Mucus found to thwart fungal infection

Plus: This star survived a supernova to continue shining bright. Jun 26, 2022 [Blueprint]( Science is full of surprises. Things you would never imagine can turn out to be the cure for some diseases. Now we are witnessing one such case. MIT scientists have found that components of mucus can interact with a particular yeast and prevent it from causing infection. Additionally, these components called glycans can be specialized to help fight many pathogens. Have you ever wondered how railway lines work in the face of thermal expansion and contraction? Let’s have a look at the video below to find out. Good morning. I’m Mert, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [This is how railway power lines work despite thermal expansion and contraction]( [railway]( Why don't trains just use simple transmission lines? [Must Read]MUST READ [Molecules in mucus may be the key to thwarting fungal infection]( [mucus]( [mucus]( MIT Thinking of mucus may disgust you. However, MIT researchers have now identified components of the substance that can interact with a particular yeast and prevent it from causing infection, [according to a press release]( by the institution published this month. → Glycans to the rescue. These components are called glycans, and they are a major part of mucins, the gel-forming polymers that make up mucus. Research is now revealing that these glycans can be specialized to help [fight many pathogens]( such as Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Now, researchers hope that these mucins could help researchers design new antifungal medicines or make disease-causing fungus more susceptible to existing drugs as some types of pathogenic fungus have developed resistance to them. However, spotting these glycans has been no easy task. Currently, only a small number of research groups worldwide are developing methods to synthesize these complex molecules, but the new study could inspire more research. The next step, of course, would be to find a way to deliver glycans to the human bod [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [The world’s largest hybrid ship will start traveling between France and England in 2024]( Brittany Ferries has announced the arrival of Saint-Malo, [the world’s largest hybrid ship]( for 2024. The 639-foot vessel will boast a battery with a capacity of 11.5 MWh, approximately double that typically used for hybrid propulsion in marine vessels, and will replace one of the firm’s older models on a route from St. Malo, France, to Portsmouth, England. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - Scientists create a tiny [fish-shaped robot]( that ‘swims’ around picking up microplastics. - OMG! 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Would you take medicine that contains mucus components? [Ew, no.]( [If I have the chance, why not?]( [Yes. Health comes first.]( [I wouldn’t choose it unless I had to.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday we asked if you think the war between Russia and Ukraine will get more aggressive. 56 percent say “unfortunately yes,” considering that none of the parties will surrender. On the other hand, 23 percent are unsure, thinking only Russia is likely to get aggressive. 56% Considering that none of the parties will surrender, unfortunately, yes. 23% I don’t know. But Russia may be the one that gets aggressive. 16% I hope it won’t. This war should end as soon as possible. 5% No. I don’t think there’ll be a need for that. [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “The suppression of uncomfortable ideas may be common in religion or in politics, but it is not the path to knowledge; it has no in the endeavor of science. We do not know in advance who will discover fundamental insights.” Carl Sagan in “Cosmos” (1985) [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Waleaf Gaming Desk]( [image]( [Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds]( [image]( [Airthings 2930 Wave Plus]( [image]( [Poofzy Fireplace]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Watch: Hidden weather patterns are [creating a 'heat dome' in the U.S](. - Germany takes a 'bitter' decision to [fire up coal power plants]( as Russia chokes off its vital natural gas supplies. (Business Insider) - Tesla and Honda's 363 crashes show why self-driving cars [may be decades]( away from safety. - These [toadlets are so tiny]( they can't balance and the footage is ridiculous. (ScienceAlert) - Tibetan monks demonstrate a surprising [evolutionary advantage](. - Tesla is [laying off workers]( who only just started and withdrawing employment offers as Elon Musk's job cuts begin. 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