Articles tagged with Microbial Physiology
A global team of scientists, led by University of Houston microbiologist Madhan Tirumalai, has identified the critical role of biofilms in human space exploration. Biofilms could influence astronaut health, drug delivery and space agriculture, while also posing risks to astronaut health.
Researchers developed wearable devices that track hydrogen levels in flatus to better understand gut microbial metabolism. The Human Flatus Atlas project aims to establish normal ranges for flatulence production, helping to identify excessive gas complaints and inform dietary interventions.
Researchers discovered that mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) can block a key enzyme involved in blood pressure control and offer antioxidant effects. MAAs are naturally occurring compounds found in algae and cyanobacteria, which also act as natural sunscreens.
Researchers discovered that an insect-pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana can turn the defensive substances of bark beetles into more toxic aglycones. These aglycones serve as an effective defense against fungi and increase fungal infestation, particularly in beetles with high phenol content.
Researchers have discovered a novel natural compound, β-glucose-bound hydroxy mycosporine-sarcosine, produced by thermophilic cyanobacteria that can provide UV protection. The compound's unique biosynthesis pathway and chemical modifications contribute to its enhanced antioxidant potential.
A team of researchers found that ants produce multiple classes of antimicrobials and compounds targeted to specific microbes, offering a potential solution to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Ant extracts were highly effective against emerging human superbugs like Candida auris.
Researchers found that stool metabolites accurately reflect dietary intake and gut microbiome responses, identifying key food groups and associated compounds. The study suggests a powerful indicator of future heart disease risk, potentially offering more insight than diet scores alone.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses the type VI secretion system (T6SS) to counterattack when attacked by other bacteria, but this defense mechanism also makes it more vulnerable to antibiotics.
A collaboration of bacteria, including Sporosarcina pasteurii and Chroococcidiopsis, produces natural cement-like materials that can turn Martian regolith into solid concrete. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize construction on Mars and provide benefits for habitat integrity and life-support systems.
Scientists have created a comprehensive picture of bacterial stator evolution, revealing how these ancient proteins propelled bacteria 3.5-4 billion years ago.
Researchers found that a compound produced by Lactobacillus bacteria can reverse liver and gut damage caused by aflatoxin exposure. The molecule, 10-hydroxystearic acid, activated PPARα signaling to repair liver tissue and support gut health.
Viruses that infect and kill toxic algal blooms can cause the release of high levels of toxin microcystin-LR into water, posing a significant risk to human health and ecosystems. The finding highlights the need for better understanding of these interactions to inform forecasting and mitigation strategies for harmful algal blooms.
A new study from researchers at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity offers fresh insights into why many microorganisms fail to grow in the lab. The study suggests that the survival of microbes depends on a hidden web of relationships between species, which can collapse with small structural changes.
A new study provides a method to estimate sample size required for microbiome studies based on effect sizes and analysis methods. For strong associations, around 500 participants were needed to achieve 80% statistical power, while weaker associations may require thousands of samples.
A recent study suggests that Saturn's moon Titan could support simple, microscopic life forms due to its abundant organic content. However, the amount of biomass that can exist in this environment is likely to be extremely limited, possibly only a few pounds.
Researchers discovered that sulfur bacteria from the Desulfobacteraceae family work together like a team to break down diverse organic compounds. By analyzing six strains, they found similar molecular strategies and a highly energy-efficient central metabolism pathway, enabling them to thrive in oxygen-free environments.
Researchers developed a 3D microscopic version of the human intestines on a chip, allowing for real-time examination of gut microbes' interactions with the human intestine. The 'Gut-Microbiome on a chip' model enables the study of complex interplay between gut microbes and health, facilitating targeted microbiome-based interventions.
Researchers have cataloged the microbiome of US rivers, finding high levels of antibiotic resistance genes near wastewater treatment plants. The study also reveals that microbes play a significant role in shaping river health and can predict water quality under current and future scenarios.
A new study has identified novel strains of microbes that have adapted to use limited resources in cities, including those found in Hong Kong's subways and skin. These microbes can metabolize manufactured products, posing health risks if they are pathogenic.
Researchers discovered that two species of marine bacteria work together to produce vitamin B12, essential for metabolism and survival of many marine organisms. The bacteria release building blocks into the water, which are then combined to form the vitamin through a complex process involving viral infection.
Researchers studied Prorocentrum cordatum to understand its molecular processes, revealing a unique photosynthetic machinery that may help it adapt to changing light conditions. The findings could lead to improved understanding of harmful algal blooms and their role in climate change.
A study by researchers from Japan has revealed that cysteine persulfide, produced by cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase, regulates cellular longevity in budding yeast. The study found that introducing supersulfides can reverse detrimental effects on mitochondrial energy metabolism and protein quality.
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.
Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria can form special cells that survive for long periods in a dormant state, making antibiotic treatment challenging. The discovery could lead to new treatment concepts by targeting proteins involved in the transition to this slumber state.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that high-fat diets change gut bacteria and bile acids, leading to inflammation and affecting intestinal stem cell replenishment. The altered bile acids cause inflammation and increase cancer risk in mice.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans promotes a diverse gut microbiota composition. The researchers analyzed data from the American Gut Project and discovered that individuals with higher diet quality had a greater abundance of beneficial bacteria involved in fiber metabo...
The study reveals unexpected mechanisms that enable Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1 T to adapt to changing environments. By analyzing its metabolic network, researchers developed a model to predict growth under diverse conditions.
Researchers have isolated two new bacterial species from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which break down the protective mucus layer of the gut. The bacteria, Allobaculum mucilyticum and Allobaculum fili, are highly efficient at degrading intestinal mucus, leading to potent immune responses.
Long-term use of systemic antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to reduced bone mass accrual and impaired skeletal maturation. Researchers found that minocycline therapy causes changes to the gut microbiome, disrupting normal communication between the liver and small intestine.
Researchers at UTIA are studying feed efficiency in pregnant Angus heifers to improve the overall sustainability of beef production. The team is examining the impact of pregnancy on rumen environment and nutritional changes, aiming to provide producers with strategies to improve feed efficiency and calf quality.
An international research team analyzed the microbial community living on the carapaces of deep-sea squat lobsters, finding a diverse microbiome that likely provides benefits to both organisms. The microbes utilize energy-rich chemical compounds, while the squat lobsters may use them as a source of nutrients or have them remove toxic s...
A new bacterial strain, Noda2021, belonging to Candidatus phylum Dependentiae has been isolated and sequenced, revealing its genetic material and potential ecological significance. This discovery sheds light on the diversity of microorganisms in Japan's microbiological hotspots.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a specific type of bacteria, Weissella, becomes dominant in the gut microbiomes of locusts when they form swarms. This change may provide the bacteria with an evolutionary advantage, allowing them to spread and infect more locusts.
Research from the Marine Biological Laboratory reveals that sea anemones are severely impacted by pollutants in their native habitats. The study found that exposure to common pollutants like phthalates and potassium nitrate led to decreased body size, fewer tentacles, and reduced stinging cells.
Researchers have discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Nitrosopumilus maritimus, can produce oxygen in the absence of sunlight, possibly deep below the ocean surface. These microbes play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle and remove bioavailable nitrogen from the environment.
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.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have identified a soil microorganism that initiates the breakdown of carminic acid, a natural red dye extracted from insects. The discovery provides insight into the chemical reaction and its occurrence in nature.
Researchers found that heat-tolerant coral species retain heat tolerance in nurseries, resulting in reduced bleaching and maintained genetic diversity. Selecting these colonies could aid the development of climate-resilient corals for reef restoration.
Researchers found that leaf-eating primates share few gut microbial characteristics, while closely related species have similar microbes regardless of diet. This suggests that host evolutionary relationships play a more significant role in shaping the gut microbiome than diet.
Biologists found a new substance, isocitric acid, with anti-oxidant properties that increased the survival rate of infusoria by 25-31 times compared to untreated cells. The compound also surpassed the effects of ascorbic acid, offering a promising solution for protecting living organisms from various toxic compounds.
A high-fat diet changes the populations of bacteria residing in the gut, altering signaling to the brain and leading to overeating. The study found that this shift can cause inflammation in brain regions responsible for feeding behavior, resulting in gut-brain miscommunication and obesity.