Scientists have discovered a new layer of regulation in plant-microbe interactions using peanut studies. An antisense long-noncoding RNA, DONE40, was found to bind to a protein involved in epigenetic control, suggesting a conserved function across plants and animals.
SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022
Researchers created a model system to study the ultrasmall bacteria TM7 and found that they acquired a gene cluster encoding the arginine deiminase system, which helps them survive and multiply in the human oral cavity. This discovery suggests that TM7 may play a more protective role in oral health than previously thought.
SourceForsyth Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2022
A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy by converting it into a short-chain fatty acid called acetate, which boosts the immune system. Adult carriers have lower BMI, weight, and fat percentage, while children may experience negative consequences from consuming sugar.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalGastroenterology·DateDec 22, 2021
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalmSphere·DateDec 13, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new study explores how plants respond differently to useful and harmful microbes, revealing that accessory chromosomes from fungal strains dictate these responses. Most plant genes are expressed similarly in response to both beneficial and pathogenic fungi, but with key differences occurring just 12 hours after interaction.
SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2021
Researchers discovered that these 'meat-eating' bees have a unique gut microbiome enriched with acid-loving bacteria, similar to those found in vultures. The bees' ability to eat dead bodies is surprising, but they can also store honey and have special chambers for meat storage.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalmBio·DateNov 23, 2021
Researchers created novel frog models to replicate polycystic kidney disease, allowing for real-time observation of disease processes. AI analysis enabled rapid assessment of disease in the tiny animals.
SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalDevelopment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 5, 2021
A study found that climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, with plankton at the poles being particularly badly damaged by rising temperatures. In temperate zones, they'll suffer from reduced nutrient flows, while in the tropics, increased salinity will affect them.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 14, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers found evidence of two fungal species used in blue cheese and beer production in ancient feces from Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. The findings suggest that people consumed blue cheese and beer during the Iron Age, nearly 2,700 years ago, and retained a non-Westernized gut microbiome structure until the Baroque period.
SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021
Scientists have developed a method to produce strigolactones, a group of plant hormones that prevent excessive budding and branching. By combining yeast and bacteria, researchers can synthesize these hormones from microbes, providing a promising alternative to traditional methods.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2021
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new method for detecting single DNA molecules directly from individual cells, eliminating the need for subsequent steps. The 3D-integrated nanopore allows for efficient delivery of released DNA molecules to the sensing zone, enabling robust detection and analysis.
SourceOsaka University·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021
Scientists from Bigelow Laboratory discovered microorganisms in crustal rock beneath the Atlantic Ocean, using a new method to study them. The findings show that these microbes survive mostly off carbon from seawater, with some possibly using carbon monoxide for energy.
SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021
A team of researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that soil microbes facilitate heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, in hybrid corn. In most cases, heterosis is restored by inoculation with a simple community of seven bacterial strains under sterile conditions.
SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2021
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.
Parasites produce gametes through a unique cell division process that differs from traditional biology. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of sexual reproduction in microbes and its potential impact on disease-causing strains.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 11, 2021
A new study found that decades of corn breeding led to a degradation of sustainable nitrogen-fixing microbes in the soil, contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers recreated the history of corn breeding from 1949 to 1986 and found modern corn varieties recruit fewer beneficial microbes than earlier varieties.
SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateMar 16, 2021
Researchers used models to predict cross-feeding interactions between microbes in the human gut, which could aid doctors in understanding gut health. The model was supported by genomic annotations and accurately predicted about 65% of its predictions.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 1, 2021
A study found that trophoblastic β1-glycoproteins in pregnant women's blood suppress pro-inflammatory immune cells and reduce inflammation. The substance may help prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and autoimmune diseases.
SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalBMC Immunology·DateFeb 10, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Researchers have developed a method to modify microbes for efficient production of compounds using computational models and CRISPR-based gene editing. This approach speeds up the research and development phase, enabling faster commercialization of sustainable bio-based products.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2020
A OU-led study integrates omics data into ecosystem models to better predict soil carbon loss due to warming-induced adaptation in microbial communities. The findings suggest a more nuanced understanding of the ecological consequences of climate warming.
SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 29, 2020
A $1.3 million DOE grant is funding a five-year collaboration to examine the genetic and environmental factors affecting mycorrhizal symbioses in field conditions. Researchers will use shotgun sequencing, artificial intelligence, and microscopy to understand how plants control their associations with beneficial fungi.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Researchers investigate how genetics influence rumen microbiome in cattle, seeking to identify host genomic markers for heritability. The study aims to manipulate microbiomes to enhance agricultural production and develop more sustainable cow-calf systems.
SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateAug 6, 2020
A team led by Maggie Wagner will study how plants and microbes adapt to drought, focusing on genetic changes in microbial communities. The research aims to understand the impact of drought on plant growth, health, and ability to withstand water stress.
A new study charts a potential path for preserving and restoring historic works by identifying microbial communities on art. Researchers found that microbes on wood and canvas surfaces can produce chemicals influencing decay rates.
SourceTerry Collins Assoc·JournalMicrobial Ecology·DateJun 18, 2020
Researchers studied 45 female colobus monkeys in Ghana to understand the impact of social groupings and distance on their gut microbiomes. They found that individuals from different groups with closer social connections had more similar gut microbiomes, suggesting microbes can be transmitted during occasional encounters.
SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateMay 11, 2020
A new study identifies lactate, a molecule produced by a common gut microbe, as a key memory-boosting molecular messenger. The researchers found that mice fed specific probiotics experienced improved memory, with increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in their brains.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalMicrobiome·DateApr 29, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
A team of international scientists has developed over 200 new genetic techniques for using marine microbes, overcoming a bottleneck in microbial oceanography. The tools enable researchers to study the cellular instructions that underpin microbial life and potentially harness beneficial applications.
SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 7, 2020
Researchers have made significant progress in gene editing tools for ocean microbes, enabling functional studies of thousands of new genes. This breakthrough has the potential to improve our understanding of life's origins, biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 6, 2020
A new study reveals that fish on Caribbean coral reefs harbor unique gut microbial communities, with some microbes living broadly in the ocean while others are resident to specific species. The researchers found 59 dominant types of microbes in five fish species.
SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·DateApr 1, 2020
Researchers found a diverse community of microbes that efficiently recycle and store organic compounds to survive in hostile environments far beneath the ocean floor. The study reveals genetic material suggests many lower crust microbes rely on carbon from their surroundings to obtain energy.
SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateMar 11, 2020
Researchers at Princeton University have found a link between microbes and cancer in threatened Santa Catalina foxes, with ear mites and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius playing a key role. The study shows that a shift in the microbiome allows antibiotic-resistant infection to take hold, leading to chronic inflammation and tumor growth.
SourcePrinceton University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateFeb 4, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A recent study analyzing over 12,000 microbial genomes found that every cell is genetically unique, defying conventional species definitions. The Global Ocean Reference Genomes Tropics database provides insights into global distribution patterns and energy sources of ocean microbes.
SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalCell·DateDec 12, 2019
A French-Spanish team of scientists has confirmed the absence of microbial life in Dallol's multi-extreme ponds. The researchers used various methods to detect and classify microorganisms, including massive sequencing of genetic markers and chemical analysis.
SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 22, 2019
A software tool called MetaMiner has been developed to identify bioactive molecules and their producing microbial genes for therapeutic use. The tool speeds up the discovery process, identifying 31 known RiPPs and seven new ones in about two weeks.
SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalCell Systems·DateOct 16, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers found distinct shifts in fruit fly genomes after feeding them different bacteria, racking up significant genomic changes. The study suggests that microbial community composition drives part of how organisms evolve.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2019
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that genetics has a greater impact on the microbiome of mice than their maternal birth environment. The researchers tested two different inbred laboratory strains of mice and found that the offspring's microbiomes were similar regardless of which parent was black ...
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJul 26, 2019
Researchers observed increased methanogenesis genes at upper layers of warming permafrost, while carbohydrate metabolism genes were more abundant at shallower depths. This study provides insight into tundra microbial responses to experimental warming.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 8, 2019
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.
Researchers identified a core microbiome in common dairy cows, which dictates productivity and methane emissions. By manipulating this microbiome, scientists may develop more eco-friendly agriculture practices.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 3, 2019
A new study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has discovered distinct microbial communities surrounding Caribbean corals. The research found that different types of coral have unique microbial communities living near them, with some species showing enriched presence in the seawater closer to corals.
SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateMay 21, 2019
Researchers found that microorganisms can use arsenic as an electron acceptor to extract energy from food, a strategy thought to be a holdover from Earth's early history. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying organisms that thrive in low-oxygen environments.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 1, 2019
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 identified genes encoding oxidoreductases as key attributes for characterizing global microbial communities. This approach provides a new diagnostic tool for assessing ecosystem services and developing management policies. The study sheds light on the critical role of microorganisms in planetary physiology.
SourceUniversidad de Concepción·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019
Researchers discovered a group of deep-sea microbes called Hydrothermarchaeota that thrive in extreme environments and have never been cultivated. These microbes use an unusual metabolic process to obtain energy from carbon monoxide and sulfate, which could provide insights into the evolution of life on Earth.
SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateFeb 7, 2019
Researchers discovered that tropical fish control their gut microbes to better survive extreme temperatures. The host's genetic background influences the microbiome's composition and response to temperature, with cold-resistant fish having a distinct core group of tolerant microbes.
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.
Researchers analyzed DNA from kissing bugs to understand the complex interactions between humans, parasites, and microbes involved in Chagas disease. The study found two strains of Trypanosome cruzi and a higher bacterial species richness in infected insects.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 18, 2018
A new study suggests that changing how microbes are classified can reveal clearer patterns of similarity between closely related mammals in terms of their gut microbiomes. The researchers propose an alternative approach to classification based on evolutionary history, which helps uncover meaningful units among microbes.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalmBio·DateOct 12, 2018
A University of Queensland-led study links microbial communities and biogeochemistry to rising greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost. The research, using sequencing techniques, identified new microorganisms involved in complex biochemical networks producing greenhouse gases.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 2018
Epimeron Inc. has isolated and characterized an enzyme from Ephedra sinica catalyzing a crucial step in ephedrine and pseudoephedrine production. The discovery paves the way for microbial fermentation-based production, offering a sustainable, secure, and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical processes.
SourceEpimeron Inc.·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 10, 2018
A study identified 143 species-level taxa associated with plant genotype, regardless of environmental factors. This finding suggests heritable microbes could be selected for beneficial traits in plant breeding.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2018
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.
In a breakthrough study, microbes have been found to act like savvy investors when contributing to the common good. They adjust their investment strategy depending on how much they have at stake, maximizing returns in groups with mostly relatives and exploiting contributions in outnumbered groups.
SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2018
Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the timing and co-evolution of microbial groups by analyzing horizontal gene transfer among ancient microbes. This breakthrough provides relative age constraints for several microbial groups without reliable fossil evidence, including the Archaea.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 2, 2018
The study reveals that termites' gut microbiome is a complex factory producing sugars and proteins from wood and air, with up to 5000 different microbe species. Researchers discovered that microbes are shared across colonies, allowing termites to diversify their food source and achieve ecological dominance.
SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 8, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new method assesses microbial community structure by quantifying protein abundance, revealing more about the role of microbes in animal and plant health, disease, and environmental processes. The technique was tested in various environments, including Rocky Mountain alkaline soda lakes and human saliva, with promising results.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2017
Magdalena Osburn, a Northwestern University geobiologist, has been awarded a $875,000 Packard Fellowship to study 'microbial dark matter', or unknown microbes that have evaded cultivation in the lab. Her research will explore how these microorganisms interact with their environments and produce chemical signatures.
The CAMI challenge ranked metagenome interpretation tools to provide a roadmap for biologists. Biologists face challenges due to the high number of tools and limited accuracy assessments.
SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 17, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between host animals, their microbial community, and methane production in a study that won the PLOS Genetics Research Prize. The study found that certain microbial profiles can be used to recognize cattle that use feed more efficiently while emitting less methane.
A new study analyzes thousands of new measurements of microbial communities from various sites in the body, providing insights into how microbes work together to maintain human health. The research identifies differences unique to an individual's microbes and tracks them across the body over time.
SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNature·DateSep 20, 2017
A recent study has uncovered millions of previously unknown genes from microbial communities in the human gut, skin, mouth, and vaginal microbiome. The research triples the amount of data previously analyzed and provides new insights into the role these microbes play in human health and disease.
SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateSep 20, 2017
Researchers found that microbes associated with native species provide resistance to invasion, while those with invaders break down this resistance and may poison native plants. The study suggests a new way to restore the balance of microbial communities in sediments to reduce the risk of invasive marine species.
SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 14, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A new gene catalog of ocean microbes has revealed nutrient limitation as a central driver in the evolution of their genomes. The study found that microbial genomes change drastically with depth, adapting to varying levels of nitrogen availability.
SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature Microbiology·DateAug 17, 2017
A new study reveals that amplicon sequencing is more robust than shotgun sequencing in discovering microbial biodiversity, with 27% more families identified. The research has significant repercussions for future analyses of microbial diversity.
SourceThe City University of New York·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 26, 2017
Researchers have sequenced genomes of microorganisms in Aarhus Bay's subsurface seabed, showing they grow in slow motion with generation times up to 100 years. The extreme environment leads to low adaptability and minimal energy availability.
SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 20, 2017