Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers have identified a novel subclass of metal-free ribonucleotide reductase enzymes used by bacterial pathogens to replicate their DNA without the required metal ions. This discovery could drive the development of new, more effective antibiotics that target this enzyme.
Researchers found that up to 12% of bacteria on average were alive and able to reproduce in dark rooms. In contrast, only 6.8% of bacteria exposed to daylight and 6.1% of those exposed to UV light remained viable. This suggests that daylight can reduce the risk of dust-borne infections by killing dust-dwelling bacteria.
A new study by MIT researchers shows that combining antibiotic drugs with probiotics can eradicate two strains of drug-resistant bacteria that infect wounds. The probiotic bacteria were encapsulated in a protective shell of alginate to prevent them from being killed by the antibiotics.
Case Western Reserve researchers discover small molecules that block toxin formation in bacteria, allowing infected mice to survive. The breakthrough could lead to a solution for the global threat of antibiotic resistance.
Infants who were breastfed for at least six months had a smaller number of resistant bacteria in their gut than babies who were breastfed for a shorter period. Antibiotic treatment of mothers during delivery increased the amount of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the infant gut.
Researchers developed a virus nanoparticle vaccine against anthrax and plague, providing complete protection in animal models. The dual vaccine was effective even when animals were exposed to lethal doses of both pathogens.
A new study reveals that urban farmers in African cities are unknowingly spreading disease by irrigating vegetables with wastewater rich in virulent human pathogens. The risk of spreading bacteria and antimicrobial resistance among humans and animals is high, posing a significant health threat to millions of people.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers identified a molecule called BriC that plays a key role in bacterial communication and infection. BriC helps pneumococcus produce biofilms, making infections more robust, but may also be a target to render bacteria more sensitive to antibiotic treatment.
A University of Guelph researcher has developed a novel three-in-one vaccine targeting E. coli, Shigella, and Campylobacter jejuni, providing immunity against all three pathogens in mice tests. The vaccine may save lives in developing countries where these pathogens kill over 100,000 children under age five annually.
UCSB, UCSD, and SBP researchers developed a method to track sepsis development on a molecular level, revealing different pathways depending on host responses to various pathogens. Boosting anti-inflammatory activity or blocking TLR-4 activation showed potential as therapeutic approaches.
Researchers have discovered that host responses during sepsis progression can vary in important ways based on pathogen type. Boosting anti-inflammatory enzymes or using neuraminidase inhibitors showed therapeutic approaches, indicating a potential direction for drug development.
Children in low-resource countries are suffering from unnoticed infections that are stunting their growth and mental development, with lifelong consequences. Up to 30% of these children are carrying harmful infections that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered a new delivery system that can effectively combat bacterial infections. The nanostructured silica particles contain payloads of an antimicrobial agent and were found to be more effective at killing bacteria than the agent alone.
Researchers at NC State have developed self-sterilizing antimicrobial materials that can inactivate bacteria and viruses using only visible-wavelength light. The new approach opens the door to a range of new products aimed at reducing the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens.
Research found that gram-negative bacteria, excluding Pseudomonas, increase mortality, ICU admission, and vasopressor use in hospitalized patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Patients infected with these organisms had higher 30-day mortality rates compared to those infected with other pathogens.
A recent study found that a new bacterial pathogen, Erwinia tracheiphila, emerged from the introduction of foreign crop plants to North America. The pathogen's genome shows dramatic changes, suggesting it has recently evolved as a pathogen, primarily affecting cucurbits grown in intensive monocultures.
A study by UIC researchers found that long-term exposure to periodontal disease bacteria causes inflammation and degeneration of brain neurons similar to Alzheimer's disease. Chronic infection leads to neural effects, including senile plaque formation and brain inflammation.
ETH Zurich researchers have created a molecular recording system that writes transcriptional events into DNA, allowing permanent storage and later access. The CRISPR-Cas system records genetic information about pathogens infecting the cell, storing it in a specific stretch of DNA known as a CRISPR array.
Researchers at Umeå University discovered that Vibrio cholerae uses nitrate respiration to control its population expansion and survival, even in the absence of oxygen. This smart metabolic mechanism allows the bacterium to thrive in the intestine's low-oxygen environment.
Researchers found that polymers in airway mucus physically push on bacterial cells, causing stress responses that make them tolerate higher levels of antibiotics. This stress response is triggered by mild DNA damage, slowing down bacterial growth and making it harder to kill with antibiotics.
A mathematical model explains why some bacteria cause disease in small doses while others require thousands of bacteria, attributing it to the scale of their attack mechanisms.
Researchers discovered that fossil ants preserved in amber had specialized structures to support bacteria that produced antibiotics, helping them combat crop diseases. This ancient ant-bacteria symbiosis evolved independently three times and may hold clues for reducing antibiotic resistance in humans.
Researchers discovered that a small portion of pathogenic bacteria can go dormant, avoiding antibiotic effects. This 'hibernation' mechanism allows them to survive and resume regular functions when safe. Understanding this process is crucial for developing new antibiotics targeting the dormant state.
A new study finds that DNA islands can be engineered to disable Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are often resistant to antibiotics. The 'drone-like' vehicles deliver genetic payloads to bacterial populations, killing the bacteria and rescuing treated animals.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that exposure to glyphosate, a common weed killer, reduces healthy gut microbiota in honey bees and makes them more vulnerable to infection. This compromise can lead to bee deaths, particularly when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.
Lyme borreliosis is a vector-borne disease in Europe caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. A recent study found that infection can occur within 24 hours of an adult tick bite and as soon as 12 hours for nymph bites, highlighting the importance of prompt removal of infected ticks.
Enterococcus faecalis relies on manganese acquisition systems for virulence, which are essential for growth in manganese-restricted environments. Inactivating these transporters led to a loss of virulence in animal models, making them promising targets for new antimicrobial therapies.
Researchers developed a novel immunochromatographic method to detect multi-resistant bacteria in blood cultures with 100% certainty. The new method reduces testing time from up to 72 hours, enabling faster treatment and potentially curbing the spread of resistant pathogens.
Researchers have identified a key step in how plant cells respond to pathogens, revealing an enzyme called SIK1 that connects detection and action. The discovery opens up new avenues for treating plant diseases and breeding resistant crops.
Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre have identified a new cellular target that can weaken P. aeruginosa, a bacterium responsible for thousands of deaths in cystic fibrosis patients. The discovery could lead to more effective antibiotics and improve treatment outcomes for these patients.
Scientists discovered that hundreds of bacteria, including pathogenic and probiotic species, generate electricity in the human gut. This discovery could lead to new ways to create living batteries from microbes, such as those found in waste treatment plants.
A mathematical model developed by international researchers predicts that temperature-dependent phages can affect the spread of melioidosis in Southeast Asia. The study reveals opportunities for disease control, including rescheduling work on rice fields and using protective gear during high-risk periods.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the spread of melioidosis in Southeast Asia, highlighting the impact of bacteriophages on bacterial populations. The study found that phage-free bacteria numbers are highest during cooler periods, and using fertilizers can kill off phages, posing a risk of more frequent infections.
Clostridium difficile produces p-cresol to control intestinal microbiota and confer fitness advantage over natural protective bacteria. This compound may provide a novel drug target for reducing C. difficile infection.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a groundbreaking new treatment for tuberculosis (TB), targeting the bacteria's defenses rather than killing it directly. The compound shows promise in animal studies, offering hope for a more effective and less toxic treatment option.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that superbugs like MRSA have a complex evolutionary history, with cows being the source of strains causing human infections worldwide. The research highlights the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance and developing strategies to minimize its spread.
A recent study has found that birds develop resistance to bacterial infections, which in turn leads to the evolution of more potent pathogens. This host-pathogen coevolution process plays a key role in shaping species' defenses and highlights the importance of understanding emerging infectious diseases.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder develop Controlled Hindrance of Adaptation of OrganismS (CHAOS) approach to disrupt gene expressions in bacteria, effectively stunting their ability to evolve defenses. The method offers a sustainable long-term solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs that infect nearly 2 million p...
Researchers at the University of Helsinki identified a novel species of Propionic Acid Bacteria, which was named after A.I. Virtanen due to its genetic differences from previously described strains. The discovery honors Virtanen's pioneering work on PAB, a topic often overlooked in his biographies.
A study published in Frontiers in Immunology reveals that a specific immune checkpoint molecule, interleukin-10 (IL-10), is not functioning properly in mice with type 1 diabetes. This defect leads to an overactive immune response, attacking insulin-producing cells and causing the disease.
Researchers have made significant progress in developing an acne vaccine by targeting a toxin secreted from Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The vaccine has shown promise in reducing inflammation in human acne lesions. Future studies aim to engineer a non-toxic chemical or targeted vaccine formulation for its human application.
The Vibrio cholerae bacterium has evolved skills to survive in aquatic environments by 'hitchhiking' on predatory amoebas and establishing a replication niche within their osmoregulatory organelle. This adaptation may have contributed to the emergence of V. cholerae as a major human pathogen.
Researchers identified a unique microbial signature in the guts of malnourished children, characterized by widespread presence of bacteria normally found in noses and mouths. The study, part of the Afribiota project, aims to improve treatment and diagnosis of chronic malnutrition.
A new study reveals that E. coli produces a compound called enterobactin, which helps cells absorb iron, benefiting the host in the process. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for iron deficiency anemia, impacting over 1 billion people worldwide.
A UTA researcher has secured a five-year, $1.8 million grant to explore the role of mitochondria in boosting the immune response against pathogens like bacteria. His team aims to harness the mitochondrial unfolded protein response to develop new treatment options for patients.
Researchers at Arizona State University and the Mayo Clinic have found that certain blue clays may help fight disease-causing bacteria in wounds, including those resistant to antibiotics. The study's findings build on earlier research into the antibacterial properties of these clays.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University have discovered that a type of clay can kill certain bacteria causing infections in wounds. The clay's antibacterial properties were tested against various bacterial strains, including those resistant to antibiotics.
Researchers at MIT have discovered fragments of a protein found in the stomach that can kill certain bacteria, including those resistant to antibiotics. The peptides show promise as new candidates for treating infections and may be used to develop synthetic antibiotics.
Using computer modeling, researchers have teased out the details of how an antibiotic pump works, revealing its 'lock' and mechanism. This breakthrough aims to develop new drugs that can plug the pump, potentially restoring antibiotics' effectiveness.
Researchers found Tibetan sheep carry infectious Y. pestis bacteria, transmitted through fleas and rodent contact, posing health risks to humans. The study highlights the need for caution when handling under-cooked sheep meat and underscores the unique characteristics of this region's plague transmission route.
Researchers have discovered synergy between colistin and other antibiotics, offering hope for treating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Combination therapy may allow clinicians to use lower effective doses of antibiotics, reducing toxicities and slowing antibiotic resistance development.
Researchers find that giving mice dietary iron supplements enables them to survive a normally lethal bacterial infection and results in later generations of bacteria being less virulent. The approach promotes the health of the host, taming the behavior of the bacteria.
Researchers found elevated E. coli levels in Houston's major bayous immediately after Harvey, decreasing over two months. Fecal bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes were highest in homes with stagnant floodwater inside. Residents should exercise caution when handling post-Harvey floodwaters.
Scientists at the University of Leicester have identified a protein that allows bacteria to detect amino acids in their surroundings, regulating their metabolism and sensing nutrient availability. This discovery could lead to new insights into how bacteria function and inform the development of drugs and antibiotics.
Chronic alcohol consumption modulates host immune defense mechanisms, increasing susceptibility to Mtb and other infections. Young alcoholic individuals with latent TB infection are at a higher risk of developing active TB, according to the study published in PLOS Pathogens.
The first global survey of soil genomics found a constant competition between bacteria and fungi for nutrients, leading to the production of antibiotics. The study's results have implications for predicting the impact of climate change on soil and improving agricultural practices.
Researchers found that microbes from diverse travelers mix throughout the day, forming a uniform microbiome by evening. The study suggests that urban planning can impact bacterial types encountered, guiding public health strategies and transit designs.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies have a diverse and stable gut microbiota, with bacteria able to colonize the fly's intestine. This discovery sheds light on how fruit flies 'farm' bacteria, similar to humans using yeast or bacteria in food production.
A new nano-sized trap device has been developed by McGill University scientists to detect disease-causing bacteria quickly and accurately. The device can analyze very small volumes of culture media containing bacteria such as E. coli and S. aureus in just minutes.
Researchers identified a molecule, propionate, produced by Bacteroides bacteria, that inhibits Salmonella growth in the intestinal tract of mice. This finding may lead to better treatment strategies and understanding why some people are more resistant to infection.