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First species of yeti crab found in Antarctica

Researchers have identified a new species of Yeti Crab, Kiwa tyleri, found in the Antarctic region surrounding hydrothermal vent systems. This unique crab thrives in extreme environments with temperatures and densities that are challenging for other marine life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 24, 2015

New study: Gut bacteria cooperate when life gets tough

Researchers discovered how gut bacteria respond to changes in their environment by cooperating with each other, stabilizing the community and adapting to new situations. This cooperative behavior helps the bacterial community survive and function despite fluctuations in oxygen levels and nutrient availability.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 2, 2015

Symbiosis turns messy in 13-year cicadas

A new study by CIFAR Fellow John McCutcheon's lab found that bacteria in cicada guts have split into many separate but interdependent species. This phenomenon leaves the cicadas reliant on a bloated genome and multiple species to create essential amino acids.

SourceCIFAR·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2015

Researchers produce first atlas of airborne microbes across United States

Researchers created the first atlas of airborne microbes across the US, identifying over 110,000 bacterial species and 55,000 fungal species in dust samples from 1,200 homes nationwide. The study provides new insights into human health, animal health, and crop disease, with implications for understanding climate and soil variability.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2015

Team discovers link between lifestyles of indigenous communities & gut microbial ecologies

A team of researchers has discovered a strong association between the lifestyles of indigenous communities and their gut microbial ecologies. The study found that hunter-gatherers in South America and Africa have similar gut microbiota profiles, while urban-industrialists have distinct profiles, suggesting a link between lifestyle and ...

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 25, 2015

New strategy to protect healthy gut microbes from antibiotics

A study published in Cell Reports reveals a potential strategy for promoting the right balance of gut microbes in antibiotic-treated mice by manipulating the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) chemical signal. The researchers found that high levels of AI-2 increased the expansion of Firmicutes phylum, leading to a healthy state of the gut microbiota.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 19, 2015

Baboon friends swap gut germs

A new study in baboons reveals that social relationships play a role in shaping an individual's gut microbial makeup. The researchers found that baboons who groomed each other more frequently shared more similar sets of gut microbes, suggesting that physical contact may be a key factor in allowing people to swap gut germs.

Clean energy 'bio batteries' a step closer

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have made a significant discovery in bio battery technology, enabling the generation of clean energy from bacteria. The study reveals how electrons hop across bacterial proteins and find that the rate of electrical transfer is dependent on protein orientation and proximity.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 18, 2014

Smithsonian scientists discover tropical tree microbiome in Panama

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals a vast array of bacteria living on tropical tree leaves, including over 400 species found on a single tree. The discovery has significant implications for understanding forest health, disease resistance, and the impact of climate change.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2014

Non-adaptive evolution in a cicada's gut

Researchers have discovered that cicadas' gut bacteria split into two species about 5 million years ago, leaving them reliant on double the species to create essential nutrients. This event is an example of non-adaptive evolution, where genetic change occurred by chance without clear benefits for the organism.

SourceCIFAR·JournalCell·DateAug 28, 2014

Yale study identifies possible bacterial drivers of IBD

Researchers at Yale University have identified a handful of bacteria that may drive inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study found a correlation between high levels of an antibody coating on the surface of these bacteria and inflammatory responses in the human intestine.

SourceYale University·JournalCell·DateAug 28, 2014

Native bacteria block Wolbachia from being passed to mosquito progeny

Researchers discovered that a type of bacteria called Asaia blocks invasion of Wolbachia into mosquitoes' germlines, stopping the insects from transmitting Wolbachia to their offspring. This finding provides a potential answer to why some insect species are infected with Wolbachia while others are not.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 11, 2014

Bacteria swim with whole body, not just propellers

Researchers found that bacteria like Caulobacter crescentus actively carve out a helical trajectory through the water using their entire body, contributing to swimming motion. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of cell body shape and has implications for understanding disease propagation and fertility.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2014

Identifying microbial species

Researchers at Northeastern University developed a device that cultivates a single bacterial species, allowing scientists to study and identify the millions of microorganisms that populate the world. The device solves the problem of natural competition between species, enabling the isolation of pure, single-species samples.

SourceNortheastern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 3, 2014