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Get a whiff of this: Low-cost sensor can diagnose bacterial infections

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 27, 2011

The genius of bacteria

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.

Cholera strain in Haiti matches bacteria from south Asia

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 9, 2010

Student research team sequences genome of bacterium discovered in Virginia Tech garden

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...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateApr 21, 2010

Animals now picking up bugs from people, study shows

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.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2009

Making more efficient fuel cells

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.

The tiny difference in the genes of bacteria

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.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 30, 2009

Bacteria from the deep can clean up heavy metals

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.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJun 4, 2009

Universal vaccination associated with decreased Canadian cases of most deadly strain of meningitis

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.

SourceChild & Family Research Institute·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateMar 2, 2009

Bacteria in urinary tract infections caught making burglar's tools

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...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 19, 2009

Dog owners more likely to share germs with pets by not washing hands than by sleeping with dog

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.

SourceKansas State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Veterinary Research·DateJan 27, 2009

From poison to prevention

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...

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 12, 2009