Researchers have shed new light on the diversity paradox by developing a stochastic model of bacteria-virus interactions. Their findings suggest that the coevolutionary arms race between bacteria and viruses leads to diverse populations and boom-bust cycles, preventing any single species from dominating the ecosystem.
A team of Norwegian researchers has developed a tool to monitor bacterial strains in cheese cultures, enabling prompt detection and countermeasures to maintain quality. The tool uses next-generation sequencing to analyze the epsD gene, which is involved in resisting phage and producing exopolysaccharide.
A new meningococcal vaccine, MenB-4C (Bexsero), has been shown to cover up to 91% of bacterial strains causing invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease in children and young adults. The vaccine contains four antigens that induce an immune response against the bacteria.
A new study found that a single strain of bacteria can cause imbalance in the gut microbiota of individuals with Crohn's disease. The findings suggest that preventing this imbalance could lead to promising treatment options for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Killer cells use a methodical approach to destroy bacterial invaders, inflicting oxidative damage and targeting critical proteins with the deadly enzyme granzyme B. The discovery offers new insights into how immune systems combat bacteria, potentially leading to the development of new antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers tracked MRSA transmission through detailed genome sequencing and epidemiological data, finding clusters of closely related bacteria linked to specific individuals and hospital transfers. The study reveals MRSA strains thought to be strictly hospital-associated are spreading in the general community.
A new vaccine under development offers comprehensive coverage against up to 90 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, targeting deadly forms of the bacterium that cause pneumonia. The vaccine stimulates a strong immune response and may provide universal coverage against pneumococcal disease.
The Bacterial Energetics and Antimicrobial Resistance Group, led by Professor Greg Cook, has been recognized for its outstanding research on fighting TB infections. The team's work on developing a revolutionary class of antibiotics and innovative approaches to agricultural applications has shown great promise.
Researchers engineered antimicrobial agents from a bacteria that targets specific strains, making them harmless. The new treatment could prevent or cure C. difficile infection, which kills thousands worldwide.
A study led by researchers at Linköping University found that patients with IBS have a more sensitive intestinal mucosa to bacteria, allowing for faster passage of pathogens like Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli HS. Mast cells appear to play a significant role in regulating this process.
New research at Oregon State University found that bacteria prioritize their own fitness when nutrients are limited, but not when iron, phosphorus, and sulfur are abundant. This study provides insights into the evolution of cooperation in microbes and has implications for understanding natural populations.
Researchers have found that bacteria can use mechanical cues to maintain their shape and recover from deformation. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, shows that Escherichia coli uses mechanical strain to grow its cell wall and recover its shape after being twisted out of shape.
A large-scale genetic study of E. coli bloodstream infections in England found that drug-resistant 'superbugs' are not dominant causes of infection. Instead, new types of E. coli emerge frequently, but are quickly balanced by other strains, suggesting a complex picture of disease dynamics.
A recent review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) incorrectly linked Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a highly effective biopesticide, to diarrhoea in humans. However, Dr Ben Raymond of the University of Exeter disputes these findings, citing recent evidence that supports Bt bacteria as "very safe for humans".
Researchers have developed a new treatment for bacterial keratitis using quantum dots, which can kill various bacterial strains without harming human cells. The one-step method produces non-toxic carbon quantum dots that may replace conventional treatments.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that flexible flagella allow bacteria to overcome local forces between molecules, reducing viscosity and effectively thinning the liquid. This understanding could inform ways to control or prevent biofilm formation on surfaces, leading to better medical device designs and filtration methods.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine has found that a molecular decoy can target and reduce E. coli bacteria in the gut, reducing the risk of UTIs. The treatment, known as mannoside, works by binding to the bacteria's pilus, allowing it to be flushed out with urine.
E. coli bacteria defend themselves against toxins by forming dynamic tunnels through their cell wall, allowing them to expel intruders. This mechanism may also contribute to antibiotic resistance, prompting researchers to explore new strategies for combating resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a highly safe and practical biocontainment strategy for GMOs, utilizing a phosphite-based control method. The new method has shown promise in reducing the risk of GMO escape and proliferation, making it an attractive solution for legislators to consider.
Using a genetic 'toolkit,' scientists observe unprecedented interaction between Brucella and Legionella pneumophila, improving infectious potential of Brucella. The technique creates light-emitting bacteria for easy observation, identification in the lab.
A team of biophysicists used experiment and mathematical theory to study the changing composition of a mixed bacterial population. They found that in some cases, a strain with a toxin can outcompete another strain, but this depends on various factors such as the environment and initial inoculum size. The results suggest a complex inter...
Researchers developed an antimicrobial treatment inspired by naturally-occurring peroxidase enzymes that rapidly kill drug-resistant bacteria. The treatment consists of iodo-thiocyanate complexes producing highly reactive anti-microbial substances without a peroxidase enzyme.
A team of international researchers has found that a 80-year-old 'viable' anthrax strain was, in reality, a much younger standard laboratory strain due to contamination. Advanced genomic sequencing technology enabled precise tracking of bacterial strains used in biological warfare and terrorist attacks.
Researchers have developed tools to visualize and control bacterial activity in the gut, opening up new possibilities for therapeutic delivery. These tools enable precise control of bacterial gene activity in specific locations within the gastrointestinal tract.
Researchers developed SHERLOCK, a CRISPR-Cas system that detects viral and bacterial pathogens with high sensitivity, enabling rapid diagnosis. The system's high sensitivity and low cost make it suitable for various applications, including cancer mutation detection.
Researchers found that acne is associated with an imbalance of skin bacteria, including increased levels of virulence-associated genes and reduced beneficial bacteria. Targeted treatments, such as probiotic supplementation or phage therapy, may be more effective than antibiotics in maintaining a healthy bacterial balance.
Researchers discovered five species of bacteria that have been passed down from generation to generation in social bees for 80 million years. These symbiotic bacteria are a key part of the biology of social bees and can cause health problems if disrupted.
A new study in mice reveals that gut inflammation enables bacterial viruses to infect and replicate within bacterial pathogens. Administering a vaccine that reduces gut inflammation may help treat some infections by hindering gene transfer and the evolution of pathogens.
A genomic study reveals that European and African H. pylori strains intermingled in the Americas, replacing local strains and forming distinct new sub-populations adapted to local conditions.
Researchers discovered a toxin from S. epidermidis that contributes to blood infections and worsens septic infection in mouse models. Clinical studies are needed to assess its impact on human sepsis.
A team of scientists from Tufts University has developed a virus cocktail that prevents cholera infection in animal models. The treatment, which uses bacteriophages to target the cholera bacteria, was found to be effective in eliminating the bacteria and reducing symptoms in over half of treated animals.
Researchers discover that a component of the innate immune system, the complement system, plays a crucial role in killing antibiotic-resistant ST258 bacteria. The study's findings suggest that a modified antibody could be used to develop new tools to treat and prevent infections caused by these bacteria.
A research team at the University of Luxembourg has developed a computer model of the human gut microbiome, capturing the metabolic processes of 773 bacterial strains. The model, called AGORA, can simulate metabolic processes and investigate how they affect other microbes and the human host.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed transgenic grass species that can neutralize and eradicate RDX, a toxic compound used in explosives. These genetically modified grasses can remove all RDX from simulated soil within two weeks and retain none of the chemical in their leaves or stems.
Scientists have discovered human leprosy in British red squirrels, revealing a reservoir for ancient bacteria that drove outbreaks in medieval Europe. The study suggests that the disease may be working against efforts to eradicate it in humans.
A DNA study has found that red squirrels on Brownsea Island are infected with the same species of bacteria responsible for human leprosy infections. The bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae, shares close similarities with a strain discovered in medieval Europe and is similar to a strain found in armadillos.
Scientists have developed a non-toxic strain of Salmonella to target and kill cancer cells, reducing tumor size by 20% in mice with prostate cancer. The bacteria's ability to penetrate cell barriers makes it an ideal candidate for bacteriotherapy, a promising new approach to treating cancer.
Psychobiotics examines emerging strategies for planting brain-altering bacteria in the gut to provide mental benefits. Researchers agree that key players, including the nervous system and immune system, are involved in the gut-brian axis.
Researchers developed a tool to examine genetic differences within bacterial species, uncovering novel transmission patterns in mother-infant microbiomes. Strain-level analysis revealed that early colonizing strains are transferred from the mother, while late colonizing strains are acquired from the environment.
A study found that disease-causing gut bacteria, Enteroaggregative E. coli, are prevalent in 14% of children, even in industrialized countries with mild symptoms. The researchers hope to investigate factors contributing to diarrheal disease and explore probiotic agents for maintaining gut balance.
A new device can rapidly identify harmful bacteria and determine its susceptibility to antibiotics in a matter of minutes. The device uses nano-scale technology to detect bacteria in extremely small fluid samples, offering a potential solution to the growing problem of drug-resistant strains.
Researchers found that a specific strain of Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 can establish itself in the human gut and remain there for up to 6 months. The study suggests that individualized features of the resident microbiome play a crucial role in the persistence of this strain, enabling personalized probiotic treatments.
Researchers found that Klebsiella pneumoniae siderophores play a crucial role in facilitating invasive infection by triggering inflammation and activating HIF-1 alpha, allowing bacteria to spread from the lungs to the spleen. The study suggests that therapies targeting siderophore production could provide a two-pronged attack against K...
Bacteria can share molecular spear guns and toxic molecules with closely related strains, allowing them to reuse proteins and produce new weapons. This cooperation enables bacteria to form a survival advantage against competitors, recycling harpooned proteins and toxins to assemble their own T6SSs.
Scientists have established the first public collection of bacteria from the intestine of mice, providing comprehensive information on the mouse gut microbiota. The collection includes 76 cultured bacterial species, including 15 previously unknown taxa, and sheds light on the interactions between gut bacteria and their host.
Scientists have discovered that newly found SAR11 bacteria are depleting oxygen and nitrogen in the world's largest oxygen minimum zone, making virtual dead zones even more inhospitable to life. This process has significant implications for global nutrient supplies and greenhouse gas cycles.
Researchers at TUM developed a new mortar resistant to water uptake by adding a biofilm produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The hybrid mortar exhibits a high contact angle, similar to Teflon, reducing the likelihood of liquid absorption.
A new study reveals that certain bacteria in the human gut have been passed down over millions of years, guiding early intestine development and influencing immune systems. The researchers found genetic evidence that these bacteria split into distinct strains at around the same time as their hosts diverged from a common ancestor.
USF researchers found vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) bacteria in untreated wastewater after a 2014 sewer line break, posing a public health threat. The bacteria can transfer resistance to other strains, fueling the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
A recent study found that 72% of children have S. mutans strains not found in family members, suggesting external transmission from other children or population sources. Children can share strains with siblings or cousins, highlighting another dimension to inter-familial transmission.
A new analysis of a group of bacteria called Streptomyces reveals the way some strains developed advanced abilities to tear up cellulose and points out more efficient ways to make fuel from plant material. The study identifies important enzymes and new groups of enzymes produced when Streptomyces flex particular genes.
Scientists compared 64 Staphylococcus aureus strains' genomes to develop a comprehensive understanding of the bacteria's virulence and antibiotic resistance. The study revealed that 19% of genes are essential for life, while dispensable genes offer advantages in specific environments.
A new study tracks bacteria strains in stool transplants, suggesting donor-patient compatibility is crucial for success. The research could improve treatment options for conditions like ulcerative colitis and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers developed a computer model to explain how antibiotic-resistant microbes develop and spread. The study reveals that even after antibiotic therapy, more bacteria may be sensitive to the effects of antibiotics than resistant ones.
Scientists at UC Riverside discovered a strain of beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria that has spread across California, forming tumor-like nodules on plant roots. The epidemic strains were found to be highly successful in the soil and in competition to infect plants, explaining their persistence and dominance.
Researchers found that combining great willow herb extracts with antibiotics can reduce antibiotic doses and minimize side effects in treating multi-drug resistant infections. The synergistic effect of the herb's phenolic acids and flavonoids with common antibiotics has potential to influence antimicrobial activity.
A new tool has shown that evolutionary history plays a significant role in the activity of bacteria in soil communities. The study found that related bacteria exhibit similar growth rates and carbon use patterns, contradicting the idea of functional redundancy.
A UCLA study found that anti-inflammatory gut bacteria can slow or stop the development of certain types of cancer. Researchers discovered that a specific bacterium, Lactobacillus johnsonii 456, reduced gene damage and inflammation in mice with cancer, leading to a lower risk of tumor formation.
A new study reveals how Vibrio cholerae bacteria regulate their adaptations in different environments, including a key role for crab shells in signaling behavior. The research provides information that could lead to the development of better therapeutic agents against cholera.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory discovered a way to use microscopic swirling flows to rapidly clear bacteria or swimming robots from circles. This technique could be useful in lab-on-a-chip devices for chemical or biological analyses, and may also help prevent biofilms from forming.