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Single gene triggers winter behaviours in mammals


As winter approaches, researchers have uncovered the genetic switch that tells mammals when to hibernate or migrate. A team from the University of Glasgow has pinpointed the Dio3 gene as the key regulator of seasonal behaviours across mammals.


Using transcriptomic sequencing and careful monitoring of Djungarian hamsters, the


scientists showed that shortening daylight activates Dio3, triggering a six-month cycle of winter behaviours. When the gene’s activity ends, the animals spontaneously return to ‘summer’ conditions - closely mirroring natural seasonal patterns.


“This discovery reveals the intrinsic genetic mechanism controlling seasonal physiology and behaviour,” said Professor


Scientists at the University of Manchester, funded by the Wellcome Trust, have uncovered new evidence that stroke can disrupt the immune system in the gut, shedding light on why patients often experience gastrointestinal problems in the days following a stroke [1].


Published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, the study adds to the growing evidence for a ‘gut-brain axis’, a system of communication between the brain and the digestive tract that affects both health and disease. While previous research has shown that stroke


affects the nervous system’s signals to the gut, the new findings suggest the communication may also work in reverse.


Using a mouse model, the team observed that stroke triggered changes in antibody-producing immune cells in the small intestine, particularly a subset that makes Immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps regulate gut bacteria. Mice lacking IgA showed fewer changes to their gut microbiome after stroke, indicating that altered immune responses may partly drive post-stroke gastrointestinal complications.


by Gwyneth Astles The latest news & events from the industry


Djungarian hamster, the model for studying the genetics behind mammalian winter behaviour.


Tyler Stevenson, University of Glasgow. “Understanding how and when these genes switch on gives insight not only into animal biology, but also potential implications for health and disease.”


The study [1], published in eLife and funded by the Leverhulme Trust, marks a significant step in decoding the seasonal internal clock that governs mammalian life - with potential


applications ranging from veterinary science to human circannual rhythms.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/5G1v


1. Hypothalamic deiodinase type-3 establishes the period of circannual interval timing in mammals published in eLife


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Stroke triggers gut immune changes and microbiome shifts, study finds


“Stroke is a devastating event with long- term consequences, including infections and digestive issues,” said lead investigator Professor Matt Hepworth of the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunity and Inflammation. “Our work shows how the gut’s immune system becomes disturbed, potentially contributing to the intestinal symptoms and complications seen in patients.”


The findings highlight new avenues for improving post-stroke recovery. As immune- targeting therapies become more common in


the clinic, understanding gut-immune changes could eventually help prevent secondary complications and enhance patients’ quality of life.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/jYOL


1. Cerebral ischaemic stroke results in altered mucosal antibody responses and host- commensal microbiota interactions published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity


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Gut bacteria linked to deadly bloodstream infections in African newborns


New research from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has, for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, shown that the bacteria causing bloodstream infections in newborns often originate in the gut. The discovery could pave the way for faster, less invasive diagnosis and improved prevention of life-threatening neonatal sepsis.


Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of hospitalisation and death in children under five, with newborns particularly vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. Until now, pinpointing the source of these infections has been challenging, limiting opportunities for early intervention.


The study [1], published in Communications Biology, compared the genomes of two major bacterial pathogens — Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae — isolated from both blood and faecal samples of Tanzanian newborns admitted with fever. The research, led by LSTM in collaboration with Tanzanian and Norwegian scientists, revealed that in most cases the bacteria were almost genetically identical, indicating that the same strain had migrated from the gut into the bloodstream. Alarmingly, some strains acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes during this transition, highlighting a serious treatment challenge.


Dr Richard Goodman, lead author and Post- Doctoral Research Associate at LSTM, said: “Our findings confirm that the bacteria causing bloodstream infections are often genetically identical to those in the gut. Understanding the genetic markers behind this transition is key to designing interventions that protect the most vulnerable children.”


The results suggest stool samples could serve as an early warning system, allowing clinicians to identify infants at risk before sepsis develops. Dr Sabrina Moyo, co-author of the study, added: “Early detection of high-risk bacteria could save lives, especially in neonatal units with limited diagnostic resources.”


By revealing how gut microbes invade the bloodstream and sometimes acquire resistance, the study underscores the urgent need for improved surveillance, targeted antibiotics, and preventive strategies — crucial steps in reducing newborn deaths and slowing the spread of AMR.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/MvVX


1. Comparative genomics of blood and faecal E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from neonates with bloodstream infections in Tanzania published in Communications Biology


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