Articles tagged with Microbial Diversity
Researchers identify first known bacteria-derived sensor for detecting progesterone, a female hormone that plays a critical role in reproduction. The sensor's reversibility allows it to generate continuous measurements, making it suitable for home use and potentially transforming telemedicine.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that plants have genetic systems to host and nurture the right microbiome, promoting healthy growth. Increased microbiome diversity correlates with plant health, while abnormal compositions lead to tissue damage and symptoms similar to human inflammatory bowel disease.
A team of international scientists has developed over 200 new genetic techniques for using marine microbes, overcoming a bottleneck in microbial oceanography. The tools enable researchers to study the cellular instructions that underpin microbial life and potentially harness beneficial applications.
Researchers found that gastric bypass surgery alters both fecal and mucosal microbiomes, leading to improved metabolic outcomes. The study suggests manipulating the gut microbiome could be a potential alternative to surgery for sustained weight loss.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência found that certain bacteria can mutate 1000-fold higher than normal, leading to bursts of diversity in the gut microbiota. A beneficial mutation was identified that increases the ability of the bacteria to eat a specific sugar.
A study published in Nature Plants reveals that three genes are shared exclusively by plants forming intracellular symbiosis with different microbial partners. This finding demonstrates a conserved genetic program underlying diverse types of symbioses, allowing plants to access additional nutrients.
A new global analysis shows cover crops universally improve soil microbiome health, increasing microbial abundance, activity, and diversity. Factors such as climate, termination method, and tillage regime also impact the benefits of cover cropping on soil microbes.
A group of ITMO University researchers analyzed the Moscow Subway and found a microbiome similar to that of New York's public transportation. The study used high-throughput DNA sequencing and discovered identical types of bacteria, including Dietzia, Brevundimonas, and Pseudomonas.
A large human study found that gut microbiome composition and diversity are related to differences in personality, including sociability and neuroticism. People with larger social networks tend to have a more diverse gut microbiome, while those with higher stress or anxiety have lower diversity.
A new study published in mSystems found that mice fed a high-protein, high-fat diet developed severe C. difficile infections, while those on a high-carbohydrate diet recovered. The researchers suggest that diet may promote protective microbial groups after antibiotics.
Researchers at Princeton University have found a link between microbes and cancer in threatened Santa Catalina foxes, with ear mites and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius playing a key role. The study shows that a shift in the microbiome allows antibiotic-resistant infection to take hold, leading to chronic inflammation and tumor growth.
Researchers tracked microbial blooms in Trunk River lagoon to study their formation and collapse. They discovered that certain microorganisms can thrive in mildly oxic waters, leading to new understanding of bloom dynamics.
A recent study analyzing over 12,000 microbial genomes found that every cell is genetically unique, defying conventional species definitions. The Global Ocean Reference Genomes Tropics database provides insights into global distribution patterns and energy sources of ocean microbes.
A new essay in PLOS Biology argues that poverty compromises health by creating unequal access to beneficial microorganisms. People living in low-income communities lack essential factors promoting healthy microbiomes, leading to poor health outcomes such as obesity and mental health disorders.
A study found that boreal lakes exhibit enhanced chemical and microbial diversity in response to rising organic matter levels, leading to increased decomposition of carbon dioxide and methane. This correlation has significant implications for the global carbon cycle and potential greenhouse gas emissions.
Research reveals an invisible world of organic molecules in freshwater ecosystems that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change could increase the diversity of these molecules by 1.5-2.7 times, leading to higher emissions.
Research studies reveal that planktonic species diversity and functions change significantly according to latitude, with a peak around the equator and a decline towards the poles. These findings have strong ecological, environmental, and economic implications for ocean health and sustainability.
New studies in Cell journal use Tara Oceans samples to assess plankton diversity, revealing a gradient of diversity along latitudes. Transcriptome study also explores microbial community gene expression and adaptations to environmental conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.