Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers developed a new manufacturing platform using freeze-dried components that can quickly make vaccines on demand. The platform eliminates the need for complex supply chains and refrigeration, making it ideal for low-resource settings. This innovation has the potential to expand access to life-saving medications.
Researchers in Costa Rica have found that some bacteria on amphibian skin can prevent growth of the fungus responsible for mass amphibian die-offs. The study identified a number of bacteria with inhibitory capacity against the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has led to the extinction of 90 species.
Researchers found that Lactobacillus bacteria use enzymes to manipulate bile acids, creating a favorable gut environment. The type of bile acid and the presence of specific enzymes affect the toxicity of the acids and bacterial survival.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered fermented food waste can boost beneficial bacteria in plants, increasing crop growth and resistance to pathogens. The treatment reduces carbon emissions from farming and has potential for sustainable agriculture practices.
Extracellular vesicles, secreted by the cells lining the airways, carry iron bound to transferrin and supply bacterial cells with essential nutrients, promoting bacterial growth. This mechanism allows bacteria to exploit the host's defense system against pathogens.
A new study reveals how a bacterial pathogen manipulates host senescence to cause citrus greening disease. Researchers identified an effector that promotes bacterial colonization and disease development in citrus.
Approximately nine out of ten US infants suffer from a gut microbiome deficiency, including a lack of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, which plays a critical role in infant health and development. This deficiency is linked to an increased presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, and a higher risk of a...
Computational research reveals that genetic transfer between bacteria may be more widespread than expected, with plasmids containing resistance genes found in various environments and species. This could lead to rapid development of resistance in human pathogens.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a population of dormant Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria that are better equipped to revive when conditions improve. The study also discovered an enzyme involved in this process, which breaks down lactic acid into pyruvate, allowing the bacteria to survive for extended periods.
Researchers have identified a potent antifungal agent, attinimicin, produced by nearly two-thirds of Pseudonocardia strains in Brazilian ants. This compound has broad geographic distribution and shows promise as a potential drug candidate for fighting fungal infections.
Researchers found C. diff produces toxins causing inflammation and damage to the gut lining, allowing it to thrive in an environment with less competition for nutrients. This process enables the pathogen to utilize amino acids from collagen for growth, further promoting its survival and persistence.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that synthetic cannabidiol can kill certain types of bacteria responsible for serious infections. The study's findings suggest that cannabidiol could lead to the development of new antibiotics, which would be a major breakthrough in combating antibiotic resistance.
Scientists discovered that taurine helps the gut recall prior infections and kill invading bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Taurine, found naturally in bile acids, triggers Deltaproteobacteria activity to fight off infections. The study suggests taurine may offer an alternative treatment for bacterial infections.
Researchers found that certain oral pathogens are more prevalent in esophageal cancer patients, particularly in dental plaque and saliva. The study suggests that these pathogens may be associated with a high risk of esophageal cancer and could form the basis of future screening methods.
Scientists at TU Graz have identified a bacterium inside the seed of rice plants that can lead to complete resistance to a particular pathogen. The bacterium, Sphingomonas melonis, produces an organic acid that inhibits the pathogen and renders it harmless.
Researchers discovered that random DNA sequences can generate new genes producing antibiotic resistance, which can spread quickly among bacteria. The study used laboratory experiments with E. coli and found six peptides causing Colistin resistance by modifying the cell membrane.
Researchers developed nanocrystals with a unique surface texture that increases mobility and generates reactive oxygen species lethal to bacteria. The system is effective in killing embedded bacteria resistant to antibiotics and can be easily controlled.
Researchers at Rice University have created a lab tool that simplifies simulations of the human intestine, allowing for more practical studies on diseases like infectious diarrhea. The device enables the real-time growth of bacterial infections and provides a mechanical model for studying how invading bacteria cause disease.
A new sequencing-based approach has been developed to determine infection clearance and microbiota recovery. The technique has shown promise in understanding the activity of microbial drug resistance mechanisms and identifying causative microbes.
Researchers develop peptide that disrupts protective outer coating of TB pathogen, making it susceptible to antibiotics and die. The peptide specifically targets the fatty acid on the pathogen's surface, allowing it to effectively kill the bacteria without harming good bacteria.
A new study suggests that sea star wasting disease is caused by a lack of oxygen, as elevated microbial activity depletes the water's oxygen levels. This creates a hypoxic environment that surrounds the starfish, leading to respiratory distress and ultimately, their death.
A new study reveals that periodontitis-causing bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis borrows growth molecules from harmless Veillonella parvula, enabling its replication and causing gum disease. The relationship is one-directional, with V. parvula receiving no obvious benefit from sharing its growth molecules.
Researchers from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University develop novel compounds with potential as effective antibacterial drugs against drug-resistant tuberculosis pathogens. The new substances outperform existing antibiotics in sensitivity and minimal concentration needed for inhibition.
Researchers identified multiple bacterial strains that increase adherence of PGPB to plant roots, enabling them to work together for mutual benefit. This finding may lead to the development of groups of bacteria that can better protect crop plants and improve their growth.
Wistar scientists have discovered a new class of compounds that combine direct antibiotic killing with a rapid immune response to combat antimicrobial resistance. These dual-acting immuno-antibiotics target an essential bacterial pathway and stimulate the adaptive immune system, showing promise in treating pan drug-resistant infections.
Scientists discovered that metabolites from a wild potato relative inhibit the production of enzymes and communication in the pathogenic bacteria, leading to increased disease resistance. The findings offer insights into how to improve crop yields by studying wild relatives of food plants.
Researchers found a gene cluster in Vibrio cholerae that helps the bacteria acquire unique traits needed to become pandemic strains. The discovery sheds light on how environmental strains of V. cholerae evolve into deadly pathogens.
This atlas of S. pneumoniae and host gene expression provides a comprehensive understanding of the pathogen's adaptation to different body locations and the host's response. Certain bacterial genes are highly expressed across all anatomical sites, making them ideal targets for new treatments.
A preclinical study by researchers from the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville found that a combination of imipenem and meropenem may be effective in treating infections caused by carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii. The study showed promise for treating severe infections, including pneumonia and bacteremias.
Researchers have created a comprehensive gene expression database to study pneumococcal infections. The database reveals that the bacteria behaves differently depending on the site of infection and the organs respond accordingly. This could lead to new treatments, such as anti-inflammatory therapies.
Researchers discovered a unique evolutionary event in which an antibacterial enzyme in ticks protects them from bacteria on human skin while allowing the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium to thrive. The ticks acquired this gene 40 million years ago through horizontal gene transfer.
A recent study by UC San Francisco researchers reveals that ticks possess an antibiotic gene called dae2, which protects them from contracting pathogens, including Staphylococcus bacteria. This discovery provides new insights into the complex interactions between ticks and human skin microbiota.
A study published in eLife journal reveals that a specific strain of lung bacteria, Lactobacillus murinus, can inhibit the growth of pneumococcal pathogens and prevent colonization. The findings suggest that probiotics could be a potential treatment alternative to antibiotics for respiratory illnesses.
Scientists have developed a potential new antibiotic for Mycobacterium abscessus, a pathogen resistant to medications with cure rates less than 50%. The compound T405 demonstrated superior potency against the bacteria, as well as an ability to prevent resistance when combined with avibactam.
Researchers identified coral GSDME as a pyroptosis-inducing protein in reef-building corals, revealing its role in pathogen-induced coral death. Activation of coral GSDME triggers rapid cell swelling and cytoplasmic content release, leading to necrotic tissue damage.
A recent study found a large number of potentially pathogenic bacteria on ticks infecting Bolson tortoises, highlighting the need for conservation strategies to protect these endangered species. Further research is needed to understand the tortoises' defense mechanisms against diseases transmitted by ticks.
A study found that vaginal bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis can metabolize HIV prevention drugs, reducing their effectiveness. This imbalance can increase the risk of HIV transmission in women. The researchers highlight the need for better treatments and studies on women's health to improve HIV prevention efforts.
Researchers have developed new compounds that kill bacteria responsible for diseases in rice, kiwi and citrus. The plant-inspired alkaloids work by increasing levels of reactive oxygen species in the bacteria, causing cell death.
Researchers at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have developed a method to produce customisable engineered lysins that can selectively kill specific bacteria while leaving others unharmed. This discovery presents a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating existing drug-resistant bacteria.
A new study published in Scientific Reports confirms that common house spiders carry harmful bacteria and can transmit them through their fangs when biting. The study found that some of these bacteria are multi-drug resistant, making infections difficult to treat with regular medicine.
A new device can detect antibiotic-resistant bacteria in just five hours by measuring naturally occurring electron transfers. The device, developed by Binghamton University researchers, has the potential to serve as an important point-of-care diagnostic tool in areas with limited resources.
Researchers found that flies in apple orchards can acquire fire blight bacteria from sugary droplets on diseased trees and transmit it to uninfected shoots. This discovery provides new insights into the disease cycle and highlights the importance of integrating historical literature into modern research.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a high-throughput cell separation method using droplet microfluidics to study host-pathogen interactions. The system successfully isolates pathogens attached to host cells from those that are unattached, simplifying the study of novel pathogens and environmental microbiology applications.
A new method for detecting bacteria and infections has been developed using fluorescent nanosensors. These sensors can track down pathogens faster and more easily than traditional methods, allowing for improved patient care and rapid diagnosis of sepsis.
A research team at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena has identified a small ribonucleic acid that influences the antibiotic-resistance of Vibrio cholerae. The protein CrvA plays a crucial role in maintaining cell form and is essential for survival on contact with penicillin.
Research reveals slow-moving bacteria can outcompete fast-moving counterparts due to efficient invasion strategies. The study uses genetics, experiments, and physics to understand the behavior of bacteria on an individual and collective level.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a connection between Brachyspira bacteria and IBS, particularly the form causing diarrhea. The study found that Brachyspira was present in 31% of IBS patients, with symptoms often resembling an allergic reaction, sparking hopes for new treatments.
A Canadian team has developed an inexpensive molecule to fight antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, two bacteria responsible for gonorrhea and meningococcal meningitis. The molecule's specificity allows it to target pathogenic Neisseria while leaving other types unaffected.
Polyimidazolium compounds exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The inability of this pathogen to evolve resistance suggests potential as a new class of antibiotics for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Engineers have discovered how zinc oxide surfaces and natural hydrodynamic churning can kill pathogens, with applications in water disinfection and airborne virus control. The technique uses reactive oxygen species to damage bacterial cell walls, making it effective against both surface and waterborne pathogens.
Researchers are analyzing termites to assess their role in infecting ironwood trees with a deadly bacterium, which has killed over 20% of the island's gago trees. The team is also planting new, resistant trees and studying how termites spread the disease.
A team of researchers has unpacked the bacterium Francisella tularensis' toolbox, revealing the shapes and interactions of its infectious machinery. The insights point to a way in which the bacteria's unique infectious machinery might be blocked, potentially preventing it from infecting over 200 animal species.
Researchers at San Diego State University have uncovered a crucial clue to the mystery of TB's rapid resistance to antibiotics. They found that the pathogen uses an epigenetic domain to diversify and create multiple subpopulations with varying phenotypes, leading to drug resistance.
A comprehensive review of plant natural products reveals 459 compounds with antibacterial activity, providing promising candidates for new antibiotic discovery. The review, led by Cassandra Quave, aims to facilitate the search for effective drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Research found that pathogens with intermediate virulence are most evolutionarily successful, as they balance harm and transmission. This challenges conventional wisdom that new diseases evolve to become harmless.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a protein called Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 1 (PGLYRP1) that helps protect hosts from infection with the Lyme spirochete. The study, published in PLOS Pathogens, found that mice lacking this protein had higher levels of the bacteria and showed signs of immune system dysfunction.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a new Rickettsia species in dogs that is part of the spotted-fever group. This new species has been found in multiple dogs across the US and shares genetic similarities with human Rickettsia pathogens.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA and Institut Pasteur have identified flavodiiron and rubrerythrin proteins as essential for C. difficile's ability to tolerate oxygen damage, a key step towards understanding its mechanisms of resistance.
A study found that hospital floors are quickly and frequently contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria within hours of patient admission. The researchers observed a significant transfer of pathogens from the floor to patients' socks, bedding, and nearby surfaces, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.
A new rapid diagnostic system for sepsis is being developed at Penn State and Stanford University, which can identify fungal and bacterial pathogens within two hours. The five-year grant will allow researchers to bypass current blood culture steps and directly test pathogen susceptibility to antibiotics.