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Bushmeat may breed deadly bacteria

Researchers analyzed bushmeat samples from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and found 27 different groups of bacteria, including those causing anthrax, brucellosis, and Q fever. The team identified a high prevalence of Clostridial species, which cause diseases like botulism and tetanus.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 2, 2019

Bats don't rely on gut bacteria the way humans do

Researchers discovered that bats have fewer bacterial species living in their guts than in their mouths and skin. The kinds of bacteria living in the bats' guts varied from species to species without following any apparent evolutionary pattern, a stark contrast to other mammals.

SourceField Museum·JournalmSystems·DateNov 12, 2019

Impacts of low-dose exposure to antibiotics unveiled in zebrafish gut

Researchers at the University of Oregon found that low-dose antibiotic exposure can cause significant changes in gut bacterial communities, leading to severe drops in bacterial populations. The study used zebrafish as a model organism and showed that the physical activity of the intestine amplifies the effects of weak antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2019

Bacteria bullets target toxic algae

Researchers at the University of Delaware have invented a bacteria-based application to prevent or mitigate harmful algal blooms, specifically targeting dinoflagellates responsible for red tides. The algicide, embedded in gel beads, is environmentally neutral and can be deployed in coastal waters as needed.

The kombucha culture

Researchers have discovered complex social behaviors in kombucha microbes, which could provide clues for understanding cooperation in human societies. By studying the interactions between different species in kombucha, scientists hope to develop new antimicrobial products and interventions for bettering human health.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPeerJ·DateSep 3, 2019

The Paleozoic diet: Why animals eat what they eat

A study published in Evolution Letters reveals that many carnivorous species share a common ancestor dating back 800 million years, while herbivory is more recent. The research suggests that animals tend to adopt the same dietary category as their closely related species, implying that switching diets may not be easy.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalEvolution Letters·DateAug 22, 2019

An apple carries about 100 million bacteria -- good luck washing them off

A new study found that organic apples contain a more diverse range of beneficial bacteria, which could contribute to improved gut health. In contrast, conventional apples were found to have higher levels of pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia-Shigella. The researchers also discovered that the bacteria in organic apples were more c...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJul 24, 2019

Bacteria associated with hospital infections are found in raw meat

A study by ISGlobal reveals that Acinetobacter bacteria commonly acquired in hospitals can also be transmitted through contaminated food, specifically raw meat. The research analyzed 138 meat samples and identified 12 isolates of the ACB complex, suggesting that raw meat may serve as a reservoir for these pathogenic bacteria.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·DateJul 8, 2019

Coincidence or master plan?

A team of scientists from Kiel University and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology applied the neutral metaorganism theory to various model organisms. The study found that the predicted microbial community compositions matched experimental data for many organisms, suggesting a possible lesser role for selection in shaping micr...

SourceKiel University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 20, 2019

How flow shapes bacterial biofilms

Researchers discover that fluid flow significantly impacts bacterial biofilm architecture, with dense formations in weak flows and sparse colonies in strong ones. This study provides insights into the role of physical principles guiding biofilm organization and its implications for bacterial physiology and evolution.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 2019

The bacteria building your baby

A recent study found that nearly all newborns had bacteria in their first poop, contradicting the long-held assumption of a sterile womb. The researchers collected amniotic fluid samples from 50 healthy women undergoing planned caesarean deliveries and discovered bacterial DNA in almost all viable samples.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJun 5, 2019

NIH-funded study links microbiome composition to African American preterm birth risk

A research project funded by the National Institutes of Health has identified differences in vaginal bacteria that may raise the risk of preterm birth among pregnant African-American women. The study found that women who delivered preterm had a more diverse microbiome in early pregnancy compared to those who delivered at term.

Detecting bacteria in space

Scientists have pioneered a new genomic methodology to identify and map bacterial species on the International Space Station, aiming to safeguard astronauts' health. The approach has applications in environmental management and healthcare, and will enable researchers to explore new microbiome environments.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateMay 22, 2019

Natural environments favor 'good' bacteria

A new study reveals that restoring degraded landscapes to biodiverse ecosystems favors more stable and specialist bacteria over opportunistic ones. This shift in bacterial composition has potential immune-boosting effects, suggesting a connection between healthy ecosystems and human health.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEnvironment International·DateMay 22, 2019

Evolution in the gut

A large-scale study has investigated the composition of microorganisms in the digestive tract of animals, revealing evolutionary relationships between host species and their gut microbiomes. The study found that closely related species share similar microbial communities, while diet also plays a significant role in shaping the gut micr...

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 16, 2019