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Gambling on bacteria

Research by Prof. Eshel Ben-Jacob suggests that bacteria can effectively control 'noise' in their environment and make decisions that benefit the entire colony. Bacteria's group decision-making processes can inform human decision-making, particularly in situations with multiple stakeholders.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 12, 2010

Southern soils mitigate manure microbes

A new study found low levels of bacteria in soils outside fields sprayed with swine manure, while internal soils showed higher nutrient levels but lower pathogen levels. The research suggests that manure management plans have been effective in reducing bacterial risks.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateSep 9, 2010

Evolution writ small

Researchers at Rice University studied bacteria in a competition for evolutionary dominance, finding specific genetic mutations that imparted physical advantages. These mutations were linked to increased resistance to temperature changes and protein misfolding, which may be related to human diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceRice University·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateAug 25, 2010

Popping cells surprise living circuits creators

Researchers found that bacteria cells start dividing normally but unexpectedly 'pop' when the colony reaches a certain density. This phenomenon is linked to the amplification of plasmids in response to cell density, highlighting the importance of considering hidden interactions in engineered gene circuits.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 9, 2010

Deaths in the family cause bacteria to flee

Researchers found that bacteria release extracellular DNA (eDNA) when relatives die, which inhibits the sticky holdfasts of living cells from adhering to surfaces. This allows surviving cells to escape established colonies and outcompete each other for better conditions.

SourceIndiana University·JournalMolecular Microbiology·DateJun 29, 2010

How bacteria boost the immune system

Researchers discovered how bacteria aid digestion and enhance immune function by binding to B lymphocytes. This finding suggests the possibility of using bacterial spores to treat people with weakened or undeveloped immune systems.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJun 14, 2010

First case of animals making their own carotene

Researchers discovered that aphids can produce carotenoids, essential nutrients crucial for vision, skin health, and bone growth. The yellowish-green aphid strain produced carotenoids by acquiring a fungal gene through lateral transfer, challenging conventional wisdom on animal nutrient production.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateApr 29, 2010

Water, fair and foul

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an optimal UV wavelength to keep water clean of microorganisms, preventing health threats and reducing bio-fouling. This approach could be used in water treatment plants and desalination facilities to make them more efficient and reduce costs.

Flu jab for bacteria

Bacteria have a CRISPR defence system that can be passed down to future generations, providing immunity against viral attacks. This system could be exploited to give bacteria 'flu jabs' to protect them against real-world threats, increasing industrial productivity and reducing costs.

Bile sends mixed signals to E. coli

Bile helps E. coli O157:H7 bacteria survive by increasing iron uptake, while reducing attachment to host cells in the large intestine. This study could lead to better protection of food from contamination and a deeper understanding of bacterial disease mechanisms.

Emerging tick-borne disease

A team at Washington University in St. Louis has identified a link between white-tailed deer populations and emerging tick-borne diseases, including human ehrlichiosis and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). The study used a sophisticated DNA assay to track the transmission of pathogens from wildlife to ticks.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2010

Cells can read damaged DNA without missing a beat

Researchers found that cells' DNA-reading machinery can bypass certain types of damaged DNA, leading to mutagenesis and potential antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This discovery has important implications for understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2010

Cigarettes harbor many pathogenic bacteria: Study

A new study found that cigarettes are contaminated with numerous human bacterial pathogens, including Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Clostridium, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria may contribute to both infectious and chronic illnesses in smokers and secondhand smoke exposed individuals.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 19, 2009

New explanation for nature's hardiest life form

Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the molecular characteristics of bacterial spores, discovering that they have entirely different properties than previously thought. The findings suggest that changes in the physical properties of spore water may be crucial to their heat resistance.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2009

DNA molecules in moss open door to new biotechnology

Scientists from Uppsala University have successfully introduced plasmid-based methods into Physcomitrella moss cells, opening doors to powerful techniques in plant research. This breakthrough enables gene cloning and overexpression directly in plant cells without the need for single-cell organisms like bacteria or yeasts.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2009