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Vaping zebrafish suggest E-cigarette exposure disrupts gut microbial networks and neurobehavior

A study published in Science of The Total Environment found that e-cigarette exposure alters gut microbiota composition and affects neurobehavior in zebrafish. The researchers observed disruptions in the gut microbiome, with reduced microbial network stability and altered community composition, suggesting potential health risks.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

NUS Medicine study reveals how antimicrobial resistance spreads from gut bacteria to potentially dangerous hospital superbugs

Researchers at NUS Medicine discovered that genetic vectors can efficiently spread antibiotic resistance within the gut, enabling even highly virulent bacteria to acquire drug resistance. This finding sheds light on the emergence of 'superbugs' in healthcare settings.

Breath carries clues to gut microbiome health

Researchers have found that chemicals in exhaled breath can reveal the composition of the bacteria living in the intestines, providing a potential non-invasive test for monitoring and diagnosing gut health issues. Breath samples from children with asthma were able to predict the presence of the bacterium linked to the condition.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2026

Expert consensus on clinical applications of fecal microbiota transplantation for chronic liver disease (2025 edition)

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds promise in treating chronic liver diseases by restoring gut-liver axis balance. The consensus recommends FMT for various etiologies, excluding drug-induced liver injury, with strict donor selection and management guidelines to ensure safety.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJan 22, 2026

Probiotics combined with antidiabetic drugs overcome the “drug black hole,” achieving enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity

Researchers discovered a probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B960, that enhances the glucose-lowering effects of glibenclamide with minimal degradation. This combination therapy reduces fasting blood glucose levels and improves pancreatic function while alleviating hepatotoxicity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJan 20, 2026

Maternal microbiome compound may hold key to preventing liver disease

A study from the University of Oklahoma suggests that maternal indole supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of fatty liver disease in children. The research found that offspring whose mothers received indole maintained healthier livers and had lower blood sugar levels, even after exposure to a Western-style diet later in life.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Microbes may hold the key to brain evolution

A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University found that changes to the gut microbiome can change the way the brain works across different primate species. The researchers discovered patterns of gene expression associated with conditions like ADHD and schizophrenia in mice with microbes from smaller-brained primates.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

Fecal tests reveal active termite attacks

Researchers have developed a new test that uses microbes to determine the age of termite droppings, allowing for rapid on-site infestation assessments. The study found that the amount of DNA from E. coli bacteria in the pellets decreases significantly over time, with a nearly 190-fold drop by the 12-month mark.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateDec 10, 2025

Marriage, emotional support may protect against obesity through brain-gut connection, study finds

A new study published in Gut Microbes reveals that married individuals with higher perceived emotional support have a lower body mass index and fewer food addiction behaviors. The study found that oxytocin pathways linking the brain, gut microbiome, and eating behaviors play a crucial role in shaping obesity risk.

Unraveling the fungi-cancer connection

Research highlights the connection between fungi and cancer, revealing that fungal microbiome can promote tumour progression and activate immunosuppressive pathways. Modulating the fungal microbiome may enhance antitumour immunity, with preliminary validation from preclinical and clinical trials.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateDec 2, 2025

Probiotics and prebiotics offer safer alternatives to antibiotics in animal agriculture

A study by Shinshu University researchers highlights the potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to enhance livestock gut health, immunity, and growth while reducing dependence on antibiotics. The findings support sustainable livestock management and contribute to reducing antimicrobial resistance risks.

SourceShinshu University·JournalVeterinary Research Communications·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 1, 2025

The road ahead: Why conserving the invisible 99% of life is fundamental to planetary health

A new paper outlines a global coalition dedicated to conserving microbial biodiversity, which accounts for 99% of life on Earth. The Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will develop Red List-compatible metrics, pilot restoration projects, and promote public awareness to ensure microbes are recognized as essential to planetary health.

SourceApplied Microbiology International·JournalSustainable Microbiology·DateNov 20, 2025

Eating lean beef as part of a healthy diet may not increase heart disease risk

Researchers found that eating a Mediterranean diet with moderate portions of lean beef did not increase blood levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), an emerging indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. This suggests that dietary quality is more important than the amount of beef eaten in relation to heart health.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 18, 2025

Medications change our gut microbiome in predictable ways

Research reveals that medications can reshape the trillions of microbes in the gut by competing for nutrients, leading to predictable changes in the microbiome. The study provides a framework for predicting how a person's microbial community might change with a given drug, potentially helping scientists find ways to prevent side effects.

SourceStanford University·JournalCell·DateNov 17, 2025

Gut microbiota: implications in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic target in primary biliary cholangitis

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of gut microbiota dysbiosis in PBC, with reduced diversity and imbalanced flora contributing to disease progression. The gut microbiome a...

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateNov 10, 2025

Groundbreaking review reveals how gut microbiota influences sleep disorders through the brain-gut axis

A comprehensive review synthesizes current insights into the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, highlighting the crucial role of peripheral organs in modulating brain function and behavior. Disruptions in gut microbiota composition are closely linked to sleep disturbances across multiple disorders.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 4, 2025

A nose for microbes: how hunger tunes the brain

A study from the Champalimaud Foundation found that when fruit flies are deprived of essential amino acids, their brains upregulate two olfactory receptor genes involved in smell, leading to a refined sense of smell that guides them to protein-rich yeast and gut bacteria. This interplay between smell and taste regulates feeding behavior.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2025

Non-hibernating pikas' protein restriction tweaks their gut microbiome to help them survive the winter, when winter-active herbivores often struggle to find dietary protein

Researchers discovered that non-hibernating pikas alter their gut microbiota to increase urea nitrogen salvaging, maintaining protein homeostasis during winter. This adaptation helps the animals cope with the scarcity of dietary protein during the cold season.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2025