Articles tagged with Bacterial Strains
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine found that disease-causing germs survive on commonly shared wind instruments for one to two days. To minimize germ growth, instrumentists should have their own instruments and use proper cleaning methods.
Researchers have developed a low-cost sensor that can identify infectious bacteria by smell, offering a faster diagnosis than traditional methods. The sensor uses a printed pigment array to detect unique chemical signatures from each bacterium, identifying specific species and strains in just a few hours.
USDA scientists found bacterial strains producing the enzyme urease survive longer when fed to caterpillars, making them more effective at controlling pests. Researchers tested 50 strains and found that urease-producing phenotypes survived better when repeatedly fed to gypsy moths.
Scientists have developed bacteria that produce disease-fighting substances and deliver them to diseased areas of the body. The 'bacterial dirigibles' use biochemical delivery addresses to navigate to specific cells, producing substances to fight diseases.
Scientists from the University of Oxford developed a new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance by increasing the biological cost of resistant bacteria. The approach aims to reduce the competitiveness of drug-resistant strains and prolong the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
Scientists at NIAID discovered how E. coli O157:H7 infects humans by altering the host's immune responses, allowing it to evade elimination and prolong survival. This mechanism could be relevant to other pathogens involved in foodborne diseases, such as Shigella and Salmonella.
Researchers identified genes used by some bacterial strains to breach plant defences, revealing the essential role of isothiocyanates in protecting cruciferous plants from infection. This discovery has significant implications for improving crop plants' resistance to disease and increasing food security.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that certain strains of Listeria monocytogenes can invade the heart, leading to serious and difficult-to-treat cardiac infections. The bacteria display modified proteins that enable easier entry into cardiac cells, making them a new target for treatment.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed an IQ test to evaluate bacteria's 'social intelligence,' revealing high scores for certain strains. This breakthrough could lead to new antibiotics, powerful pesticides for agriculture, and better understanding of bacterial behavior.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found that bacteria incorporate foreign DNA from invading viruses into their own regulatory processes, developing resistance to antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on how bacteria have developed immunity over millions of years.
Specially designed probiotics can modulate host fat cells, potentially leading to specialized probiotics for obesity prevention or treatment. Ingesting live bacteria influences metabolism at remote sites in the body.
A team of Bioengineers in the US has modified a bacterial strain to improve its ability to produce ethanol. The research reveals that adapting and metabolic engineering can be combined for strain improvement, increasing ethanol production.
Researchers identified a new protein (vopE) involved in causing diarrhea and found that the bacteria requires T3SS to cause disease. The study reveals a second pathogenic mechanism used by non-O1, non-O139 strains of Vibrio cholerae.
A recent study found that the cholera strain in Haiti matches bacterial samples from South Asia, contradicting earlier assumptions of its Latin American origin. The researchers believe the strain was introduced into Haiti through human activity, raising hopes for control measures such as vaccination and rapid screening.
Researchers have developed a new generation of antibiotics that can overcome drug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. By harnessing the enzymes that inactivate antibiotics, the team created modified drugs that are effective against resistant bacterial strains.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found that bacteria that do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can reduce infection severity. By exploiting this selfish behavior, QS-deficient bacteria can outnumber and outcompete other bacteria, leading to reduced toxin production and milder infections.
Research discovers that uncooperative bacteria can benefit from 'opting out' of toxin production, reducing infection severity and outnumbering other bacteria. This new treatment approach could complement current therapies for antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have found that cranberry juice cocktail significantly reduces the ability of certain bacteria to form biofilms on surfaces. This study has potential applications in developing new antibiotics and making medical devices more resistant to bacterial adhesion.
Researchers found that competition between rival bacteria can cause deadlier forms of bacteria to evolve, making them more deadly when they enter the bloodstream. This can lead to serious diseases like pneumonia and meningitis.
Scientists have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in seven species of sharks and redfish, with the highest occurrence rates in nurse sharks from Belize and Florida Keys. The study highlights a growing problem for human health due to the presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in marine environments.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of an Amerindian strain of Helicobacter pylori, revealing insights into its evolution and migration to the New World. The study highlights the importance of specific genes in inducing inflammation and disease, with a key role for a cytotoxin-associated gene known as cagA.
Researchers at UCR are developing genetically engineered bacteria to kill mosquito larvae, making it ten times more effective than current products. The new bacterial strain is environmentally safe and has built-in resistance management properties, potentially leading to a commercially available product in 3-5 years.
A new strain of bacteria has been discovered that can produce non-toxic rhamnolipids to help degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a major environmental pollutant in oil spills. The strain, NY3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, shows an 'extraordinary capacity' to break down PAHs and decontaminate the environment.
A three-year study found that lab-evolved bacteria colonized better and adapted to the mouse gut, leading to a significant increase in bacterial density. The diverse bacterial population showed evolutionary adaptations, including increased resistance to cell death.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens reveals that Listeria exploits transiently exposed molecules on intestinal cells to gain access. The pathogen uses a two-step mechanism involving internalin A and internalin B, which activate cell-surface molecules, allowing it to evade the body's defenses.
A naturally occurring micro-organism has been found to directly target the bacteria that causes a sometimes deadly intestinal disease. Thuricin CD, produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, is a promising specific antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile in both in vitro and animal studies.
A team of Virginia Tech students sequenced the genome of a previously unknown bacterium isolated from the university's garden. The nonpathogenic strain belongs to Pseudomonas syringae and has similarities to closely related pathogens, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential for controlling devastating diseases like snap...
A chemical compound, when combined with antibiotics, effectively destroys biofilms produced by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The compound also re-sensitizes resistant bacteria to antibiotics, making it a promising treatment for difficult-to-treat infections.
A new two-in-one test can detect both E. coli bacteria and its toxins, reducing foodborne illness and product recalls. The test cuts waiting time to just 24 hours, improving sensitivity and enabling early detection of contaminated products.
Recent studies have identified probiotic microbes that produce anti-inflammatory compounds, such as butyric acid, which may treat inflammatory bowel disease. Strains like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum have shown promise in restoring normal gut bacteria levels and alleviating symptoms.
Scientists discovered that Myxococcus xanthus cells recognize subtle genetic differences in one another, inhibiting cooperation and promoting competition. This suggests that cooperation may be driven by a desire to maintain evolutionary dominance rather than a shared kinship bond.
Scientists have crystallized a protein that enables beneficial bacteria to bind to the gut lining, interacting with cells and exerting their activity. The discovery opens new avenues of research into gut health and highlights the importance of molecular design in selecting probiotics.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria jumping from humans to chickens, marking the first clear evidence of bacterial pathogens crossing from humans to animals since domestication. This finding has significant implications for poultry farming and food security.
Researchers discovered unique genetic regions in the most virulent C. difficile strain, which may explain its increased severity and persistence. The study provides a new opportunity to understand the emergence of this deadly superbug.
Researchers found that pathogenic E. coli strains can survive modern food processing methods and exploit different food sources than laboratory strains. They demonstrated differences in growth characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, and reaction to environmental stresses.
Researchers have discovered a strain of bacteria with pilin proteins that can conduct electricity, leading to increased power output in microbial fuel cells. This breakthrough could enable the use of microbial fuel cells in remote environments and monitoring devices, such as ocean floor sensors, to convert waste into electricity.
Researchers have identified novel bacterial strains capable of breaking down microcystins, a toxin produced by blue-green algae. These bacteria can be used to create a reliable and cost-effective purification system for removing microcystins from contaminated water.
Researchers suggest engineering attenuated pathogens to mimic live viruses, inducing potent cellular response. The study identifies key immune patterns that distinguish pathogenic from non-pathogenic microbes.
Researchers analyzed 10 strains of Shewanella, a genus important for bioremediation, and found significant genetic differences despite similarities. The study reveals that similarity in gene regulation is a key factor in determining phenotypic similarity among closely related strains.
Researchers found that strains of Bacteroides fragilis dupe immune cells into allowing runaway colon tissue inflammation, a precursor to malignant growth. High levels of pStat3 and Th17 activity in infected mice were linked to chronic inflammation and tumor development.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic method using tandem repeats in bacterial genomes to distinguish between pathogens like Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This technique can identify hundreds of bacteria strains quickly and accurately, helping track disease outbreaks and inform preventive measures.
A study found similarities between a plant-dwelling bacterium and a hospital-resident pathogen, highlighting potential risks of using the former for biotech applications. The research suggests caution in using this strain due to its antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms.
A species of bacteria, Brachybacterium sp Mn32, has been found to effectively remove manganese and absorb zinc and nickel from solutions. The bacterium's manganese oxides have a greater surface area, enabling more metal ions to be absorbed, making it a promising candidate for bioremediation and cleaning up heavy metal pollution.
Researchers identify glucose as the primary sugar fueling Salmonella's survival during infection. This breakthrough could lead to vaccine strains and protective immune responses against other disease-causing bacteria, including superbugs.
The study developed three transition state analogs that disrupt quorum sensing in Vibrio cholerae and E. coli 0157:H7, reducing the risk of bacterial resistance. The compounds were tested on 26 successive generations and showed no signs of resistance development.
Bacteria in biofilms evolve to become more resilient with age, resisting antibiotics and outcompeting younger cells. This study provides evidence of natural selection in a single species bacterial biofilm, offering insights into the emergence of dominant microbial populations.
New research finds that universal childhood vaccination against meningococcal C has significantly reduced the incidence of the most deadly strain of bacterial meningitis in Canada. Provinces with early implementation of the vaccine program showed a dramatic decline in cases, while those introduced later showed no major changes.
Scientists have found that combining FDA-approved drugs meropenem and clavulanate is effective in killing laboratory-grown strains of Mtb, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for people infected with XDR TB, a rare but deadly form of multidrug-resistant TB.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine found that bacteria causing urinary tract infections produce compounds called siderophores to steal iron from their hosts. These tools provide a potential way to target bad strains of bacteria for eradication without affecting good strains. The discovery could lead to new treatment...
Researchers identified two molecules, yersiniabactin and salmochelin, that enable E. coli to survive and reproduce by stealing iron from their hosts. This discovery presents a potential way to selectively eradicate pathogenic E.coli strains without affecting beneficial ones.
A new website allows scientists to collaborate on bacterial strain identification through multilocus sequence analysis. The database grows in size and utility as taxonomists add their isolates, enabling electronic taxonomy.
Research at Kansas State University found that dog owners who don't wash their hands after petting their dogs or before cooking meals are more likely to spread antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria. Despite common bonding behaviors like sleeping with pets, these practices have no association with an increase in shared E. coli strains.
A three-year study using gene knock-out technology aims to discover why C. difficile causes severe disease and kills more people. The HYPERDIFF study will lead to better tests, treatments, and possibly a vaccine.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed two new vaccine strains using Salmonella typhimurium as an antigen delivery system. These recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccines (RASVs) trigger a powerful systemic immune response, offering a promising solution to infant bacterial pneumonia. The safety and efficacy of these no...
Researchers at the University of Florida and the University of New Mexico have developed microscopic spheres that trap and kill harmful bacteria using conducting polymers and singlet oxygen. The spheres, dubbed 'roach motels,' showed promising results in killing over 95% of nearby bacteria after exposure to light.
A new study finds that antibiotics like ciprofloxacin significantly affect the diversity and abundance of health-associated bacteria in the human gut. The study reveals that even after treatment is stopped, some strains of beneficial bacteria may take up to four weeks or longer to return to pre-treatment levels.
Researchers have isolated five new Rubrobacter strains that contribute to the biodeterioration of old buildings. These bacteria degrade building materials through vital activities.
TB bacteria coat themselves with mannose, making them attractive to lung cells that clean up unwanted sugar. This allows the bacteria to slip by the immune system, leading to latent infection. Two strains of TB have been found that do not use this sugar coating, suggesting specific interactions between strains and human immune systems.
A new study reveals that H. pylori bacteria can exploit stomach cells to protect themselves from the immune system, increasing the risk of stomach cancer. The bacteria's interaction with gastric cells triggers a receptor called Decay-accelerating factor (DAF), which reduces immune damage and promotes chronic inflammation.
A study found that sesame seed extract and konjac gum can bind to E. coli and Salmonella bacteria, potentially preventing them from entering host cells. This natural approach may offer protection against gastro-intestinal infections or reduce symptom severity.