Articles tagged with Bacterial Populations
A team of researchers found that limiting migrations among populations of bacteria produced better adaptations and allowed for a wider variety of peaks, enabling the organisms to adapt to their environment more effectively. This 'tortoise-hare' pattern highlights the importance of slow and steady evolution in achieving long-term success.
A new rapid method for typing Clostridium difficile bacteria developed by the Public Health Agency of Sweden allows laboratories to quickly establish the presence of hospital outbreaks. This enables early detection and action, reducing the risk of transmission between patients.
Researchers identify a time window when moderately resistant bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics, allowing for optimal treatment design. A new approach may help reintroduce antibiotics that were previously disregarded due to treatment failure concerns.
Researchers found nearly double bacterial diversity among Yanomami Amerindians compared to industrialized countries, and higher than other remote populations exposed to modern practices. The study suggests a link between antibiotic usage, western diet, and reduced bacterial diversity.
Scientists have isolated bacteria that inhibit the growth of the white-nose syndrome fungus in laboratory tests. The bacteria may help protect bats from the disease when treated with a bacterial spray applied during hibernation.
A pioneering new technique using sequential treatments may help combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by killing them at lower doses than usual. This approach reduces the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, maintaining long-term effectiveness.
Scientists deciphered bacterial communication mechanisms, revealing new ways bacteria regulate gene expression. Quorum sensing controls a variety of biologically relevant processes, and the study expands our understanding of regulation in Bacillus subtilis.
A recent study found that sudden growth of Burkholderia multivorans preceded periods of acute illness in a CF patient. The team used an extensive collection of lung sputum samples to analyze the bacterial community, providing critical context for their research.
Researchers from Marine Biological Laboratory and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee used sewage samples to compare human gut bacteria with high accuracy, revealing a core set of bacteria linked to obesity levels in cities. The approach provides a non-intrusive way to monitor public health without compromising individual privacy.
Researchers investigated how Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria swarm in groups containing millions of cells. They found that appendages called 'pili' link together to alter group motion and give swarming groups braking power, helping them avoid toxins.
Researchers investigate whether human microbiome has played a role in shaping human population structure, particularly lifespan. Their findings suggest that microbes like H. pylori may have evolved to target the aging process, benefiting the species at individual cost.
Researchers at the University of Houston are using a patented equation to assess the effects of antibiotics on bacteria and develop more effective treatments. They plan to use image analysis technology to automatically record data, reducing the need for physicians to run excessive tests.
Researchers found cooperative strategies were initially successful but ultimately collapsed as players adjusted payoffs to maximize rewards, leading to a rise in selfish strategies.
Queen's University scientists found that nanosilver can upset the human gut community at low concentrations. The discovery highlights the potential risks of nanoparticles in everyday life and underscores the need for further research on their long-term effects on health.
A new study from the University of Illinois shows that two specific functional fibers may assist in weight loss when made part of a long-term diet. The researchers observed a shift in the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio toward more Bacteroidetes, which has been linked to being leaner, and found modifications in nutrient metabolism.
A Cornell-led study found that specific gut bacteria are heritable and more common in lean individuals. Transplanting a particular bacterium into mice protected against weight gain, highlighting the potential for tailored probiotics to reduce obesity-related diseases.
Researchers are analyzing the changing populations of bugs and bacteria at crime scenes to provide crucial details such as geographical location, gender, and socioeconomic relations. The approach aims to aid investigators in solving cold cases by creating a repository of microbial community data for future reference.
A new study published in Cell reveals that our biological clocks work in tandem with the populations of bacteria residing in our intestines. The findings show that mice and humans with disrupted daily wake-sleep patterns exhibit changes in gut bacteria composition and function, increasing their risk for obesity and glucose intolerance.
Textile scientist Rachel McQueen's research found that antimicrobial fabrics were less effective at preventing bacteria and odours when tested on humans compared to lab experiments. The silver-chloride titanium dioxide compound, marketed for its ability to prevent odour, failed to eliminate bacteria in human testing.
Two new vaccines have been shown to prevent the transmission of meningitis bacteria from person to person, reducing carriage rates by up to 39% and 20-30%. This discovery could provide a degree of herd protection against meningitis if implemented in a campaign.
A study published in PNAS reveals that premature infants' gut microbiota assemble in a predetermined order, with the pace of assembly slowing down as gestational age increases. The research found that environmental factors influenced the pace but not the order of bacterial colonization.
A study tracking bacterial populations over a year found daily fluctuations in response to diet and other factors. The researchers also discovered that certain strains of bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, can be protected against inflammatory bowel disease by eating citrus.
Scientists have discovered that bacteria can develop a biological timer to survive under antibiotic exposure, adapting their dormant period to match the treatment duration. This breakthrough has significant implications for slowing the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that engineered bacteria can prevent weight gain in mice by producing a compound called NAPE, which signals the brain to stop eating. Mice fed high-fat food with NAPE-producing bacteria exhibited limited weight gain and associated symptoms.
A study published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that white bread promotes the growth of Lactobacillus, a group of beneficial gut bacteria. The researchers also discovered that considering the whole diet, not just individual ingredients, is critical for maintaining a good balance of gut microbes.
A new study found that red wine and grape seed extract can help prevent cavities by slowing bacterial growth. The authors tested the effects under realistic conditions and found that red wine with or without alcohol was most effective at getting rid of bacteria.
Researchers have analyzed fossilized feces from 1,500-year-old coprolites to determine the bacterial and fungal populations present in two extinct cultures. The study found distinct differences between the fecal communities of these cultures, providing evidence that they may have had different origins.
Researchers found that TB lung infection triggers immune system signaling to the gut, decreasing bacterial diversity. This decrease was observed within six days after infection and was replicated using a different strain of the TB microbe.
Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) promotes beneficial bacteria growth by blocking ATP's growth-inhibiting action. The study reveals IAP's role in maintaining intestinal microbial balance and its potential as a simple therapy for health problems caused by imbalance.
Researchers at Binghamton University will study biofilms implicated in 80% of infectious diseases using a new fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The machine allows for separation and analysis of subpopulations of cells without killing them.
Researchers analyzed the gut microbiota of Hadza hunter-gatherers, revealing a unique microbial profile that supports their adaptation to a foraging subsistence pattern. The study found differences in gut microbiota between sexes, reflecting sexual division of labor and having implications for fertility and reproductive success.
A Western University study has discovered a unique population of microbes in the female breast associated with cancer risk. The research found that certain types of bacteria, including Proteobacteria, were present in and beside tumors.
Researchers found that humpback whale skin bacterial communities consist mainly of Tenacibaculum and Psychrobacter spp., but differ by geographic location and metabolic state. The study suggests that these bacteria may act as an indicator of whales' health and the environment.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identified a core skin bacterial community shared by humpback whales across populations, suggesting a way to assess their overall health. The study's findings could aid in population health monitoring and conservation status of threatened or endangered marine mammals.
Researchers found that combining chitosan with antibiotics reduced reservoir populations of bacteria in mouse bladders, making them susceptible to treatment. The compound might one day serve as an augmentation therapy for recurrent UTIs.
Gut bacteria help develop immune cells that can fight infections, study finds. The beneficial bugs also increase immune cell populations and enhance survival rates when mice are infected with harmful bacteria.
A study led by Dr. Sergio A. Lira found that removing gut bacteria reduced polyp formation and inflammation in mice, potentially reducing colorectal cancer risk. The researchers propose a new approach to understanding the interplay between genetic mutations, gut bacteria, and inflammation.
Researchers discovered disease-causing bacteria in medieval dental plaque similar to those causing periodontal disease in humans today. The study sheds light on the long-term relationship between humans and their resident microbes.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found a correlation between northern latitude and higher levels of obesity-linked bacteria in the gut. The analysis of over 1,000 people from around the world revealed that those living in colder regions had more Firmicutes and less Bacteroidetes in their gut microbiomes.
Researchers at U-M Medical School and institutions worldwide investigate the fiber of our being, discovering how one group of gut bacteria digests complex sugars. Their findings shed light on the science of human nutrition and have implications for commerce and industry.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to connect Lyme disease rash appearance with bacterial behavior. The model reveals that bacteria spread outward from the center of the rash, affecting immune response and treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Duke University tested a theory on bacterial dispersal patterns using E. coli, finding that spreading out to multiple habitats simultaneously can be beneficial but also increases the risk of population collapse due to the Allee effect. This study has implications for managing invasive species and understanding the impact...
Researchers discovered a genetic machinery that enables Bacteroides ovatus to break down xyloglucan, a major type of dietary fiber. This discovery could inform tailored microbiota transplants to improve intestinal health after antibiotic use or illness.
Researchers at McMaster University have mapped the entire genome of a nearly 200-year-old sample of preserved intestine, tracing the bacterium behind a global cholera pandemic. The findings reveal that the classical strain was likely responsible for five devastating outbreaks in the 1800s and may have been more virulent.
Researchers found that genetic identical bacteria can behave differently after cell division due to unequal distribution of cellular organelles. This diversity is crucial for bacterial survival, allowing populations to adapt to new opportunities and threats.
Scientists at the University of Houston are studying E. coli evolution to understand how bacteria adapt to changing conditions. By analyzing genetic changes over 7,000 generations, they aim to predict which bacterial strains will become resistant to antibiotics, ultimately leading to better vaccines and treatments.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have identified a molecule, HDAC3, that plays a starring role in maintaining proper intestinal integrity and function in the presence of friendly bacteria. The study found that HDAC3 regulates the relationship between commensal bacteria and mammalian intestine physiology.
A mathematical modeling study suggests that a new approach could reduce or eliminate the deadly disease African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, by creating a genetically modified version of the Sodalis bacteria to kill the parasite. The approach, which uses Wolbachia bacteria to drive the GMO version into fly populati...
Researchers discovered that Baka pygmies have a low incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection, contradicting the assumption of an ancient bacterial population. The bacteria instead appear to be recent re-infections from neighboring populations.
A new study analyzes dozens of tuberculosis genomes to understand why TB is so prevalent and how it evolves to resist countermeasures. The analysis shows that the bacterium takes advantage of human population growth and history, evolving to thrive in crowded and wretched conditions.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found a novel way to block the social communication of bacteria P. aeruginosa, which enables it to cause infection.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers identified behavioral subtypes within a modeled Escherichia coli population based on gene regulation and protein distributions. The findings suggest that tracking specific genes may be sufficient to capture most of the metabolic variability in the entire population.
Researchers tracked a healthy male subject's virome for two-and-a-half years, revealing rapid evolution of viral species. The study found that certain viral species changed substantially over time, driven by genetic mechanisms such as substitution and CRISPRs.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified a dozen new types of unknown viruses infecting different strains of marine bacteria. These bacteriophages play key roles in global processes such as oxygen and carbon cycling, climate patterns, and nutrient availability.
Researchers visualized live bacterial cell-to-cell communication pathways using a new method. They successfully showed that modified signaling molecules selectively bind to QS receptors in certain bacterial species, enabling the detection of receptor localization inside cells.
A study at Michigan State University demonstrates that using a strain of the bacteria Wolbachia can interrupt the transmission of malaria via mosquitoes. This approach could provide an important tool in fighting the disease, particularly in areas where poverty and lack of resources are prevalent.
A study using genome sequencing technology revealed that pneumococcal bacteria population shifted from targeted vaccine strains to rare, pre-existing types, explaining the vaccine's effectiveness. This breakthrough enables real-time surveillance of bacterial populations, improving understanding of vaccination effectiveness and future d...
Researchers found that identical mutations led to the evolution of specialized physiologies in three different populations of E. coli. The study suggests that negative frequency dependence plays a key role in driving diversification, and highlights the potential for predictability in evolutionary processes.
Researchers found that identical genetic changes occurred between independently evolving E. coli populations, driven by negative frequency dependence and natural selection. This discovery challenges traditional views of evolution and species diversity.
Biologists at the University of Washington have found that mutant bacteria can escape extinction when environmental conditions worsen gradually or moderately. The study shows that 'relay team' of mutations emerging under these conditions provides protection against extreme stress, increasing chances of survival.