Articles tagged with Bacterial Species
Researchers estimate 2 billion species, with bacteria dominating the 'Pie of Life'. This new estimate incorporates DNA sequence data and parasite-host associations to arrive at a higher number than previous estimates.
Scientists at UC Santa Cruz have made progress understanding and predicting toxic algal blooms, but the trigger for domoic acid production remains a mystery. A new grant will fund research to unravel the interaction between algae and bacteria, which are found in association with toxic blooms.
Researchers have developed several innovations to stop mosquito-borne diseases like malaria by exploiting their behavior and biology, including attracting and killing them before they suck blood or reproduce. These breakthroughs use pheromones and other attractants to manipulate mosquitoes without harming the environment.
Scientists found caterpillars have only 50,000 times fewer microbes than human guts, suggesting most are ingested from surroundings. Caterpillars can grow and develop without microbes, challenging the idea of a universal microbiome among animals
A new study reveals that manipulating bacterial communication can help the body defeat an infection without causing drug-resistant strains. By targeting the dormancy-signal molecule, researchers hope to develop molecules that can disrupt specific bacteria's language, reducing resistance development.
Researchers found that healthy flies are attracted to the smell of infected ones, which produces more sex pheromones. This leads to increased dispersal of disease among fly populations.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that a specific bacterium, Lactobacillus reuteri, can induce the development of tolerance-promoting immune cells in mice when fed a tryptophan-rich diet. This could lead to relief for people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers identified regional hotspots for gene transfer and genomic 'islands' hosting exchanges across multiple bacterial species. The study sheds light on the role of horizontal gene transfer in competition for iron and its impact on microbial ecosystems.
Researchers tracked 106 bacterial symbioses in animal, plant, and fungi species, finding that vertically transmitted bacteria are better for hosts. Removing these bacteria can have a significant negative impact on the host, while horizontally transmitted bacteria have less impact.
Researchers found that algae and bacteria can form flocks at very low concentrations of individuals, enabling them to sense each other's presence and affect each other. This discovery could increase our understanding of how microorganisms infect their host animals and the evolutionary basis for flocking behavior among bacteria.
The study used a specialized surface with hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions to measure the adhesive force of bacterial cells. The researchers found that the diameter of the contact area was typically tens to hundreds of nanometers, but had no effect on adhesion strength.
Researchers found that sulfide-producing bacteria, particularly Halanaerobium, dominate fractured well ecosystems in hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells. These microbes convert thiosulfates to sulfide through a poorly understood pathway, causing problems for drilling operations.
Research found that leaf-litter frog has twice the bacterial richness in continuous forest than in fragments, while others show no variation by forest type, highlighting individual species' unique habitats as key factors.
A new species of bacteria, Borrelia mayonii, that causes Lyme disease has a similar transmission risk as previously known bacteria. Prompt removal of ticks after a bite can help prevent its transmission, aligning with existing guidelines.
A global study reveals that tropical forests' unique self-suppression mechanism favors rare tree species, contributing to their diversity. In temperate forests, this effect is weaker, allowing common species to dominate.
A molecular diagnostic test has received FDA approval for accurately distinguishing among the three most common causes of vaginitis. The test is more sensitive, faster, and objective than traditional methods, providing detailed diagnoses that can help determine the best course of treatment.
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 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have made a groundbreaking discovery that fecal donor microbes can persist in recipients for months or years after a transplant to treat C. difficile infections. This is possible thanks to a novel method developed by the team to 'fingerprint' individual bacterial strains, allowing ...
A study found that meerkat scent marks are made by bacteria, not the animals themselves. The types of bacteria and chemicals in the scent marks vary between individuals and groups, suggesting a role for microbes in animal communication.
Researchers from Rutgers University and international collaborators introduce the SYMPHY framework, which classifies life based on symbiotic relationships. This new approach could lead to breakthroughs in environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and human health.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies carrying Wolbachia bacteria are better equipped to fight off other infections when infected orally rather than via injection. The study also found that male flies experience greater disease protection with Wolbachia than females, highlighting potential differences in immune response between sexes.
A new enhanced test, EQUC, detects significantly more bacteria in urine samples than the standard culture, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections. The study enrolled 150 urogynecologic patients and found that EQUC identified 110 species of bacteria, while the standard culture only identified 50 percent ...
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 found that patients with advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) tend to have more Proteobacteria and fewer Firmicutes in their stool than those with early stage NAFLD. A stool-based test for NAFLD is being developed using microbial patterns, which could potentially diagnose the condition earlier and more easily.
Researchers confirm importance of first arrival for promoting species diversification in a test tube experiment with bacterial species. The study extends the 'first arrival' hypothesis with caveats, suggesting that earlier arrival allows for greater diversification if competing species are similar ecologically.
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.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals that gut bacteria control food preferences in fruit flies by inducing metabolic changes that mimic protein satiety. The research identifies two bacterial species responsible for altering appetite behavior, shedding light on the complex interaction between diet and microbes.
A new study found that gut bacteria in fruit flies can reprogram the body's nutritional needs to safeguard against nutrient deficiencies. The bacteria induce a metabolic change that mimics protein satiety, altering appetite and fertility.
Exposure to Gardnerella vaginalis, a common vaginal bacterium, awakens dormant E. coli and triggers recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in mice. The study suggests that G. vaginalis damage to bladder tissue can lead to reactivation of E. coli infection.
Researchers studied how Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus tracks down prey using high-resolution video microscopy. The study found that the bacterial predator uses hydrodynamic flow fields generated by its own swimming movements and those of its prey to bring them in close proximity, increasing the chances of a successful attack.
Researchers developed a new statistical framework to study microbial evolution using geology-inspired methods, identifying diverse bacteria adapting to various environments on the human body
A new study found that chance encounters contribute to variations in human gut microbiome populations, which can influence health and disease outcomes. The researchers used genetically identical worms to model the gut's microbe communities, showing that initial colonization events can lead to dominant populations of bacteria.
A recent study reveals that rare microbial species, making up only 1% of the community, contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning. These species hold a large reservoir of genes that can degrade organic pollutants, enabling the community to maintain stability in the face of changing conditions.
A study of over 8,000 Kuwaiti adolescents found that metabolic diseases are associated with altered oral bacteria and increased risk of dental disease. The study suggests that preventive dental care is crucial for managing metabolic diseases.
Researchers found a new species of worm in an orchard in Jaén, characterized by its penis-less males. The microworms feed on bacteria and are resistant to dehydration due to their second skin.
A Tel Aviv University study finds a unique biological model of arsenic detoxification in the Entotheonella bacterium, which inhabits Theonella swinhoei sponges. The bacterium accumulates and neutralizes toxic elements, transforming them into inert products within its cells.
A new computational method has been developed to model gene transfers between different bacterial species, revealing that gene transfer occurs both within and between species. The study identified several genes, including those causing antibiotic resistance, and found a significant number of gene transfers across the entire genome.
Researchers at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard discovered novel genetic mutations promoting antibiotic resistance in bacteria. These mutations enhance resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, including non-ribosomal targets, while reducing growth rates.
Rutgers scientists studied evolution in invaded ecosystems using glass jar experiments with thousands of microscopic organisms. The study found that microbes' interactions altered performance and led to differences in resident and invading species.
Researchers at Utah State University have developed a genetic tool that makes it easier to identify bacteria responsible for releasing toxic forms of arsenic in groundwater. The new primer allows for more accurate detection of arsenate-reducing microorganisms, which can help reduce the prevalence of arsenic contamination worldwide.
A study from the University of Bristol reveals how Streptococcus gordonii binds to human cells via a 'catch-clamp' mechanism, leading to cardiovascular disease. The research provides a new target for anti-adhesive agents to combat life-threatening infections.
Santa Fe Institute researchers investigated the lower bound of energy required for life and found that smallest species are most protein dense. As cell size increases, RNA concentrations grow, leading to a decrease in protein density, with larger cells eventually reaching an energy limit.
Researchers demonstrate that artificial cells can communicate seamlessly with real cells through chemical signals, passing a basic laboratory Turing test. The artificial cells showed they could sense and respond to molecules from various bacterial species, including V. fischeri, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa.
Researchers developed a new analytical procedure using bioconjugates to identify bacterial species in minutes, reducing waiting time and increasing measurement accuracy. The technique uses a flow cytometer and is easy to adapt and inexpensive.
Researchers discovered that a specific bacterial species in moth gut microbes produces an antimicrobial peptide called mundticin KS, which defends its host against pathogens and promotes symbiosis. This finding has implications for agriculture and health, potentially leading to new biocontrol strategies and novel antibiotics.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that bacteria in biofilm communities can send long-range electrical signals to recruit new members from different species. This discovery reveals a human-like trait in bacteria, showing that they can exert dynamic control over distant cells through electrical signaling.
A study found that women with diverse vaginal bacterial communities were four times more likely to acquire HIV than those with Lactobacillus-dominant microbiomes. The researchers identified specific high-risk bacteria associated with increased HIV acquisition risk and a direct link between these bacteria and HIV susceptibility.
Researchers found that women with pro-inflammatory bacterial species were at a 4-fold higher risk of acquiring HIV than those with healthy vaginal bacteria. The study suggests specific genital bacteria can increase HIV risk by making it easier for the virus to find a foothold.
Researchers discovered that phages can invade bacteria by transferring attachment molecules via membrane vesicles, facilitating horizontal gene transfer and expansion of the phage host range. This mechanism enables phages to deliver DNA into new species, promoting attachment to non-host species and potentially transmitting antibiotic r...
The human appendix has been viewed as a vestigial organ with little known function, but recent research suggests it serves as a secondary immune organ. The appendix has evolved independently in several mammal lineages and is often found in species with higher concentrations of lymphoid tissue.
Research suggests that climate change affects microbial biodiversity most strongly in natural environments and those with high nutrient levels. The study found that warming temperatures lead to a decline in biodiversity as enrichment increases.
A large genome study has identified potential virulence factors to discriminate new Francisella species from the deadly F. tularensis bacterium. The study provides a framework for identifying new isolates and environmental detections, improving disease diagnosis and bioweapon detection.
Researchers found that Caribbean spiny lobsters get 20% of their food from lucinid clams with chemosynthetic bacteria in their gills. This discovery highlights the importance of chemosynthesis in shallow waters, supporting populations and fisheries worth millions.
Research suggests that skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes produces a protective protein called RoxP, which shields against UV radiation-induced oxidative stress and potentially various skin diseases.
Researchers discovered that midwater crustaceans have transparent bodies and optical coatings on their legs and bodies that reduce reflections by up to 250-fold. The coatings appear to be made of living bacteria, with each species having its own symbiotic optical bacteria. This discovery has potential technological applications.
A team of scientists at Gakushuin University has developed a novel 'cross-kymography' method to visualize the rotation and morphology of archaella, which enables the direct observation of these structures for the first time. This breakthrough reveals new insights into the swimming mechanism of archaea.
A new study found that curtailing sleep for four hours a night altered the abundance of bacterial gut species in healthy men, previously associated with metabolic diseases. Insulin sensitivity also decreased, but this was unrelated to changes in gut microbiota.
Researchers found significantly more nitrate-reducing microbes in the oral samples of migraine sufferers compared to non-migraineurs. The study suggests a potential connection between these microbes and migraines, though it remains unclear if they are a cause or result.
A team of food scientists and microbiologists analyzed microbial populations in kefir using metagenomics, finding correlations between specific bacteria and flavor compounds. The study suggests optimizing production, customizing flavor, and improving health benefits by tweaking the microbial mix.
A new study has associated genetic loci with bacterial species and metabolic signatures, revealing that human genes affect the microbiome. The study found associations between lactase variants and Bifidobacterium presence, as well as C-type lectin gene variants with immune system function.