Articles tagged with Microbial Ecology
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.
Researchers propose using bacteria and archaea to monitor stored CO2 and convert it into useful products, such as ethanol and acetate. This approach could enable the detection of potential CO2 leaks and contribute to making large-scale capture and storage of CO2 feasible.
A new study reveals that amphetamine pollution in urban streams stunts biofilm growth, changes bacterial and diatom communities, and speeds up aquatic insect emergence. The research highlights the need for innovations in wastewater management to mitigate the effects of pharmaceutical and illicit drug pollution on freshwater resources.
Professor Yiqi Luo of the University of Oklahoma has been elected as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union for his pioneering work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research focuses on predicting ecosystem responses to global change, enabling ecologists to forecast future changes in ecosystem services.
Researchers created a sediment Microbial Fuel Cell (sMFC) system that can remotely investigate the physiology and ecology of electrically active microbes in submerged field sites. The device's cathode depth affected microbial community composition and energy recovery from sediments.
Researchers found universal (host-independent) dynamics for healthy individuals' gut and mouth microbiomes. Fecal microbiota transplantation therapy also relied on these shared patterns to treat C. difficile infections.
Scientists at PNNL are part of a core group advising the White House on microbiome research. The National Microbiome Initiative aims to study microorganisms' impact on climate science, food production, and human health.
A new study finds that excessive algae growth in coral reefs causes microbes to dominate the food chain, depleting oxygen and releasing harmful pathogens. This leads to a runaway feedback loop, further coral death and ecosystem collapse. The research highlights the impact of human activities on coral reef ecosystems.
A team led by Julie Huber has discovered an active microbial community in cold oceanic crust at North Pond, an isolated sediment pond on the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The microbial community is oxygenated and heterogeneous, with distinct differences from that found in ocean bottom seawater.
A new study suggests that taking antibiotics in early childhood may disrupt the gut's microbial ecosystem and increase the risk of developing prediabetes in adolescence. The researchers found that a depletion of beneficial bacteria, such as Ruminococcus species, was associated with higher rates of antibiotic use.
Researchers found that microbes retained many of their original traits after 17 years, despite being transplanted to new climates, suggesting they may not be as adaptable to climate change as previously thought. This study has significant implications for our understanding of the future climate and the resilience of the environment.
A comprehensive field study reveals rapid microbial response to warming in tundra ecosystems, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient cycling processes.
Researchers found that biodiversity facilitates processes in an ecosystem, especially under harsh environmental conditions. The team tested this hypothesis using microbial communities and demonstrated that functional redundancy varies with prevalent environmental conditions.
The Bigelow Laboratory is part of a $8 million initiative to develop molecular tools for understanding dinoflagellates' function and their impact on ocean ecosystems. The project aims to create genetic tools that will allow researchers to investigate the activities of microbial genes and provide new capabilities for scientific inquiry.
A mathematical model reveals that competition between beneficial bacteria helps maintain the stability necessary for a healthy gut. By suppressing overabundant bacteria and keeping different species apart, hosts can intervene to maintain this natural balance.
Research reveals that humans and animals host highly specialized microbial communities, differing from earlier assumptions of generalist dominance. These findings have significant implications for the structure of biodiversity in microbial ecosystems.
A team of marine researchers has discovered a three-way conflict between algae, bacteria, and vitamin B12 in the frigid waters off Antarctica. The competition for iron and vitamins has significant implications for understanding globally significant food webs of the Southern Ocean.
OU Professor Jizhong Zhou has been recognized for his outstanding contributions in environmental genomics and microbial ecology. He is being honored for developing innovative metagenomics technologies and groundbreaking discoveries about microbial systems in response to environmental change.
A seven-year study reveals that microbial communities in urban waterways can remove and neutralize organic pollutants, providing a sustainable solution for managing urban watersheds. The discovery of key chemical elements influencing the community's functions paves the way for further research and monitoring.
Researchers emphasize the need for more studies on dispersants' effects on microorganisms in marine ecosystems. Standardized methods and consistent metrics are crucial to document dispersant impacts, as existing research reveals inconsistent results.
A multi-institutional team has discovered that statistical analysis of DNA from natural microbial communities can accurately identify environmental contaminants. The study, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, found that changes in microbial community structure persist long after contaminants are undetectable.
Researchers found that individual microbial communities are surprisingly unique and can be used to identify people over time. The study suggests that these microbiome 'fingerprints' could potentially expose sensitive information, but also offer new insights into human health and ecology.
Researchers found that microbial communities on shoes closely resemble those on the floor, suggesting strong transfer between the two. Cell phone microbial signatures were less stable due to rapid community turnover. The study's findings have potential applications in forensic analysis.
Research suggests that probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modifies the activity of other gut bacteria, fostering a healthy immune system and promoting several species of beneficial microbes. The discovery could lead to more effective strategies for maintaining a balanced gut ecosystem.
A new microarray-based tool called VaginArray has been developed to rapidly diagnose vaginal infections and assess vaginal microbiome health. The tool uses 17 probe sets specific for representative bacterial species, including those associated with healthy and unhealthy conditions.
Researchers found daily rhythms in metabolism among microbial communities in different ocean habitats, with common photoautotrophs initiating a cascade effect. This work suggests that microbial communities behave similarly across entire ocean basins.
Karen Lloyd, a University of Tennessee professor, has been selected as a 2015 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Ocean Sciences for her groundbreaking research on marine microbial life and geochemical cycles. Her work holds promise for understanding the physiology and ecology of marine microbial life.
Scientists studied the impact of Deepwater Horizon oil on Pensacola Municipal Beach's microbial communities, finding that generalist microbes were most successful in expanding their populations. After a year, microbial populations buried in beach sands looked similar to pre-spill levels, with some unexplained differences.
Researchers found that pubic hairs harbor distinct microbial communities, which can distinguish between males, females, and individual people. These findings suggest that microbial 'signatures' from pubic hairs could be used as a new way to link offenders to victims in sexual assault cases.
Microbial succession in restrooms begins with gut and vaginal bacteria, followed by skin and outdoor microbes. Skin and outdoor taxa comprise most of the cultured communities, suggesting restrooms are not significantly unhealthy or healthy.
The study reveals the complex relationships within a model ecosystem, with implications for protecting the environment and human health. The researchers found that Microthrix parvicella, a generalist bacterium, can adapt to various living conditions and dominate the wastewater treatment plant ecosystem.
The November issue of Frontiers in Ecology and Environment presents research on connectivity cost calculations for conservation corridors, agricultural companions that improve yields, and the consequences of growing jellyfish populations for human well-being.
Researchers are analyzing the changing populations of bugs and bacteria at crime scenes to provide crucial details such as geographical location, gender, and socioeconomic relations. The approach aims to aid investigators in solving cold cases by creating a repository of microbial community data for future reference.
A new species of microbe, Methanoflorens stordalenmirensis, has been found to control the release of methane from thawing permafrost soils, affecting global climate change predictions. The study reveals that this microbe plays a significant role in amplifying climate change by controlling greenhouse gas emissions.
MaxBin facilitates genomic analysis of uncultivated microbial populations by automatically sorting their genomes from metagenomic sequences. The software uses an expectation-maximization algorithm to classify metagenomic sequences into discrete bins representing individual microbial species.
Researchers uncover new insights into viral infections influencing SUP05 ecology and metabolic potential in oxygen-minimum zones. The study reveals viruses play a crucial role in marine microbial ecology below sunlit surface waters, with implications for ocean carbon cycling.
Recent studies suggest that warming may stimulate decomposition rates in soils, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide. However, a new study reveals that microbial community responses are more complex and may even increase CO2 release from soils.
Researchers analyzed samples from seven families over six weeks to understand how people influence the microbial communities in their homes. The study found that hands were the most likely to have similar microbes, while noses showed more individual variation.
Researchers discovered microbial communities within oil droplets, degrading oil and reducing its quality. This finding could pave the way for new approaches to clean up contaminated groundwater.
Researchers analyzed microbial communities from sandy tidal flats, finding three key factors controlling denitrification and ammonification: nitrite to nitrate ratio, carbon to nitrogen ratio, and generation time. The study's findings shed light on the complex interactions between microbes and their environment.
Researchers observed different species of bacteria expressing genes in consistent cycles, with periods of activity mirroring hourly workers' shifts. This finding has implications for understanding microbial dynamics and their impact on ocean health and productivity.
A new study by San Diego State University researchers reveals that inhabited coral islands significantly alter their surrounding reef ecosystems, disturbing microbes, corals, algae, and fish. The study found that certain types of bacteria can predict whether a reef is dominated by coral or algae.
New research shows methane emissions from microorganisms in lake sediment and freshwater wetlands will increase several times as temperatures rise, outpacing CO2 emissions. The study provides a measurement scientists can use to model methane's contribution to climate change.
Researchers discovered specific soil microbes that hinder the growth of ragweed, a common weed in eastern US. By using plants that attract these microorganisms, farmers may be able to create 'weed-suppressive soils' and reduce weed growth.
Researchers found a shift in soil microbial communities as shrubs invaded remnant hill prairies, with woody fungal communities emerging in response to increased shrub density. This change could impact the ability to restore prairies, as shrubs may outcompete grasses and alter ecosystem function.
Researchers found that flowing water impeds bacterial movement, making microbes more likely to attach to surfaces. This discovery has implications for studying marine ecosystems and preventing infections in medical devices.
Yiqi Luo, a University of Oklahoma professor, has been named an AAAS Fellow for his work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research aims to predict ecosystem changes in response to environmental shifts, which could inform global responses to climate change.
Researchers found distinct cervical and vaginal microbiota patterns in women destined for preterm birth compared to those with term births. The study revealed significant differences in microbial communities, particularly lower levels of non-CST III bacteria, weeks before the actual preterm birth.
In deep, old, and nutrient-poor marine sediments, viruses outnumber microbes by up to 225 times, controlling the size and composition of microbial communities. Viruses produce new viruses that remain in sediment for longer periods due to limited enzymatic destruction, leading to a high turnover rate.
Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory found that different sponge species have unique microbiomes that are specific to their host species. The study used ultra-deep DNA sequencing technology to analyze the microbiomes of seven sponge species from various habitats.
Scientists found that warming soil by 2 degrees Celsius alters microbial DNA to enhance carbon handling. The study reveals complex interactions between plants and microbes, impacting climate change predictions.
Researchers discovered that Methanosaeta, a prominent methane-producing microorganism, produces methane by making electrical connections with other microorganisms. This finding challenges previous understanding of methane production and has significant implications for optimizing bioenergy strategies.
Research finds that animal populations can significantly influence carbon storage and exchange in regional ecosystems, often rivaling the impact of fossil fuel emissions. This underplayed role highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the indirect effects of animals on the carbon cycle.