The article reveals groundbreaking research on the effectiveness of vaccinating pregnant women against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study found that babies born to vaccinated mothers had a 72% reduction in hospitalizations due to RSV, making it a crucial tool for reducing infant hospital admissions and pressures on healthcare systems.

Research conducted by universities across England and Scotland involved 537 babies who were admitted to hospital with severe respiratory disease during the winter of 2024-2025. The findings showed that mothers of babies without RSV were more likely to have received the vaccine before delivery, highlighting the importance of timely vaccination for maximum protection.

The study highlights the significance of raising awareness about the availability and effectiveness of the new RSV vaccine, which can be given as early as 28 weeks of pregnancy, allowing for optimal antibody transfer to the baby. However, it is recommended that pregnant women get vaccinated as soon as possible, ideally before delivery, to maximize protection.

The research collaboration also included experts from various institutions and emphasized the value of vaccination in preventing RSV-related illnesses. The study’s findings were published in the journal The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

Key Takeaways:

* Vaccinating pregnant women can reduce RSV hospitalizations by 72% among newborns.
* Timely vaccination during pregnancy is crucial for maximum protection against RSV.
* The new RSV vaccine offers a significant opportunity to protect babies from severe respiratory disease.
* Awareness about the availability and effectiveness of the vaccine should be raised among healthcare providers, pregnant women, and their families.

The scientific community has made significant strides in recent years towards developing innovative methods for producing and analyzing complex molecules. In an exciting breakthrough, researchers from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, along with international collaborators, have successfully harnessed the potential of brewer’s yeast to create miniature factories that produce macrocyclic peptides – promising drugs with high therapeutic value.

Macrocyclic peptides are a class of molecules that offer precision targeting, stability, and safety, making them an attractive alternative to traditional drugs. However, conventional methods for discovering and testing these peptides have been complex, slow, and environmentally unfriendly. To overcome these limitations, the researchers engineered brewer’s yeast cells to individually produce different macrocyclic peptides.

Each yeast cell acts as a tiny factory that lights up when producing the compound, allowing scientists to swiftly identify promising peptides. Using advanced fluorescence-based techniques, the team screened billions of micro-factories in just a few hours – a process significantly faster and more ecofriendly than existing methods.

Lead author Sara Linciano explained the innovative approach: “We manipulated yeast cells so that each one functions as a ‘micro-factory’ that becomes fluorescent when producing a specific compound. This allowed us to analyze 100 million different peptides rapidly and effectively.”

The study’s co-leader, Ylenia Mazzocato, highlighted the sustainability of their approach: “By exploiting the natural machinery of yeast, we produce peptide molecules that are biocompatible and biodegradable, making them safe for health and the environment – a truly ‘green pharma’ approach.”

The researchers also demonstrated the excellent binding properties of these peptides using X-ray crystallography. This new method offers significant advancements for drug discovery, especially for challenging targets that conventional drugs cannot easily address.

As Alessandro Angelini, associate professor and study coordinator, emphasized: “We are pushing the boundaries of this technology to create macrocyclic peptides that can deliver advanced therapies directly to specific cells, potentially revolutionising treatments. This could greatly benefit patient health and have substantial scientific and economic impacts.”

This work was part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), supported by the European Union’s Next Generation EU initiative. The team involved multidisciplinary experts from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Padova, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Part of this technology has already been patented by Ca’ Foscari and was recently acquired by the startup Arzanya S.r.l. As Angelini concluded: “Seeing our technology gain international recognition makes me proud. I hope Arzanya S.r.l. can provide our talented young researchers with the opportunity to pursue their passions here in Italy, without necessarily needing to move abroad.”

The article tells the story of Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology student at West Virginia University, who made the groundbreaking discovery of a long-sought-after fungus that produces effects similar to LSD. The fungus, named Periglandula clandestina, was found growing in morning glory plants and has been shown to produce ergot alkaloids, which have potential therapeutic applications.

Hazel’s discovery was a result of her work with Professor Daniel Panaccione in the lab, where she was studying how morning glories disperse protective chemicals through their roots. The researchers prepared a DNA sample and sent it away for genome sequencing, funded by a student enhancement grant obtained by Hazel. The sequence confirmed the discovery of a new species, which is now deposited in a gene bank with her name on it.

The discovery of Periglandula clandestina has opened up potential research avenues, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals. Ergot alkaloids have been used to treat various conditions, but they can also be poisonous and have unwanted side effects. By studying these compounds, researchers may be able to find ways to bypass their negative effects and create new medications.

Hazel’s achievement is all the more remarkable given her status as a student. She has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her work, which has led to this significant breakthrough. The discovery of Periglandula clandestina serves as a testament to the importance of students recognizing opportunities and seizing them with skill and determination.

Content:

Discovery of Elusive Fungus Yields New Opportunities in Pharmaceutical Research

A West Virginia University microbiology student has made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to new pharmaceuticals. Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology major and Goldwater Scholar, found the elusive fungus Periglandula clandestina growing in morning glory plants. The fungus produces effects similar to LSD, which is used to treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.

Hazel made the discovery while working in the lab with Professor Daniel Panaccione. She was studying how morning glories disperse protective chemicals through their roots when she noticed a tiny little seed coat with fuzz-like appearance. The researchers prepared a DNA sample and sent it away for genome sequencing, funded by a student enhancement grant obtained by Hazel.

The sequence confirmed the discovery of a new species, which is now deposited in a gene bank with her name on it. This achievement is all the more remarkable given Hazel’s status as a student. She has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her work, which has led to this significant breakthrough.

The discovery of Periglandula clandestina has opened up potential research avenues, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals. Ergot alkaloids have been used to treat various conditions, but they can also be poisonous and have unwanted side effects. By studying these compounds, researchers may be able to find ways to bypass their negative effects and create new medications.

Hazel is now studying the most effective ways to culture the slow-growing fungus and is interested in whether other morning glory species may also contain ergot alkaloids from a fungal symbiote that has yet to be described. Her achievement serves as a testament to the importance of students recognizing opportunities and seizing them with skill and determination.

The researchers dubbed the fungus “Periglandula clandestina” for its ability to have eluded investigators for decades. Hazel is proud of her work at WVU, saying “I’m lucky to have stumbled into this opportunity.” People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day, I look in the right place, and there it is.”

Hazel’s achievement has significant implications for pharmaceutical research and could lead to new treatments for various conditions. Her discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of dedication, hard work, and innovative thinking in scientific research.