Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
A new study by University of Illinois engineers shows that chemicals used to prevent mineral buildup in drinking water pipes can actually make biofilms thicker and softer, allowing bacteria to reproduce more easily. This can lead to increased risk of pathogen release and waterborne illness.
Rice University researchers found widespread contamination by E. coli and high levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in water and sediment samples collected after Hurricane Harvey. These findings highlight the need for caution when handling stagnant floodwaters, especially for immunocompromised individuals or those with open wounds.
Researchers discovered that host antibodies can alter bacterial gene expression, allowing beneficial bacteria to cooperate and form a community that protects against disease. This discovery has implications for the development of new therapies or prophylaxis for inflammatory bowel disease.
A new study published in eLife reveals that roundworms, specifically Caenorhabditis elegans, use nitric oxide gas as a sensory cue to avoid the pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The protein thioredoxin plays a crucial role in regulating the temporal dynamics of the worm's response to the gas.
A new delivery technique using dry, porous microparticles coated with phages successfully treated pneumonia in infected mice and reduced bacterial levels in cystic fibrosis models. The technique improves the distribution of phages in the lungs and could one day be used to deliver a dry-powder phage via an inhaler.
A new study by the University of Sheffield has discovered that antimicrobial resistant pathogens use benign bacteria present in the skin to initiate infection. The study reveals how Staphylococcus aureus can survive immune system mechanisms, providing new avenues for approaches to prevent and treat infection.
A study published in PLOS ONE used citizen scientist data to track exposure to tick-borne diseases, identifying 83 counties with previously unknown disease-carrying bacteria. The research highlights the importance of early detection and understanding how diseases spread.
A nationwide investigation utilizing citizen science highlights the value of public participation in tick-borne disease research. The study found ticks capable of carrying Lyme and other diseases in 83 counties where they had not been previously recorded.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a new mechanism of attachment for ETEC bacteria, leading to the development of anti-adhesion agents that can prevent bacterial binding without destroying the bacteria. These agents offer a novel treatment approach that may serve as an alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers discovered that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses a toxin to deplete NAD+ in macrophages, leading to necrotic cell death. Adding NAD+ replenishment or mitochondrial function protectants restricted bacterial growth and increased macrophage viability. These findings suggest patient-targeted therapies to treat tuberculosis.
Researchers discovered bacterial aggregates behave like a thick liquid, facilitating meningococcal infection progression and highlighting the importance of type IV pili in aggregate formation. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms governing disease development.
Researchers at Lehigh University have designed a small-molecule compound to decorate the surface of Gram-negative bacteria and trigger an immunological response. The compound targets pathogenic bacteria in two distinct ways, generating a promising lead for immunotherapeutic agents against deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers found over 70% of implants colonized by bacteria, fungi, or both, without causing infections. The discovery opens up a new field of understanding the interplay between the body and microbiomes.
Researchers used Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its mutants to study cheating behavior in bacteria, revealing that manipulating social interactions can prevent population collapse. The team created a mathematical model to predict how to change stable interactions among cheaters and cooperators.
The winners of the 2018 Blavatnik National Awards are Janelle Ayres (immunology), Sergei V. Kalinin (nanomaterials), and Neal K. Devaraj (artificial cells). Their research has the potential to revolutionize fields like anti-microbial resistance, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology.
A new study has found that female bladders contain bacteria similar to those in the vagina, with beneficial microbes potentially providing protection against urinary infections. The research could lead to improved diagnostic tests and treatments for urinary tract disorders.
A new platform enables quick discovery of molecules that recognize specific strains of bacteria, overcoming challenges in developing targeted antibiotics. The approach uses phage display with chemically enhanced peptides, resulting in potent and selective probes against two antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Researchers have successfully cultured Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, using a novel method. The breakthrough, published in mBio, could lead to improved understanding of the disease and the development of new treatments.
Researchers found that Chlamydia trachomatis deactivates immune cells by activating a protein that cleaves key receptors, allowing the bacterium to evade detection. This discovery holds promise for developing targeted therapies against Chlamydia infections.
Researchers found that combining antibiotics with synthetic peptides can significantly reduce the number of infecting bacteria and the size of abscesses in mouse models. The peptides disrupt the bacterial response to stressors like antibiotics, amplifying their uptake and increasing treatment efficacy.
A new study shows that innate immune pathways in the intestine fine-tune body metabolism to diet and conditions in response to
A tumor suppressor protein called Arl11 has been found to play a crucial role in the functioning of the immune system, particularly in detecting and destroying pathogens. By initiating a signaling cascade, Arl11 helps macrophages to engulf bacteria and release signaling molecules that activate other immune cells.
Researchers have identified a protein called STING, which is nearly identical in both humans and fruit flies, triggering an immune response to invading bacteria. This discovery provides a new model organism for studying human immunity and developing infection-fighting medicines.
A study found significantly higher gum disease prevalence in at-risk RA individuals compared to healthy controls. Increased abundance of bacteria, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis, was also detected in at-risk individuals.
Researchers at Purdue University identified a new compound F6 that is as effective as FDA-approved antibiotics against life-threatening infections. Preliminary tests showed it was less susceptible to bacterial resistance. The compound has been tested against various antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA and VRSA.
Researchers have developed a probiotic intervention that suppresses Vibrio cholerae colonization in the intestinal tract and detects its presence through stool sampling. The approach leverages Lactococcus lactis to create an inhospitable environment for V. cholerae and incorporates synthetic gene circuits to sense secreted signals from...
Researchers have developed a fast-acting cholera vaccine that protects against the deadly disease within a day, offering promise in curbing outbreaks. The vaccine, HaitiV, works by using harmless, lab-designed bacteria as a protective shield, preventing the pathogen from causing trouble.
Since 2000, conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae have prevented a significant decline in child mortality from these bacterial infections, with estimated reductions of 90% and 51%, respectively. The introduction of these vaccines has been instrumental in reducing the global burden o...
A clinical study confirms the safety and tolerability of using bacteriophages to eliminate disease-causing bacteria in the gut, promoting beneficial bacteria growth. The treatment shows no apparent side effects and improves inflammatory markers and gut bacterial diversity.
Research shows that kitchen towels can harbor pathogens, including coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and S. aureus, which can cause food poisoning. Factors such as family composition, dietary habits, and towel usage patterns impact bacterial growth on towels.
Staphylococcus aureus uses specific amino acid biosynthesis pathways to obtain essential nutrients from host tissues during invasive infection. The discovery sheds light on how bacterial pathogens survive in bone and may lead to the development of new antimicrobial therapies.
ARS researchers found 34 E. coli isolates with resistance to antimicrobial drugs in the Upper Oconee Watershed. The presence of pathogenic strains like ST131 poses a risk of antimicrobial resistance in surface waters, but scientists assure it's not a threat to public health due to proper disinfection methods.
The Wellcome Sanger Institute has sequenced the genomes of over 3,000 bacteria, including some of the world's most dangerous pathogens. This collection will help researchers better understand antibiotic resistance and develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines, or treatments for deadly diseases such as tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and cholera.
Researchers at TUM have developed a biodegradable insect deterrent that repels pests without poisoning them, potentially saving bees and other beneficial insects. The new product is produced by bacteria that use terpenoid-based compounds to protect themselves from pests, offering an alternative to traditional synthetic pesticides.
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed cell-like nanorobots that can swim through blood to remove harmful bacteria and toxins. These nanorobots combine platelet and red blood cell membranes, allowing them to target pathogens and neutralize toxins, making them a potential tool for detoxifying biological fluids.
A study published in Foodborne Pathogens and Disease suggests that farm animals may play a role in helping to combat drug-resistant infections. Researchers analyzed the transfer of resistant E. coli between farm animals and humans, highlighting the need for more robust data and state-of-the-art genome analysis.
Researchers discovered Acinetobacter baumannii attaches to plastic medical devices using its 'fingers' to form biofilms. Developing antibodies that prevent bacterial attachment could help reduce pathogen spread in hospitals.
Scientists at the NIH have unraveled the process by which the tularemia bacteria cause disease, finding that it tricks host cell mitochondria in two phases of infection. This understanding could lead to the development of effective treatment strategies for the life-threatening disease.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have synthesized a new compound inspired by a natural product that is effective against drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. The molecule, JJM-35, has been shown to be up to 50 times more effective than the original natural product against several bacterial strains.
Researchers at Oxford University have created a lab-based approach to develop defensive relationships between hosts and bacteria, which can work together to prevent infection. The study found that these relationships can evolve quickly in a matter of weeks, providing a new potential solution to the growing superbug crisis.
Researchers discovered that bacteriophages can transfer genes to E. coli bacteria, enabling them to break down a crucial cell component and reset their metabolism for new survival functions. This study highlights the importance of investigating hidden potential in bacterial cells to understand antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity.
A gene regulation network in Acinetobacter baumannii boosts both virulence and antibiotic resistance when faced with antibiotics. The network, known as BfmRS, controls key processes involved in cell envelope construction and division, leading to increased drug resistance and disease severity.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt reveal atomic details of Legionella's enzymatic weapon and develop the first inhibitor. The discovery has implications for tackling antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which threaten global health and economic stability.
Researchers developed an animal probiotic that can reduce methane emissions and prevent nitrite poisoning in cattle. The probiotic uses a bacteria-based approach to increase feed efficiency and decrease pathogen carriage, with potential benefits for greenhouse gas reduction.
Researchers have discovered that soil microbes use chemical signals to defend against each other and devastating crop diseases. The study found that certain bacteria can induce fungi to produce protective compounds, while the fungus's own defense mechanisms are triggered by the bacterial invasion.
Researchers found increased expression of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance in human clinical infections compared to laboratory experiments. This discovery could help scientists draw more accurate conclusions and provide better information on treating bacterial infections.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found a surplus of pathogenic bacteria in placentas from premature births, supporting the hypothesis that maternal infection may cause preterm birth. The research also discovered evidence of placental bacteria in healthy pregnancies, challenging conventional wisdom.
Researchers found that bacterial signals play a crucial role in developing pre-leukemic myeloproliferation, a precursor condition to leukemia, in mice with TET2 mutations. The study suggests that targeted treatments could reverse the disease by blocking aberrant IL-6 signals.
UNIGE researchers found that a DNA-binding factor called TOX triggers immune cells to cause autoimmune tissue destruction in the brain. This discovery provides important insights into understanding and treating auto-immune diseases.
Researchers have discovered universal antibodies that can recognize and neutralize a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and viruses. These breakthrough findings hold promise for developing new treatments for life-threatening infections, particularly in patients with weakened immune systems.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that manipulating a mouse's diet can favor the engraftment of specific bacterial strains. By adding a carbohydrate-rich compound, they were able to control how much a bacterium grows in the intestine and even introduce new strains into the gut microbiome.
A new machine learning tool can identify genetic changes in emerging strains of Salmonella that are more likely to cause dangerous bloodstream infections. The tool was developed using a dataset of old lineages and identified almost 200 genes involved in determining the pathogen's behavior.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to identify patterns within human gut bacteria that predict susceptibility to cholera. The study found that a set of 100 microbes associated with the disease can be predicted by AI, potentially leading to improved vaccines and preventive approaches.
Researchers at TUM have deciphered the mechanism of action for a class of pore-forming bacterial toxins. This breakthrough could lead to new substances that inhibit toxin interaction and prevent fatal cell damage.
A new study from Caltech sheds light on how a specific species of beneficial bacteria harnesses the body's immune response to settle in the gut. The researchers found that the bacteria are encased in a thick capsule made of carbohydrates, which is necessary for colonization and helps anchor them to epithelial cells.
A new study reveals that a type of beneficial bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis, uses the host's immune protein IgA to colonize the gut. The research suggests that IgA fosters colonization of microbiota with beneficial properties during healthy circumstances, while disease states may disrupt this balance.
Researchers at UCR have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanism of huanglongbing, a devastating citrus disease that costs billions worldwide. The team discovered that a bacterial protein called SDE1 helps infect plants by attacking specific proteases that could help trees resist infection.
Researchers discovered a new resistance mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii that blocks the critical antibiotic colistin. The mechanism involves disruption of the hns gene by an insertion sequence element, leading to increased expression of genes that boost colistin resistance.
Researchers found that bacteria in Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonies produce dual signal responses to antibiotic tobramycin, including a localized and community-wide response. This communication may enable the bacteria to develop tolerance to some antibiotics.
A recent study published in Cell Host and Microbe found that bacteria in the small intestine play a vital role in fat digestion and absorption. The researchers discovered that high-fat Western diets stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes in the small intestine, which then produce digestive enzymes to break down dietary fat.