Articles tagged with Microbial Diversity
A recent study reveals significant differences between the gut microbiomes of male and female American minks, suggesting a surprising sexual distinction in carnivores. The findings have implications for future wildlife research, as analyzing fecal samples may not provide accurate assessments of population sex.
Researchers found dominant species in coastal sediments are copiotrophs with high growth rates, while those in ocean water are oligotrophs with low growth rates. The 'Hunger Games' hypothesis explains how nutrient supply influences microbial interactions and community structure.
A recent study by North Carolina State University and Northern Michigan University found that eating human food reduces microbial diversity in black bears' guts. The researchers analyzed gut samples from 35 bears and found lower biodiversity in those with a diet rich in processed foods.
Researchers at West Virginia University aim to develop more precise predictions about the role of individual soil microorganisms in the carbon cycle. They will use stable isotope probing to track carbon uptake and characterize the function of microbes in their natural communities.
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new CRISPR editing technology that enables simultaneous editing of genes in multiple cell types and species within a microbial community. This approach, called community editing, has the potential to track edited microbes and understand their functions within complex ecosystems.
A new study has shed light on the gut microbiome of gorillas, revealing significant diversity among individuals and institutions. The research found that even healthy gorillas can have unique microbial profiles, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual context for health assessment.
A new study explores how plants respond differently to useful and harmful microbes, revealing that accessory chromosomes from fungal strains dictate these responses. Most plant genes are expressed similarly in response to both beneficial and pathogenic fungi, but with key differences occurring just 12 hours after interaction.
Research using ring-tailed lemurs shows that fecal microbiota transplants can stabilize and restore a healthy gut microbiome after antibiotic use. The study confirms the effectiveness of this ancient treatment for reducing the negative effects of antibiotics on the gut, which can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Researchers tracked vampire bats' gut microbes over four months, finding that those with closer social interactions shared more similar microbiomes. The study controlled for diet and environment, providing insight into the impact of social behavior on microbiome development.
A University of Utah team analyzed woodrat gut bacteria and found that evolutionary history plays the greatest role in shaping microbiome structure. Diet and geography also influenced microbiome composition, but host relatedness was the strongest predictor in both wild and captive populations.
Researchers identified bacteria and yeast on photovoltaic panels in Brazil, similar to those found in Spain, the US, Arctic, and Antarctic. The microorganisms have adapted to sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and water scarcity, making them suitable for biotech applications.
A new study found that heat and antibiotics alone and in combination degrade soil microbe efficiency, resilience, and ability to trap carbon. This could diminish soils' resilience to future stress and exacerbate climate change effects.
A new Dartmouth-led study found a direct association between the infant microbiome and early childhood behavioral health, with sex-specific differences. The study characterized the species of microbes present in each participant's gut and their functions, establishing that microbiome changes occur before behavioral changes.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma are leading a global study to understand the impact of increased nutrients on soil microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functions in grasslands worldwide. The project aims to develop new mathematical models to predict how nutrient changes affect soil microbe diversity and functions.
Researchers developed an integrated framework combining single-cell and metagenomics to characterize microbes. The approach showed higher accuracy and precise binning, revealing more bacterial genera and intra-species diversity.
Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg and University of Tübingen discovered that certain antibiotics, like tetracyclines and macrolides, can kill specific gut microbes. Combining antibiotics with non-antibiotic drugs may reduce collateral damage by preserving antibiotic activity against pathogens.
The Verrucomicrobiota group of bacteria plays a crucial role in degrading polysaccharides released by algae during spring blooms in the North Sea. These specialized bacteria consume hard-to-degrade sugars, including those containing sulfate and fucose, using unique pathways and organelle-like structures to avoid toxic compounds.
Research reveals that nectar-feeding bats foraging in intensively managed banana plantations have less diverse gut microbes compared to those feeding in natural forest habitats or organic plantations. This association between habitat alteration and sustainable agriculture on bat gut microbiota is a significant finding.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii found that coral reef community structure changes in response to ocean warming and acidification, but total biodiversity remains stable. The tiny organisms living within the reef matrix, known as cryptobiota, play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and food web dynamics.
A new study predicts that climate change will cause a sudden shift in algae distribution pole-wards over the next 100 years, affecting marine ecosystems. The UK is among the areas most likely to be severely impacted due to its warm waters, with changes potentially occurring before previously thought.
A team of researchers has discovered a new group of coral-infecting microbes called Corallicolida. Despite lacking photosynthetic genes, they express chlorophyll genes and may still play a role in their host cells. The authors propose that Corallicolida could be an ancient parasite that lost its photosynthetic machinery.
Soil ecologists found that biobased plastics like PBSA degrade efficiently in the soil, even under future climate conditions, but excessive amounts can disrupt microbial communities and agriculture. The degradation process is influenced by fungi and a diverse bacterial community.
The Center for Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet (C-CoMP) will conduct transformative research on the ocean chemical-microbe network and its role in climate change. The center aims to improve our understanding of this network's dynamics, sensitivity to climate change, and feedbacks on the planet.
A study published in Cell found that a 10-week fermented-food diet increased gut microbiome diversity and decreased molecular signs of inflammation in healthy adults. The diet, which included foods like yogurt and kimchi, also showed stronger effects on immune cells and inflammatory proteins.
Researchers are developing a new technique to study microbes in conditions that mimic their native environment, facilitating the growth of difficult microbial species. This technology has potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and bioremediation, including the controlled delivery of healthy gut bacteria into the body.
A new study at Northwestern University suggests that environmental inequities may lead to health disparities through the gut microbiome. Minoritized populations are more likely to have lower microbial diversity and associated health risks due to limited access to green space.
Researchers discovered microbial communities with the potential to consume methane, a greenhouse gas, at high rates in carbonate rocks from seven geologically diverse deep-sea methane seeps. The study found that these microorganisms can consume methane at rates up to 5,500 nanomoles per cubic centimeter per day.
Researchers are exploring how environmental molecules can be used to engineer 'designer' microbiomes for combating disease, pollution, and more. Contrary to expectations, their experiments revealed that competition between microbial species hampers diversity within the community.
A new study found that plant genetics, tissue type, and management strategy play a crucial role in shaping the plant microbiome. The research discovered that bacterial communities are most diverse in the soil, while fungal communities are more evenly distributed across different tissues.
The world's plant and animal diversity is declining, but the direction and pace of change in microbial life, including viruses, remain unknown. Microbial evolution can lead to greater or fewer species, with potential implications for the biosphere.
Researchers have discovered that plants influence how their bacterial and fungal neighbors react to climate change. The study found that simulated drought affected both bacteria and fungi in grassland and scrubland, while nitrogen addition had a lesser impact on bacteria, but more significant effects on the overall microbial diversity.
A new study reveals a connection between wisdom, loneliness and gut microbial diversity. Participants with lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of wisdom had greater phylogenetic richness and diversity in their gut microbiome. A more diverse gut microbiota may promote better resilience and stability.
Scientists found that certain bacteria, like Lactobacillus amylovorus, can increase fermentation yields by up to three percent. This discovery suggests a new approach to industrial production, focusing on selecting beneficial bacteria rather than relying on broad-spectrum antibiotics or treatments.
Climate change affects soil microbial community diversity, structure, and activities. A new study found that warming enhances microbial network complexity and stability, supporting the central ecological belief that complexity begets stability.
A Northwestern University study found that bacteria on used toothbrushes reflect microbial communities in the mouth and skin, not the toilet. The research, published in Microbiome journal, suggests that microbes from the human body are transferred to toothbrushes through saliva and other bodily fluids.
A new study on sourdough starters from around the world found that geography doesn't play a significant role in shaping their microbial ecosystems. Instead, variables like starter age, feeding frequency and storage conditions have smaller effects that add up to make a big difference.
Researchers at Stockholm University found that oak acorn microbes are inherited by seedlings, promoting growth and protecting against diseases. This discovery opens up new possibilities for breeding super plants with improved genes and microbial communities.
Researchers developed new bacterial culture approaches, isolating 254 strains from the Tabernas Desert, including 60% previously unreported and possibly new bacteria species. The study highlights the potential for simple strategies to obtain higher microbial diversity from extreme environments.
Research at Brothers submarine arc volcano reveals distinct microbial communities shaped by magmatic gases and hydrothermal fluids, highlighting the complexity of subsurface geology in forming high biodiversity. Over 90 new bacterial and archaeal families are discovered, providing insights into life's evolution on Earth.
Researchers discovered that black bears' gut microbiomes are surprisingly simple and consistent throughout the intestinal tract. This finding has practical applications for wildlife researchers, as a fecal sample can provide insight into the entire gut microbiome.
A public repository of 52,515 microbial draft genomes has been made available, revealing 44% new bacterial and archaeal diversity. The GEM catalog provides a valuable resource for understanding the biology and diversity of uncultivated microbes.
A new study finds that Hawaiian corals' diversity is driven by co-evolution between the coral host, algal symbiont, and microbial community. The team analyzed metagenomic sequencing data to understand adaptation and variation in corals.
A recent study mapped microbial diversity in marine sediment, revealing a rich ecosystem with diverse microbial communities. The research found that bacterial diversity exceeds archaeal diversity and is comparable to surface biomes.
A new study reveals that CRISPR-induced immune diversification in host-virus populations leads to the emergence of weighted-nestedness immunity structure, enabling hosts to control virus diversification. This structure is crucial for understanding eco-evolutionary dynamics and designing stable microbial populations.
Marine sediment shows similar overall diversity to topsoil and seawater, despite decreasing microbial community diversity with depth. Key factors influencing taxonomic composition include organic carbon concentrations and dissolved oxygen presence.
New research identifies three laws to explain species diversity and abundance in ecosystems. Environmental change and variability are key drivers of fluctuations in species populations.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that microbial community diversity increases when nutrients are seasonally available, contradicting a long-held assumption. The study found that certain species, known as the 'early bird,' can gain an early growth advantage by consuming easily accessible nutrients and outcompeting others.
Researchers will investigate how changes in microbial diversity affect ecosystem function and health. The study aims to understand the role of functional redundancy in maintaining healthy ecosystems, with a focus on environmental complexity and its impact on soil health.
Research found that frequent use of antimicrobial drugs in early life shifts bacterial profiles in saliva, with azithromycin having the strongest effect on girls. The study also showed that AM use is associated with a decrease in Paludibacter and pathways related to amino acid degradations.
A comprehensive database of 33,242 unique viral populations in the human digestive system has been assembled by Ohio State University scientists. This discovery reveals a complex relationship between viruses and bacteria in the gut, with higher diversity associated with healthier individuals.
Researchers found that diverse microbial communities can improve soil's ability to sequester carbon, but drought stress neutralizes this effect. They discovered a limit to the stress resilience of high-diversity systems.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that bed bug infestations alter the indoor microbial diversity in homes, with the presence of Wolbachia bacterium being a key driver. After eliminating bed bugs, home microbiomes gradually shifted toward those of uninfested homes.
A mouse study found that early exposure to vaccine- or microbiota-derived antigens significantly affects antibody diversity in adults. B-1 B cells, a subset of immune cells, were found to have diverse antibody responses in mice with normal gut microbiota versus those grown in sterile germ-free conditions.
Research found that dynamic waterlogging enhances carbon dioxide emissions and depletes soil organic carbon. Microbes exhibit higher activity under fluctuating conditions, but not necessarily greater diversity.
A study by Dr. Jiangen Zhou et al. found that fish farming significantly changes microbial communities and decreases nitrogen levels, offering a potential solution to reduce nitrate pollution in ponds.
A new study charts a potential path for preserving and restoring historic works by identifying microbial communities on art. Researchers found that microbes on wood and canvas surfaces can produce chemicals influencing decay rates.
A recent study found that climate change can increase the functional diversity of stream microbes, leading to more efficient decomposition and nutrient cycling. In Eurasia, this could result in a 30% growth in functional gene diversity and changes in composition by 2060-2080.
A Rutgers-driven proposal to create a 'microbial Noah's ark' is feasible and should move forward into a pilot project phase, according to a new study. The Microbiota Vault would gather beneficial germs from human populations with uncompromised microbiomes to address global health problems caused by modern society.
A study found that revegetated urban green spaces have more native plant species and greater microbiota diversity, similar to natural environments. This can lead to improved immune function and reduced non-communicable diseases. Urban design principles could be influenced by the environmental microbiome to create healthier public spaces.