Articles tagged with Bacterial Populations
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine discovered a set of bacteria-killing proteins that recognize human blood type molecules on bacterial surfaces. These proteins, galectin-4 and galectin-8, can kill certain strains of E.coli within minutes.
Recent studies have identified probiotic microbes that produce anti-inflammatory compounds, such as butyric acid, which may treat inflammatory bowel disease. Strains like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum have shown promise in restoring normal gut bacteria levels and alleviating symptoms.
Researchers charted microbial communities across the human body, finding unique and diverse populations in different regions. The study suggests that personalized microbial communities vary widely from person to person and could hold key insights into human health.
Researchers at Penn University developed a new theory that explains the pace of evolution and determines the speed at which an organism adapts. The study predicts that some organisms, including humans, may not evolve indefinitely and that populations can accrue mutations at a constant rate even under Darwinian selection.
UT Southwestern researchers discovered that bacteria employ genetic circuits to generate diversity, increasing their chances of survival in unpredictable environments. This diversity allows individual bacteria to thrive under certain conditions, while others struggle, much like a diversified investment portfolio.
Researchers found that gut bacteria of transplant patients with an ileostomy opening were dominated by facultative anaerobes, while those without an ileostomy had strictly anaerobic populations. The study suggests the gut can have two stable bacterial ecosystems, one tolerant to oxygen and another not.
Researchers studied historical DNA samples to track the evolution of a species of tropical butterfly infected with the bacterium Wolbachia, which kills males. The study found that the male-to-female ratio in populations fluctuated rapidly due to the interaction between the species and the bacteria over time and geographical space.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered an altered type of microbiome dominated by Gram-negative bacteria in patients with esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. This finding may provide a new approach to understanding the pathogenesis of reflux-related disorders.
Researchers found that a key factor in quorum sensing is the ratio of bacteria to environment volume, regulating biological functions like bioluminescence and nutrient foraging. This discovery provides insights into fundamental design of quorum sensing systems and enables engineering of synthetic gene circuits.
A Michigan State University researcher is studying the ancient evolutionary dynamic between marine bacteria and fast-mutating viruses. The project aims to understand how cyanobacteria evolve resistance to viruses and its implications for environmental and climate studies.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a pocket-size breath test that can detect the presence of malodorous bacteria, allowing users to determine if their breath is 'okay to kiss'. The test uses biomarkers in saliva to identify two distinct populations of bacteria causing bad breath.
Researchers at Uppsala University mapped the genome of a bacterium that manipulates insect sex ratios, revealing high frequencies of gene exchange within this group. The study's findings may lead to development of eco-friendly pesticides using these bacteria.
Researchers found that exposing bacterial colonies to the same chemical signals they use to fend off competition causes them to kill each other, reducing their population. This strategy is unlikely to develop resistance and may offer a new hope for fighting bacterial infections.
A new study finds that antibiotics like ciprofloxacin significantly affect the diversity and abundance of health-associated bacteria in the human gut. The study reveals that even after treatment is stopped, some strains of beneficial bacteria may take up to four weeks or longer to return to pre-treatment levels.
Scientists have obtained visual evidence of how deadly 'superbugs' acquire and disseminate antibiotic resistance. The discovery sheds light on the role of conjugative pili in spreading antibiotic resistance.
A single molecule in the intestinal wall, activated by gut bacteria waste products, slows food movement and allows nutrient absorption, leading to weight gain. This discovery points to a potential method for controlling obesity by regulating energy intake.
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified a new antibiotic target and mechanism that may lead to new treatments for tuberculosis. The study found that three antibiotics block the action of bacterial RNA polymerase, an enzyme essential for bacterial survival.
Researchers identified certain genes that enable frogs to develop resistance to harmful bacteria and disease. The discovery may provide new strategies for protecting frog populations in the wild by selectively breeding individuals with known disease-resistance genes.
Biological chemist Jason Shear and his team developed a way to alter the shape and size of microscopic hydrogel structures by changing their environment's chemistry. This allows for precise control over cells, which can be used to study disease, understand quorum sensing, and create micro-devices.
Recent research suggests that almonds contain prebiotics that can stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, supporting overall digestive health. The study found that finely ground almonds significantly increased levels of certain beneficial gut bacteria, with this effect being attributed to the presence of almond lipids.
Researchers found a general link between increased acidity and decreased bacterial diversity, but most dominant species were not directly impacted. Some rarer types of bacteria were strongly correlated to acidity and might be used as indicators of lake recovery.
Researchers discovered that TB bacteria can form biofilms on surfaces, leading to genetic and physiological differences from lab-grown strains. This finding suggests a possible cause of TB relapses despite intensive treatment.
Research by JMU researchers suggests that adding probiotic bacteria to the skin of mountain yellow-legged frogs can lessen the effects of a lethal skin pathogen. Field studies have also shown that populations with higher proportions of individuals with anti-pathogen bacteria are more likely to survive.
Researchers are exploring the human microbiome to understand its role in health and disease, with findings suggesting that changes in microbial populations may contribute to digestive disorders, skin diseases, and obesity. The study of bacterial communities inside humans has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment.
A new method by MIT researchers distinguishes between large groups of microbes based on their ecological niches. By analyzing genetic data and habitat preferences, scientists can now classify microbes with greater accuracy.
Scientists discovered that fecal bacteria survive better in sand than seawater, with higher counts in dry sand above the intertidal zone. This finding has implications for beach managers, who may need to sample water further from shore to avoid complications of bacterial run-off.
A genetic study found that chance determines the fate of B. subtilis bacteria, with only a portion producing proteins that benefit the colony and help them form spores. The study used computer simulations to analyze the genes controlling protein production and spore formation.
Researchers created a living system using genetically altered bacteria to study the dynamics of interacting populations. The system, which consists of two distinct populations of bacteria that control each other's survival rates, provides a unique model for exploring population changes in a predictable manner.
Researchers found that changes in dissolved organic matter affect coral bacterial communities, potentially leading to disease and reef deterioration. Shifts in microbial populations may be out-competed by problematic bacteria, exacerbated by rising temperatures.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered microorganisms that can convert the chlorinated solvent TCE into ethene, a harmless product. Using membrane biofilm reactors, these organisms were able to remove TCE from water efficiently and effectively, making them a promising tool for cleaning up contaminated groundwater.
A recent breath test can accurately detect SIBO by measuring hydrogen levels in expired air. The disorder has severe systemic consequences including sepsis and multiorgan failure if left untreated.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that plain soap is as effective as antibacterial soap in preventing illness and reducing bacteria on hands. The team's analysis also suggests that triclosan, a common active ingredient in antibacterial soaps, may render some antibiotics less effective.
A new University of Missouri-Columbia study is investigating whether family pets could be a reservoir for infections of multi-resistant bacteria in humans. Researchers are collecting samples from 750 pairs of owners and pets to track the spread of diseases such as MRSA.
Researchers found that a disruption of gut bacteria plays a key role in the effectiveness of radiation therapy for cancer. In mice, radiation therapy boosted immune cells' ability to fight tumors, and gut bacteria were crucial to this effect.
A tropical butterfly species, Hypolimnas bolina, has made a remarkable comeback in just 10 generations, with the proportion of males increasing from 1% to 39%. The rise is attributed to a suppressor gene that controls the spread of Wolbachia bacteria, which previously killed most male offspring.
A new model developed by Dr. Sam Brown recognizes the impact of durable goods on cooperation, showing that cheaters can increase without immediate consequences but ultimately face costs when others follow suit. This research has far-reaching implications for fields like ecology, economics, and medicine.
A study of postmenopausal women has found that infection with four known gum-disease-causing bacteria is associated with more severe oral bone loss. The two most prevalent pathogens were P. gingivalis and T. forsythensis, found in 15.1% and 37.9% of the participants.
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in marine plant growth, influencing the ocean food web and climate. Its presence affects phytoplankton blooms and carbon cycling in the ocean.
Researchers discovered that a single adenine deletion in a bacterial promoter can lead to reduced heat-shock gene expression in aphids, affecting their tolerance to high temperatures. This mutation appears to confer a selective advantage under cooler conditions, allowing it to be maintained in populations.
Scientists have discovered that people working with chimpanzees in a Ugandan park are exchanging gastrointestinal bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains, with the animals. This finding highlights the potential for human activities to impact wildlife health.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft scientists finds that bacteria Helicobacter pylori spread with humans out of Africa, following similar migration paths. The genetic diversity of H. pylori is larger than man's, but paves the way for analyzing its data to understand human history.
Researchers at Yale University developed a method to trap viruses in cells that prevent their reproduction, potentially alleviating disease. By using 'trap cells' with viral binding sites, the virus population declines towards extinction when the number of trap cells exceeds a threshold.
A study by University College London finds that male-killing bacteria active in many insect species, including butterflies, increase female promiscuity and reduce male effort during mating. In the absence of males, females become more sexually rampant, while males exhibit signs of fatigue and reduced sperm quality.
A recent study found that human skin hosts a vast array of bacterial species, with 182 species identified, including 8% previously unknown. The study used advanced molecular methods to analyze skin samples from six healthy individuals and revealed a core set of bacteria present in everyone's skin.
A recent study conducted by scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found an innovative DNA test to catalog airborne microbes. The research revealed a diverse bacterial population in Texas cities, which could aid in bioterrorism surveillance and climate change tracking.
Researchers found that cranberry flavonoids can inhibit the formation of dental plaque polysaccharide matrix, block bacteria adherence, prevent acid formation, and reduce acid tolerance of cariogenic organisms. These compounds may serve as potential anti-caries/anti-plaque agents.
Researchers detected viable bacterial and fungal populations in air samples from a research ship during May-June 2003. DNA analysis revealed matches to dust-borne isolates in Mali, suggesting transatlantic transport of pathogens.
Researchers have purified the enzyme and identified its structure using X-ray crystallography, paving the way for developing drugs that target quorum-sensing pathways. The enzyme disrupts bacterial population sensing, preventing genes from triggering increased virulence.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be transmitted from animals to humans through contaminated food and handling practices. The European Union ban on agricultural antibiotics has led to a decline in resistant bacteria, suggesting that transmission from agriculture can have a greater impact on human populations than hospital transmission.
Scientists have found that Pseudomonas bacteria can switch between two phases, improving their competitive advantage. The switches are caused by spontaneous gene mutations, enabling the bacteria to respond more quickly to changes.
A study published in Nature confirmed that gene flow across a heterogeneous landscape can alter coevolutionary dynamics. The experiment showed that adaptation can vary in both space and time across a fragmented natural habitat, providing hard evidence for the importance of links between populations in evolutionary theory.
Researchers studied sediments from two contaminated rivers and found that bacteria in Hudson River sediment were faster at digesting PCBs compared to those in Grasse River sediment. The team aims to identify nutrients or factors that can accelerate PCB breakdown in sediments without dredging.
Researchers have sequenced the complete genome of Wolbachia pipientis, a parasitic bacterium that targets male hosts, providing new insights into its biology and evolution. The discovery has potential applications in controlling insect pests and human/animal filariasis.
A new study confirms that vaccinating children effectively reduces invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in both young and older children, as well as adults. The vaccine has been shown to significantly decrease IPD rates by 94% in children aged 2-23 months.
A new hypothesis on the origin of 'junk' DNA proposes that smaller population sizes in eukaryotes lead to a weakening of natural selection's potency, allowing extraneous genetic sequences to accumulate. This theory suggests that genetic drift is responsible for preserving junk DNA and other extraneous genetic sequences in organisms.
Researchers found that bacteria in mazes congregate in small rooms and dead-end pathways, suggesting a survival mechanism. This active seeking behavior could lead to new drugs disrupting the congregating behavior of harmful bacteria.
Research finds that mutant bacteria respond differently to stress than previously thought, with stresses alleviating deleterious mutation effects. The study challenges the long-held assumption that stress always harms an organism's ability to tolerate mutations.
A new study published in PNAS found that the stomach-dwelling H. pylori bacterium has been present in humans for at least 11,000 years, with genetic variations consistent with Asian migration to the New World. The research provides strong evidence supporting the theory that migrating Asians introduced the bacteria to South America.
Quorum sensing allows bacteria to coordinate unified attacks on hosts through the production of virulence factors. Disrupting quorum sensing might be used to control infection. Other reviews discuss athogenesis of coagulase-negative staphylococci, Q fever in children, and testosterone therapy in HIV wasting syndrome.
Researchers found that the scale of interaction and dispersal is crucial to maintaining biodiversity in bacterial communities. Localizing these interactions helps preserve genetic diversity, allowing weaker competitors to persist over time.