Articles tagged with Microbial Ecology
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.
A new type of therapeutic food targeting gut microbes proves superior to standard treatment in an initial clinical trial. The food, containing chickpea, soy, bananas and peanuts, restored healthy growth and gut microbial communities in malnourished children.
Researchers observed increased methanogenesis genes at upper layers of warming permafrost, while carbohydrate metabolism genes were more abundant at shallower depths. This study provides insight into tundra microbial responses to experimental warming.
A new study found that microbial communities in Alaskan soil respond rapidly to warming, leading to increased methane and carbon dioxide production. Microbial species and genes involved in these processes became more abundant with warmer conditions.
A new computational modeling method, MTV-LMM, predicts how the gut microbiome will change over time by analyzing snapshots of microbes found in a person's gut. This could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as insights into other types of temporal microbiome processes.
A new study uses machine learning to identify bat species with the potential to host Nipah virus, focusing on India. Four new bat species are flagged as surveillance priorities, and their predictions aim to guide surveillance and prevent deadly outbreaks.
Assistant professor Bala Chaudhary's research aims to understand how symbiotic plant microbes disperse at large continental scales. The project will use data from the National Ecological Observatory Network and analyze soil samples using DNA sequencing to determine eco-climatic predictors of mycorrhizal communities.
Researchers discovered that bacteria in coral reef waters change dramatically at night, and then return to the same daytime community the next morning. A group of microbes called Psychrobacter appears to be leading the way, dominating the marine microbial community during the day and being a hundred times more abundant at night.
A NSF-sponsored project led by Colorado State University researcher Mike Wilkins aims to understand how microbes drive ecosystem functions in deep, dark crevices. The study focuses on methylamine metabolism, a critical process for microbial life in fractured shales and other environments.
Researchers discovered a bacterium in camel crickets that breaks down lignin, opening new pathways for biofuel production and chemical manufacturing. The study highlights the value of ecosystem analysis in identifying commercially valuable microorganisms with industrial applications.
A new study reveals how the long-horned passalid beetle's gut microbiome breaks down woody biomass into energy-rich products like acetate and biofuels. The findings provide insights into a nature-derived approach to producing affordable fuels and bioproducts.
A new model microbiome community, THOR, has been developed by researchers to improve human health and soil productivity. The community of bacteria produced complex traits such as biofilms, which could lead to the development of new antibiotics and improved crop yields.
A new DNA analysis technique reveals insights into how ecosystems respond to climate change and environmental shifts by studying microbial genes. Microorganisms play a vital role in shaping ecosystems, and analyzing their plasmidome helps scientists understand the history of an environment.
Researchers find that varying distances of microbial interactions affect community organization. Longer distances favor diffusible toxic molecules, while close-range interactions benefit contact-dependent devices.
A study by UCR researcher Sydney Glassman explored how climate change affects the ability of microbes to recycle nutrients. The research found that specific microbial communities play an independent role in decomposition, and their response to climate change is not solely dependent on the environment they reside in.
A warming-induced shift in microbial community composition requires more biodiversity to maintain ecosystem function due to the increased likelihood that remaining species will not tolerate rising temperatures. The study suggests that warmer conditions may accelerate the impacts of biodiversity decline on ecosystems.
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena has been granted funding for its Cluster of Excellence 'Balance of the Microverse', focusing on microbial communities and their impact on human health, environment, and climate change. The cluster aims to advance knowledge on microbiota dynamics and functions.
New research shows that the timing and order of introduction of gut bacteria after birth significantly impact the development of the microbiome. This discovery could eventually allow doctors to establish beneficial gut bacteria in infants right after birth, potentially warding off serious chronic diseases.
Jizhong Zhou receives the 2019 American Society for Microbiology Award for Environmental Research for groundbreaking discoveries in microbial ecology and environmental genomics. His work has transformed our understanding of microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Kristen DeAngelis will lead a new soil warming studies project with undergraduates annotating soil microbe genomes and investigating bacterial traits. The goal is to understand how bacteria thrive in warmer soils and their impact on the environment.
A new OU study shows that climate warming accelerates temporal turnover rates of soil bacterial and fungal communities, affecting ecosystem predictability. The research finds divergent succession of microbial communities under climate warming, with reduced stochasticity and dynamic drivers.
Researchers identified a key metabolic pathway allowing microbes to maintain osmotic balance, produce energy, and obtain carbon and nitrogen. Microbial metabolism significantly influences compound concentrations in shale-derived fluids.
Research in mice suggests that antibiotics alter the redox potential of the gut environment, leading to changes in microbial communities. The study proposes new ecological models for how antibiotics reshape the gut microbiome and could inform the development of drugs to treat microbial disorders or prevent antibiotic-associated infecti...
Microbes at deep-sea hot springs are surprisingly productive, generating more than 4,000 tons of organic carbon daily, equivalent to the amount in 200 blue whales. They convert chemicals into energy through chemosynthesis, serving as a crucial base for the food web.
Researchers found that phosphorus addition allows microbes to rapidly grow in previously thought to be uninhabitable sites. This challenges previous ecological assumptions and expands understanding of life's limits on Earth.
The study investigates the effects of different disturbance events on a simple microbial food web, finding that the type of disturbance affects bacterial communities and stability. The results highlight the importance of considering trophic interactions and time factors in ecological systems.
Scientists have analyzed 100-year-old samples of cyanobacteria from Captain Scott's Discovery expedition, providing a baseline for levels of cyanotoxins in Antarctic freshwater. The discovery enables researchers to study the effects of climate change on blue-green algae and their toxins in Antarctica.
Jizhong Zhou, a renowned researcher at OU, has made significant contributions to understanding the role of microbes in environment, climate change. He is recognized by the ESA Fellowship, reflecting the quality of OU's faculty, students, and staff.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that CO2 leakage from storage sites can drastically alter seabed ecosystems, leading to the disappearance of animals and disruption of the food chain. The researchers also discovered that some microorganisms can adapt to increased CO2 levels, but most species struggle to cope.
A team of researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has discovered how microorganisms adapt to survive in phosphorus-poor environments. By analyzing genes and proteins, they found an increase in phosphorus-acquiring enzymes and a large number of genes that break down complex organic compounds like phytate.
A comprehensive study has identified just a handful of bacterial taxa that dominate the Earth's soil globally. These abundant bacteria can be grouped based on five key environmental preferences, providing new insights into their roles in regulating nutrient cycles, plant productivity, and terrestrial carbon dynamics.
Researchers found that urban streams have more pharmaceutical pollution than suburban counterparts, leading to changes in microbial communities. The study suggests that urban streams harbor resistant microbes that can maintain ecological function despite pharmaceutical exposure.
A team led by OSU professor Kerry McPhail will study stromatolites in South Africa's barrage pools, seeking insights into chemical signaling and metabolite production among ancient microbial communities. The research aims to advance our understanding of the origins of life and develop new medicines.
Researchers developed a novel method to infer microbial interactions using steady-state data, avoiding perturbations and potential ethical concerns. The approach allows for accurate network inference without requiring population dynamics modeling, enabling better understanding of microbial ecosystems.
A young scientist's groundbreaking work reveals that microbial communities' metabolic processes are influenced by environmental constraints rather than species interactions. The study uses high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the DNA of entire microbial communities, providing insights into bioremediation and ocean chemistry.
Scientists at Lund University have developed new systems to study microorganisms in the ground using microchips, revealing complex ecosystems and interactions between microbes and their environment. The technology allows for real-time analysis of microbial processes, enabling researchers to better understand soil structures and functions.
A research team led by David Brankovits discovered that cave-adapted organisms can thrive on methane gas and bacteria near it, raising the possibility of similar life forms existing worldwide. The study found a complex food web involving tiny organisms and large shrimp.
Researchers analyzed wheat microbiome under conventional, no-till, organic, and reduced chemical inputs management strategies, finding strong effects on microbial communities by wheat plant organ and age. The study provides foundational data for generating synthetic microbiomes to improve crop yields and disease resistance.
A new method assesses microbial community structure by quantifying protein abundance, revealing more about the role of microbes in animal and plant health, disease, and environmental processes. The technique was tested in various environments, including Rocky Mountain alkaline soda lakes and human saliva, with promising results.
A new study found that a single strain of bacteria can cause imbalance in the gut microbiota of individuals with Crohn's disease. The findings suggest that preventing this imbalance could lead to promising treatment options for inflammatory bowel diseases.
A Berkeley Lab-led study discovers new types of cellulases from a microbiome, which can break down plant biomass into glucose at high temperatures. The enzymes were cultivated from a cluster of uncultivated bacteria in municipal compost, offering a scalable source for biofuel production.
Researchers identify three paradoxical dynamics: the curse of increased efficiency, where less efficient microbes thrive; and the curse of decreased inefficiency, leading to slower population growth. The study highlights complexities in engineered microbial communities and microbiomes, challenging assumptions about optimal strategies.
A novel transdisciplinary study has uncovered microbes that may one day deter major grape disease, Pierce's disease. The researchers used next-generation sequencing and modern bioinformatics tools to analyze microbial communities in grapevines, finding a link between beneficial bacteria and reduced disease severity.
The study highlights how human activities like tourism, trade, and agriculture impact microbial populations worldwide. Researchers warn of potential extinction risks for some microbes due to increased competition and spreading of antibiotic resistance genes.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in soil are primarily structured by plant lineage rather than environmental factors. The study's results suggest that invasive plants are successful due to their freedom from cultivating microbial defense mechanisms, allowing them to allocate resources for growth and reproduction.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in soil are structured by plant lineage, not environment. This discovery helps understand how invasive species succeed and affects ecosystem fitness.
Researchers from the University of Groningen have developed a conceptual model to describe the dynamics of microbial populations during plant biomass degradation. This model reveals different phases and stages, where distinct microbial species are crucial for breaking down plant biomass into simple sugars.
Researchers found that even small amounts of bird feces can significantly impact water quality by altering nutrient conditions and microbial communities. The study suggests that bird droppings may contribute to algal blooms, but further research is needed to fully understand the effects.
Researchers discovered that microbes in polar streams are producing organic material, potentially contributing to an underestimated 'dynamic local carbon cycle' as temperatures rise
Researchers have found that dust from the Gobi Desert is providing more phosphorus than previously thought for plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including giant sequoias. The study suggests that dust may be shaping this iconic California ecosystem and could help predict forest response to climate change.
A new genus of copepods, Eirinicaris antonioi, has been discovered in Brazil's rocky savannas, providing insights into ancient species distribution. The discovery highlights the vast amounts of undiscovered biodiversity in these ecosystems, which face significant anthropogenic threats.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new method to monitor soil microbes, which could boost the success of ecological restoration projects. By analyzing the DNA of bacteria in soil samples, scientists found that native plant revegetation can restore a natural state to cleared land just eight years after implementa...
Soil microbes may hold key to protecting sorghum crops from Striga, a parasitic plant that causes up to 50% yield loss in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers will map potential micro-organisms present in African soils to develop sustainable solutions.
Scientists have found that vitamin B12 controls 41 different proteins in a bacterium, regulating folate, ubiquinone, and methionine metabolism. This discovery highlights the importance of B12 in shaping microbial communities and their impact on human health.
Researchers at WSU have discovered a new type of cooperative photosynthesis that allows bacteria to transfer electrons, enabling anaerobic photosynthesis. This process has significant implications for engineering microbial communities for waste treatment and bioenergy production.
A team of researchers has captured the first direct observation of diplonemids, a diverse group of single-celled hunters in the ocean. These microbes are found to be abundant, diverse and hunt both bacteria and larger algae.
The DOE JGI has selected 37 projects for its 2017 Community Science Program, focusing on sustainable biofuels, plant microbiomes, and biogeochemistry. Researchers will utilize the DOE's sequencing capabilities to study key areas such as reference genomes for plants relevant to bioenergy production.
A new study reveals that corals selectively feed on specific types of bacteria, promoting their growth and influencing the surrounding microbial community. This interaction drives microbial growth and nutrient cycling, with corals releasing complex compounds to stimulate bacterial growth.
Researchers have developed a new approach to study the gut microbiome, revealing that diabetes patients and healthy individuals have similar bacterial species composition but differing metabolic activity. The study discovered that changes in gut bacteria metabolism can exacerbate type 1 diabetes by affecting vitamin levels.
Scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a highly accurate DNA-based method to detect and distinguish sources of microbial contamination in water. The new method, using the award-winning PhyloChip, was found to be more sensitive than conventional methods at assessing health risks.
Researchers found that a specific strain of Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 can establish itself in the human gut and remain there for up to 6 months. The study suggests that individualized features of the resident microbiome play a crucial role in the persistence of this strain, enabling personalized probiotic treatments.