Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers found that wastewater-exposed rainbow darters had increased metabolic rates, suggesting they were under stress from environmental conditions. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in these fish was also linked to human infections such as food poisoning.
Researchers have discovered that guanylate-binding proteins, such as human GBP1, play a crucial role in bringing together membrane blebs to trap pathogens. This process is a precursor to vesicle fusion, which is essential for the immune defense mechanism.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln have produced highly potent and simplified forms of teixobactin, which defeats multi-drug resistant infections like MRSA. The breakthrough comes after pinpointing exactly which amino acid makes teixobactin successful at killing off harmful bacteria.
Researchers have developed tiny microbots that can remove up to 80% of pathogenic bacteria from contaminated water. The microbots use hydrogen bubbles propelled by magnesium and silver nanoparticles to kill bacteria, offering a potential solution to the global clean water crisis.
Researchers have found that some pathogenic bacteria use an undulating 'wave-pattern' to mark future sites of division, instead of conventional biological systems. This discovery provides new insights into how these bacteria divide and could lead to new ways to fight them.
Scientists have visualized bacterial microcompartment shells at atomic level resolution, revealing their structure and function. This breakthrough opens the door to identifying vulnerable targets for combating pathogenic bacteria and developing new kinds of designer nanoreactors.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Michigan State University have imaged the protein shell of a bacterial microcompartment at atomic resolution. The study provides the first picture of an intact bacterial organelle membrane, which could help in fighting pathogens or engineering beneficial organisms.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria deploy a needle-like apparatus called Type III Secretion System (T3SS) to inject toxic proteins into cells, disabling their ability to produce defensive molecules like reactive oxygen species. This allows the bacteria to escape the gut and cause l...
Researchers found that mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells can mount a rapid and robust inflammatory response to bacterial superantigens, contributing to severe organ damage or death. The overzealous response leads to exhaustion of MAIT cells, resulting in immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary infections.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University develop new DNA delivery technology to neutralize lethal activity of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The innovation expands the range of bacteriophages, enabling manipulation and potentially leading to the development of new drugs.
Researchers from Queensland University of Technology found that airborne pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria can remain viable in the air for up to 45 minutes after being expelled by human coughs and sneezes. This could have significant implications for infection control in hospitals, particularly for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers discovered that the pathogen Francisella tularensis uses a nano-machine called type VI secretion system (T6SS) to disrupt digestive vesicles and escape into the cytosol, allowing it to rapidly replicate. This efficient defense mechanism is crucial for the bacterium's success in an infection.
Researchers at Technical University of Denmark discover that resistance genes originate from the same group as antibiotics, Actinobacteria. The study reveals a new mechanism called 'carry back', where pathogens acquire genes through a primitive form of bacterial sex.
Researchers have discovered that a gene called Mt2 in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes produces an enzyme that blocks the transmission of deadly diseases. The study suggests that this mechanism can be replicated without Wolbachia, potentially opening new avenues for disease control without releasing modified insects into the wild.
A study found that 37% of heater-cooler units tested positive for the bacterium Mycobacterium chimaera, which can cause fatal infections. The devices, used in over 60% of heart bypass procedures in the US, can contaminate patient blood and organs during surgery.
A newly discovered natural antibiotic produced by bacteria from a cystic fibrosis patient could potentially be used to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis. Lab testing showed that the compound, gladiolin, is stable and effective against four drug-resistant TB strains.
A new study published in Cell Host and Microbe has uncovered the immune mechanism driving diarrhea and its role in pathogen clearance. Researchers found that diarrhea resulting from the signaling of specific molecules helps promote pathogen clearance and limit disease severity.
A team of researchers has identified novel structures on bacteria using high magnification imaging, revealing a wealth of unknown information about well-studied species. The discovery is expected to lead to improvements in medicine, environmental science, and multiple additional fields where bacteria play a critical role.
Researchers have developed a new method to control fire blight by using a genetically modified bacteriophage (Y2) that can dissolve the slime layer protecting the Erwinia bacteria and kill it. Additionally, another variant of Y2 has been engineered to detect Salmonella by emitting light when bound to infected bacteria.
A new OpenArray system offers simultaneous detection of multiple viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens in human blood samples, demonstrating a promising tool for flexible and accurate blood screening. The device was tested with 92 donor samples and showed 95% accuracy in identifying virus-positive samples.
A study found that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a common periodontal pathogen, may delay conception in young women. The bacteria were more frequently detected in saliva among women who did not become pregnant, and higher antibody levels were also associated with conception delays.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can limit Listeria growth and prevent infection in immunocompromised mice. Probiotic bacteria species were identified as protective against Listeria infections in laboratory cultures.
A study found that Lactobacillus parafarraginis isolated from commercial yogurt inhibited the growth of several multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The bacteriocin-like peptide responsible for this inhibition is heat stable and may hold promise as a therapeutic agent.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibits a key signaling pathway in human white blood cells, leading to increased production of MMP-1, which destroys lung tissue. The study suggests that this mechanism may drive disease progression and increase infectiousness.
A new study from McMaster University found that ethnicity and breastfeeding practices independently affect the gut microbiota in infants as young as one year old. The research revealed a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria in South Asians and Clostridia in white Caucasians, suggesting potential links to future health issues such a...
A team of researchers at Kiel University has developed a new strategy to combat multi-resistant pathogens by identifying which antibiotics can lead to increased susceptibility to other drugs. This concept, known as 'collateral sensitivity', offers hope in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Shigella uses multiple mechanisms to resist bile salts in the small intestine, including antibiotic resistance and increased virulence gene expression. The formation of protective biofilms allows the bacteria to survive transit through the small intestine and infect tissues in the colon.
Researchers found that certain bacteria can trigger the virulence of plant pathogens by eavesdropping on signals from other species. This discovery could lead to new strategies for preventing crop diseases.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a way to control bacterial growth using chemical coatings that communicate with bacteria in their own language. The coatings can inhibit or promote bacterial growth as needed, making them useful for applications such as hospital surfaces and industrial equipment.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have developed a bacterial sensor that retains long-term memory of gut inflammation, detecting tetrathionate up to six months after administration in a mouse model. This innovation could lead to non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of conditions like IBD using probiotics.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new method to label and visualize the sugar backbone of bacterial cell walls, also known as the 'cell jacket'. This breakthrough allows scientists to better understand how the immune system misidentifies beneficial bacteria, leading to chronic inflammatory diseases. By using th...
Researchers at the University of Buffalo discovered that combining three ineffective antibiotics can eradicate two ESKAPE pathogens, including Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The triple combination treatments provide a new weapon in the fight against superbug infections.
A novel signaling system in S. pneumoniae strains may control gene expression and virulence in co-colonizing strains, according to a study published in PLOS Pathogens.
Researchers found that banknotes harbor a diverse range of bacteria, including pathogens like E. coli and Vibrio cholera. The banknotes also contain higher amounts of antibiotic-resistance genes than other environmental samples, highlighting the potential for currency to pose a health risk.
Researchers have created a TaqMan-Based Multiplex real-time PCR detection system to rapidly diagnose sepsis, increasing the chance of targeting the correct agent and avoiding antibiotic misuse. The test detects 10 frequent bacterial pathogens from blood samples and can even identify pathogens in blood culture-negative cases.
Researchers sequenced genomes of over 1,700 strains, discovering an especially strong group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a city of six million people. The strain, clone type 307, has been identified in parts of Europe and other continents but not previously documented as a common cause of infections in one city.
Researchers have identified three mutations that enable TB pathogens to develop rapidly in immunocompromised individuals. These emerging strains require new treatment approaches, including genetically engineered vaccines that consider a patient's immune status and pathogen virulence features.
Using a genetic 'toolkit,' scientists observe unprecedented interaction between Brucella and Legionella pneumophila, improving infectious potential of Brucella. The technique creates light-emitting bacteria for easy observation, identification in the lab.
A team of researchers has discovered an inflammatory signaling platform that cells use to defend against Salmonella infections, which may lead to the development of new antibiotic treatments. The study found that protein chains relay pro-inflammatory signals to trigger degradation of bacteria and restrict their proliferation.
Researchers have developed a new method to generate diverse molecules that could serve as vaccine adjuvants, improving immunogenic response. The approach uses bacterial enzymatic combinatorial chemistry to create novel lipid A structures with potential adjuvant activity.
A recent Drexel University study found that most Philadelphia home kitchens have evidence of pest infestations and improper raw meat storage, with bacteria-laden sponges being a common issue. The study also revealed that refrigeration temperatures were often above recommended levels, allowing bacteria to grow rapidly.
The ResistoMap tool helps identify national trends in antibiotic use and control antibiotic resistance globally. By analyzing human gut microbiota, the map reveals correlations between antibiotic use patterns and resistome variations, shedding light on the global battle against antibiotic resistance.
Research found that plague bacteria Yersinia pestis can survive within amoebae, using proteins to avoid being digested. This discovery has implications for predicting disease re-emergence and may lead to new strategies for controlling the spread of plague.
Researchers discovered a bacterium that produces antibiotics to protect beetle eggs from fungal infections. The bacteria also can harm plants when transferred, highlighting the complex relationships between microbes and their hosts.
Researchers found that a harmful bacterium in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients produces substances that enhance the growth of other bacteria, known as streptococci, which can inhibit the harmful bacterium's biofilm. Streptococci adhesins play a crucial role in this process.
Researchers review key two-component systems in pathogens causing CF lung disease, finding potential for histidine kinase inhibitors to treat infections. TCS inhibitors alone or combined with existing treatments show promise for addressing antibiotic resistance in CF patients.
Researchers are using gene-editing platform Crispr-Cas9 to investigate the poisoning power of ancient silver remedy. They aim to create effective antimicrobials and avoid antimicrobial resistance pitfalls.
Scientists develop synthetic mucus to control pathogenic bacteria and maintain healthy microbial balance in the body. The study reveals mucins can help prevent diseases by reducing dominance of harmful species.
Researchers develop nanosponges that capture and inactivate bacterial toxins, reducing cellular damage and disease severity. The new approach shows promise as a treatment for severe or antibiotic-resistant streptococcal infections.
Yale researchers have developed a 'genetic scalpel' to regulate gene activity in the gut microbiome, enabling precise control over bacterial communities. This breakthrough tool may help understand the microbiome's impact on health and disease, including infectious diseases and behavioral disorders.
A new study reveals that newborns are more prone to intestinal infections due to underdeveloped gut microbiomes. Colonization with healthy adult microbes significantly reduces disease in infected infant mice, highlighting a potential way to boost their immune system.
A mouse study reveals that Clostridia bacteria provide key protection against infection, in addition to aiding digestion. Newborn mice lack these beneficial bacteria, making them more vulnerable to pathogens. The findings suggest that the introduction of protective bacteria may hold promise for preventing gut infections in human newborns.
Scientists have developed a new drug, PEG-2S, that combats two priority pathogens with limited treatment options. The drug specifically targets the NQR pump, preventing proliferation of harmful bacteria like Chlamydia trachomatis, and is highly targeted without toxic effects on normal cells.
Nematodes, microscopic worms that control diseases in humans and kill insects, secrete deadly cocktails of proteins to infect hosts. Researchers developed a method to work with nematodes outside their host, identifying 472 proteins involved in parasitism.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have identified how Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses tension-activated membrane channels to resist osmotic downshocks. The bacterium's ability to survive sudden changes in water content is crucial for its persistence in various environments.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that vaccine-induced IgA antibodies 'enchain' bacteria in the intestine, forming clumps that prevent disease and genetic exchange of resistant genes. This approach could lead to a new strategy for intestinal infections, including farm animal vaccination and potential human applications.
Researchers discover bacteriophages that can effectively reduce bacterial levels and improve health in mice infected with antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs.' The study's findings suggest phages could be a promising alternative to antibiotics, with potential benefits including fewer side effects and the ability to evolve against resistance.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study reveals that certain amoebas called dictyostelids can penetrate biofilms and devour bacteria, including multi-drug resistant species. This finding has potential applications in combating antibiotic-resistant infections, such as bacterial keratitis and fire blight.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have created lysibodies, human-germ hybrid molecules that target specific carbohydrate molecules on bacterial cell surfaces, helping the immune system fight off microbial pathogens. The approach shows promise for treating life-threatening infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
Researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology discovered that micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi, use terpenes to hold conversations. Terpenes are the most popular chemical medium for communication on the planet.