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How disease-causing E. coli quickly finds a new way to grip human cells—revealing a possible target for future treatments

Researchers discovered how E. coli bacteria can quickly adapt to attach to human cells when they lose one of their main attachment mechanisms, and found that this process can lead to stronger attachment and more effective infection. The findings suggest a possible target for future treatments that could prevent bacterial attachment and...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2026

Brain aging may be detected decades before symptoms appear, with links to gut health

A new UCLA study has found a connection between brain aging and gut biology, suggesting that people's brains may be aging decades before symptoms appear. The study, published in eBioMedicine, analyzed brain scans and stool samples to identify a link between brain communication patterns, gut bacteria, and brain aging.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2026

As probiotic use surges, microbiome-supportive food consumption stagnates

A study found that probiotic supplement use increased 287% among adults and 786% among young people, while fiber intake remained unchanged, between 2009 and 2023. Probiotic users consumed more high-microbial foods and fiber content than non-users, but these beneficial diet habits may be decreasing due to supplement use.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 8, 2026

Bacteria can make testosterone. What could that mean for prostate cancer?

Researchers discovered a bacterium in urine that can convert DHEA into testosterone, shedding light on a previously unknown microbial route to a hormone central to prostate biology. This finding raises new questions about the potential role of microorganisms near the prostate in shaping its chemical environment.

SourceAuburn University Department of Physics·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

What happens when a shoreline scavenger consumes microplastics?

Researchers found altered gene expression in wharf roach guts after consuming expanded polystyrene, but no significant impact on lifespan. The gut microbiome showed little change, but rare microbes were detected in EPS-fed specimens. This highlights the need to manage EPS waste carefully and prioritize coastal cleanup efforts.

SourceKyushu University·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

Can Earthly microbes survive on the moon? Scientists say yes (in the shade)

A new study published in Science Advances found that bacteria and fungi from Earth can survive for at least a week in shaded nooks and crannies around the lunar south pole. The study's findings highlight the need to better understand microbial persistence in extreme lunar environments, which is crucial for future space missions.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 20, 2026

Burying crop residues deeper could help protect maize from ear rot and mycotoxins

A three-year field study found that deeper straw incorporation reduced maize ear rot and mycotoxin contamination while improving soil health and microbial communities. The study suggests that optimizing straw management strategies could turn a familiar practice into a more effective tool for soil health and food safety.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalAgricultural Ecology and Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2026

Oak leaves harbor distinct microbial worlds on their opposite surfaces

Researchers found that upper and lower surfaces of oak leaves support different microbial communities, with the upper surface hosting stress-tolerant genera and the lower surface favoring sugar-fermenting taxa and insect-associated bacteria. The two sides show striking seasonal divergence in terms of diversity and abundance.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 10, 2026

AI and robotics accelerate search for better gut microbiome therapies

Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to systematically develop novel probiotic and prebiotic combinations to maintain gut health and treat gastrointestinal diseases. The approach uses machine learning and automation to explore complex interactions between microbes, nutritional sources, and the environment.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2026

Engineered microbial communities offer a faster route to removing herbicide residues from soil

Researchers develop synthetic microbial communities to degrade persistent herbicides, improving degradation rates by 1.5-3 times compared to individual strains or natural attenuation. The approach promotes more complete mineralization of pollutants and resilience in complex soil environments.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalAgricultural Ecology and Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 27, 2026

Floating colonies: engineering three-dimensional microbial architectures in liquid cultures

A new liquid-based platform called 'floatony' can form and maintain complex three-dimensional microbial structures while preserving molecular diffusion, spatial structures, and cell mobility. This approach could offer new ways to study gut microbiota, biofilms, and other spatially organized microbial communities.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalBiofabrication·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2026

When it comes to brain health, is microbiome science missing much of the world?

A new study argues that the microbiome-gut-brain axis has been predominantly studied in wealthy, industrialised nations, limiting scientific discovery. The authors call for greater international collaboration and investment in research infrastructure to uncover universal biological principles that can improve mental health worldwide.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 20, 2026

Healthy infant microbiomes appear to protect against malaria

A study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found that healthy infant gut microbiomes are linked to reduced risk of malaria. Babies with beneficial microbes like Bifidobacterium were less likely to develop the disease. However, further research is needed to confirm this association.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2026

Postbiotic foods for improving gum health

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo found that postbiotic foods can improve gum health in adults with mild gingivitis, reducing gum bleeding and inflammation. The study suggests a simple way to support oral health without altering oral care habits.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of Periodontology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2026

Can probiotics help treat depression?

A pilot clinical trial found that adding probiotics to standard care reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults with moderate depression. However, probiotics did not confer clear additional gains in quality of life compared to a placebo.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 17, 2026

Clarifying the interplay between host and gut microbiota in selenium metabolism

Researchers investigated the interplay between host and gut microbiota in selenium metabolism, finding that gut microbiota transform selenium into metabolites influencing utilization, detoxification, and excretion. The study also revealed that Se intake affects bacterial diversity and that gut microbes produce unique selenometabolites.

SourceChiba University·JournalFood Bioscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

One simple trick makes zebrafish a better model for microbiome research

Researchers developed a new method to raise germ-free zebrafish using gamma irradiation, enabling long-term studies of host-microbe interactions. This approach revealed significant differences between germ-free and intact zebrafish, suggesting conserved roles for microbiomes in immunity and metabolism across species.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalmSystems·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Researchers link specific microbiomes to archaeological bone degradation

A study published in PLOS One analyzed microbial communities in well-preserved and degraded bones from medieval cemeteries in Norway. The researchers found distinct microbial communities associated with different levels of degradation, suggesting that microbes play a role in bone preservation and decay.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2026

Colorectal cancer risk linked to gut microbiome alterations

A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that gut microbiome alterations persist even after adenoma removal, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer. The researchers discovered that diet and physical activity were closely tied to CRC-associated gut microbes, suggesting lifestyle habits may contribute to sustained risk.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2026

Head impacts associated with altered gut microbiome in football players

Researchers tracked six NCAA Division I football players over a season and found that non-concussive head impacts correlated with changes to the gut microbiome. The study suggests that even sub-symptomatic head impacts might affect the gut microbiome, both in the immediate aftermath of injury and over a longer time course.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026