Articles tagged with Microbial Diversity
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Scientists at Clemson University found diverse bacterial communities inside clams that contribute to a balanced ecosystem. The study showed that higher microbial diversity is linked to healthier seagrass environments, with implications for fisheries and lobster farming.
A comparative microbiome study has identified significant differences in the composition of microbial communities between aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The researchers suggest that microorganisms may have played a key role in the evolutionary transition from purely aquatic life to life on land.
A comprehensive catalogue of human digestive tract bacteria has been identified, revealing novel interactions and associations between bacterial strains and health outcomes. The study provides a foundation for future research into the mechanisms underlying microbiome dynamics and their impact on human health.
A study by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that large amounts of certain bacteria from outdoors may protect children from asthma. High diversity of microbes is important in protecting against asthma, but certain soil microbes provide more effective protection.
A study from King's College London found that moderate red wine consumption is associated with greater diversity in the gut microbiome, leading to improved gut health. This resulted in lower levels of 'bad' cholesterol and obesity.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new mechanism determining how carbon is stored in soils, which could improve climate resilience and reduce carbon footprints. Soils from ecosystems with higher plant diversity have more pores of the right size for stable carbon storage.
Scientists discovered that microbes adopting a 'co-operative' approach to acquiring nutrients thrive in fluctuating environments. In contrast, internal nutrient breakdowns lead to instability and population decline due to exploitation by neighboring microbes.
Adrift visualizes the conditions faced by drifting marine microbes, providing clues about their capacity to adapt to human-induced changes. The online platform engages citizens and researchers in exploring ocean's unseen heroes.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that Amazonian deforestation leads to reduced abundance and diversity of soil fauna and microbes. The research team also discovered that land use patterns after forest clearance impact soil biodiversity, with certain species more vulnerable to displacement than others.
Research shows that warming climate alters microbial diversity in alpine streams, with colder streams having less diversity than warmer ones. Icy seeps, insulated by rock glaciers, offer hope as they are less susceptible to climate change and may support cold-adapted species.
A recent study found that women's gut microbiomes are more diverse and mature earlier than men's, with a positive association between age and bacterial diversity. The research suggests that sex hormones may play a role in the development of the female gut microbiome.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals a vast diversity of ocean microbes called protists, which form complex relationships with other members of the microbial food web. The research team analyzed over 900 single cell genomes, documenting genetic code that had never been identified before.
Research from the NASA Twins Study found that extended spaceflight alters the ratio of two major categories of bacteria in the gut microbiome, but not its diversity. The study's findings could help protect astronauts' and space tourists' microbiomes during long bouts of space travel.
A new study found that Microbiota Transfer Therapy (MTT) led to significant improvements in autism symptoms and gut health, persisting even two years post-treatment. Parents reported slow but steady reductions in ASD symptoms over time.
A global study found that colder climates produce richer bacterial communities on amphibian skin than warmer environments. The American bullfrog was representative of this phenomenon, with lower minimum temperatures associated with greater bacterial diversity.
Research finds that high levels of hygiene promote resistance to antibiotics, with microbiome diversity decreasing in areas with strict controls. Regular measures such as airing, houseplants, and reducing antibacterial cleaning agents may counteract this trend.
New research from Brown University shows how Candida albicans fungus can adapt to different host environments. The study found that patient samples of the fungus frequently lack one copy of a gene that serves as a vital master regulator, allowing cells to switch phenotype and thrive in various environments.
A team of Montana State University scientists has discovered a unique and diverse microbial community in a hot spring at Yellowstone National Park. The community, found in the Smoke Jumper Geyser Basin, contains representatives from almost half of all known groups of microorganisms on Earth.
A study found that suboptimal antibiotic doses may lead to lower lung microbial diversity, while therapeutic doses result in decreased diversity and lower levels after treatment. This could influence patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease causing recurrent lung infections.
Research suggests that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with greater gut microbiota diversity, independent of body fat percentage. The study found that exercise at a high intensity improved gut microbiota diversity in cancer survivors.
Researchers identified genes encoding oxidoreductases as key attributes for characterizing global microbial communities. This approach provides a new diagnostic tool for assessing ecosystem services and developing management policies. The study sheds light on the critical role of microorganisms in planetary physiology.
Research on gut metagenome of patients with Crohn's disease shows a decrease in beneficial microbes and increased abundance of pathogenic Escherichia coli. The analysis identifies diverse strains of E. coli that can coexist in the human gut, influencing treatment efficacy.
Researchers are working to understand subseafloor microbial communities and their potential impact on Earth's biosphere. They've discovered that microbes living in deep ocean sediments may represent as much as one-third of Earth's total biomass, with the habitable part of the ocean crust potentially being 10 times greater.
The Deep Carbon Observatory has revealed that the deep biosphere, a subsurface ecosystem, hosts an immense amount of life with 15-23 billion tons of carbon, far exceeding human carbon mass. This discovery expands our understanding of the tree of life and the potential for life in extreme environments.
Researchers at University of Manchester discovered that plants with diverse root microbiomes outperform those without, living fast and dying young. The study highlights the importance of balancing harmful and beneficial fungi in soil for healthy plant growth.
Researchers discovered that tropical fish control their gut microbes to better survive extreme temperatures. The host's genetic background influences the microbiome's composition and response to temperature, with cold-resistant fish having a distinct core group of tolerant microbes.
Research highlights creative uses of biological collections to understand global change, including study of microbial diversity from museum specimens. Biological collections are threatened by digitization and destruction, but preserving them is essential for unlocking their hidden data and understanding the history of life on Earth.
Researchers have discovered 16 novel giant viruses in a forest soil ecosystem, more than doubling the known giant virus diversity. These viruses were found using a non-standard approach that involved flow-sorting microbes into small pools, revealing a wealth of giant viruses previously overlooked.
A study on atmospheric microbes found consistent seasonal variations in diversity and composition. Microorganisms were closely related to specific biomes such as aquatic, cropland, and urban environments.
Researchers found that immigrants quickly lose native microbes and acquire alien microbes more common in European-American people, resulting in a loss of gut microbiota diversity. This Westernization is associated with greater obesity and is compounded across generations.
The National Science Foundation is investing in 10 new projects to research biodiversity and its interactions with climate, land use, and invasive species. The Dimensions of Biodiversity program aims to transform how we understand life on Earth by addressing multiple dimensions of biodiversity simultaneously.
Researchers found that today's mix of soil bacteria is strongly influenced by the climate of 50 years ago. The study predicts that as soil microbes adjust to today's climate over the next few decades, their diversity will increase across most of the Tibetan Plateau and northern North America.
Researchers found that antibiotics can almost completely eradicate gut bacteria in healthy adults, but most species recover over time. However, a significant portion of beneficial bacteria remain missing, and the diversity of the gut ecosystem is diluted.
Researchers propose collecting beneficial microbes from remote populations with high microbiota diversity to prevent disease; treatment costs for obesity and diabetes surpass $1 trillion, linked to disturbances in the microbiota.
A study suggests that childhood habits, including diet and physical activity, can shape the gut microbiota of teenagers, which may contribute to developing conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Healthy lifestyle habits during childhood appear to promote a balanced gut microbiota in late adolescence.
Researchers characterized the maternal microbiome during pregnancy, revealing variations in bacterial diversity across different body sites and gestational stages. The study highlights the importance of the maternal microbiome in supporting healthy pregnancy outcomes and may inform targeted interventions to promote fetal development.
A new study by Michigan State University establishes a baseline of organisms that play key roles in carrion decomposition, promoting the importance of death in ecosystems. The research also highlights the complex interactions between decomposer communities and their impact on nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes.
A pilot study shows that immersing city-dwelling children in a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle for two weeks increases their gut microbiota diversity, while adults' microbiota remain stable. Researchers hope to replicate these findings with a larger study involving urban children and traditional village diets.
A study found that immersing children in a rainforest lifestyle for 16 days led to more diverse gut microbes, with higher proportions of helpful bacteria. In contrast, adult participants showed little change to their microbiome, suggesting dietary interventions may be most effective in children.
Researchers found that microbial diversity was higher during and after foggy conditions, with pathogenic microbes detected in fog at both study sites. The connection between fog and microbe transport has significant health implications and may be affected by climate change.
Researchers created a mathematical model to understand microbial community stability, diversity, and reproducibility. They found that cross-feeding processes and nutrient consumption levels contribute to the emergence of multiple levels of consumption, promoting higher diversity and stability.
Researchers found that female participants had stronger intestinal barriers and greater diversity of microbes, leading to a healthier environment. The study also showed that males were more sensitive to indomethacin disruption and demonstrated changes in stool microbial populations.
The article explores the potential applications of ecological restoration to medicine, highlighting the importance of gut microbiota diversity for overall health. By integrating ecology and medicine, researchers can develop more effective treatments for chronic diseases such as obesity and autoimmune disorders.
Research at Oregon State University found that schizophrenia patients' blood contains genetic material from a wider range of bacteria and archaea compared to healthy controls. The study suggests that the human microbiome plays a significant role in health and disease.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre have discovered a connection between microcin B17, a bacterial toxin, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Breakdown products from the toxin trigger gut inflammation characteristic of IBD. The study identifies a new source of environmental and microbial triggers of gastrointestinal inflammation.
The American Gut Project has collected microbial data from over 11,000 people, revealing associations between diet, antibiotics use, and mental health on the human gut microbiome. The study found that participants who ate more plants had fewer antibiotic resistance genes in their gut microbiomes.
A recent study found that chimpanzee beds have a greater diversity of microbes than human beds, but with fewer types of bacterial contamination. The research suggests that human attempts to create clean environments may make our surroundings less ideal.
Researchers found a significant correlation between the diversity of gut microbes and arterial stiffness in middle-aged female twins. The study identified specific microbes linked to lower risk of arterial stiffening, which were previously associated with lower obesity risk.
Researchers are rethinking microbial ecology, arguing that niche is more important than names. Microbes have many ways to get energy, and co-exist in redundant systems. The study's findings have major implications for interpreting changes in microbial communities, predicting health, and understanding environmental perturbations.
A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fermented milk products, and coffee has been shown to improve gut microbial diversity and reduce hospitalization risk in patients with liver cirrhosis. The study found that Turkish individuals had higher microbial diversity compared to US participants.
Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the timing and co-evolution of microbial groups by analyzing horizontal gene transfer among ancient microbes. This breakthrough provides relative age constraints for several microbial groups without reliable fossil evidence, including the Archaea.
A new study found that antibiotics used to treat Chlamydia in koalas can alter the balance of gut microbes necessary for digestion, according to researchers at UC Davis. The study suggests a need to develop antibiotic-free treatments, such as a vaccine, to address this issue.
A high-fiber diet can alleviate symptoms of type 2 diabetes by promoting a specific group of gut bacteria, according to researchers. The study found that patients under a high-fiber diet had greatly reduced blood sugar and body weight compared to those on standard care.
The John Innes Centre announces the Janaki Ammal Scholarship Scheme to support postgraduate research applicants from eligible countries. The scholarships cover tuition fees for students studying plant and microbial sciences, aiming to reduce financial impact on international students.
A new study found that babies' crawling movements kick up high levels of dirt, skin cells, bacteria, pollen, and fungal spores, which can be detrimental to adult health. However, researchers suggest that this exposure may actually stimulate the immune system and reduce the risk of asthma and allergies later in life.
A pan-European sampling campaign has shed light on the vast diversity of freshwater plankton in lakes across Europe. The research team found that plankton communities are highly specific to distinct lakes and reveal signals of the past due to geological changes over the past 12,000 years.
Researchers have discovered that microbes in Antarctica can scavenge hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the air to sustain their energy needs. This discovery has significant implications for the search for life on other planets, suggesting that extra-terrestrial microbes could also rely on trace atmospheric gases.
A study published in PeerJ found that the microbial community on the International Space Station is diverse and closely resembles homes on Earth. The research team compared the bacteria found on the ISS to data from other projects, including the Human Microbiome Project and the Wildlife of Our Homes study.
A team of Italian investigators found that commercial starter culture produced sausages with higher acidity, but inferior taste, as compared to spontaneous fermentation. The study used Next Generation Sequencing techniques and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to analyze the microorganisms and metabolic pathways involved.
Researchers discovered that flies can carry hundreds of different species of bacteria, many of which are harmful to humans. The study found that the legs and wings of flies have the highest microbial diversity.