A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that Big Red chewing gum reduced anaerobic bacteria in saliva by over 50% and eliminated bad breath-causing bacteria. The gum's cinnamic aldehyde content proved effective against halitosis, a common oral health issue.
Case researchers substantiated a bacterial link to preterm birth through mouse studies, finding that Fusobacterium nucleatum from the mouth can reach the sterile womb environment. Periodontal disease and pregnancy compromise the immune system, allowing bacteria to target the placenta.
A recent study has revealed that bacteria do indeed inhabit the esophagus, with researchers discovering over 95 species of microbes in healthy tissue. The findings have significant implications for treating diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may one day lead to new treatments using antibiotics.
Researchers investigate how harmless bacteria trigger immune response, offering new insights into oral health and potential treatments for infections. Beta-defensins, natural antibiotics produced by the body, may hold key to preventing infection, according to expert Dr. Beverly Dale.
A study found that 70% of intensive care patients were colonized with bacteria from other patients in the unit. The researchers identified multiple strains of Staphylococcus bacteria that were resistant to various antibiotics, highlighting the need for improved infection control and antibiotic use guidelines.
E. coli cells quadruple Pol IV enzyme production as they starve, allowing them to adapt and survive through increased genetic variation. This discovery could help hospitals combat nosocomial infections by developing new strategies for quickly mutating bacteria.
Researchers found that bacteria in mazes congregate in small rooms and dead-end pathways, suggesting a survival mechanism. This active seeking behavior could lead to new drugs disrupting the congregating behavior of harmful bacteria.
Researchers discovered that friendly bacteria and human hormones send cellular signals alerting E. coli to its location, leading to colonization and toxin release. Beta blockers may be developed to block this signaling system, preventing the bacteria from reaching the intestine.
Bacteriophage, or phage, previously thought not to be infectious to humans, may be a new target for fighting certain bacteria that produce toxins. Scientists found that phage can transfer toxins and genes between bacteria, transforming harmless microbes into virulent bugs.
A recent study has found that gut bacteria interact with the intestine to regulate blood supply, with Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron stimulating blood vessel development. The research suggests a key developmental program shared by intestinal bacteria and their host is essential for healthy development.
Researchers discovered that ion channels in bacteria allow them to withstand stomach acid by enabling an electrical shunt. This finding suggests a similar mechanism exists in human cells, potentially related to maintaining acidic conditions within endosomes.
Researchers have found that COPD patients' immune systems are unable to prevent recurrent bacterial infections due to constantly changing bacterial populations in their lungs. The study's findings may lead to the development of vaccines that can keep pace with these changes, providing new treatment options for patients.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that fluid forces in the human body help invasive bacteria, such as E. coli, thrive and adhere to surfaces. This finding has significant medical implications, including the potential for improved biomedical device safety and a better understanding of urinary tract infections.
A new counting method allows for the detection of semi-viable bacteria in cheese, which are active but no longer divide. This method is useful for following the ripening of cheese and yoghurt, as well as developing probiotic dairy products.
Researchers discovered that ramoplanin effectively targets bacteria's ability to build cell walls, dodging common mechanisms of mutational resistance. This finding could lead to the development of new classes of antibiotics for treating drug-resistant infections.
Researchers developed Microbial Anti-attachment Technology (MAT), reducing bacteria attachment by 50-58% compared to traditional soaps. The technology uses three cosmetic ingredients to deposit a thin film on skin, blocking bacteria-binding sites and altering surface properties.
A University of Toronto geneticist has discovered a process to clarify the relationship between bacterial pathogens and their plant hosts. By developing a functional screen, Professor David Guttman identified more type III effectors in plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae than in any other animal or plant pathogen.
Biologists at Princeton University discovered a protein that initiates biofilm formation in E. coli bacteria, using a 'touch sensor' mechanism to sense solid surfaces. This finding suggests disrupting this sensing mechanism could be an effective strategy for developing new antibacterial agents targeting biofilms.
Brookhaven National Laboratory scientists have developed strains of bacteria that can live in harsh environments and convert ordinary coal to a cleaner resource. These microbes remove sulfur and heavy-metal contaminants from coal, producing fewer environmentally undesirable by-products when burned or converted into fuel.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a smart bandage that can detect bacteria and provide instant diagnosis, changing color to indicate the presence of Gram-positive or negative bacteria. The bandage is part of a larger 'smart medical home' system that aims to give people more control over their health.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have solved the first high-resolution structure of a membrane transporter, which can help design new drugs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and certain cancer cells. The breakthrough could lead to increased efficacy of chemotherapy agents.
Scientists have discovered a significant component of the ocean's carbon cycle, with photosynthetic bacteria found in virtually every surface water sample. These aerobic photoheterotrophic bacteria can produce organic matter and supply up to 40% of their energy from sunlight.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that Gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus use cholesterol-dependent cytolysins to inject toxins into host cells, paving the way for entry of other proteins. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A team of scientists discovered bacteria that can clean up contaminated water by stripping away impurities and re-packaging them into zinc sulfide crystals. These microorganisms, found in the Desulfobacteriaceae family, have the potential to improve the efficiency of mining waste removal.
Researchers like Dr. Melanie Mormile are exploring the possibility of finding ancient bacteria on Mars, which could provide evidence for life on the planet. By dating salt-loving bacteria on Earth, scientists aim to confirm whether similar organisms can survive for hundreds of millions of years.
A team of biologists led by Carl E. Bauer have determined that non-oxygen-producing bacterial species such as purple and green bacteria are the most ancient photosynthetic bacteria. This finding reverses conventional thinking on the evolution of photosynthetic bacteria, suggesting a complex evolutionary history.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center discovered that non-pathogenic bacteria in the GI tract can block an immune system pathway called NF-KB, preventing cells from responding to potential threats. This mechanism may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and other intestinal diseases.
Researchers have found that electrolyzed water is a deadly combination for bacteria, but great for consumers, killing bacteria on fresh produce and reducing bacteria up to a million-fold. The acidity and oxidation-reduction properties of the water contribute to its effectiveness in sanitizing food surfaces.
Researchers discovered that gatekeeper protein YidC allows essential proteins to enter bacterial membranes, while its absence leads to bacterial death. This finding suggests a new pathway for protein translocation and implies a common ancestor among bacteria, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.
Scientists have identified an unusual protein in anaerobic bacteria that senses oxygen and causes the bacteria to swim away from it. The protein could lead to the development of new antibiotics and provide insight into the evolution of life.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have made a groundbreaking discovery about how marine bacteria acquire iron from seawater. The marinobactin and aquachelin siderophores, produced by these bacteria, exhibit a unique ability to bind to iron and form vesicles, raising questions about their physiological role.
A study found that 80% of colonic bacteria contain a gene resistant to tetracycline, highlighting rapid spread of resistance genes. The discovery suggests that other resistance genes are also moving along with the tetracycline resistance gene.
Researchers found that digital exams nearly doubled vaginal bacteria entering the cervix and uterus in 80% of patients. Potentially harmful bacteria like Group B Streptococcus and E. coli were isolated from cultures, posing a risk to newborns.
Researchers have identified three types of oral bacteria most likely to increase the risk of heart disease: B. forsythus, P. gingivalis, and C. recta. These bacteria can contribute to plaque formation, narrow blood vessels, and induce platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of heart attack in persons with periodontal disease.
Researchers have genetically modified Salmonella bacteria to reduce virulence and increase safety while retaining tumor-targeting properties. The modified bacteria exhibit reduced ability to induce TNF-alpha and cause septic shock, making them safer for human use.
Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria can prevent sperm from swimming well enough to reach an egg, affecting fertility. Infertile men with asymptomatic infections may benefit from broad-spectrum antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria before attempting IVF.
Researchers have discovered a protein in bacteria that protects them from nitric oxide, a toxin produced by the immune system. This mechanism allows bacteria to survive and thrive, with implications for human health and the development of new antibiotics.
A team of microbiologists genetically altered Pseudomonas aeruginosa to break its resistance to detergents and antibiotics. The study found that disabling the lasI gene reduced the bacteria's ability to form deadly biofilms.
Cornell University researchers have developed simple but effective means to detect harmful bacteria using nanofabrication and biology. The new biosensors can be read using a laser beam and provide an instant reading of bacterial contamination, making them ideal for use in food production lines or other sensitive areas.
Researchers Andrea Cooper and Julie Inamine are investigating why Mycobacterium avium causes disease in AIDS patients despite humans not being natural hosts. The studies aim to identify genes responsible for the bacteria's virulence and develop drugs to prevent disease.