Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers found that Bacteroidetes were more predominant in fine dust, while Proteobacteria were associated with coarse sediments. This knowledge can inform management practices to minimize damage to soils caused by wind erosion.
Contact with captive sea turtles poses a risk of exposure to toxic contaminants and zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The study highlights the importance of awareness among health-care professionals and the public to prevent and control the spreading of sea turtle-related disease.
A new soft x-ray electrostatic precipitator device effectively captures and kills airborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, ultrafine particles, and allergens. It has multiple potential applications, including indoor air purification and protection of vulnerable populations.
Campylobacter balances two systems to prioritize finding food, suggesting the 'need to feed' is its primary concern. This understanding may help prevent future disease by targeting the bacteria's navigation systems.
A study by USDA scientists found that treating poultry cages with heated forced air at 122 degrees Fahrenheit can eliminate detectable Campylobacter levels on cage flooring. This method is more effective than static heat or unheated flowing air in reducing bacterial cross-contamination.
Researchers found that N. meningitidis adhesion to human microvessels leads to endothelial inflammatory response, clotting, thrombosis, congestion, and vascular leak, resulting in purpuric rash development. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions about the role of circulating bacteria and LPS release in vascular damage.
Researchers discovered a signaling pathway in macrophages that detects escaping bacteria and activates an enzyme to trigger self-destruction, protecting against lethal infections. The caspase-11 detection pathway protects mice from infection with Burkholderia species, including the potentially deadly B. pseudomallei.
A bacterial supplement containing lipid-producing Rhodococcus opacus increased circulating triglycerides in weanling pigs, providing an alternative source of energy. This could help strengthen the immune system and fight off infections more efficiently during a critical stage of development.
A Kansas State University-led study reveals a new protein that affects how cells in the innate immune system function and protect humans against invading bacteria. The researchers characterized a glycosyltransferase activity protein that targets GAPDH function to inhibit NF-kappaB activation, leading to enhanced disease susceptibility.
Researchers have created a synthetic stool called RePOOPulate to cure C. difficile infections, offering a safer alternative to existing treatments. The artificial poop was tested on two patients with chronic infections and showed promising results in eliminating the infection.
The bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis causes excess IL-10 production, inhibiting T-cell function and leading to infection. Early intervention is crucial to prevent chronic periodontal disease.
Researchers identified the mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus colonizes nasal passages, finding that Clumping factor B (ClfB) binds to skin protein loricrin with high affinity. This interaction is crucial for successful colonization and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies.
Scientists at Rochester Institute of Technology have published the whole genome sequence of three bacteria associated with Jamaican sugarcane and Riesling grapevines. The genomes reveal genetic instructions that make up individual organisms, providing data for the prevention or management of diseases afflicting crops.
Researchers discovered that neutrophil membrane tethers act like slings to anchor the cell and maintain control during high-speed blood flow. This unique structure enables neutrophils to navigate through narrow venules without being swept away, allowing them to effectively present their antigen-sensing ligands at the infection site.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute discover that EF-P plays a crucial role in protein production of pathogenic bacteria, leading to the development of new specific antibiotics. Intestinal bacteria lacking EF-P are less fit and not as virulent.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that antibodies in the immune system can be turned around by certain bacteria, affecting their recognition and neutralization. The study shows that this phenomenon varies depending on the severity of the infection, with more serious diseases having the correct antibody orientation.
Researchers discovered how Yersinia pestis avoids triggering the immune system's early alarm, establishing a stronghold without self-destructing. This finding may lead to new vaccine development and treatments for inflammatory disorders, such as stroke, heart attack, lupus, and autoimmune diseases.
A $21,000 grant will enable Mercyhurst researcher Steven Mauro to study the role of temperature and phosphorus on bacterial survival on algae in the Great Lakes. The research aims to better understand how global warming and phosphorus loading contribute to bacterial pathogens in recreational waters.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute decoded the neural mechanisms underlying an escape reflex in fruit flies to avoid toxic microorganisms. A dedicated neural line is activated by geosmin, a substance released by bacteria and mold fungi, overriding all other food odor signals.
Research by University of Cambridge scientists has identified a new mechanism used by Salmonella to spread in the body, which could lead to improved treatments and vaccinations. The study found that bacteria must escape from infected cells to disseminate, but this process is hindered when an active Phox system is present.
A new study from the University of Southampton shows that copper can prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes and kills bacteria on contact. The research highlights the importance of copper touch surfaces in reducing the risk of infection transmission, particularly in hospitals and public buildings.
Researchers found that different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi respond differently to the immune system of white-footed mice, leading to variations in bacterial growth and prevalence. This knowledge can help scientists develop a vaccine by targeting specific proteins common to all strains.
Researchers found that E. coli must acquire iron from the host to establish a foothold and colonize the gut, resolving a long-standing debate about the importance of iron in bacterial infection. By understanding how bacteria obtain iron, scientists can develop new strategies to block microbial diseases and create new antibiotics.
A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that a common diarrhea-causing bacterium triggers an overactive immune response, worsening illness in hospital-acquired infections. Researchers found that activating a protective mechanism involving the PPARgamma pathway can reduce disease severity and be activated by existing diabetes drugs.
Researchers found that hospital cleaning protocols are often inadequate to remove multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from patient rooms, with over half of rooms still contaminated after terminal cleaning. Persistent room contamination poses a risk for future patients, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.
Scientists found bacteria that cause tick-borne disease create their own food supply by hijacking autophagy process in host cells. This allows them to grow and remain hidden from the immune system.
USDA scientists identify urban runoff as a significant source of E. coli bacteria in California's middle Santa Ana River Watershed. The study found that pathogens are more often carried into waterways via urban runoff than animal production facilities, highlighting the need for improved water quality management.
Undergraduate researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute created engineered surfaces that kill 34% of E.coli bacteria when peptides are lying flat, but 82% when attached vertically. The team developed a technique to monitor AMP attachment and plans to test other materials for optimal antimicrobial activity
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a method that drastically reduces E. coli numbers on spinach leaves by over 99.9%. The technique combines continuous ultrasound treatment with chlorine washing, achieving a four-log reduction in pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers discovered a new bacterium, human Sodalis, in the infected wound of a man who impaled his hand on a tree branch. The bacterium is related to Sodalis, a genus that lives symbiotically inside insects' guts, and may be used to block disease transmission by insects and prevent crop damage.
A new study on monkeys with chronic diarrhea treated with microscopic parasite worm eggs has shown that helminths can restore the balance of gut bacterial communities, which are often disrupted in inflammatory bowel diseases. The treatment improved symptoms and allowed four out of five monkeys to gain weight and reduce their diarrhea.
A team of immunologists found that the flu virus alters host immune systems, compromising its capacity to effectively fight off bacterial infections. The molecule TLR7 recognizes viral genomes and signals scavenger cells to ingest fewer bacteria, leading to increased risk of superinfections.
The University of Connecticut has received a Grand Challenges Explorations Grant to explore the potential of using natural protozoa in the rhizosphere to distribute beneficial bacteria among crops. This could lead to improved crop productivity for farmers in developing countries.
The Carnegie Institution has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to engineer broad-spectrum resistance against rice bacterial blight through genetic engineering. The project aims to create durable and environmentally friendly solutions to combat this disease in developing countries.
A WSU researcher is studying the ecological factors behind antibiotic resistance in 30 Tanzanian villages, looking at genes, landscapes, and pathways. The project aims to understand how ecological components contribute to the problem and inform policies in the US.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a new tick-borne disease in Switzerland, neoehrlichiosis, which has infected eight patients with severe symptoms. A DNA test has been developed to detect the infection quickly, allowing for timely treatment.
Researchers found eight different tetracycline resistance genes among US honeybees, but only two or three in honeybees from countries with banned antibiotic use. This suggests that the use of antibiotics may have weakened honeybee wellbeing and reduced their ability to fight off other diseases.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a new technique to test 15 times more bacterial genes than previous years, uncovering potential roles in infection. The study could lead to vaccine candidates, better diagnostic tools, and targeted drug intervention.
A combination of six naturally occurring bacteria eradicates a highly contagious form of Clostridium difficile, a cause of bloating, diarrhea, and over 2,000 UK deaths in 2011. Faecal transplantation resolves symptoms and contagiousness, but the new approach aims to reduce antibiotic use.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a groundbreaking mouse model of typhoid fever, enabling the study and creation of more effective vaccines. The mouse model uses toll-like receptors to combat the infection, with promising results in immunizing mice against Salmonella typhi.
Researchers have developed a mouse model of typhoid fever, allowing for more effective vaccine development against the deadly pathogen. The model shows human-like symptoms and responds positively to immunization.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new approach to inhibit the transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae. By targeting a protein called CSP, they found that artificial versions of this protein can block gene transfer and reduce the infectious capacity of the bacteria.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have discovered a Trojan horse-like mechanism that enables antibiotics to deliver directly into a bacterial cell. The method uses pilus filaments to transport antibiotics into bacteria, offering a new approach to treat deadly bacterial infections like cholera and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Researchers at VCU School of Medicine have identified the key and door of a bacterium responsible for tick-transmitted diseases, which could lead to the development of a single vaccine protecting against multiple bacteria. The study focuses on the protein OmpA, which mediates infection in host cells.
Researchers have designed a complex logic circuit using bacterial genes, enabling synthetic bacteria to monitor and respond to their environments. The circuit consists of four sensors and three two-input AND gates, allowing the bacteria to perform tasks such as detecting cancer indicators and releasing tumor-killing factors.
Researchers at the University of Washington examined the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which colonizes in cystic fibrosis patients. They found that certain cells called cheater cells share public goods without releasing them, leading to destabilization of cooperation and potential new strategies for infection control.
A new diagnostic and antibiotic discovery tool has been developed using multicolored probes targeting cell wall synthesis in bacteria. This method enables fine spatiotemporal tracking of cell wall dynamics and will broadly impact basic and applied research on bacterial growth and control.
UCI researchers found that chronic kidney disease changes the composition of intestinal bacterial microbes, leading to uremic toxins and nutritional abnormalities. Study leader Dr. N.D. Vaziri suggests improving gut microbes through diet and dialysis may improve patient well-being.
Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics that disarm pathogens instead of killing them, effectively treating antibiotic-resistant infections. By blocking the synthesis of endotoxin, a toxic product shed by bacteria, these antibiotics prevent inflammation and protect against potentially lethal infections.
Research identifies distinct microbial communities in healthy and cystic fibrosis patient lungs, suggesting beneficial microbes contribute to health. The findings suggest a potential new approach to treating cystic fibrosis, including probiotic therapies.
A study published in Nature reveals that people with type 2 diabetes have a high level of pathogens in their intestines, which can increase resistance to certain medicines. The research also identifies biological indicators that could be used for faster and earlier diagnosis of the disease.
Researchers describe experiments exploring multi-drug tolerance, a phenomenon that allows bacteria to outwit antibiotics. By analyzing HipA protein's structure and biochemical components, they gained insight into how this mechanism enables bacterial dormancy.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have identified a germ-killing power in the eyes' keratin protein, which can effectively combat bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The synthetic molecules derived from this protein show promise as low-cost therapeutics against various infections.
Researchers at MU developed a technique using bacteriophages to selectively kill harmful bacteria in water treatment facilities. This method could save taxpayers money by reducing cleaning costs and has potential applications against deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers reveal that beneficial root bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, suppress plant immunity to control the relationship, boosting growth through nitrogen conversion. This complex interaction raises questions about the benefits and drawbacks of these symbiotic relationships.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that overgrown algae can bring unwanted pathogens, choke off oxygen, and disrupt helpful bacteria on coral reefs. The study reveals a 'slippery slope to slime' where increased algae growth leads to decreased coral growth rates and altered bacterial communities.
A study found that high antibody levels for Porphyromonas gingivalis were associated with a two-fold risk of pancreatic cancer, while high levels of antibodies for commensal oral bacteria were linked to a 45-percent lower risk. The study strengthens the suggestion that oral bacteria may be indicators of pancreatic cancer risk.
Researchers have developed a novel method to directly detect bacterial protein secretion, shedding light on the virulence mechanisms of pathogens like tuberculosis. The technique has significant implications for understanding disease progression and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli in both antibiotic-free and conventionally raised pigs. The study suggests that the environment plays a key role in the persistence of these resistant pathogens, regardless of antimicrobial usage by pork producers.
A new X-ray study reveals that persister cells are regulated by toxins produced by the bacteria themselves, allowing them to enter a dormant state. This understanding can lead to the development of treatments that block toxin function and production, potentially improving outcomes in life-threatening diseases.