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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.

Researchers engineer E. coli to produce new forms of popular antibiotic

A team of researchers has successfully engineered E. coli to produce dozens of new forms of the antibiotic erythromycin, including three that show promise in fighting drug-resistant bacteria. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibiotics to combat rising antibiotic resistance.

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.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Naturally occurring amino acid could improve oral health

Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that L-arginine can break down dental plaque, a biofilm that contributes to cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. This naturally occurring amino acid may provide an alternative to current antimicrobial treatments, which can affect taste and stain teeth.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Researchers discover never-before-seen tick-borne disease

Researchers have identified a never-before-seen tick-borne illness transmitted by the taiga tick, which may be common in areas where the tick resides. The new species of bacteria, Anaplasma capra, causes symptoms like fever and muscle aches and can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

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.

Microbes help produce serotonin in gut

Researchers at Caltech discovered that certain bacteria in the gut are essential for producing peripheral serotonin. The study found that mice with normal gut microbes had higher levels of serotonin than those without, and that specific species of bacteria elevated serotonin levels.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

A vineyard's soil microbes shape the grapes' microbial community

Researchers found that soil microbes are the primary source of bacteria colonizing grapevines, affecting disease resistance, stress tolerance, and productivity. The study's findings could lead to biotechnological advances in producing hardier crops and improving wine quality.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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.

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.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Study IDs key birds that host Lyme disease bacteria in California

A study published in PLOS ONE identified wood rats and western gray squirrels as hosts for Lyme disease-causing bacteria in California, but birds were found to be more important than previously recognized. The study also discovered a new subtype of Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia bissettii, in birds for the first time in California.

Too much of a good thing: Extra genes make bacteria lethal

A study found that a single genomic change can turn beneficial bacteria into pathogenic bacteria by boosting bacterial density inside the host. The research team identified a region of the Wolbachia genome responsible for regulating bacterial densities in flies.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Researchers find link between microbiome, type 1 diabetes

A longitudinal study found that infants who developed type 1 diabetes had a significant drop in microbial diversity prior to disease onset, including a decrease in health-promoting bacteria and an increase in potentially harmful ones. The study also revealed stable biological functions served by the microbiome across individuals.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Precise measurements of microbial ecosystems

Researchers have described the intricate relationships within a biological wastewater treatment plant in unprecedented detail. This study provides new insights into the laws governing bacterial function, with potential applications in medicine and environmental conservation.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

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.

Bats identified as hosts of Bartonella mayotimonensis

Researchers have found that bats carry the bacterial species Bartonella mayotimonensis, which causes deadly human infections in the USA. Bats are ideal reservoirs for pathogenic viruses and play a vital role in natural ecosystems.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Gut bacteria promote obesity in mice

A study found that a type of gut bacteria called Clostridium ramosum promotes obesity in mice, particularly when fed a high-fat diet. The bacteria appears to improve nutrient uptake, leading to increased energy conversion and weight gain.

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.

Microbiome research shows each tree species has a unique bacterial identity

Research reveals that 57 Panamanian tree species have distinct bacterial communities on their leaves, with some bacteria linked to nitrogen fixing and methane consumption. The study provides a comparable understanding of the host attributes that explain patterns of microbial diversity in the plant microbiome.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

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.

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.

University of Montana cicada study discovers 2 genomes that function as 1

A University of Montana research lab has made a groundbreaking discovery about the cicada's symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The study found that instead of two bacterial symbionts, there are actually three, including two previously unknown species of <i>Hodgkinia</i>. This new understanding of the symbiosis reveals a more complex...

Mouth bacteria can change its diet, supercomputers reveal

Researchers using supercomputers at TACC analyzed bacterial communities for gum disease, diabetes, and Crohn's disease. They found that these microbes adjust their metabolism in response to disease, suggesting new ways to prevent or reverse the conditions.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

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.

Social networking is key to helping bugs spread, study shows

Researchers used mathematical models and genetic analysis to discover that cooperative bacteria are better equipped to adapt to environments, increasing their ability to infect multiple species. This knowledge could help predict and manage health threats from animal-borne diseases.

Diet affects men's and women's gut microbes differently

Research by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin found that diet impacts male and female gut microbiomes differently. In some cases, different bacterial species dominate in one sex versus the other. This difference highlights the need for therapies to be tailored for each sex when it comes to nutrition-based treatments.

'Killer sperm' prevents mating between worm species

When worms mate with different species, their bodies are unable to tolerate the aggressive sperm, resulting in sterility and death. The sperm's premature fertilization of eggs and subsequent damage to the ovaries lead to these outcomes.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

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.

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.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Evolution of life's operating system revealed in detail

Researchers model primordial ribosomes using modern structures, showing how new structures were added to the surface without altering the core. The study reveals the universal biology of translation, with distinct fingerprints in ribosomes across species.

Gut microbe levels are linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity

Researchers found changes in gut microbiota composition among people with Type 2 diabetes or obesity compared to healthy individuals. The study identified associations between specific bacterial species and metabolic variables such as BMI, hemoglobin A1c, and waist circumference.

Growing unknown microbes 1 by 1

A new method using SlipChip technology allows researchers to target and grow specific, previously uncultured microbes from the human gut. By isolating individual bacterial species, scientists can better understand their roles in human health and potentially identify beneficial or harmful microbes.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Evolution in species may reverse predator-prey population cycles

A new study proposes a theory that explains co-evolutionary changes in predator-prey relationships, revealing unique behaviors at the population scale. The research suggests that evolutionary changes can dramatically affect species relationships, potentially making them more vulnerable or less vulnerable.