Add BrightSurf on Google Email

More than just a carnival trick: Researchers can guess your age based on your microbes

A new study has found that researchers can accurately predict a person's chronological age using machine learning algorithms and microbiome samples. The study analyzed data from over 4,400 participants across various body sites, including skin, saliva, and feces, and found significant gender-specific differences in gut microbiome results.

'Scrambled' cells fix themselves

Researchers at University of Montreal found that human cells scramble their membrane fat to fix holes caused by microbes, preventing cell damage. The discovery identifies a molecule, TMEM16F, that can repair these holes and protect humans from certain diseases.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 28, 2020

Mathematical models provide a snapshot of the human gut microbial community

The study uses mathematical models to predict metabolites generated by microbial species within the gut, revealing a four-level trophic organization. The findings suggest that species composition changes along the gut, with bacteria near the end forming the lowest trophic level.

Study points to new weapon in fight against lethal fungi

Researchers have gained insights into how nanoparticles can be used to identify invasive microbes and deliver targeted treatments, potentially preventing deadly diseases contracted on medical equipment. The study, conducted by Monash University researchers, found that nanoparticles bound to fungal cells but were non-toxic to them.

SourceMonash University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 9, 2019

A 'shocking' new way to treat infections

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel electrochemical therapy to treat metal-based implant infections, which are a persistent problem with five to 10 percent failure rates. The new approach damages the microbe cell membrane, increasing susceptibility to antibiotics and eradicating drug-resistant cells.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 22, 2019

Dartmouth study reveals how fungal biofilm structure impacts lung disease

A Dartmouth study reveals that the way human fungal pathogens form colonies can significantly impact their ability to cause disease. The researchers identified a specific mutation that causes key changes in gene function, leading to improved virulence and host damage. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for developing effect...

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 23, 2019

Gut microbes may affect the course of ALS

A study published in Nature suggests that certain strains of gut microbes, particularly Akkermansia muciniphila, may slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in mice. The researchers found that supplementing ALS-prone mice with this strain significantly improved their survival and reduced disease symptoms.

Leaving microbes out of climate change conversation has major consequences, experts warn

Experts warn that leaving microbes out of the climate conversation has major consequences. Microbes are crucial in regulating climate change, supporting animal and human health, agriculture, and the global food web. Climate change impacts microbial populations, exacerbating disease spread and threatening global food supplies.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Reviews Microbiology·DateJun 18, 2019

New findings from Human Microbiome Project reveal how microbiome is disrupted during IBD

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard found that changes in the gut microbiome during IBD trigger an unhealthy inflammatory reaction. The research, part of the Human Microbiome Project, identified specific chemicals and microbial shifts that contribute to disease activity.

Microbiome science may help doctors deliver more effective, personalized treatment to children with irritable bowel syndrome

A new diagnostic classification technique enables stratification of pediatric patients with IBS, allowing for tailored nutritional and targeted therapies. Researchers identified correlations between certain microbes and metabolites with abdominal pain, providing insights into novel treatment approaches.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateApr 17, 2019

Researchers develop microbubble scrubber to destroy dangerous biofilms

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has developed a system that harnesses the power of bubbles to destroy microbial biofilms. The system uses diatoms loaded with an oxygen-generating chemical, which creates microbubbles that propel tiny particles through the surfaces of tough films and deliver an antiseptic deathblow to...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 19, 2018

How Nagana is carried by tsetse flies

Tsetse flies transmit Nagana disease to livestock by injecting trypanosomes into the skin, which then invade the bloodstream and cause severe illness. Understanding how these microbes develop inside the fly may lead to new methods of controlling the spread of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 17, 2018