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Mapping microbial symbioses in forests

Researchers mapped over 1.1 million forest sites and 28,000 tree species to understand how symbiotic partnerships structure the world's forests. The study revealed a new biological rule, Read's Rule, which predicts massive changes to the symbiotic state of the world's forests if carbon emissions continue unabated.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateMay 15, 2019

Bacterial therapy in a dish

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a system called BSCC, which enables rapid screening of engineered bacterial therapies in vitro. They successfully tested a potent therapy for colon cancer using a novel bacterial toxin combined with an optimal drug delivery genetic circuit.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2019

Antibiotics legitimately available in over-counter throat medications could contribute to increased antibiotic resistance

Research reveals that over-the-counter throat medications containing topical antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria species. The study found that some products were not sufficiently concentrated to prevent bacterial growth, enabling resistance development.

How bacteria can help prevent coal ash spills

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique using bacteria to create biocement in coal ash ponds, making them stiffer and more difficult to spill. The resulting biocement can also trap potentially toxic metals in the coal ash, reducing environmental and public health concerns.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering·DateMar 4, 2019

NUS marine scientists find toxic bacteria on microplastics retrieved from tropical waters

A recent study by NUS researchers found that microplastics can harbor toxic bacteria capable of causing coral bleaching and triggering wound infections in humans. The study identified over 400 types of bacteria on the plastics, including species that can degrade pollutants and others that cause harm to marine organisms.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 11, 2019

Microbes help make the coffee

Studies show that lactic acid bacteria positively impact coffee fermentation, yielding fruity notes and enhancing flavor. Microbial communities also affect the build-up of fermentation-related metabolites on coffee beans, influencing overall quality.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateFeb 1, 2019

Modeling the microbiome

Researchers analyzed the interactions between five core species of bacteria found in the fly gut, revealing a nuanced tradeoff between lifespan and fecundity. The study suggests that the presence or absence of individual species influences the host's fitness, and that the microbiome's influence cannot be solely attributed to its parts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2018

How microbial interactions shape our lives

Researchers have found that individual species in the gut microbiome account for only a quarter of the effect on fly lifespan, while interactions between species play a crucial role in determining fitness. The study highlights the importance of understanding complex microbiome interactions to better comprehend human health.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 4, 2018

The common ancestor of species was rod-shaped

The study found that the common ancestor of Deinococcus species was rod-shaped, with six conserved genes (MreB, MreC, MreD, MrdA, RodA, and RodZ) present in all rod-shaped species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that major gene loss occurred four times during evolution, generating spherical shape species.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Bioinformatics Journal·DateNov 16, 2018

How some algae may survive climate change

A Rutgers-led study reveals how green algae adapted to tolerate hostile conditions by stealing genes from bacteria, providing clues for engineering more resilient algae. The findings suggest that these hardy species can survive climate change and offer potential solutions for biofuel production and other applications.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateSep 28, 2018

Bird bacteria study reveals evolutionary arms race

A recent study has found that birds develop resistance to bacterial infections, which in turn leads to the evolution of more potent pathogens. This host-pathogen coevolution process plays a key role in shaping species' defenses and highlights the importance of understanding emerging infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 6, 2018

Hospital-associated bacterial species becoming tolerant to alcohol disinfectants

A new study reveals that hospital-associated bacterial species Enterococcus faecium is adapting to alcohols used in handwash disinfectants, increasing treatment resistance. The analysis of 19-year-old bacterial samples from two Australian hospitals suggests several mutations confer increased alcohol resistance.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 1, 2018