Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Trained dogs can identify infected trees within two weeks of inoculation and distinguish the citrus greening pathogen from other pathogens. This method is more efficient than currently USDA-approved methods, such as PCR tests, which detect less than 3% of infections.
A recent study published in Biological Reviews found no conclusive link between wild birds and human illness involving E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. The researchers highlighted the need for more definitive research to determine the risks of bird populations on food safety before taking action.
Scientists develop genetically engineered bacteria to target Varroa mites and deformed wing virus, increasing survival rates by up to 70%. The approach could one day scale up for agricultural use, improving bee health and food production.
Scientists have developed a self-propelled chemical trap to corner and destroy pathogens in body fluids, reducing the need for antibiotics. The device uses a magnesium metal engine propelled by hydrogen bubbles, trapping bacteria with an acid-soluble polymer cage that releases a toxin to kill them.
Researchers found that at least 25% of antibiotic-resistant pathogens are capable of spreading their resistance genes directly to other bacteria. The study, which used a new high-throughput method, showed that antibiotics do not significantly affect the rate of gene transfer between bacteria.
Cornell University researchers found that wild tomato varieties are less affected by bacterial canker, with the pathogen remaining confined to specific xylem vessels. The team's study confirms that wild tomatoes are susceptible to bacterial canker, but with less severe symptoms than cultivated varieties.
A new study reveals that two proteins, MreB and CcmA, work together to balance cell-wall synthesis on opposite sides of the curvy-shaped bacterium, maintaining its helical shape. Disrupting this balance could lead to the development of more targeted antibiotics to prevent H. pylori infections.
A Northwestern University study found that indoor dust bacteria can transfer antibiotic resistance genes, potentially making infections more difficult to treat. The researchers believe this could lead to the spread of resistant pathogens, highlighting the need for increased caution in managing indoor environments.
Researchers identified a highly competitive bacterium in the gut microbiota that protects against enteric pathogens. This discovery offers new avenues for developing antibiotic-free treatments.
A new composite film made with an antimicrobial layer has shown promise in reducing the growth of harmful bacteria on packaged meat and fish products. The film, which contains a biopolymer called pullulan and an antimicrobial compound called Lauric arginate, was found to be effective in killing pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli.,
A team of scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum has uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind Yersinia pseudotuberculosis's ability to trigger an infection in humans. By analyzing RNA thermometers, which signal temperature changes, researchers found that deactivated thermometers render the bacteria unable to cause illness.
Researchers found compounds in commonly consumed foods trigger phage production, killing harmful bacteria and promoting beneficial bacteria growth. This 'landscape' approach has far-reaching implications for controlling harmful microbes and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Recent research in Caenorhabditis elegans suggests that a moderately acidic digestive tract may actually make bacterial pathogens more potent. This finding could have significant implications for addressing antibiotic resistance worldwide.
Researchers have discovered a molecular switch that regulates inflammation in the stomach, triggered by H. Pylori bacteria. The 'switch' uses a previously unknown mechanism to control the infection, allowing it to evade the immune system and cause stomach diseases such as ulcers and cancer.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have identified a key mechanism by which TB infects and manipulates macrophage cells, shutting down the host's natural response. By targeting microRNA-21, scientists may develop improved immunotherapies or vaccine strategies to combat TB infection.
A study by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has identified the regulation and metal uptake systems of Mycoplasma genitalium, a sexually transmitted pathogen responsible for genitourinary diseases. The discovery reveals strategies that bacteria use to acquire essential metals for survival, making them a promising therapeutic target.
Scientists at Ohio State University have created a treatment for late-stage sepsis using nanotechnology to transform donated immune cells into a powerful antibacterial drug. The therapy demonstrated significant improvements in survival rates and bacteria clearance in mouse models of sepsis.
Certain bacteria, such as Shigella, use lipopolysaccharides to block caspases and prevent apoptosis, allowing them to multiply intracellularly. This strategy is essential for their survival and spread within the human body.
Researchers discovered that the human body uses a receptor to detect bacterial quorum sensing molecules, enabling it to react to differing stages of an infection. This allows the body to save energy by not reacting prematurely and prevents collateral damage caused by the immune system's response.
Researchers found that humidity and aspect of the tick's environment impact the types of bacteria carried by ticks. Borrelia afzelii is more common in humid slopes facing north, while Rickettsia species are prevalent on drier, steeper slopes.
Researchers developed a new ELISpot blood test to diagnose bacterial infections, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which can trigger skin and mucous membrane lesions in children. The test detects specific immune cells targeted against M. pneumoniae, allowing for more specific treatment and prognosis.
A host sensor called AhR helps the immune system respond to bacterial infections by detecting and adapting to quorum sensing signals. This allows for tailored defense mechanisms against highly resistant pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A highly contagious intestinal bacteria, Shigellosis can cause 190 million cases of diarrhoea globally each year. In Victoria, a drug-resistant Shigella strain has emerged, making treatment with oral antibiotics impossible, requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics instead.
Macrophages change their metabolism drastically after coming into contact with bacteria, triggering an inflammatory response. This process involves the activation of Toll-like receptors, which leads to histone acetylation and changes in gene expression.
Researchers have successfully replaced bacterial toxins with proteins in nano-syringes, enabling targeted delivery of drugs to specific body cells. The innovation aims to introduce drugs into cancer cells with minimal side effects.
A research team has identified essential proteins for archaeal motility and its structure, revealing a complex protein complex that enables archaella to swim. The discovery provides insights into the unique mechanism of archaeal movement, distinct from bacterial flagellum-based locomotion.
A recent study published in Respiratory Research found that vaping may have similar effects on harmful lung bacteria as smoking. Researchers compared the effects of cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor on four types of bacteria associated with smoking-related illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Researchers at Rice University and Texas A&M University developed molecular drills that target and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The drills, which can be activated with light, increase the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, offering a potential solution to superbug infections.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed new computational and experimental tools to identify microbial small molecules encoded in clinical samples. This allows scientists to explore microbial-host interactions and mine the human microbiome for drug discovery, revealing potential antibiotics and insights into human-microbe in...
Researchers at UMSOM are testing a combined Shigella-ETEC vaccine to offer protection against diarrheal diseases, which cause millions of deaths worldwide. The vaccine has been developed with $4.5 million funding from Emergent BioSolutions.
Researchers discovered that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia uses a secretion system to inject toxins into competing bacteria, eliminating them. The study also identified a key toxin molecule that can reduce bacterial replication rates.
Researchers have found a way to stimulate skin cells to secrete naturally occurring antibiotics called Antimicrobial Peptides, which target and kill bacteria. By modulating caspase-8 levels in the skin, AMP release can be controlled to prevent infections in diabetics and patients with weakened immune systems.
The discovery of LiaX, a secret protein that alerts bacteria to antibiotic and immune system attacks, opens doors for future treatment options against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The protein's activation causes restructuring of the bacterial cell, preventing antibiotics from destroying it.
Researchers have developed a genetic typing method for Pseudomonas putida, which enables the detection of its virulent strains. The study's findings highlight the bacterium's biotechnological value and its importance in understanding disease-causing pathogens.
A new online tool called Uniqprimer has been developed to detect blackleg disease in potatoes with high accuracy and ease of use. It quickly designs species-specific DNA tags for detecting pathogens using DNA testing, allowing for accurate pathogen detection and informing farmers' on-farm decision making.
A recent study at Massachusetts General Hospital has uncovered evidence of fimbriae that aid adherence to epithelial cells, an important step in the start of a shigellosis infection. The research team used in vivo-like culture methods and human intestinal organoids to confirm their findings.
A study on olive baboons found that females avoid mating if either the male or female shows visible signs of infection, while males do not change their behavior. The researchers aim to understand how sexually transmitted diseases impact non-human primate populations.
Researchers analyzed bushmeat samples from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and found 27 different groups of bacteria, including those causing anthrax, brucellosis, and Q fever. The team identified a high prevalence of Clostridial species, which cause diseases like botulism and tetanus.
Researchers describe how ancestral origins impact the likelihood of developing immune-related diseases, including Crohn's disease and cardiovascular diseases. The human immune system is evolving depending on a person's location or lifestyle, leading to new diseases emerging as our lifespans increase.
Researchers found that a specific toxin in Staphylococcus aureus prevents tolerance and maintains the immune system's vigilance. Early-life exposure to commensal bacteria like S. epidermidis leads to immune tolerance, while later exposure to pathogenic S. aureus results in a vigorous immune response.
Researchers discovered a fear-greed tradeoff in bacteria that use ancient respiratory quinones for aerobic respiration, leading to oxidative stress and growth limitations. The study provides fundamental insights into microbial bioenergetics evolution and potential strategies for modulating bacterial growth and survival.
Researchers at University of Jyväskylä found that bacteria-infecting viruses preferentially bind to mucosal surfaces, providing extra immunity against bacterial infections. This symbiotic model shows phages enriched in mucus, where encounters with host bacteria are more probable.
Researchers have discovered a novel peptide, Darobactin, effective against antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The substance binds to the BamA protein, disrupting the bacterial external membrane and leading to its death. This finding presents a promising lead for developing a new antibiotic.
A study by University of Basel researchers found that a cellular pump restricts bacterial growth in host cells by causing magnesium shortage. This discovery provides new insights into the role of NRAMP1 transporter in combating intracellular pathogens.
The BacFITBase database identifies key genes for host cell invasion and infection, aiding in the development of new antibiotics. The database contains over 90,000 entries with information on specific pathogenic bacterial genes and their contribution to infectious conditions in five different host species.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a unique bacterial regulatory mechanism called T-boxes, which facilitate basic functioning in bacteria. Understanding the structure of these elements could lead to designing targeted antibiotics, offering hope against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
A team of scientists has discovered 79 new types of bacteria with potential to produce unique antibiotics. The researchers, led by Christian Jogler, found that these Planctomycetes have complex lifestyles and the ability to produce small molecules like antibiotics.
A new function of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecB has been discovered: it blocks the cell cycle in host cells, leading to slowed or halted wound healing. This impairment occurs through the silent internalization of growth factor receptors, triggering intense vacuolization and cell death.
The study reveals that bacteria have multiple oxidases, with cytochrome bd oxidase playing a crucial role in energy production and stress protection. The novel findings provide insights into the development of new antimicrobials targeting pathogens.
Researchers discovered that Crohn's disease-associated bacteria can switch between replicating and non-growing states within macrophages to tolerate antibiotics. This stress response allows a reservoir of antibiotic-tolerant bacteria to survive in the host and cause long-term inflammation and irritation.
A study in eLife reveals how respiratory bugs in cystic fibrosis patients interact, influencing disease progression and survival. The research found that one bacterium enhances the movement of another, while others significantly increase its mobility.
Researchers have published protocols for culturing Liberibacter crescens, a genetically similar bacterium, to study citrus greening. This advance enables the scientific community to use L. crescens as a realistic surrogate host for Ca. L. asiaticus.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed new active ingredients that target the pyruvate kinase enzyme in pathogenic bacteria. These substances were shown to be effective against staphylococcus and MRSA, potentially offering a solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Scientists adapted a genetic tool to modify virulence factors in zoonotic Chlamydia, revealing distinct sets of factors determine host infection and disease. The study sheds light on the molecular mode of action of SinC and IncA, opening new avenues for investigating these pathogens.
Research reveals that E. coli bacteria gain a competitive advantage over beneficial microbes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by adapting their dietary preferences to amino acids, particularly serine. This finding suggests that a low-serine diet may help control the overgrowth of pathogenic E. coli.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered that a bacterial toxin, lysostaphin, targets and breaks down MRSA cell walls, making it effective against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments targeting the same mechanism.
The UMass Amherst researchers have developed a portable sensing device capable of detecting and subtyping foodborne pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. This technology has the potential to quickly identify outbreaks and pinpoint the responsible food or ingredient.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism behind bacterial evolution of drug resistance, exploiting collateral sensitivity for novel and sustainable treatments. The study found that certain drugs can be used in combination to eliminate bacterial populations or prevent the emergence of multidrug resistance.
A HHU-led research consortium aims to eliminate the deadly disease bacterial blight in rice, a staple crop for over half of the world's population. The team has developed resistant rice varieties and a diagnostic kit to combat the disease, which can devastate smallholder farmers' crops.
Researchers developed a novel genomic analysis method for classifying Yersinia strains, revealing unexpected biodiversity and new species. The tool enables accurate identification of pathogenicity, guiding patient monitoring and public health initiatives.