Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
A team of scientists, led by microbiologist Marjon de Vos, conducted a review to explore the application of evolutionary theory in clinical microbiology. By analyzing microbial communities and genetic data, they identified potential solutions for treating cystic fibrosis patients and limiting the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers describe violacein's mechanism of action against bacteria, including its ability to kill drug-resistant pathogens and disrupt membrane organization. The study's findings suggest violacein's potential as a target for future antimicrobial research.
Three Rochester Prep High School seniors, working in the RIT Genomics Lab, isolated and genetically sequenced a Yimella bacterium that produces antibiotic compounds against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The discovery is significant in addressing antibiotic resistance, a growing concern worldwide.
Researchers developed a dispersion method to effectively kill biofilm bacteria by depleting pyruvate, making resident bacteria susceptible to antibiotics. The method showed improved treatment of infected wounds and enhanced efficacy of conventional antibiotic therapy.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that bacteria in a microfluidic T-maze exhibit diverse chemotactic sensitivity due to genetic variations, allowing some individuals to outperform others. This phenotypic heterogeneity may provide an evolutionary advantage for the bacteria, enabling them to adapt to changing environments.
Researchers analyzed over 850 drug-resistant E. coli genomes to identify survival strategies, finding that clones use niche separation and NFDS to evolve and succeed in the host environment. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding bacterial ecology to develop effective prevention methods.
Researchers tested spore-forming bacteria on antimicrobial paint surfaces and found that most died, but a few strains, like Bacillus timonensis, survived. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of these paints and potential risks to human health.
A new variety of zebra chip disease has been identified in potatoes grown in the Klamath Basin of southwestern Oregon, posing a significant threat to local potato production. The disease, caused by Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, can result in yield losses of up to 100% and economic damage estimated at millions annually.
Researchers found that specific strains of Staphylococcus aureus delay healing and that some bacteria can even improve wound outcomes. Monitoring microbiomes may help doctors tailor treatments to enhance healing and prevent amputations.
Researchers at Emory University found that Ginkgo seed extracts inhibit the growth of skin pathogens like Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The study suggests ginkgo seeds could be used as a topical antimicrobial treatment for skin disorders.
Researchers at the University of Sydney developed a method to predict salmonella outbreaks and found that future epidemics are likely to be more severe. The study suggests that genetic networks of salmonella pathogens are linked through just a few degrees of separation, indicating an increasing severity of future epidemics.
Researchers at Florida International University have discovered a new broad-spectrum antibiotic, arsinothricin, which is the first natural product containing arsenic to be found effective against various bacteria. The compound has shown promise in treating infections caused by E. coli and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae.
A new study identifies a particular bacterial genus, Brevibacterium, and its genetic pathways that likely govern histamine degradation. The research suggests harnessing strains that break down histamine to reduce allergy-like reactions in people who are susceptible to histamine reactions when consuming ripened cheese.
Scientists have created a genetically engineered bacterium that can specifically kill multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria without harming beneficial bacteria. The novel tool, based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system, has shown a minimal rate of emergence of new resistance and has potential applications in treating infectious diseases.
A new study suggests that a simplified three-step hand rub technique for 15 seconds is as effective as the six-step, 30-second technique recommended by WHO. This could improve hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers. The study found that shorter application times do not compromise bacterial reduction.
A new study reveals that petting zoos can harbor highly virulent, drug-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to visitors, mostly children. The study found that animals in petting zoos are a potential source of shedding these pathogens, which can cause serious illnesses.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich discovered that plant cells recognize bacteria through small fatty acid molecules, rather than complex molecular compounds. This finding could lead to breeding or genetically engineering plants with improved immune responses and increased resistance to pathogens.
A new study reveals how Salmonella bacteria flip an electric switch within immune cells, causing them to migrate out of the gut and into the bloodstream. This mechanism contributes to the severity of food-borne illnesses, with over 400,000 deaths worldwide each year.
Researchers found that three closely related species of bacteria outlived other oral bacteria in a 'doomsday' experiment, surviving for over 100 days without nutrients. The discovery sheds light on how certain pathogens persist in hospital environments and can cause infections.
Researchers found evidence of gum bacteria in brain samples from people with Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a link between the two conditions. A study using mice showed that the bacterium can migrate from the mouth to the brain, and an experimental drug is currently being tested for its potential to treat Alzheimer's.
Researchers isolated cyphomycin from leafcutting ant microbiota, killing fungi resistant to existing drugs. The compound was tested against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species, showing promise as a novel antibiotic
Researchers studied viruses that infect pathogenic bacteria called bacteriophages to develop a vaccine against bacterial infection. They found that some bacteriophages induce an anti-viral response in humans, which can hinder the clearance of bacterial infections.
Researchers have identified a fungal compound that may inhibit the causative bacteria of citrus greening disease, which has reduced juice orange yields by half in the last 15 years. The compound, radicinin, was isolated and purified from a fungus that inhibits the growth of the bacteria.
Scientists found that certain antibiotics trigger the generation of toxic molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to new mutations and antibiotic resistance. ROS-reducing drugs like edaravone can prevent these mutations, suggesting a potential new strategy to combat resistance evolution
Researchers have identified bacteria with promising antibiotic activity against known pathogens in the protective mucus that coats young fish. The study found five bacterial extracts strongly inhibited methicillin-resistant S. aureus and three inhibited Candida albicans, a fungus pathogenic to humans.
University of Arizona immunobiologist Michael Johnson is using a $1.9 million grant to explore copper's potential as an antibiotic. He hopes to create therapeutics that target the copper-sensing protein CopY, which helps bacteria fight off copper stress.
Researchers develop drugs targeting specific component of folate pathway, potentially addressing drug resistance and treatment time. The compounds are more effective than existing antifolate medication PAS, offering hope for new treatment options.
African American women with poor oral health may face a substantially increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Researchers found that adult tooth loss and periodontal disease prevalence were associated with a higher risk, particularly among those who had lost at least five teeth.
A Stanford study finds that a bacterial pathogen produces a virus that increases its ability to infect humans and causes the immune system to mount an antiviral response. The discovery could lead to new ways of preventing chronic infections by keeping antibiotic-resistant bacteria from getting a foothold in wounds.
Researchers have identified over 7,000 structural variants in human gut microbiomes associated with disease risk and weight. These variants were found to be linked to a specific ability of bacteria to produce butyrate, a substance with anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers identified a novel mobile genetic element, pWCP, in the Wolbachia bacterium of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding interactions between the bacterium and its host, as well as its role in pathogen transmission.
Researchers found that host cells use autophagy to target specific bacterial proteins for recycling, which could be used by bacteria to escape clearance. Enhancing autophagy through activators may help fight bacterial infections and develop new therapies.
Bacteria can create a wide range of derivatives from simple basic structures through mechanisms similar to pharmaceutical research. This diversification allows them to counteract unknown competitors and exhibit a wide range of biological activity.
Researchers discovered drug-resistant E. faecium in untreated and treated wastewater from hospital sewage recipients, highlighting genetic relatedness to human disease-causing strains. Terminal ultraviolet light disinfection may reduce environmental contamination with these pathogens.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found bacterial pathogens in single-celled algae can induce apoptosis, a process previously thought to occur only in large organisms. This discovery has broad implications for developing targeted antibiotics and producing biofuels from algae.
Research finds that dung beetles and soil bacteria naturally suppress pathogens like E. coli, reducing foodborne illness risks on organic farms.
A new study identifies CD40 as a key entry point for two dangerous bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Blocking the interaction between CD40 and superantigens may represent a universal strategy for preventing life-threatening illnesses.
Researchers tested a silver- and ruthenium-based coating on the International Space Station, finding it highly effective in reducing bacteria growth by up to 80% compared to bare steel. The AGXX® coating may provide a solution to combating antibiotic-resistant superbugs in deep space missions.
A recent study by WVU researchers found that stroke patients' microbiomes may still be out of balance a month after the stroke has passed. The team discovered changes in the structure of their guts, including less prominent beneficial bacteria and increased inflammation.
Scientists have developed a new, inexpensive method called Cas9n-based amplification reaction that avoids thermal cycles and complicated instruments. The technique uses components from the bacterial immune system to recognize specific DNA sequences and introduce genetic scissors.
Researchers created fermented milk products with bacterial films on nanofiber membranes, demonstrating improved probiotic survival and resistance to stomach digestion. The biofilms released live bacteria into the milk, allowing them to survive storage and transit.
A recent study found that bacteria from frog skin have produced compounds that can inhibit the growth of fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus. The most promising compound, viscosin, showed significant activity against both fungi.
Researchers discovered a new species of bacterium, Chryseobacterium nematophagum, that can digest roundworm parasites from the inside out. The bacteria produce specific enzymes that break down chitin and collagen, making them effective against various parasitic nematodes.
Scientists have developed a microscopy method that directly observes bacterial filaments, revealing a new mechanism by which bacteria interact with surfaces. The study shows that type IV pili movements are coordinated through sequential control of pilus extension and retraction, enabling efficient movement across surfaces.
Researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center discovered a unique protein sensing and signaling process in bacteria Erythrobacter litoralis that responds to blue light. This finding could help develop new drugs targeting related signaling processes in pathogenic bacteria.
The study examines two pharmaceuticals, carbamazepine and ciprofloxacin, and finds environmental risks 10-20 times higher than in 1995, with increased human use of ciprofloxacin having a high impact globally
A $3.34M NIH grant will aid in understanding how bacteria resist antibiotics by targeting cell-wall strengthening machinery in B. multivorans and identifying peptide-based inhibitors to block this process. Novel peptides may enhance the immune response and synergize with existing antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections.
Researchers found that antibiotic resistance genes are transferred between bacteria through viruses and transposons, leading to a fast distribution of resistance genes. This challenges the long-held assumption that only plasmids facilitate gene exchange.
The study reveals that the CEACAM3 receptor, found only in humans and our closest relatives, evolves rapidly to counter specialized bacterial pathogens. This molecular arms race shows a fierce competition between the human immune system and bacterial pathogens.
Researchers used whole-genome sequencing to investigate a Bacillus cereus outbreak in upstate New York, revealing the causal agent produced an emetic toxin. The study highlights the potential of real-time data sharing to prevent and detect outbreaks more effectively.
A study by LMU Munich microbiologists identified an enzyme crucial for Helicobacter pylori's ability to regulate gene expression and adapt to its environment. The discovery sheds light on the bacterium's genetic diversity and its impact on human health, including the development of stomach cancer.
A recent study by NUS researchers found that microplastics can harbor toxic bacteria capable of causing coral bleaching and triggering wound infections in humans. The study identified over 400 types of bacteria on the plastics, including species that can degrade pollutants and others that cause harm to marine organisms.
A new experimental antibiotic AN12855 has been shown to be more effective against tuberculosis than isoniazid, a decades-old drug. In mouse studies, the new drug demonstrated a much lower tendency to develop resistance and remained in tissues where Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria reside for longer, killing them more effectively.
A team of Harvard researchers has unraveled the process by which bacteria manufacture streptozotocin, a key compound used to treat pancreatic cancer. The study reveals an iron-dependent enzyme with two domains that catalyze different steps in the production of nitrosamine compounds.
A University of Kansas geologist's work in the remote High Arctic has exposed the global spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes, including multidrug-resistant 'superbugs'. Researchers found 131 antibiotic-resistant genes in Svalbard soil samples, with some tracing back to human sewage or bird guano.
A novel glycyl radical enzyme has been discovered in Bilophila bacteria, responsible for degrading taurine and producing toxic hydrogen sulphide. The enzyme's oxygen-sensitivity and role in intestinal barrier permeability and colon cancer are being further investigated.
Researchers found that insect-borne microbes often outperformed soil bacteria in stopping antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. A new antibiotic, cyphomycin, was discovered from a Brazilian fungus-farming ant and showed effective antimicrobial action without toxic side effects.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that whipworms disrupt the balance between gut immune cells and microbiota, leading to uncontrolled inflammation and tissue damage. The researchers discovered that a specific receptor, IL-10R?, plays a critical role in regulating these interactions.
Researchers found that vaccination with Streptococcus mitis boosted production of IgG and IgA antibodies, as well as Th17 cells, offering protection against certain serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The study suggests that this natural human colonizer could be used to develop a safe vaccine against the disease.
A new computer program, EnABLe, simulates the most likely locations of Listeria monocytogenes in processing facilities to inform pathogen testing. The model has potential for application to other microbes and environments, including hospital-acquired infections and fruit and vegetable processing plants.