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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

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

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

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

A role of paeoniflorin in mediating microbiota-gut-brain axis

A recent study found that paeoniflorin treatment corrected imbalances in gut microbiota and key metabolites associated with brain function in a rat model of chronic stress. This corrected the depressive behaviors in stressed rats, which were then transferred to other rats through the shared gut microbiota-metabolite axis.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2025

The dose-dependent effects of dissolved biochar on C. elegans: Insights into the physiological and transcriptomic responses

A study on C. elegans reveals that dissolved biochar affects nematode growth and physiology, with lower doses promoting development and higher doses disrupting normal functions. The findings highlight the need for careful dosing and oversight when deploying biochar in agricultural systems.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2025

Gut bacteria linked to how our genes switch on and off, UH research finds

A University of Hawaii study reveals how gut microbes interact with human genes, shaping disease risk, aging, and future medical treatments. The review highlights the potential for personalized medicine and precision health strategies tailored to each individual's unique microbial and epigenetic makeup.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 23, 2025

Can a healthy gut microbiome help prevent childhood stunting?

Researchers found that children with stable gut microbiomes tend to have better growth outcomes. The study created the first-ever pediatric undernutrition microbial genome catalog, which can predict and prevent malnutrition. This discovery opens the door to new diagnostics and therapeutics for addressing global child stunting issues.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateSep 9, 2025

How stress and social struggles fuel America’s obesity crisis

A new scientific review reveals that stress, hardship, and social challenges reshape a person's gut bacteria and brain performance, making it harder to keep weight off. Social determinants of health play a key role in obesity risk, and addressing these conditions is crucial for long-term solutions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 4, 2025

What gut bacteria like

Researchers have discovered that gut bacteria can recognize diverse chemical signals, including those from nutrients, DNA, and other metabolites. This allows them to detect and respond to nutritional values, suggesting that finding sources of nutrients is a primary function of motility in these bacteria.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2025

Welsh mine microbes mapped to help heat homes

A team of microbiologists has mapped the multitude of microbes present in mine water, influencing its chemistry and impact on geothermal energy capture. Understanding microbial activity is crucial for designing efficient and resilient geothermal systems.

SourceAberystwyth·JournalFEMS Microbiology Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2025

Gut bacteria can reveal colorectal cancer

Researchers created comprehensive catalogue of human gut microbiota subspecies and developed model predicting colorectal cancer presence from stool samples. The method detected 90% of cancer cases, outperforming current non-invasive detection methods.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeNews article·DateAug 25, 2025

Gut–immune–brain axis modulation of autism spectrum disorder using precision-selected probiotics

Researchers discovered a multi-faceted mechanism behind ASD, revealing the gut microbiota and host immune system's influence on disease progression. Precision-selected probiotics restored metabolic balance, reduced neuroinflammation, and ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in ASD mouse models.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 19, 2025

Tiny creatures, big insights: The microbial signature of the sea uncovered by copepods

A new study has discovered that the microbial signature of tiny planktonic crustaceans, called copepods, reflects ocean currents and environmental gradients more accurately than freely living microbes. This finding suggests that copepod-associated microbes could serve as valuable bioindicators for detecting shifts in marine ecosystems.

SourceIsrael Oceanographic and Limnological Research·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2025