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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.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 2014

Faithful allies since the Cretaceous

A study by Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology reveals that beewolves control transmission of their bacterial symbionts to mother-to-offspring, stabilizing the alliance over millions of years. The symbiosis originated in the late Cretaceous and has persisted through 170 species of wasps.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2014

New light shed on key bacterial immune system

Bacteria have been found to possess a surprisingly flexible immune system that can recognize and neutralize viruses and other foreign DNA invaders. This adaptive immunity, termed CRISPR-Cas, allows bacteria to store genetic memories of past infections and respond quickly to future exposures.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2014

A quicker, cheaper way to detect staph in the body

Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a non-invasive chemical probe that can detect Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body, potentially leading to quicker and more accurate diagnoses. The probe uses the bacteria's propensity to cleave DNA, allowing doctors to pinpoint its location and detect infections sooner.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2014

Aging out of bounds

A study published in Nature has cataloged 46 species with their mortality and fertility rates, revealing extraordinary diversity in aging processes. This challenges current explanations, which predict that the probability of dying rises with age, as seen in humans, but contradicted by species like the desert tortoise and white mangrove.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateDec 9, 2013

Autophagy and neurodegenerative disorders

A review article by Kesidou et al. explores the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and its role in chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders. The study highlights the complex interplay between autophagy's protective and damaging effects, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand its implications.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateSep 12, 2013

A home for the microbiome

A team of scientists has discovered a mechanism by which beneficial bacteria reside and thrive in the gastrointestinal tract. By understanding how these microbes colonize, they may be able to correct abnormal changes in bacterial communities linked to disorders like obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.

Grazing slugs hinder grassland restoration

Research shows that selective grazing by slugs can prevent key grassland species from taking hold and reduce overall plant diversity. The team found that some of the most ecologically important species, such as red clover, are particularly tasty to slugs, which may hinder restoration efforts.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalAnnals of Botany·DateJul 11, 2013

Corals cozy up with bacterial buddies

A new study reveals that healthy Red Sea corals harbor bacterial communities deep within their tissues, including the previously unknown species Endozoicomonas. This symbiotic relationship is believed to aid the coral's nutrient recycling, contributing to its overall health and survival.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJul 8, 2013

Feast clue to smell of ancient earth

Fossils from 1,900 million-year-old rocks in Lake Superior's Gunflint chert provide evidence of ancient heterotrophy. The team discovered microbes consumed other bacteria, producing a 'rotten egg' whiff similar to modern bacterial activity.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 29, 2013

Bacteria may contribute to premature births, STDs

Research at Washington University School of Medicine suggests that Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria is likely the cause of bacterial vaginosis, a condition linked to preterm birth and increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The condition affects one in every three women and often does not cause significant symptoms.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 22, 2013

Hailstones reveal life in a storm cloud

Researchers found a rich diversity of microbial life and chemicals in hailstones from a storm cloud, suggesting specific processes during cloud lifetime impact bacterial distribution. The study suggests that these processes could affect long-distance transport and geographical distribution of microbes on Earth.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2013

Not without my microbes

A comprehensive study found that adult beetles of the European forest cockchafer species house the same microbial species as larvae, despite metamorphosing from one stage to another. The microbes include clostridia and other bacterial species that aid in digesting plant materials.

It pays to cooperate

In a study, MIT physicists found that cooperative yeast members outperform cheaters when competing with bacteria in an experimental setup. This is because cooperators have easier access to sugars and can spread less due to population density constraints.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateNov 13, 2012