A team of scientists has identified a specific group of giant bacteria, Epulopiscium, that dominate the intestines of Red Sea surgeonfish and enable them to digest different types of algae. The discovery sheds light on the basis of surgeonfish diversity and provides a valuable genetic resource for developing algal-based biofuels.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2017
Scientists will investigate the variation in benefits of plant-bacteria symbioses in California, focusing on evolution, ecology, and genetics. The five-year Dimensions of Biodiversity award aims to develop a predictive framework for understanding these interactions.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateSep 8, 2017
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Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers found that cilia play an active role in filtering bacteria by creating a vortical flow field, and shorter cilia mix the local flow to enhance chemical screening. Cilia are essential for selective recruitment of symbiotic bacteria, as their dysfunction can lead to pulmonary conditions and infertility.
SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2017
Researchers discovered a bacterium that stimulates single-cell saltwater dwellers to form colonies and mate, providing insight into eukaryote-bacterium interactions. The study also revealed the production of chondroitin in primitive organisms, challenging evolutionary timelines.
SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateSep 6, 2017
A new study reveals that certain microorganisms in symbiotic relationships are constantly being replaced and discarded by their hosts. The researchers found that the genome of these microorganisms undergoes significant changes, losing genes over time and ceasing to be useful to the host.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 27, 2017
Researchers tracked 106 bacterial symbioses in animal, plant, and fungi species, finding that vertically transmitted bacteria are better for hosts. Removing these bacteria can have a significant negative impact on the host, while horizontally transmitted bacteria have less impact.
Researchers have discovered a giant shipworm, Kuphus polythalamia, with a unique symbiotic relationship between bacteria and the animal, which converts sulfur gas into nutrients. This finding may provide insights into how humans can adapt to tolerate beneficial bacteria and how these bacteria cause infections.
SourceNortheastern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2017
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Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Scientists sequenced the genomes of symbiotic bacteria from human lice and their closely related monkey lice counterparts. The data revealed a single-trunked tree suggesting the bacteria have been associated with lice for millions of years.
SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 14, 2017
Binghamton University researchers developed a micro-scale self-sustaining bacterial fuel cell that generated power for 13 straight days through symbiotic interactions of two types of bacteria. The cell produced an electrical current about 70 times greater than phototrophic bacteria alone.
SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateMar 22, 2017
A KAUST-led research team found that certain bacteria in corals' microbiomes can adapt to higher water temperatures and provide protection against bleaching. The study suggests that these symbiotic relationships could be vital for corals' survival in a rapidly warming ocean.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
The splitfin flashlight fish uses bioluminescence to detect and feed on plankton at night. Blinking patterns were found to be adjusted based on the presence of prey, indicating a context-dependent use of light.
Beneficial bacteria in the gut of moth larvae produce an antimicrobial agent that kills competing bacteria. The symbionts ensure a healthy gut flora and reduce infection risk, making them a potential tool for controlling agricultural pests.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered a bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, releases an enzyme that induces choanoflagellates into full mating frenzy. This finding suggests bacteria may influence animal mating.
SourceAmerican Society for Cell Biology·DateDec 6, 2016
Researchers found that intact nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is necessary for taxonomically diverse and distinctive bacterial communities in legumes. This symbiotic relationship allows legumes to thrive in limited nitrogen environments and may also benefit non-legume plants.
SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2016
The legume-rhizobia symbiosis significantly impacts the microbial community in plant roots, leading to changes in bacterial composition and stability. The absence of symbiosis results in drastic alterations to the root microbiome, affecting plant growth and nitrogen uptake.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 14, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers discovered that midwater crustaceans have transparent bodies and optical coatings on their legs and bodies that reduce reflections by up to 250-fold. The coatings appear to be made of living bacteria, with each species having its own symbiotic optical bacteria. This discovery has potential technological applications.
SourceDuke University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 27, 2016
Researchers discover that certain bacteria can fix nitrogen, a limiting nutrient in the ocean. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient marine ecosystems and potentially even 'fertilize' the surrounding habitat.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 24, 2016
A newly discovered bacterium divides by orienting its plane parallel to its axis and dividing asynchronously, challenging traditional cell biology theories. This unique method may provide an evolutionary advantage to the symbiont, allowing it to remain faithful to its host.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 11, 2016
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Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A new study reveals that increased temperatures from global warming can collapse symbiotic gut bacteria in insects, leading to severe fitness defects and death. The research highlights the impact of rising temperatures on organisms living in symbiosis, sparking deleterious chain reactions.
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateOct 4, 2016
A new study suggests that gut bacteria in modern humans and apes coevolved for millions of years to help shape their immune systems. Researchers found that bacterial species distinct to one host were rarely transferred to other hosts, indicating unique patterns of evolution along with their hosts.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 21, 2016
Research reveals that social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum relies on its symbiotic bacteria to protect itself from environmental toxins, despite having fewer detoxifying sentinel cells. The bacteria help shield the amoebae from toxins, enabling them to thrive even in toxic environments.
Researchers found that bacteria in roundworms are loyal to their hosts, while those in segmented worms prefer local locations, with external tenants showing more long-term loyalty than internal cohabitants.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Biology·DateMar 11, 2016
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Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Scientists have discovered that an infection caused by the Burkholderia bacteria transforms non-farming social amoebae into farmers. These farmer amoebae gather bacteria, carry them to new sites and seed the soil with them, showcasing a complex symbiotic relationship between all three partners.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2015
The study demonstrates how the microbiota acts on the balance of the immune system, specifically blocking type 2 immune responses that lead to allergic reactions. By stimulating type 3 cells, which coordinate phagocytosis and killing of microbes, the researchers provide an innovative therapeutic approach for allergy treatment.
Researchers discovered how gut bacteria respond to changes in their environment by cooperating with each other, stabilizing the community and adapting to new situations. This cooperative behavior helps the bacterial community survive and function despite fluctuations in oxygen levels and nutrient availability.
SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 2, 2015
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers at the University of Montana have discovered evidence of non-adaptive evolution within cicadas, where a single bacterium has split into dozens of species, complicating the insect's symbiotic relationship. This complexity may be detrimental to the cicada's survival, as it relies on the bacteria for essential nutrients.
SourceThe University of Montana·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2015
Scientists found that firebug gut bacteria produce essential B vitamins, which are then used by the host to survive. The symbiotic relationship is not harmonious, as insects actively harvest the vitamins from their bacterial partners by bursting open cell walls.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·DateDec 1, 2014
A new study published in PLOS ONE shows that the bladderwrack's defense system against bacterial foulers works even at high temperatures and long periods of darkness. The seaweed's production of defensive compounds decreases under changed light or temperature conditions, but the overall defense remains effective.
SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 31, 2014
Researchers found that soil bacteria produce volatile compounds that make up part of the distinctive truffle smell. The study, published in Environmental Microbiology, sheds light on how symbiosis between fungi and microorganisms benefits both partners.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateSep 30, 2014
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Researchers have discovered that cicadas' gut bacteria split into two species about 5 million years ago, leaving them reliant on double the species to create essential nutrients. This event is an example of non-adaptive evolution, where genetic change occurred by chance without clear benefits for the organism.
A University of Montana research lab has made a groundbreaking discovery about the cicada's symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The study found that instead of two bacterial symbionts, there are actually three, including two previously unknown species of <i>Hodgkinia</i>. This new understanding of the symbiosis reveals a more complex...
SourceThe University of Montana·JournalCell·DateAug 28, 2014
New research reveals that plants use mechanical stimulation to respond to beneficial fungi and bacteria, enabling mutual exchanges of signals. This mechanism is essential for the symbiotic relationships between plants and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as legumes with rhizobia.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCurrent Opinion in Plant Biology·DateAug 27, 2014
The Hawaiian bobtail squid recruits and sustains a symbiotic association with Vibrio fischeri by utilizing the antimicrobial properties of its hemocyanin blood pigment. The protein also enables the squid to modulate oxygen levels, creating an environment conducive to the bacterium's growth.
University of Miami researchers found that an amino acid transporter regulates glutamine supply to symbiotic bacteria in pea aphids, enabling the exchange of essential nutrients. This simple mechanism allows the insect-bacteria partnership to adapt to changing demand for nutrients.
SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2014
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology reveals that beewolves control transmission of their bacterial symbionts to mother-to-offspring, stabilizing the alliance over millions of years. The symbiosis originated in the late Cretaceous and has persisted through 170 species of wasps.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2014
A new method for studying the relationship between skin cells and good bacteria was developed, revealing certain bacterial communities alter HIV's ability to infect. The discovery has potential applications in understanding how vaginal products interact with good and bad bacteria.
SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 27, 2014
Researchers have discovered a new type of bacterium in sponges that produces bioactive substances, including polyketides and peptides. The discovery, published in Nature, sheds light on the complex symbiotic relationships between sponges and bacteria, and could lead to breakthroughs in medical treatment.
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
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Researchers have identified a group of bacteria from the genus Burkholderia that can be used to fertilize crops without harming humans. These beneficial strains fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which helps plants thrive. The discovery has significant implications for sustainable agriculture in less productive areas.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 8, 2014
Scientists have found two strains of bacteria that work together to convert nitrogen into usable forms in the ocean. The partnership, between Thioploca and anammox, intensifies the nitrogen cycle and creates localized zones where fixed nitrogen is depleted faster than expected.
SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature·DateAug 7, 2013
Researchers discovered a three-way symbiosis involving six different organisms, including the smallest known genome, and found evidence of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and their hosts. This study sheds light on fundamental questions of life's origin and the role of symbiotic relationships in shaping organismal complexity.
SourceThe University of Montana·JournalCell·DateJun 20, 2013
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes discovered a novel way in which certain gut bacteria can inactivate Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen. The study found that cell contact between good and bad bacteria is necessary for this process to occur.
SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 23, 2013
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
A study found that symbiotic bacteria in squids use light and chemical signals to control circadian-like rhythms in the animals. The bacteria entrain gene expression in the squid's head, cycling proteins to synchronize daily rhythms. This discovery has implications for understanding clock genes in other animals, including humans.
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateApr 2, 2013
Researchers discovered that firebugs and cotton stainers rely on symbiotic bacteria to thrive on Malvaceous plant seeds. The bacterial community helps provide essential nutrients and detoxify toxic chemicals, making it a key factor in the bugs' survival and success.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateJan 9, 2013
Researchers discovered a new bacterium, human Sodalis, in the infected wound of a man who impaled his hand on a tree branch. The bacterium is related to Sodalis, a genus that lives symbiotically inside insects' guts, and may be used to block disease transmission by insects and prevent crop damage.
SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 26, 2012
Researchers discovered a new bacterium in an Indiana man's infected wound, revealing how insects domesticate bacteria. The strain, HS, has a relatively large genetic blueprint and is closely related to Sodalis-like bacteria that live in many insect species.
SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 15, 2012
Hyenas' scent glands harbor diverse microbial communities that produce unique chemical signatures, enabling clan recognition and social behavior. This symbiotic relationship highlights the importance of microbes in animal behavior, with future studies planned to explore their role further.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2012
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers have discovered that aphids' insect cells recycle nitrogen to build essential amino acids, contrary to previous thought. This finding suggests potential new targets for aphid-specific insecticides and highlights the complex interactions between the aphid and its bacterial symbiont.
A small marine worm can survive on poisonous carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide thanks to symbiotic bacteria that use these compounds to produce food for the worm. The worm has lost its entire digestive system over millions of years of evolution, relying solely on its symbionts for nutrition.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2012
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University aim to develop new treatments using human beta defensins triggered by Fusobacterium nucleatum-associated Beta-Defensin Inducer (FAD-I). FAD-I induces HBD peptides to block bacteria from entering the body, potentially preventing health conditions such as gum disease and tooth loss.
SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 3, 2011
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Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Lactobacillus reuteri, a gut bacterium that has evolved unique adaptations to specific hosts. The study provides new insights into how bacteria establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with their hosts.
SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateJun 30, 2011
Marine biologists have identified a 500-million-year-old symbiotic relationship between catenulid flatworms, like Paracatenula, and Alpha-Proteobacteria. The unique Riegeria symbionts have been found to account for up to 50% of the worm's tissue and are believed to be responsible for its nutrition.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2011
A new study from Tel Aviv University found that symbiotic bacteria inside a fruit fly greatly influence its choice of mates. The researchers isolated the bacterial species responsible for reproductive isolation in flies with diet-related mating preferences.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 2, 2010
A University of Illinois study shows that sulforaphane, a powerful cancer-fighting agent in broccoli, can be released by bacteria in the lower gut and absorbed into the body. This discovery raises the possibility of enhancing the activity of these bacteria to increase broccoli's cancer-preventive power.
SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalFood & Function·DateOct 22, 2010
Researchers discovered that aphids can produce carotenoids, essential nutrients crucial for vision, skin health, and bone growth. The yellowish-green aphid strain produced carotenoids by acquiring a fungal gene through lateral transfer, challenging conventional wisdom on animal nutrient production.
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered a crucial balance between beneficial and potentially harmful gut microbes that can either promote health or lead to diseases like IBD. The study reveals how altering this balance can affect the host's immune system, leading to inflammation.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateApr 25, 2010
The sequencing of the pea aphid genome uncovers extensive collaboration between the insect and its bacterial symbiont. This study has significant implications for understanding aphid biology and its impact on food supply and pesticide use.
SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 23, 2010
The pea aphid's genome shows evidence of duplicated genes, suggesting a 'back-up' system for genetic material. This allows for modifications through mutations, helping the aphid adapt to its environment and complex life cycles.
SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 22, 2010
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
A recent study found that herbivorous ant species host bacteria from the Rhizobiales order, which facilitate nitrogen fixation and enrich their diets. This symbiotic relationship enables these ants to thrive on nutrient-poor plant-based diets.
SourceField Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2009
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered that certain squids can perceive light through a light-emitting organ beyond their eyes. This finding may lead to new insights into controlling and perceiving light. The study suggests that the squid's light organ, which is also involved in camouflage, uses the same pro...
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2009
A UCR graduate student has discovered a new bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, closely related to citrus greening disease, that causes yellowing of tomato and potato leaves. The bacterium is vectored by the tomato/potato psyllid into host plants, resulting in yield losses up to 85% in commercial crops.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateAug 11, 2008
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Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.