Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that bacteria and fungi work together to aid movement and survival. Fungal spores can attach to bacteria, allowing them to travel further, while the bacteria use fungi as natural bridges to overcome obstacles.
Researchers have discovered a defect in the cell-targeting ability of Helicobacter pylori bacteria that leads to reduced inflammation in the stomach. The study found that the bacteria's chemotaxis, or movement towards specific chemicals, plays a crucial role in triggering chronic inflammation.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a computational model that explains how bacteria move in a swarm, enabling the design of intelligent robots. Bacteria's superior survival skills come from their ability to adjust interactions with peers and utilize short-term memory.
Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics when starved due to the ability of outer layer cells to sense nutrients, producing a protective mechanism against toxic oxygen radicals. Disrupting this function could improve treatment for infections.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen found that children born vaginally with diverse gut bacteria have lower risk of allergies. The study suggests that early exposure to a variety of bacteria is crucial for a healthy immune system, contradicting the long-held notion that bacteria are a threat to public health.
Researchers discovered a bacterium that targets and kills specific pathogens, making it a potential living antibiotic. This 'vampire' bacteria can survive only by drawing nutrients from prey bacteria, killing them in the process.
A study by University of California, San Diego biologists reveals that bacteria age and use asymmetric division to improve population fitness. By giving more cellular damage to one daughter cell and less to the other, bacteria allow for rejuvenation and diversity in their reproductive investment.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified a rare, previously unknown group of bacteria that could be the origin of mitochondria. The study suggests that these bacteria evolved from ocean- and earth-dwelling bacteria with larger genomes, explaining their success in global carbon cycles.
Researchers have developed a special type of biopolymer that protects probiotic bacteria from the acidic stomach environment and delivers them safely to the intestines. This innovation could lead to better quality probiotic food products and increase calcium absorption, benefiting gut health and bone structure.
A study found that Afghan patients at a US military hospital in Afghanistan carry multidrug-resistant bacteria, posing a risk to both local and foreign patients. The high rate of MDR bacteria among Afghans is partly due to longer hospital stays.
A new CU-Boulder study has found that dog feces may be a significant source of airborne bacteria in urban areas, particularly during the winter months. The research suggests that the dominant source of airborne bacteria in Cleveland and Detroit's wintertime air is actually from dog fecal material.
Scientists describe how a multipurpose protein on a virus tail bores into bacteria like a drill bit and clears debris. The 'Swiss Army Knife' protein enables the virus to pump its genetic material into bacteria, infecting them.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to withstand high levels of mercury and remove it from their surroundings, providing a potential technology for bioremediation. The bacteria were able to grow in extremely high concentrations of mercury and remove over 80% of it in five days.
Researchers have discovered a unique 'slingshot' motion used by bacteria to move across surfaces and form biofilms. This motion could allow bacteria to travel faster and more efficiently, using less energy, through a sticky substance that shields them.
Bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs a unique secretion system to break down its opponents' cell walls, causing their breakdown. The bacteria protects itself from this attack by using immunity proteins that counteract the effects of toxic proteins it secretes.
A meta-analysis of bacterial-virus interactions reveals a nested structure, with hard-to-infect bacteria infected by generalist viruses and easy-to-infect bacteria attacked by both generalist and specialist viruses. This discovery could improve predictions of microbial population dynamics and community assembly.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered that innate immune system proteins can induce bacterial cell walls to self-destruct. The proteins, called Peptidoglycan Recognition Proteins (PGRPs), target bacteria by exploiting a defense mechanism used by the bacteria themselves.
Researchers found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus promotes healing of the intestinal lining in mice by inducing reactive oxygen species. This discovery could guide doctors to improved treatments for intestinal diseases.
Research found that washing with contaminated liquid soap increases Gram-negative bacteria on hands 26-fold, and bacteria from contaminated hands can be transferred to secondary surfaces. This study highlights the importance of using sealed-soap dispensers in community settings.
Researchers at Texas A&M University discovered that certain bacteria can render themselves dormant in response to antibiotic stress, degrading internal antitoxins and damaging metabolic processes. This 'sleeping' mechanism allows the bacteria to avoid antibiotics, but could potentially be awakened by a complementary chemical.
Researchers found that beneficial gut bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis hijack immune cells to prevent inflammation. The bacteria produce a molecule that tricks the immune system into activating regulatory T cells, preventing autoimmune reactions.
A NIH study found that active surveillance for bacteria and barrier precautions did not reduce the transmission of two important antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospital-based settings. The use of gloves and gowns was also not sufficient to prevent bacterial spread.
A recent study reveals that antibiotic resistance genes can quickly spread between different types of bacteria using conjugative plasmids. The research found that these plasmids can adapt to various bacterial species and even combine with other plasmids, increasing the potential for gene transfer.
Scientists discover that bacteria in wasp antennae produce a cocktail of antibiotics to protect against fungal threats, a strategy similar to human combination therapy. This finding has potential clinical benefits and may yield novel antimicrobial compounds useful for human medicine.
Research suggests that stress alters the balance of intestinal bacteria, leading to increased levels of immune biomarkers and priming the innate immune system. The study found that antibiotics can reduce this effect, highlighting the role of gut bacteria in modulating stress-induced immune responses.
A Cardiff University-led team discovered antibiotic-resistant bacteria carrying the NDM-1 gene in New Delhi's drinking water supply, including strains that cause cholera and dysentery. The findings highlight the need for urgent action to tackle the spread of resistant bacteria worldwide.
The study found NDM-1-positive bacteria in drinking-water samples and seepage samples from urban New Delhi, highlighting the need for global action to limit the worldwide spread of NDM-1 producing bacteria. The gene was also detected in pathogenic species like Shigella boydii and Vibrio cholerae.
Scientists have developed bacteria that produce disease-fighting substances and deliver them to diseased areas of the body. The 'bacterial dirigibles' use biochemical delivery addresses to navigate to specific cells, producing substances to fight diseases.
Researchers at Hebrew University identified a previously uncharacterized type of bacterial communication mediated by nanotubes that bridge neighboring cells. This mechanism enables bacteria to exchange small molecules, proteins, and even small genetic elements, facilitating the acquisition of new features such as antibiotic resistance.
Scientists discovered a molecular assistant called Spy that helps bacteria produce stable, functional proteins. The 'spy' helper aids in protein refolding and protects unstable proteins from degradation.
A new study links specific groups of gut bacteria to the development of fatty liver disease. The researchers found that certain bacterial populations correlated with increased fat in the liver during a restricted choline diet. These findings suggest that individual variations in gut bacteria may play a role in the disease, and could le...
Research published in BMC Microbiology suggests that insects on pig farms can carry and transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans. The study found high prevalence of resistant Enterococcus faecalis and faecium in insect intestines, mirroring those found in pigs' feces.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed an IQ test to evaluate bacteria's 'social intelligence,' revealing high scores for certain strains. This breakthrough could lead to new antibiotics, powerful pesticides for agriculture, and better understanding of bacterial behavior.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found that bacteria incorporate foreign DNA from invading viruses into their own regulatory processes, developing resistance to antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on how bacteria have developed immunity over millions of years.
A new Confocal Laser Endomicroscope (CLE) tool allows clinicians to view bacteria that trigger bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis during routine colonoscopy. This enables rapid identification of patients at risk or in early stages of these diseases.
Researchers have discovered a class of molecules that can target quorum sensing, a key mechanism used by bacteria to communicate and coordinate their behavior. By blocking this system, scientists hope to develop new drugs that can prevent bacterial infections without promoting resistance.
Researchers discovered that bacteria produce unique proteins to inhibit growth and end life of other bacteria, suggesting a primitive form of kin selection. These proteins are acquired through horizontal gene transfer, allowing bacteria to adapt and evolve.
Researchers found that anthrax bacteria use CMG2 receptors to impair the scavenging action of neutrophils and macrophages, allowing the bacteria to multiply and overwhelm the body's defenses. Studying genetically modified mice revealed that mice without CMG2 receptors on immune cells were completely resistant to infection.
Researchers have developed a device that uses sound waves to detect bacteria in water, potentially speeding up the process by 15% compared to existing methods. The device broadcasts ultrasound waves into the liquid, exerting pressure on bacteria that pushes them into a collection pocket for identification.
Scientists discovered CRISPR/Cas, a bacterial immune system that protects against foreign DNA invasions. The system may help prevent antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria, benefiting industries like yogurt and probiotics.
A new study found that an intestinal enzyme helps maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, potentially preventing serious health issues. The enzyme, IAP, blocks toxic molecules on pathogenic bacteria and restores beneficial E. coli strains after antibiotic treatment.
Researchers found that bacteria from the mouth and gut can enter the body and contribute to inflammation and plaque rupture in atherosclerosis. The study identified specific bacteria, such as Pseudomonas luteola and Chlamydia pneumoniae, which were present in both atherosclerotic plaques and the mouths and guts of patients.
Research by Prof. Eshel Ben-Jacob suggests that bacteria can effectively control 'noise' in their environment and make decisions that benefit the entire colony. Bacteria's group decision-making processes can inform human decision-making, particularly in situations with multiple stakeholders.
Researchers trick Staphylococcus aureus bacteria into embedding foreign small molecules within their cell walls by manipulating an enzyme. This discovery could lead to novel therapeutics and real-time monitoring of diseases.
Researchers have developed a method to identify lytic enzymes with optimal bacteria-killing characteristics, which can target superbugs while leaving beneficial bacteria intact. The discovery aims to hasten the development of engineered enzymes for clinical use and offer a 'push button technology' solution.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that Salmonella bacteria create an environment in the human intestine to enhance its reproductive success. The bacteria use tetrathionate respiration, a sulfur compound produced by the immune system's response, to outgrow beneficial microbes and promote severe diarrhea.
A new microfluidic chip developed by Taiwanese researchers uses surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy to sort and identify bacteria. The technique creates unique spectral fingerprints for different bacterial species, enabling efficient identification.
Researchers have developed a new generation of antibiotics that can overcome drug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. By harnessing the enzymes that inactivate antibiotics, the team created modified drugs that are effective against resistant bacterial strains.
A new study found low levels of bacteria in soils outside fields sprayed with swine manure, while internal soils showed higher nutrient levels but lower pathogen levels. The research suggests that manure management plans have been effective in reducing bacterial risks.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found that bacteria that do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can reduce infection severity. By exploiting this selfish behavior, QS-deficient bacteria can outnumber and outcompete other bacteria, leading to reduced toxin production and milder infections.
Research reveals that oral bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase risk of heart disease. Poor dental hygiene allows bacteria like Streptococcus to cause tooth plaque and gum disease, leading to blood clots and cardiovascular problems.
Research discovers that uncooperative bacteria can benefit from 'opting out' of toxin production, reducing infection severity and outnumbering other bacteria. This new treatment approach could complement current therapies for antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Lestria bacteria can overcome harsh acidic conditions by exploiting key food ingredients like glutamate, neutralising acid and passing through the stomach unscathed. Consuming Lestria in one food may be safe, but eating it in another could be lethal due to varying food matrix properties.
Research reveals that a small percentage of bacteria become highly resistant supermutants, while most survive without being resistant to antibiotics. These supermutants produce high levels of indole, a signaling molecule that promotes survival in harsh environments.
A team of marine microbiologists at Newcastle University have discovered that bacteria can detect airborne chemicals like ammonia using a molecular 'nose'. This ability leads to the production of biofilms, which are major causes of infection on medical implants and cost the marine industry millions every year.
A new gene that enables bacteria to resist almost all antibiotics has been found in patients from India, Pakistan, and the UK, posing a serious global public health threat. The rapid emergence of these multi-drug resistant bacteria highlights the need for close international monitoring and surveillance.
A large-scale genetic study identified key genetic markers linked to developing meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The research suggests innate differences in natural defences leave individuals vulnerable to the bacteria.
A new experimental antibiotic has been shown to be effective against bacteria that are resistant to existing treatments. The compound works by targeting a specific enzyme in the bacteria's internal machinery, preventing it from reproducing.
Researchers at Loyola Medicine have discovered protein acetylation, a common molecular reaction in bacteria that affects protein function and gene regulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding bacterial physiology and developing new drugs to combat harmful bacteria.
Researchers found that competition between rival bacteria can cause deadlier forms of bacteria to evolve, making them more deadly when they enter the bloodstream. This can lead to serious diseases like pneumonia and meningitis.