Articles tagged with Microbial Diversity
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.
Researchers found over 100 air samples from tropical and subtropical regions revealing an average of 67,000 prokaryotes per cubic meter of sampled air over the oceans compared to 190,000 bacteria per cubic meter of air over land.
A team of scientists has identified a specific group of giant bacteria, Epulopiscium, that dominate the intestines of Red Sea surgeonfish and enable them to digest different types of algae. The discovery sheds light on the basis of surgeonfish diversity and provides a valuable genetic resource for developing algal-based biofuels.
A comprehensive study monitored microbial load, diversity and dynamics in a closed habitat for 520 days, finding human-associated bacteria to be the main source of microbial dispersal. The researchers also noted that confinement triggered significant changes in the bacterial community, with diversity decreasing over time.
New research models guard cells using 3D simulation, discovering three essential ingredients for effective gas exchange. The findings suggest that guard cells' elasticity, turgor pressure, and geometry are crucial for optimal performance.
The study recovers 8,280 bacterial and 623 archaeal genomes from environmental samples, increasing the number of known life forms by nearly 10%. This represents a significant boost to our understanding of microbial diversity and its role in critical biogeochemical processes.
A study of hunter-gatherers in Tanzania reveals a strong cyclicality in their gut-microbial composition, corresponding to seasonal dietary changes. The findings suggest that sweeping changes in the average person's diet over the past 10,000 years may be driving the loss of microbial diversity.
Children with low gut microbiome diversity are more susceptible to severe Entamoeba histolytica infection. The study found that antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiome in mice led to decreased white blood cell activity and increased severity of colon inflammation.
A study by University of Queensland researchers has confirmed that microbial communities necessary for plant development have a significant impact on crop and plant yields. The study also found that plants' limited ability to vertically transmit microorganisms between generations is a key factor in their relationship with microbes.
Research found that cohabitating couples share similar skin microbiomes, especially on their feet, and that biological sex can be identified based on certain body regions
Research found that leaf-litter frog has twice the bacterial richness in continuous forest than in fragments, while others show no variation by forest type, highlighting individual species' unique habitats as key factors.
A study of predominantly African-American women found that decreases in vaginal microbiome diversity between the first and second trimesters are associated with preterm birth. Researchers hope to design targeted therapies focused on the microbiome to prevent early delivery.
The U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has released 1,003 phylogenetically diverse bacterial and archaeal reference genomes, which will aid in understanding the functions of genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways with wide applications in bioenergy, biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental sciences.
A doctoral student is studying how soil microbes drive plant invasion in the Galapagos Islands, a biodiversity hotspot. The researcher aims to understand the role of mycorrhizal fungi and plant pathogens in shaping plant community structure and diversity.
Researchers tracked bacterial diversity in a hospital over 12 months, finding constant flow of microbes between patients, staff, and surfaces. The study reveals how human skin-associated microbes replace construction bacteria upon hospital opening.
A study tracked microbial community composition in a newly opened hospital, finding patients initially acquire bacteria from the environment before their own microbiota influences what's present. The research provides context for future studies of hospital-acquired infections.
A new study by UCLA researchers found a strong association between gut microbiota and brain regions involved in processing sensory information from the body. The study also revealed connections between childhood trauma, brain development, and the composition of the gut microbiome.
Researchers found that fecal microbiota transplantation increased bacterial populations resembling healthy donors and reduced inflammatory response. Clinical improvements were seen in 35% of patients and clinical remission in 15%. Further studies are needed to determine long-term effects and optimal delivery methods.
Researchers have discovered a genetic element that enables tiny microbes to self-mutate, dramatically expanding the tree of life. The discovery reveals how rapid evolution occurs in these small organisms, which are also remarkably diverse.
A recent study reveals that rare microbial species, making up only 1% of the community, contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning. These species hold a large reservoir of genes that can degrade organic pollutants, enabling the community to maintain stability in the face of changing conditions.
A Rutgers-led study found that oil and gas wastewater spills altered the diversity, numbers, and functions of microbes in West Virginia stream water and sediments. The changes indicated shifts in respiration and nutrient cycling, as well as signs of stress, but did not reveal hot spots of high antibiotic resistance.
A new study has identified bacteria that can convert toxic components into less toxic forms, which could contribute to bioremediation technologies. The bacteria are highly resistant to toxic waste and thrive in extreme environments.
Researchers studied the impact of antibiotic treatment on gut microbes and metabolites in mice, finding significant changes in bacterial populations and metabolic output. The study highlights the importance of considering both microbiota composition and metabolome in understanding human health.
A study published in the journal Microbiome shows that fecal microbial transplants can improve gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders by 80%, while also improving social skills and sleep habits by 20-25%. The treatment, which involves transferring live gut bacteria from a healthy donor to a recipient, has s...
A study published in mSystems found identical bacterial strains in infants and their mothers, indicating vertical transmission of microbes. The researchers used novel computational techniques to track the transmission of microbes, revealing that mothers are sources of important microorganisms for infant gut development.
Researchers found that the Inuit gut microbiome is remarkably similar to that of urbanized Westerners, with subtle differences in relative abundances of individual taxa. Dietary fiber is identified as a major factor driving the overall composition of the microbiome.
A research team has discovered that soil microbial diversity is lower than previously estimated due to the presence of relic DNA. However, thousands of species of microbes still exist in one gram of soil, making it comparable to a 'poor man's rainforest'.
Scientists found that captive Komodo dragons share microbes with their environment, similar to humans and pets, and this constant exchange affects their immune systems. This study aims to improve animal husbandry practices by understanding the relationship between captivity and microbial diversity.
Researchers at New York University discovered that ATM keypads harbor a range of human skin microbes, as well as microorganisms from food and environmental sources. The study's findings suggest that ATMs can serve as a repository for understanding a city's microbial community.
A study found that New York City ATM keypads are inhabited by microorganisms primarily from human skin and household surfaces, as well as residual DNA from consumed food. The bacterial diversity was low, with clustering largely absent by geography.
Researchers reconstructed the genomes of over 2,500 microbes from sediment and groundwater samples, revealing an incredible 80% of known bacterial phyla. The discovery sheds new insights into the importance of subsurface microbes in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles.
Ecologist Kerri Crawford studies the impact of microbial communities on plant growth in restored sand dunes. Her research aims to develop strategies for promoting plant diversity and stability in these ecosystems.
A new study found that captive monkeys in zoos lose their native gut bacteria diversity and acquire a set similar to humans. The researchers suggest that a low-fiber Western diet may be the cause, as it led to a loss of microbial diversity in both captive and semi-captive populations.
A new study found no clear common characteristic of microbe populations in obese individuals, disappointing those hoping for a solution to weight loss through gut bacteria alteration. The researchers suggest that a more complex relationship exists between the microbiome and health, warranting further investigation.
Researchers at the DOE JGI have discovered over 125,000 viral genomes infecting microbes, increasing the number of known microbial phyla by a factor of 16. The study provides a unique resource for viral sequence information and has implications for understanding global cycles and energy challenges.
Research suggests that certain microbes in the air can be beneficial for human health, reducing allergy rates and improving immune function. By designing buildings with ventilation systems that bring in fresh outdoor air, architects can facilitate exposure to these beneficial microbes.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have isolated and cultured the elusive archaeon Nanopusillus acidilobi from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. This achievement provides valuable insights into the evolution and mechanisms of complex systems, and has significant implications for understanding microbial diversity.
Research found that C-sections, antibiotic use, and formula feeding slow the development and decrease diversity of a baby's microbes. The study also showed that these modern practices can lead to lower species diversity and delayed microbiota maturation in babies.
This study analyzed buried and cultivated Neolithic paddy soils to understand the impact of agriculture on microbial diversity. The results showed that modern intensive rice cultivation led to a significant loss of functional diversity, with accelerated nutrient cycling and homogenization of soil ecological functions.
A new study combines large datasets to estimate the number of microbial and non-microbial species on Earth, suggesting nearly 1 trillion species exist. The research uses universal scaling laws to predict species numbers, revealing simple yet powerful trends in biodiversity.
A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that captive giant pandas experience gastrointestinal problems when switching from bamboo stalks to leaves, leading to reproductive issues. The researchers analyzed the bacteria in the pandas' poop and discovered a unique population of microbes associated with digestive dysfunction.
Two laboratory studies found that grape polyphenols reduced body fat, improved gut barrier function and increased beneficial bacteria in mice fed high-fat diets.
Researchers at Indiana University estimate that nearly 1 trillion species exist on Earth, using large datasets and ecological models to conclude that 99.999 percent remain undiscovered. The study highlights the vast diversity of microbial life on the planet.
A large-scale study has found that lifestyle factors significantly impact the diversity of intestinal bacteria, with a diverse microbiome associated with better health outcomes. The study analyzed DNA from over 1,100 participants and identified 60 dietary factors that influence gut bacteria diversity.
Researchers at the University of Alberta advocate for increasing dietary fiber intake to regain lost microbial biodiversity. A recent study found that mice fed a Western diet with low fiber transferred lower beneficial microbial species to future generations, indicating extinctions had occurred in just a few generations.
A recent study suggests that decreased dietary diversity leads to reduced gut microbiota richness, which is associated with various metabolic disorders. The researchers emphasize the importance of dietary diversity for maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal microbiome.
New research reveals that Gulf of Mexico historic shipwrecks are significantly altered by oil spills, affecting microbial communities and ecosystems. The study also explores the potential for shipwrecks to monitor deep-ocean ecosystem health.
A new study reveals that the transition to family foods drives gut microbiota development in infants, rather than maternal obesity. The study found that breastfeeding duration and complementary diet composition played key roles in shaping the infant's gut microbiome.
A study by a University of Miami-led team provides new insights into microbial reefs called stromatolites, which are believed to hold ancient records of early life. The research maps the growth and structure of these rare ecosystems in Shark Bay, Western Australia.
Researchers found that antiperspirant and deodorant significantly influence the type and quantity of bacteria on human skin. The study revealed a drastic shift in microbial ecosystems when participants used these products.
Researchers analyzed over 5,600 estimates of ocean microbial cell and virus populations, finding dramatic variations from location to location and depth. The study highlights the need for more accurate representations of viral populations in climate models and biogeochemical measures.
Researchers found that the number of bacterial species in a chimp's GI tract increases when they are more gregarious. The study suggests that social interactions with other chimps help maintain gut microbial diversity over a lifetime, just as initial exposure from mom does.
A study found that low-fiber diets can lead to a decline in gut bacterial diversity, which cannot be fully recovered even after switching to a high-fiber diet. This effect is observed even across multiple generations, with nearly three-quarters of bacterial species becoming extinct within four generations.
A University of Guelph-led study found that red squirrels with lower stress hormones have healthier microbiomes. The researchers tested squirrel microbiomes and analyzed their stress levels, discovering a link between stress and bacterial diversity.
Researchers analyzed stool samples from 38 adults in the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribe, finding reduced abundance of certain bacteria and similar fecal metabolite profiles to those with metabolic disorders. The study suggests that lifestyle and social practices may play a role in health disparities among American Indians.
A UCI-led study developed a framework for predicting microbiome responses to changes, which could impact human health and ecosystem conservation. The research suggests that patterns of microbiome diversity can reveal insights into evolutionary history and help identify differences in diversity among samples.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that people with anorexia nervosa have distinct microbial communities compared to healthy individuals, which is associated with some psychological symptoms. The study suggests that altering gut microbiota could help patients with weight maintenance and mood stabilization.