Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers have discovered a high concentration of bacteria in the center of hailstones, indicating that airborne microorganisms may play a role in weather events. The study suggests that biological particles, such as bacteria, can act as ice nuclei, catalyzing ice formation at temperatures near -2 degrees Celsius.
Researchers discovered a protein isolated from beneficial bacteria, called p40, that supports intestinal epithelial cell growth and function, reducing inflammatory responses. Oral consumption of p40 prevented and treated colitis in animal models, providing a potential new therapeutic option for IBD.
Researchers found that the rate of hand contamination among graduating students is 100 times lower than health workers caring for patients with MRSA, likely due to a lower prevalence of MRSA in graduates. Handshakes may remove pathogens acquired earlier, providing reassurance to individuals who shake hands regularly.
Researchers at UAB discover that Salmonella enterica uses Fur protein to modulate gene expression based on iron levels, adapting to each stage of the infection process. This control allows the bacterium to invade the epithelium and then avoid unnecessary energy expenditure.
Researchers discover gamma deltaintraepithelial lymphocytes (γδ IEL) play a crucial role in maintaining friendly relations between gut microbes and intestinal lining. These cells patrol intestinal borders, sensing microbial invasion and producing antibiotic proteins to prevent rogue bacteria from spreading to deeper tissue.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University are investigating whether bacterial hitchhikers play a role in promoting or inhibiting the formation of new species. They are analyzing the microbiomes of closely related wasp species and hybrids to identify specific microbes that increase mortality rates in hybrid offspring.
Scientists deciphered a community of soil microbes that enables a patch of soil to suppress a plant-killing pathogen. The researchers found 17 unique types of bacteria working together to reduce the incidence of fungal infection.
Research found that washing with contaminated liquid soap increases Gram-negative bacteria on hands 26-fold, and bacteria from contaminated hands can be transferred to secondary surfaces. This study highlights the importance of using sealed-soap dispensers in community settings.
Researchers have discovered a novel strategy by which antibiotic-resistant bacteria change their genetic make-up to evade multiple antibiotics. The study provides a clear chemical picture of a clever mechanism for antibiotic resistance that some bacteria have evolved, enabling the design of new compounds to combat superbugs.
Researchers have developed a low-cost sensor that can identify infectious bacteria by smell, offering a faster diagnosis than traditional methods. The sensor uses a printed pigment array to detect unique chemical signatures from each bacterium, identifying specific species and strains in just a few hours.
A nationwide study found that group B streptococci are the leading cause of early-onset sepsis in full-term infants, while Escherichia coli is a common pathogen in preterm infants. The study also highlights missed opportunities for prevention due to inadequate screening and electronic medical record linking.
A new procedure devised by USDA scientists increases PCR-based method sensitivity for detecting plant disease organisms, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing economic harm from asymptomatic seed contamination. The technique, called Bio-PCR, enhances detection rates by 100- to 1,000-fold over conventional methods.
Researchers found that beneficial gut bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis hijack immune cells to prevent inflammation. The bacteria produce a molecule that tricks the immune system into activating regulatory T cells, preventing autoimmune reactions.
Researchers discovered a strategy for disrupting bacteria's ability to communicate and coordinate virulence factor expression through compounds that bound to LuxR type receptors, rendering them inactive. This finding may lead to the development of new antibacterial therapeutics aimed at inhibiting bacterial communication.
The study classifies gut microbiota into three distinct groups: Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Ruminococcus. This classification is associated with variations in nutrient uptake and medicine efficiency. The research also reveals connections between the gut type and BMI, obesity, and vitamin production.
A team of researchers at the University of Guelph has developed a potential vaccine against Helicobacter pylori, a common bacterium linked to stomach cancer. The sugar-based antigen caused mice to develop antibodies against the bacteria.
Biochemist Yingfu Li and his research team have developed a universal test that can quickly identify any bacteria, reducing the time for detection from days to hours. This breakthrough could help safeguard the health of Canadians and supply industry with a reliable means to bring safe food products to consumers.
Scientists discover that bacteria in wasp antennae produce a cocktail of antibiotics to protect against fungal threats, a strategy similar to human combination therapy. This finding has potential clinical benefits and may yield novel antimicrobial compounds useful for human medicine.
Research suggests that combining standard vaccines with interleukin-12 (IL-12) can induce high levels of protection against respiratory pathogens, including influenza virus and pneumococcal bacteria. This method could provide a non-invasive alternative to injections, offering improved protection against flu and other diseases.
The study found NDM-1-positive bacteria in drinking-water samples and seepage samples from urban New Delhi, highlighting the need for global action to limit the worldwide spread of NDM-1 producing bacteria. The gene was also detected in pathogenic species like Shigella boydii and Vibrio cholerae.
Researchers have developed a computational model to clearly identify significant genome variations, which will aid in understanding the impact of such variations on cell functions and treatment outcomes. The approach was tested using Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium responsible for hospital-acquired infections, and showed promising ...
Researchers have discovered how plant pathogens attack soybeans by reducing isoflavone production. Plants respond with a surge in isoflavone production, sparking a counterattack from the pathogen. This complex interaction may hold key to developing effective disease treatments and preventing crop losses.
Researchers found that zeta toxins convert a compound required for bacterial cell wall synthesis into a poison that kills bacteria from within. The toxin-antitoxin systems, which are normally dormant under normal conditions, can be activated to trigger programmed cell death in response to stress.
Researchers have identified a new virus as the cause of deadly outbreaks in six Chinese provinces, with a mortality rate of 12%. The virus, known as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus, is transmitted through tick bites and affects humans without causing human-to-human transmission.
Research on space-bound bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa could lead to improved treatments for people with compromised immune systems. The study reveals that spaceflight affects common regulators in both disease-causing bacteria.
A new study has identified the reason behind the variability in gene transfer among bacteria, revealing that genes involved in core cellular functions are less likely to be acquired. The study found that well-connected genes, which interact with many partners, are less likely to be transferred into a new host.
Scientists at NIAID discovered how E. coli O157:H7 infects humans by altering the host's immune responses, allowing it to evade elimination and prolong survival. This mechanism could be relevant to other pathogens involved in foodborne diseases, such as Shigella and Salmonella.
Researchers have successfully imaged the three-dimensional structure of Salmonella's needle complex with unprecedented precision, shedding light on its deadly mechanism. By combining high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and advanced imaging software, the team was able to generate a single sharp image from thousands of blurred ones.
Researchers identified genes used by some bacterial strains to breach plant defences, revealing the essential role of isothiocyanates in protecting cruciferous plants from infection. This discovery has significant implications for improving crop plants' resistance to disease and increasing food security.
A new study has found that macrophages have a seven-cell uptake threshold, governing the healing process. The researchers also discovered substances informing cells on tissue repair rates and accelerating macrophage transition to immune organs.
Researchers at Hebrew University identified a previously uncharacterized type of bacterial communication mediated by nanotubes that bridge neighboring cells. This mechanism enables bacteria to exchange small molecules, proteins, and even small genetic elements, facilitating the acquisition of new features such as antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at The Forsyth Institute have identified a new pathogen, Scardovia wiggsiae, connected to severe early childhood caries. This bacterium was present in the mouths of children with severe ECC when other known pathogens like Streptococcus mutans were not detected.
CU-Boulder-built biomedical payloads will study bacterial growth in low gravity and cell cultivation in a tropical plant for biofuels. The experiments may help prevent infectious diseases and develop new renewable crops.
Scientists at EMBL identified a multi-tasking protein PriA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis that catalyzes reactions on two different molecules. This finding presents new opportunities for developing organism-specific drugs, targeting the pathogen but leaving other beneficial microorganisms untouched.
Researchers have discovered a new way to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by targeting the bacteria's RNA degradation process. The approach, which uses an inhibitor called RNPA1000, shows promise against MRSA biofilms and other antibiotic-resistant strains.
A team of USDA scientists has developed a new approach to detecting pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria in waterways, achieving lower detection levels than previous methods. The process uses a combination of techniques, including filtration, biochemical testing, and polymerase chain reaction technology, to identify even...
Researchers at UC Berkeley successfully repurposed Salmonella to safely transport virus-stopping enzymes into cells, effectively treating mice infected with cytomegalovirus. The new technique uses a live but weakened bacteria as a vector for the ribozyme that can stop the gene activity of cytomegalovirus.
Researchers at Yale University describe how Salmonella hijacks cellular mechanisms to infect millions worldwide. A novel bacterial sorting platform attracts and lines up proteins in the right sequence, allowing the bacteria to commandeer host cell functions.
Researchers sequenced 240 samples to understand how S. pneumoniae bacteria evolves and adapts genetically in response to human interventions, revealing patterns of adaptation and spread of a drug-resistant lineage. The study suggests that knowing the enemy better could improve infection control measures.
Scientists discovered that bacteria acquire genes to expand protein families, largely through horizontal gene transfer. This process is key to their adaptability and ability to evolve antibiotic resistance.
Scientists have discovered that bacterial and archaea microbes primarily acquire new genes through horizontal gene transfer, a process responsible for the diversification of protein families. This study highlights the importance of this process in microbial evolution and its role in shaping the biochemical diversity of life.
Research reveals how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria adapt to evade the immune system and antibiotic treatments by forming small colony variants. These 'dormant forms' can persist within host cells for weeks, leading to relapsing infections.
A sub-population of Listeria monocytogenes displays enhanced cardiac tissue infectability, increasing the risk of serious cardiac disease. Diagnostic tests based on bacterial genetic markers could protect vulnerable groups.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed an IQ test to evaluate bacteria's 'social intelligence,' revealing high scores for certain strains. This breakthrough could lead to new antibiotics, powerful pesticides for agriculture, and better understanding of bacterial behavior.
Arun Chatterjee, a professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his groundbreaking research on Erwinia carotovora, a bacterium that causes disease in various plants. His work has shed light on the regulatory role of small RNAs in controlling protein ...
A U of Alberta researcher is working towards developing a pharmacological target for cholera by understanding the bacteria's mechanism of infection and survival. He has discovered how Vibrio cholerae uses molecular nano-syringes to infect host cells, providing a potential vaccine target.
Researchers sequenced and reconstructed most microbes in premature newborn's gut, documenting changes over time. They aim to understand the causes of necrotizing enterocolitis by studying the colonization process under normal circumstances.
Scientists at Harvard University have made a groundbreaking discovery about biofilm colonies, which exhibit an unprecedented ability to repel liquids and vapors. The researchers believe that the secret to their resiliency lies in their unique liquid-repellent surface.
Bacteria, specifically Enterobacter hormaechei, found in excised atherosclerotic plaque tissue of patient who suffered a heart attack. The data suggest that chronic infection may underlie the process of atherosclerosis.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new screen to isolate virulent parts of pathogenic bacteria, enabling quicker identification of key areas for vaccine development. The technique has been used to study Burkholderia pseudomallei, a deadly human disease-causing bacteria.
Researchers from Kansas State University have identified three resistance genes in rice that can be mutated to build resistance against pathogens. They discovered these genes by studying how bacteria take over plant nutrients, providing insight into ways to reduce crop losses and develop new medicinal research avenues.
Convergent evolution is observed in Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia trachomatis, both hijacking the host cell's Golgi apparatus to secure a nutrient supply. This shared strategy may provide insights into improving therapies for these two common infections.
Scientists have analyzed the evolution of CRISPR bacterial immune systems in human saliva over time, revealing unique and traceable defenses against viruses. The study's findings suggest that the development of resistance to viruses occurs frequently, even daily, and could lead to more personalized oral health care.
A recent study by University of Pittsburgh researchers suggests that nonchemical treatment devices may not be effective in controlling bacterial growth in water-based cooling systems. The two-year study found that standard chlorine treatment controlled the organisms even after they had proliferated.
The study reveals that the bacteria causing the current Haitian cholera epidemic originated in South Asia, supporting the notion of transmission from an infected individual. The strain was found to be more virulent than average, with a higher potential for severe diarrhea and increased mortality rates.
The Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Seattle Structural Genomics Center have experimentally determined 500 three-dimensional protein structures from bacterial and protozoan pathogens. These structures could lead to the development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to combat deadly infectious diseases.
Researchers have discovered a class of molecules that can target quorum sensing, a key mechanism used by bacteria to communicate and coordinate their behavior. By blocking this system, scientists hope to develop new drugs that can prevent bacterial infections without promoting resistance.
Researchers at Texas AgriLife developed a method to reduce food irradiation levels by cutting them in half. This method uses pure oxygen to kill 99.999 percent of salmonella, E. coli, and other pathogens on fresh produce. The process preserves quality while reducing radiation needed, resulting in safer and more nutritious produce.
Researchers from NIH have discovered a specific protein, PSM-beta, that biofilms use for growth, detachment and dissemination. Interfering with this protein could provide a way to stop the spread of biofilm-associated infection.
A recent study published in Nature found a correlation between biodiversity loss and increased incidence of infectious diseases. Researchers discovered that environmental degradation can lead to an increase in disease-carrying pathogens, as seen in the decline of opossum populations, which allows ticks to flourish and spread Lyme disease.