Scientists have identified powerful antibiotic properties in cockroach and locust brains, effective against MRSA and E. coli without harming human cells. These novel molecules could lead to new treatments for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers have found a new potential treatment target for bone disease osteomyelitis by interrupting the bacterial death signal that instructs bone cells to die. Blocking this signal could prevent or treat painful bone infections resistant to antibiotics.
A blood test analyzing individual immune responses to infection shows promise for quickly diagnosing respiratory viral illnesses, including flu. The test boasts over 95% accuracy in pinpointing the cause of disease.
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 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.
Researchers have identified mechanisms allowing a common soil bacterium to recover precious metals from industrial waste. The discovery of 'BioPd' has great potential for generating clean energy and cleaning pollutants.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a vaccine to stop cancer-causing viruses that invade host cells, initiate cancer, and then disappear. The vaccine has been shown to protect against subsequent cancer development in mouse models, holding promise for preventing human cancers.
Scientists used genome mining to discover a novel antibiotic in Streptomyces coelicolor, effective against several bacterial strains. The approach also unlocks potential for discovering new antimicrobials and antitumor agents from other micro-organisms.
Scientists have developed an immune-deficient mouse model to study CCHF virus behavior in humans, a significant step towards vaccine and antiviral development. The model can help evaluate the safety and effectiveness of potential treatments, addressing the lack of suitable animal models for testing.
Researchers discovered an identical gene for antibiotic resistance in human and animal samples, suggesting its transfer between bacteria species. This finding poses a risk to the treatment of common human infections like UTIs, which are increasingly difficult to treat due to rising antibiotic resistance.
Scientists have identified a rare species of pathogenic algae causing human skin infections and septicemia. The discovery may lead to better treatment protocols and economic benefits for the dairy industry.
A new bacterial species found in the fly that transmits African sleeping sickness has been identified as a potential tool for controlling the disease. The bacterium, named Serratia glossinae, has shown promise in killing the parasite that causes the disease and could lead to new treatment strategies.
Researchers found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria can inhibit Candida albicans biofilm formation on silicone surfaces. This discovery could lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs and additives to prevent hospital-acquired fungal infections.
Scientists have engineered Bacillus anthracis to produce higher-than-normal amounts of capsule depolymerase, releasing the protective capsule and leaving the bacterium vulnerable to detection and destruction by the immune system.
The study reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses small RNAs to subtly tweak bacterial production in response to environmental signals, enhancing its survival. This understanding can lead to the design of new drugs targeting persistent TB forms.
Bacteria have a CRISPR defence system that can be passed down to future generations, providing immunity against viral attacks. This system could be exploited to give bacteria 'flu jabs' to protect them against real-world threats, increasing industrial productivity and reducing costs.
A novel stem cell therapy has been developed to arm the immune system against HIV, potentially improving quality of life and life expectancy for those who have failed antiviral drugs. The therapy involves delivering antiviral DNA to patient immune cells, which can block viral gene production using RNA interference.
Bile helps E. coli O157:H7 bacteria survive by increasing iron uptake, while reducing attachment to host cells in the large intestine. This study could lead to better protection of food from contamination and a deeper understanding of bacterial disease mechanisms.
Researchers found that thyme essential oil can almost completely eliminate bacteria within 60 minutes, with high efficacy against Staphylococcus species. The study suggests that essential oils could be a cheap and effective alternative to antibiotics, reducing the risk of new strains of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms.
A team of researchers at Imperial College London developed a mathematical model to explain chemotaxis in bacteria. They found that Escherichia coli adapts to potentially toxic molecules more quickly than to nutrients.
Small algae consume more bacteria than specialized predators, gaining a competitive survival edge in the open ocean. This finding supports the idea that bacteria are a crucial nutrient source for these microorganisms.
Isoprene-degrading bacteria discovered near coastal zones, improving models of climate change and environmental factors. These microbes also break down alkanes, potentially aiding oil-degrading survival between spills.
Computer modeling and systems biology approaches can help tailor treatments to individuals, predicting disease progression and identifying host genes that affect viral development. This approach may lead to more effective treatment, detection, and prevention of future pandemics.
Scientists use micro-particles to mimic bacterial scents, tracking immune cell responses. Neutrophils migrate towards single chemical-releasing particles within minutes.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant gonococcal bacteria threatens to make gonorrhoea extremely difficult to treat. Current treatment antibiotics may soon lose effectiveness due to rapid resistance development.
Researchers have identified a molecule that blocks a key signaling pathway in pathogenic gut bacteria, reducing toxin production and preventing infection. This breakthrough discovery represents a novel class of antimicrobial agents with broad-spectrum efficacy.
Researchers have discovered that Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulates macrophages to accumulate fat droplets, turning them into 'foamy' cells that can reawaken the latent TB infection. This cellular transformation allows the bacteria to leak out into the airways and progressively destroy lung tissue.
Scientists have developed yeast that efficiently converts a wider range of plant waste sugars into alcohols for biofuel production. The modified yeast can produce both ethanol and butanol, which could replace fossil fuels with superior properties.
A recent study has discovered that certain marine bacteria can form biofilms on plastic fragments, potentially breaking them down. This research could lead to new methods for cleaning up microplastics and reducing their impact on marine life.
Marine Roseobacter clade decline linked to ocean acidification may impact global climate system and socio-economic consequences. Ocean acidification could significantly affect fish stocks and coral reef erosion.
Researchers identified specific mutations that enable a common plant virus to infect new species, shedding light on the viral-host interface. The study's findings could inform strategies for breeding resistant crops and understanding animal disease emergence.
Researchers found that maggot 'biosurgeons' used to treat chronic wounds are vulnerable to deadly bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can kill the maggots within 20 hours. This discovery could lead to more effective treatment of wounds and development of novel antibiotics.
Researchers developed a rapid-acting disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi on surgical instruments, including those resistant to conventional disinfectants. The new formula is safer, cheaper and more effective than existing treatments against prions, which cause deadly illnesses.
Researchers found that firing low temperature plasma beams at dentin reduced the amount of dental bacteria by up to 10,000-fold. The technology could be used to remove infected tissue in tooth cavities, replacing conventional drilling methods.
Recent studies have identified probiotic microbes that produce anti-inflammatory compounds, such as butyric acid, which may treat inflammatory bowel disease. Strains like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum have shown promise in restoring normal gut bacteria levels and alleviating symptoms.
Scientists tested 2009 and 1918 H1N1 virus strains on chickens and ducks without causing disease or symptoms. The results suggest that birds played no role in the spread of these pandemic viruses.
Using disinfectants can promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This adaptation enables the bacteria to survive and infect patients even without exposure to antibiotics.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces rhamnolipids to form a biofilm shield that kills white blood cells, evading the immune system and antibiotic treatment. This 'launch a shield' response could lead to novel antimicrobials for treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Salt-loving algae can be grown on marginal lands with brackish water, producing biofuels 10-30 times more than terrestrial crops. Their growth is non-seasonal, making them suitable for recycling atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers found that pathogenic E. coli strains can survive modern food processing methods and exploit different food sources than laboratory strains. They demonstrated differences in growth characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, and reaction to environmental stresses.
Researchers have identified genes in yeast that enable it to respond to stress and are investigating ways to improve its performance by modifying its stress response mechanism. By manipulating these genes, they found a family of enzymes called sirtuins plays an important role in controlling wine yeast lifespan.
Scientists attach light-emitting genes to Listeria monocytogenes bacteria to detect their movement in real-time, revealing path of infection. The technology indicates which bacterial genes are switched on during infection and has potential for vaccine and DNA-delivery vectors.
Researchers use insects like fruit flies and moths to test new drugs, reducing animal testing by up to 90% and speeding up results. The study finds that insect immune cells are structurally and functionally similar to those in mammals, offering a promising alternative for drug development.
Researchers used mixed consortia of bacteria to degrade naphthenic acids, a type of toxic compound found in crude oil and tar sands. The microbes broke down the compounds in just a few days, reducing environmental pollution from these areas.
Researchers have designed probiotics that can bind toxins in the gut, preventing them from interacting with host intestinal cells. These receptor-mimic probiotics offer a promising treatment for diseases such as cholera and traveller's diarrhoea, and may also be used to prevent outbreaks following natural disasters.
Researchers have identified a three-pronged mechanism of the human immune system attacking fungal yeast cells, including recognition of specific cell wall components and glucan targets. Understanding these interactions could lead to effective immunotherapy and new treatments for patients with weakened immunity.
Scientists have recovered uranium from polluted waters using bacteria and inositol phosphate, a cheap waste material. The process is economically viable, especially as the world price of uranium is likely to increase, offering an environmental protection benefit.
Researchers have discovered a strain of bacteria with pilin proteins that can conduct electricity, leading to increased power output in microbial fuel cells. This breakthrough could enable the use of microbial fuel cells in remote environments and monitoring devices, such as ocean floor sensors, to convert waste into electricity.
Researchers have identified novel bacterial strains capable of breaking down microcystins, a toxin produced by blue-green algae. These bacteria can be used to create a reliable and cost-effective purification system for removing microcystins from contaminated water.