A new study by MIT scientists uses a novel gene-analyzing technique to estimate that oxygenic photosynthesis first originated around 2.9 billion years ago. This evolutionary innovation allowed for the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere and oceans, paving the way for life on Earth.
Researchers identified three new Alicyclobacillus species that can cause spoilage in apple juice. The discovery will allow manufacturers to identify and fine-tune control strategies to reduce waste and improve customer satisfaction.
A new study suggests that prebiotics can help realign sleep-wake cycles and core body temperature after chronic disruption of rhythms, hosting health-promoting microbes and a different metabolome. Researchers hope to develop customized prebiotic mixtures for individuals with frequent circadian disruptions.
A study compared four common DNA extraction methods and found that each method produced slightly different results due to varying 'how' factors. Researchers can now make informed decisions about their methods to optimize results.
A study published in International Journal of Environment and Public Health Research reveals that oral bacteria, specifically P. gingivalis and Lactobacillaceae families, are associated with periodontitis. Genetic differences among hosts contribute to susceptibility to pathogens, but the oral microbiome plays a more significant role in...
Researchers have identified a unique sequence essential for efficient multidrug efflux function of the MtrD protein in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a key mechanism for antimicrobial resistance. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotic treatments.
Research reveals significant differences in gut microbiomes worldwide, impacting immune responses and susceptibility to infections. The study found that microbial composition alone can impact immune resilience, with Guatemala's microbiome proving most resistant.
A study published in Gut journal found that children with autism have a distinctive and underdeveloped range of gut bacteria, significantly fewer linked to neurotransmitter activity. This characteristic microbial profile may play a role in social behaviors and warrants further investigation.
Researchers found that Veillonellaceae family members contribute to disease by altering inflammation and metabolism in the cervicovaginal region. The study also identified three specific bacteria species - V. atypica, V. montpellierensis, and M. micronuciformis - that increase inflammation and promote cell death.
A new study reveals that some bacterial symbionts of bivalves have traveled the globe and established partnerships with host species across diverse habitats. This finding challenges previous concepts of symbiont acquisition and highlights the remarkable flexibility in this partnership, which benefits both hosts and symbionts.
Scientists successfully engineered a 'vaccine' using harmless commensal bacteria to prepare immune cells for a life-threatening disease. The approach showed promise in inducing immunity without adverse effects, paving the way for novel treatments and applications.
Researchers at the University of Cologne discovered a rare tripartite symbiosis between a ciliate, a green alga and a previously unknown purple bacterium. The genome of the purple bacterium is greatly reduced, suggesting it relies on photosynthesis for survival.
Research reveals minor microbes, like fungi and environmental bacteria, play crucial roles in maintaining bee gut health. These forgotten microbes produce antibiotics, break down toxins, and metabolize nutrients, helping bees resist pathogens and climate change.
Researchers discovered that blocking bacterial H2S biogenesis strengthens antibiotics by inhibiting persister formation and biofilm growth, offering a novel alternative to traditional antibiotic discovery. The study suggests using small molecule potentiators to enhance the effect of major classes of clinically important antibiotics.
Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a new analytical method to detect degraded beta-lactam antibiotics. Cysteine persulfide, a reactive sulfur species produced by bacteria, degrades and inactivates these antibiotics.
A new species of bacteria, Candidatus Phytoplasma dypsidis, has been found to cause a fatal disease in palms in Queensland, Australia. The bacterium is thought to be spread by insects and poses a significant threat to Australia's ornamental palm industry.
A global metagenomic study of urban microbiomes found distinct microbial signatures in cities across six continents, with over 4,200 known species identified. The research also discovered a core set of 31 species present in 97% of samples and highlights the potential for new discoveries related to microbial diversity.
Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered new nutrient exchanges between algae and bacteria using advanced SIMS technique. The study shows that long-term carbon transfers occur between microalgae and bacteria, impacting microbial community functioning.
The discovery of five novel listeria species will help identify potential growth niches in agricultural soil and improve food safety by expanding the knowledge base on listeria diversity. This increased understanding will prevent contamination, false positives, and foodborne outbreaks.
A study suggests that glyphosate, the world's most widely used herbicide, weakens the immune systems of insects by inhibiting melanin production. This reduction in resistance to infection may have significant impacts on ecosystems and human health.
A recent study found that 66% of commercial kefir products overstated microorganism density and 80% contained unlabeled bacterial species. The researchers highlight the need for better quality control to understand kefir's potential health benefits.
Researchers at McGill University studied bacterial movement through microfluidic environments to understand their navigational 'strategies'. The findings have implications for diagnosing infectious diseases, developing devices for genomics and bio computation, and maintaining human health.
Research reveals that just three amino acid changes can dramatically alter an enzyme's function, allowing microbes to thrive in diverse ecosystems. This discovery has significant implications for understanding disease-causing bacteria and developing remedies.
Researchers at the University of Cologne discovered two previously undescribed genera and one new species of bacteria related to Legionella, which live in amoebae. The findings suggest a wider range of host organisms than previously thought, potentially leading to more cases of disease.
Researchers at UCI found that soil microbes can evolve in response to climate change, changing genetic diversity in 18 months. This rapid evolution has implications for how soil ecosystems respond to future climate conditions.
Research found high dietary intake of animal products, processed foods, and sugary drinks is linked to an 'inflammatory' gut microbiome. Conversely, a diet rich in plant-based foods may promote 'friendly', anti-inflammatory microbes that help control inflammation.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have deciphered the composition and function of sea urchin microbiomes, revealing significant differences between red and purple species and habitats. The study suggests that sea urchins may be able to produce their own food using microbes in their guts.
A team of researchers has discovered a group of bacteria that may help fungi and plants acquire soil nutrients. The bacteria form unique communities on the hyphae surfaces of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which could enhance phosphate acquisition and improve crop yields.
A study found that cesarean-born infants have less diverse gut microbiota at birth but catch up with their peers by age 3-5. The intestinal microbiota forms an ecosystem that takes years to mature, and its development can vary significantly among children.
A new German research project aims to challenge the perception of bacteria as simple organisms by studying their complex behavior and multicellularity. The study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of bacterial life forms, with potential applications in combating antibiotic resistance and developing innovative biocatalysis.
A new study published in Science has mapped the gut microbiota of over 200 species of animals in the wild, discovering millions of previously unknown potential human therapeutics. The study's findings add 30 million genes to Wild Biotech's database, which now comprises hundreds of animal species and 100 million genes.
Research reveals that root-dwelling bacteria can enhance plant heat tolerance, with SA187 showing promising results in lab and field tests. The bacteria trigger the plant's defense system by producing metabolites that prime its heat-resistance genes for action.
A silent killer, Enterococcus lacertideformus, has been discovered as the cause of mysterious deaths in native reptile populations on Christmas Island. The bacterium grows in the animal's head and internal organs, causing death through direct contact or biting, highlighting the need for targeted antibiotic trials.
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have developed nanozymes that produce surface-bound ROS to selectively kill bacteria. The selectivity is attributed to the surface-bound nature of ROS and an unexpected antidote role of endocytosis, a common process in mammalian cells but absent in bacteria.
Bacterial mutants struggling to survive due to nutrient scarcity often form clusters to cooperate and share nutrients, rather than competing with wild-type bacteria. This cooperative behavior masks the true frequency of mutations, making it seem like a lower rate of mutant emergence is occurring.
A new study found that poor oral hygiene within 24-72 hours can lead to a steep decrease in good oral bacteria and an increase in bad bacteria associated with periodontitis. The researchers also discovered a sudden aging of the bacteria's microbiome, equivalent to about a year in less than a month.
A study found that toxins produced by bacteria can cause mutations in target cells, providing a competitive advantage and contributing to the evolution of bacterial populations. The toxins, which remove chemical groups from DNA, were found to be effective in causing mutations in certain bacterial species.
Researchers have discovered a dual symbiosis system in deep-sea vent-endemic snails, where they host both sulfur-oxidizing and methane-oxidizing bacteria for nutrient synthesis. This finding provides new insights into how animals thrive in extreme environments and sheds light on the adaptation to microbes.
Researchers aim to combat antibiotic-resistant infections by developing new therapeutics, utilizing antibodies and artificial intelligence. The team targets bacteria such as Burkholderia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, causing severe respiratory and other infections.
A new study by UC Riverside researchers found that a high-fat and sugar diet in childhood can alter the gut microbiome of mice for life. The study suggests that early-life diet has more long-lasting effects on the microbiome than exercise, highlighting the importance of nutrition during critical developmental periods.
Researchers found that gut bacteria use enzymes to modify and detoxify bile salts, which can be toxic to bacteria. This interaction affects bacterial fitness and competition in the gut ecosystem.
Researchers from GEOMAR and Kiel University discovered a deep-sea red yeast with anticancer and antibacterial effects, producing glycolipids with potential applications in medicine and biotechnology. The study found synergistic effects of certain compounds, opening doors to new pharmaceutical development and biotechnological applications.
A new study identified novel metabolites and specific gut bacteria distinguishing healthy from food-allergic twin pairs. The research found that certain bacteria, such as Phascolarctobacterium faecium and Ruminococccus bromii, played a protective role against food allergies.
The study uses a decontamination algorithm to identify the bacteria living in tumors, finding that normal and cancerous organ tissues have distinct microbiota compositions. The researchers also discovered that bacterial information could help diagnose cancer and predict patient outcomes.
A growing body of evidence links poor gut health to severe COVID-19 prognosis. Studies show that altered gut microbiota can exacerbate the severity of infection by enabling the virus to access internal organs. Interventions like probiotics or fecal transplants may help patients, according to expert Heenam Stanley Kim.
Researchers found virus-like particles resembling red blood cells and sea-urchin-like structures within bacterial symbionts of Bryozoa. The discovery suggests that these particles may regulate the number of symbiotic bacteria in host organisms.
Scientists have found that nearly all antibiotic resistance genes came from bacteria that cause disease, not antibiotic-producing bacteria. The rapid evolution of resistance is fueled by the use and overuse of antibiotics, threatening modern healthcare.
A new species of endemic centipede, Cryptops speleorex, has been discovered in Movile Cave, Romania, with a length of 46-52 mm. The creature is the largest known inhabitant of the cave and boasts venomous predation skills.
Researchers discovered a unique evolutionary event in which an antibacterial enzyme in ticks protects them from bacteria on human skin while allowing the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium to thrive. The ticks acquired this gene 40 million years ago through horizontal gene transfer.
A recent study by UC San Francisco researchers reveals that ticks possess an antibiotic gene called dae2, which protects them from contracting pathogens, including Staphylococcus bacteria. This discovery provides new insights into the complex interactions between ticks and human skin microbiota.
Scientists have discovered a way to control the flow of liquids using magnetotactic bacteria, which can be used to transport cancer drugs directly to tumors. The bacteria produce an effect similar to that of a micropump, allowing for precise control over the movement of active substances.
Researchers found bacteria that feed on toxic halogenated compounds, providing a potential mechanism for measuring exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds. The study suggests that certain SVOCs are correlated with the abundance of bacterial and fungal species in children's guts.
A recent study found a large number of potentially pathogenic bacteria on ticks infecting Bolson tortoises, highlighting the need for conservation strategies to protect these endangered species. Further research is needed to understand the tortoises' defense mechanisms against diseases transmitted by ticks.
A study published in Ecological Monographs reveals that sugar maple leaf microbiomes change along the transition from coniferous to deciduous forests. The findings show that southern sugar maples have similar microbiomes, while northern trees host bacterial communities resembling those of other dominant species.
Researchers identified distinct gut microbiome signatures in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), including higher levels of Bacteroides and lower levels of Blautia. A biomarker-based diagnostic tool may help physicians diagnose MDD, providing a companion to clinical interviews.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered how forest-dwelling bacteria cooperate to build fruiting bodies when food is scarce, using the physics behind fingerprint patterns and topological defects. The study reveals new insights into the physics-biology intersection and highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Researchers have found that gut immune cells express an antibody called IgA, which helps protect against harmful bacteria and may help bring flare-ups under control. This discovery opens up new lines of research for therapeutics and suggests a potential new player in managing MS symptoms.
Researchers from University of Turku developed a new bioinformatics tool to predict microbial sensitivity to glyphosate. The tool classifies 80-90% of microbial species as sensitive or resistant, with 54% of human core gut bacterial species potentially affected.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a new Rickettsia species in dogs that is part of the spotted-fever group. This new species has been found in multiple dogs across the US and shares genetic similarities with human Rickettsia pathogens.
A new study found that plastic bottles colonize with diverse bacterial communities, while elevated CO2 levels negatively impact certain species. Researchers warn of the increasing threat posed by plastics and ocean acidification to marine biodiversity.