Researchers at DRI found that certain bacteria can consume and convert left-handed amino acids into right-handed forms, which would otherwise be toxic to plants and animals. This discovery suggests that these bacteria play a crucial role in detoxifying the environment by consuming D-amino acids produced through geochemical transformation.
Researchers discovered that bacteria use indole to communicate and plan ahead for lean periods, leading to new ways to combat dangerous bacteria. The study could help scientists find new ways to control MRSA and other harmful bacteria.
A new method for studying the relationship between skin cells and good bacteria was developed, revealing certain bacterial communities alter HIV's ability to infect. The discovery has potential applications in understanding how vaginal products interact with good and bad bacteria.
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly ESBL-producing bacteria, is increasing in US children, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options. These infections can lead to longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality.
Researchers characterized the gut bacteria of premature infants who developed sepsis, suggesting a new approach to early detection and prevention. Genetic matches were found between bacteria in stool samples and those in blood samples, indicating that gut bacteria are responsible for these infections.
A study led by Dr. Sergio A. Lira found that removing gut bacteria reduced polyp formation and inflammation in mice, potentially reducing colorectal cancer risk. The researchers propose a new approach to understanding the interplay between genetic mutations, gut bacteria, and inflammation.
Researchers discovered how gut bacteria produce an enzyme that modifies signaling in cells lining the gut and breaks down phytate, a crucial nutrient. The enzyme is packaged in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) which allow for cross-kingdom communication with human cells, influencing calcium signaling and potentially improving health.
Researchers at U-M Medical School and institutions worldwide investigate the fiber of our being, discovering how one group of gut bacteria digests complex sugars. Their findings shed light on the science of human nutrition and have implications for commerce and industry.
Researchers discovered a genetic mechanism controlling the production of a large spike-like protein on staph bacteria that prevents clumping and reduces disease-causing ability. The study suggests targeting clumping behavior for therapy, potentially reducing staph infections.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to connect Lyme disease rash appearance with bacterial behavior. The model reveals that bacteria spread outward from the center of the rash, affecting immune response and treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a non-invasive chemical probe that can detect Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body, potentially leading to quicker and more accurate diagnoses. The probe uses the bacteria's propensity to cleave DNA, allowing doctors to pinpoint its location and detect infections sooner.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel approach to eliminate specific strains of bacteria using the CRISPR-Cas system. This method has shown promise in lab tests, eliminating targeted bacteria without affecting good bacteria and demonstrating precision in targeting different species.
Researchers at VIB have identified a chemical substance that can disarm pathogenic bacteria, allowing them to treat urinary tract infections without destroying beneficial bacteria. This approach could provide a lower risk of resistance development and spread.
Researchers have developed modified forms of spectinomycin that can act against TB bacteria, showing activity against multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains in mice. The new compounds, called spectinamides, are targeted to TB bacteria without harming mammalian cells.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered how one group of gut bacteria, Bacteroidetes, digest complex sugars found in fruits and vegetables. This understanding sheds light on nutritional issues like prebiotics and probiotics.
Researchers at Hebrew University have discovered how persistent bacteria survive antibiotic treatment by disrupting the chemical messaging process. This understanding could lead to improved therapies in the future.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that benign E. coli bacteria can evolve to become pathogenic within 500 generations or 30 days when confronted with macrophages. The bacteria adapted by developing resistance to being killed by immune cells and acquiring traits similar to those of deadly pathogens.
Scientists have resolved the 'chlamydial anomaly' by detecting peptidoglycan in Chlamydia trachomatis. The novel method used reveals regions where the molecule is produced, confirming its presence.
Researchers have identified phosphatases in human cells that are involved in bacterial survival and found small molecules that can stop them from working. This approach jams the host cell machinery rather than directly attacking the bacteria, potentially reducing the risk of resistance development.
A large epidemiological study discovered a clear association between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer patients had fewer beneficial bacteria and more harmful bacteria than healthy individuals.
Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered a protein that kills bacteria, potentially offering a new antibiotic substitute. The protein, produced by a virus that attacks bacteria, impedes cell division in E. coli and causes cells to elongate and die.
A new model from Uppsala University predicts how bacteria can rapidly adapt to environmental changes through smart regulation of gene expression. The study shows the ultimate limit for bacterial protein level adjustments in response to changing environments.
Researchers discovered bacteria can take up small fragments of damaged DNA, including ancient DNA, and integrate it into their genome. This process, called Anachronistic Evolution, has significant implications for the spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals.
Researchers have characterised the coat of a potential poultry probiotic, Lactobacillus johnsonii, which consists of two exopolysaccharides that play important roles in colonisation and adhesion. The unique EPS structures may help the bacteria compete with pathogenic C. perfringens.
Despite a quarter century of evolution, bacteria in Richard Lenski's lab continue to adapt and become more fit. Researchers used a 'frozen fossil record' of bacteria samples from different generations to measure their trajectory, finding that they never reach a fitness peak but instead follow a power law function.
June L. Round will use the award to develop ways to kill 'bad' bacteria while preserving commensal microbes that provide health benefits. Her research aims to exploit immune mechanisms to distinguish between good and bad organisms.
A study found that different strains of gut bacteria use mucins in the human gut at varying rates. The ability to break down mucins is linked to specific gene clusters, and these differences can affect which bacteria thrive in the gut. This research may provide new insights into maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Plant genes called expansins were transferred from plants to bacteria, fungi, and amoeba, allowing them to weaken plant cell walls and colonize roots. This unique case suggests that rare gene transfers have contributed significantly to the evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic species.
Scientists create tiny houses for bacteria using a novel 3D printing technology, enabling precise control over bacterial interactions and growth. The method reveals that certain bacterial communities become more resistant to antibiotics when contained together, providing new insights into infection mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a beneficial relationship between crops and bacteria that could lead to reduced nitrogen fertilizer use. By understanding how legume crops interact with rhizobia bacteria, scientists hope to develop new methods for improving plant nutrition and reducing waste.
Scientists have mapped the structure of a protein that helps bacteria evade the immune system. Understanding this protein, called BamA, could lead to new treatments for diseases like gonorrhoea and chanchroid. The discovery brings researchers closer to stopping infection before it takes hold.
Research shows that bacteria living in Gulf of Mexico beaches can thrive on a diet of oil by fixing nitrogen from the air, opening doors to more sophisticated cleanup techniques. However, some bacteria play an important role in the ecosystem experienced a sharp decline following the contamination.
A recent study published in Nature found that approximately 1 in 4 individuals have fewer than average intestinal bacteria, leading to reduced diversity and increased inflammation. This lack of gut bacteria is associated with a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Scientists have discovered that breast milk contains beneficial bacteria from the mother's gut, which is essential for establishing a healthy gut microbiome in babies. This finding confirms the importance of breastfeeding and highlights the need to develop formula milk that mimics nature.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified four bacteria found in drinking water that can form biofilms on pipes. Combining these bacteria with Methylobacterium produces a biofilm within 72 hours. The study suggests targeting specific bacteria could prevent biofilm formation and reduce chemical treatments.
Researchers used mathematical models and lab-based synthetic biology to predict bacterial investment crashes and boom-bust cycles. The study reveals how the diversity of life is maintained and demonstrates that investment decisions can be precisely defined.
University of Miami researchers found that purple bacteria can survive in extreme alien light by distributing photons across multiple reaction centers, allowing each one enough time to recover. This discovery suggests new possibilities for life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe.
Kansas State University researchers have discovered how Enterococcus faecalis, a bacterium causing hospital-associated infections, uses its regulatory system to resist the host's innate immune defense. The team has identified a protein called Eep as a key stress response that can be targeted with novel drug compounds.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified specific types of intestinal bacteria that contribute to the development of lymphoma. These bacteria can be targeted with antibiotics to reduce cancer risk, while promoting protective bacteria through probiotics may also be effective.
A new four-year grant will support research on Fusobacterium, a prevalent oral bacteria linked to stillbirth, post-birth sepsis, and premature births. The study aims to understand why some subspecies enter the bloodstream and cause diseases, potentially leading to disease prevention.
A study examining food poisoning infection in mice reveals Salmonella takes over beneficial bacteria in the gut, using a previously unknown sugar called fucose. The research provides new insights into infection dynamics and could lead to better prevention or treatments.
Scientists at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have found that low doses of silver can boost the efficacy of widely used antibiotics and make previously lethal bacteria sensitive again. This discovery holds promise for treating stubborn infections and developing new therapies against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers at the University of Calgary found that platelets actively search for specific bacteria and seal them off from the body, reducing the risk of infection. This mechanism is crucial in combating harmful bacteria like MRSA, which can lead to serious conditions.
Researchers found that young birds have a diverse range of bacteria in their guts, while adults have a more stable community of species. As birds mature, the number of bacterial species decreases, and a stable community forms.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new one-step process called 'clonetegration' that simplifies the production of designer bacteria. This faster method enables multiple rounds of genetic engineering on the same bacteria and simultaneous integration of multiple genes, accelerating therapeutic drug development.
Researchers have discovered that thioridazine, a drug previously used to treat schizophrenia, works against antibiotic-resistant bacteria by removing glycine from the cell wall. This interaction enables antibiotics to attack and kill the weakened bacteria, paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers analyzed the genome of C. botulinum bacteria to understand how they acquired their deadly neurotoxin gene cluster. The study found that the bacteria picked up the cluster in a single event and discovered fragments of other toxin genes, suggesting a 'hotspot' for gene transfer.
Researchers found that bacteria form micro-colonies in a pattern similar to economic systems, where a small number of lucky cells have access to resources. This process enables biofilms to develop, making infections potentially deadly. The study may lead to new treatment options using incentives and communication.
Researchers identified genetic controls that enable social amoebas to differentiate between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The study found nearly 800 genes activated when exposed to gram-negative bacteria, highlighting a key role for a specific gene in degrading bacterial cell walls.
Researchers used bacteriophages to attach to and kill bacteria that form biofilms on implanted devices, reducing antibiotic-resistant infections. The technology shows promise for combating antibiotic-resistant infections and developing bacterial sensing devices.
Scientists have developed a new family of selective antimicrobial agents that use synthetic colloid particles to recognize and inactivate specific types of bacteria. These 'colloid antibodies' show promise as a powerful tool against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes discovered a novel way in which certain gut bacteria can inactivate Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen. The study found that cell contact between good and bad bacteria is necessary for this process to occur.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes use atomic force microscopy to analyze mucins and their interactions with beneficial and disease-causing bacteria. The study aims to understand the role of mucus in maintaining a healthy gut and develop new insights into gut diseases.
Researchers found that bacteria use phospholipases to degrade competitor cell membranes without harming their own, revealing a new mechanism for interbacterial competition. This discovery opens the way for developing antibacterial drugs that harness this natural defense.
A study found that symbiotic bacteria in squids use light and chemical signals to control circadian-like rhythms in the animals. The bacteria entrain gene expression in the squid's head, cycling proteins to synchronize daily rhythms. This discovery has implications for understanding clock genes in other animals, including humans.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the surface bacteria on fresh produce vary depending on the type of produce and cultivation practices. Different types of fruits and veggies have distinct bacterial communities, which may impact food spoilage rates.
Researchers found that a strain of probiotic bacteria can alter its coat to outcompete harmful bacteria. This ability may prevent the growth of Clostridium perfringens in poultry, reducing the risk of necrotic enteritis and food poisoning.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in creating 'bio-batteries' by discovering that bacteria can produce an electric current when touching a mineral surface. This allows for the direct transfer of electrical charge through bacterial cell membranes, paving the way for efficient microbial fuel cells.
Scientists have cracked the genetic code of bacteria linked to periodontitis, a disease marked by inflammation and infection of the teeth's supporting ligaments and bones. The unique genetic code allows SR1 bacteria to introduce a glycine amino acid, limiting gene exchange with other bacteria.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an improved purification method for oysters that effectively removes Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria, reducing the risk of gastroenteritis. The new process uses temperature-controlled depuration with ultraviolet light, eliminating 99.9% of bacteria after four to five days.