after sustained conservation work.
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More Bright Stories
Science and HealthAncient smallpox genomes reveal how European colonization brought the disease to the Americas
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have recovered and analyzed the first ancient smallpox virus genomes ever identified in the Americas, providing the strongest direct evidence to date that the disease was introduced through European colonization.
Phys.org Biology - Jul 30
Science and HealthDrone cameras can measure pigments indicating surface health of dryland soils
Drylands soils are being degraded by human activities and climate change, threatening the thin living layers covering their surface, called biocrusts, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Composed of cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses, algae, fungi and bacteria, biocrusts play major roles in storing carbon, cycling nitrogen, preventing erosion and supporting ecosystems. To better understand the status of these complex biological communities, a team led by researchers at Penn State developed a novel approach for assessing the health and function of biocrusts.
Phys.org Biology - Jul 30
Science and HealthSpreading Crushed Rock on Newly-Planted Forests Boosts Carbon Storing and Nutrients
A sprinkle of crushed basalt rock has turned out to be the fairy dust that newly planted forests need to develop faster and absorb more carbon. That’s what scientists from Imperial College London are reporting in a new study from the largest field experiment studying how “enhanced weathering” and soil microbiome enrichment can potentially improve
Good News Network - Jul 30
Science and HealthA climate resilience strategy to strengthen US seafood competitiveness
As the U.S. looks to expand domestic seafood production, a new University of Miami study argues that long-term competitiveness will depend on how well fisheries can withstand climate-driven disruptions. The study comes as NOAA advances new efforts to increase domestic seafood production and suggests that producing more seafood will require investments that reduce disruptions to the nation's fisheries and seafood supply chains.
Phys.org Biology - Jul 29