Direct-to-consumer microbiome testing services claim to reveal a person's 'healthy' microbiome, but researchers argue that there is no scientifically agreed-upon definition and no clinical proof of effectiveness. The authors call for federal regulation and standards for analytical validity, reporting, and comparative testing.
Researchers at RIKEN found that gut bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium, are associated with higher chances of successful milk-allergy treatment. However, only 7 out of 28 children who underwent oral immunotherapy passed the food challenge after a two-week milk avoidance period.
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A new study has revealed that burn injuries significantly alter the composition of the gut microbiota and weaken the intestinal mucus barrier. The research, published in Burns & Trauma, employed advanced sequencing techniques to analyze the effects of burn injury on the gut microbiota and mucus barrier in mice.
Researchers found that secreted products from certain bacteria strains can reduce inflammation in gut-derived cell lines and improve airway health in mice with cystic fibrosis. The study suggests probiotics could be beneficial for kids with CF, providing a potential proof of concept.
A study found that maternal obesity increases the risk of developing liver disease and liver cancer in offspring, due to the transmission of an altered gut microbiota. The risk is significantly higher in mice fed a junk food diet, highlighting the importance of microbiome health.
A Stanford Medicine-led study tracked the gut, mouth, nose and skin bacteria of 86 people for up to six years, revealing a unique microbiome in each individual. The researchers found that bacteria most particular to an individual were the most stable, contradicting previous assumptions.
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Researchers found unique bacteria taxa in normal-weight children vs overweight/obese children, suggesting BPA promotes different microbial communities. Gut microbiota responds differently to BPA exposure depending on BMI.
Researchers have identified specific bacterial strains linked to a positive response to combination immunotherapy in rare gynaecological cancers, biliary tract cancers, and melanoma. A microbiome signature can predict individual responses to treatment, paving the way for personalized medicine and next-generation probiotics.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a bacterial enzyme, bile salt hydrolase, that produces new bile acid species in humans at birth, coinciding with the establishment of the gut microbiome. This discovery opens up new avenues for exploring the role of bile acids in human health and disease.
New research reveals that lockdowns had a significant impact on the gut microbiome development of babies born during these periods. Babies born during lockdown periods showed lower rates of allergic conditions compared to pre-pandemic babies, likely due to reduced infection and increased breastfeeding.
Research suggests a positive association between high diversity of gut bacteria, Segatella species, and cardiovascular health. Men who have sex with men tend to have higher bacterial diversity, which may be linked to their microbiome being more similar to non-Westernized populations.
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A new mouse study reveals that the gut microbiome interacts with the loss of female sex hormones to exacerbate metabolic disease. The research suggests that the gut microbiome contributes to weight gain, fat in the liver, and inflammation, particularly in women after menopause.
Researchers found a significant connection between disrupted gut microbiomes, increased intestinal permeability, and faster biological aging in people living with chronic HIV infection. The study highlights specific bacteria as potential accelerators of aging, opening new avenues for developing strategies to mitigate these effects.
The discovery reveals that microbes can conjugate bile acids beyond glycine and taurine, increasing diversity and function of bile acids. This challenges scientific dogmas and raises questions about the role of bacteria in gut health.
Recent research by scientists at Boyce Thompson Institute reveals that a specific fatty acid produced by gut bacteria directly influences fat metabolism in animals. This discovery sheds light on the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host metabolic health.
A study found that antibiotic use and high-fat diets reduced Clostridia gut microbes, leading to sorbitol intolerance. Restoring the balance with mesalazine may treat the condition.
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Researching astronauts' microbiomes is vital for long-term space missions, as the space environment can disrupt balance and have adverse consequences. Studying microorganisms in space can also aid in developing technologies like space agriculture and antimicrobial agents.
Researchers will analyze publicly available data using machine learning and computational methods to identify key species in a healthy microbial community. They plan to use this information to design a healthy microbiome model and assess its response to diseases, which could lead to targeted therapies and improved medication absorption.
A study found that a common food preservative called nisin, which kills pathogens in food, also harms beneficial gut bacteria. The researchers identified six different lantibiotics produced by the gut microbiome and tested their effects on both pathogens and commensal bacteria.
Researchers at Georgia State University found that segmented filamentous bacteria in the gut protect mice from severe respiratory viral infections. The study showed that this bacterial species alters immune cells in the lungs to resist infection, with potential implications for human diseases like COVID-19.
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Researchers found that specific microbes in the gut reduce graft versus host disease after stem cell transplantation. Patients with low microbial metabolite risk index had better survival rates, fewer graft vs. host reactions, and reduced relapses.
Cancer immunotherapy can cause severe colitis due to hyper-activated immune T cells and deleted regulatory T cells. Researchers at Michigan Medicine have identified a new mouse model that develops colitis after treatment with antibodies used for tumor immunotherapy, revealing the mechanism behind this side effect.
Research reveals bacteria in human gut use diverse enzymes to generate energy from organic compounds, producing metabolites with implications for human health. The study identifies 22 alternative metabolites used by three families of gut bacteria, showcasing their remarkable adaptability.
Researchers established a molecular link between specific B12-producing gut bacteria and acetylcholine production in C. elegans, a neurotransmitter important to memory and cognitive function. A diet rich in these bacteria reduced seizure-like behavior in mutant worms by restoring excitatory/inhibitory balance.
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Researchers identify microbial enzyme bilirubin reductase that converts bilirubin into urobilinogen, causing urine's yellow color. The discovery sheds light on the gut microbiome's role in ailments like jaundice and IBD.
A new study by University of California Riverside researchers found that high-fat diets affect not only obesity and colon cancer but also the immune system, brain function, and potentially COVID-19 risk. The study, which analyzed genetic changes in mice fed different types of fat, showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil ...
A recent study found that alterations in the human microbiome, including those in the gut, urinary, and salivary tracts, are linked to kidney stone formation. The research team discovered changes in these microbiomes were common among patients with kidney stones.
A study of 25 obese Chinese individuals reveals that intermittent energy restriction (IER) alters the gut microbiome and brain activity, leading to significant weight loss and reductions in obesity-related comorbidities. The changes are coupled over time, suggesting a complex relationship between the gut microbiome and brain.
A phase-one human clinical trial shows that Omadacycline causes a distinctly different effect on the gut microbiome than Vancomycin, making it a safe drug option for patients at high risk for C diff infection. The antibiotic achieves high concentrations in the gut quickly, reducing the risk of long-term colonization.
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A new UCLA study found that the ketogenic diet alters key gut microbiome functions related to fatty acid oxidation and amino acid metabolism in pediatric epilepsy patients. These changes confer seizure resistance in mice when transplanted fecal matter is used, holding promise for new microbiome-based therapies.
Researchers at University of Chicago Medical Center discovered a correlation between gut microbiome composition and postoperative infections in liver transplant patients. The study found that metabolites in fecal samples could predict infection risk with high accuracy, providing a potential diagnostic tool.
Research at University of Oxford found that diverse gut bacteria communities can block the growth of harmful pathogens, with certain species playing a crucial role. The communities work by consuming nutrients needed by the pathogen, and increasing diversity boosts protection.
Researchers identified naturally occurring biochemical components and key bacterial strains that process these components in a new therapeutic food. The study suggests that identifying these components can guide treatment with the current food formulation and enable creation of new, more effective formulations.
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Researchers found correlations between flaxseed diets and changes in the gut microbiome and mammary gland miRNA profiles. Flaxseed lignans were shown to modify the relationship between the microbiota and miRNAs to be non-cancer causing.
A review article links pesticide exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease through alterations in the gut microbiota. The authors recommend reducing or replacing agrochemicals and implementing coordinated efforts to develop standardized biomarkers for gut integrity and microbiome changes.
Researchers developed a new framework to predict how microbes interact with each other in unique compositions. Most microbes had minimal impact on the final outcome, with only select few playing crucial roles. The model has potential applications in personalized medicine and understanding microbiome assembly.
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Researchers have combined 14 studies on piglet gut bacteria to uncover common patterns in microbiome development over time. The analysis revealed predictable trajectories and important details at a fine time scale, with an accuracy of 70% in predicting animal age based on microbiomes.
Researchers found that 1,8-cineole inhibits inflammatory pathways in the gut, while ginsenoside Rk2 alleviates liver inflammation and restores intestinal barrier function. Another compound, specnuezhenide, modifies gut microbiota and has potential to inhibit colorectal tumor growth.
Scientists have identified a key genetic factor, abfA cluster, responsible for improving gut motility and alleviating constipation. The study found that Bifidobacteria longum strains with the abfA cluster can enhance arabinan utilization, leading to improved gastrointestinal transit time.
A new data-driven framework uses machine learning to identify keystone microbial species in human gut microbiomes, varying across communities. The study found that keystone species have context-dependent essentiality and can aid digestion, breaking down complex starches.
A new study has identified three novel viruses that target specific bacterial hosts in the human gut, paving the way for more effective phage therapy to combat antimicrobial resistance. The discovery could lead to new methods of improving gut health and metabolism.
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A new study found that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in prostate inflammation in aging men, particularly those with metabolic syndrome. The researchers discovered a strong relationship between IL-6 and IL-18 expression and lipid parameters in the prostate tissue of men with BPH + MetS.
Researchers identified two fungus strains, Cyberlindnera jadinii and Kluyveromyces lactis, with potential probiotic effects on gut inflammation. These strains may offer a new way to develop probiotics and treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
A recent meta-study found that consuming fruit and vegetables contributes positively to bacterial diversity in the human gut. The study discovered that early childhood is a critical window for colonization with plant-associated bacteria, which have probiotic properties.
Researchers identified a gut-lung axis driven by intestinal antimicrobial peptide expression and mediated by the intestinal microbiota that influences hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Supplemental lysozyme reduced lung injury in neonatal mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
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A diverse gut microbiome is linked to better health, and a new study reveals how to determine which species are important and interact to create a healthy balance. The findings have significant implications for conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.
Researchers found associations between PTSD and dietary patterns, specifically a Mediterranean diet rich in plant-based foods and fish. The study identified Eubacterium eligens as a protective species that may help alleviate PTSD symptoms.
A large-scale prospective study identified significant variations in the gut microbiome of individuals who developed pre-cancerous colonic lesions. These findings suggest that the microbiome could act as a valuable tool to improve existing tests, advancing early detection methods for colorectal cancer.
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A recent study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham has identified 19 specific Bacteroides vulgatus genes that are linked to early colonization after fecal microbe transplants. These genes are part of a commensal colonization factor complex that promotes stable and resilient colonization in mice, suggesting their potential role i...
Research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in forming a healthy placenta during pregnancy. Mice with depleted gut microbiomes had smaller placentas and less-developed blood vessels, which can deprive fetuses of nutrients. However, supplementing these mice with short-chain fatty acids restored placental growth.
A NUS study found that Blastocystis ST7 produces indole-3-acetyldehyde, which binds to immune cells, reducing gut tolerance and causing inflammation. Probiotic bacteria like lactobacillus may help negate its effects.
Researchers have identified viral components of the skin's microbiome that drive the development of innovative therapies for atopic dermatitis. Bacteriophages, or 'bacteria eaters', were found to help certain bacteria grow faster in AD patients, contributing to the overpopulation of the skin microbiome.
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A new framework aims to ensure Indigenous communities reap benefits from their microbiome samples, promoting equitable and beneficial research. Researchers highlight the need for community ownership of microbiomes, collaboration, and respect for Indigenous sovereignty.
Researchers found that training the gut's immune system to target flagellin, a protein enabling bacterial motility, protects against emulsifier-induced chronic intestinal inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. This study suggests a potential new approach for preventing inflammatory conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A study found that specific proteins in breast milk correlate with the abundance of certain gut microbes in infants, potentially playing a role in early immune and metabolic development. The research suggests a regulatory function of these proteins on the immune function of the gut microbiome in humans.
Babies with more mature gut microbiota at one year old are less likely to develop allergy-related wheeze or asthma. The study, which followed 1074 babies from birth to four years old, found that increased maturity of the gut microbiota was associated with a lower risk of these conditions.
Researchers at Prolacta and MD Anderson Cancer Center found a human milk-based synbiotic to safely control the gut microbiome in adults, opening the door to precision microbiome engineering. The study demonstrates significant precision in modulating adult gut microbiomes.
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Researchers have developed a human milk-based synbiotic that safely modulates damaged adult gut microbiomes. The study found that this symbiotic reshapes gut microbial composition and metabolites, offering new possibilities for treating dysbiotic conditions.
Research finds that infants born during the pandemic have fewer types of bacteria in their gut compared to those born earlier. The study suggests that social changes caused by the pandemic may have influenced this change, with potential implications for infant health.
A new study found that antibiotics promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut by providing extra nutrients, allowing these 'bad' bacteria to multiply. The research suggests that targeting beneficial bacteria can help restrict the growth of resistant bacteria, paving the way for microbiome therapeutics treatments.