A University of Maryland School of Medicine study has identified seven bacteria associated with increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth, while higher levels of a natural antimicrobial peptide may lower this risk. The findings hold promise for early diagnosis and prevention of premature births, particularly in African American women.
Researchers found that microbes on clownfish change when they live with anemones, suggesting a key role in the symbiotic relationship. The study also reveals that clownfish urinate on anemones, which helps them grow and thrive.
The study found that the microbial communities of corals' calcium carbonate skeletons showed greater richness compared to tissue and mucus microbiomes. This suggests that co-evolution between corals and their microbiomes occurred over time, with specific groups of microbes evolving together more recently.
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New research reveals that breastmilk and saliva interact to regulate the oral microbiome of newborn babies, boosting innate immunity. The combination releases antibacterial compounds that inhibit the growth of both harmless and harmful microorganisms.
Researchers used a microfluidic platform to screen the oral microbiome of Siberian brown bears and identified an antibiotic-producing strain of Bacillus pumilus that kills Staphylococcus aureus. The study also uncovered a mechanism by which Bacillus resists this antibiotic, suggesting its potential for discovering novel antibiotics.
A large population-based study identified variations in the tongue microbiota among community-dwelling elderly adults in Japan, showing an association with tooth conditions. The study found that a specific group of commensal bacteria were more predominant in those with fewer teeth and dental caries.
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Researchers studied the skin microbiome of eastern massasauga snakes to understand how environmental microbial communities promote disease resistance. Infection with snake fungal disease alters the bacterial and fungal diversity of infected snakes, making them more susceptible to the pathogen.
Researchers found that germ-free mice exhibited reduced inflammation and atrophy compared to specific pathogen free mice, while probiotic administration improved epithelial thickness. Probiotics also reduced the severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in mice.
A new study reveals that fertilizing plants can destroy the beneficial microbiomes on their leaves, making them more susceptible to disease. Researchers found that low doses of beneficial microbes are often more effective in protecting plants from infection than higher doses.
A study combining metabolomics and microbiome data identifies distinct patterns in patients with ME/CFS, allowing for 84% accurate prediction of the disorder. The findings provide a promising lead towards developing lab tests and potential therapies.
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The University of Louisville will receive a five-year, $11.2 million federal grant to establish an interdisciplinary research program focused on the microbiome, inflammation, and disease development. Researchers will study various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, periodontitis, and neurological disorders.
A study from Michigan State University reveals the postmortem microbiome provides crucial insights into public health, with consistent patterns regardless of factors like sex or ethnicity. The research also suggests that the microbiome can be used to assess health conditions, such as heart disease, in living populations.
Research reveals vampire bats' reliance on their genome and microbiome for survival on a low-energy diet. The study shows that the bat's microbiome helps compensate for the lack of vitamins and fatty substances in their blood-based diet.
Researchers found that the microbes surrounding plant roots prefer a diet rich in organic acids, with sugars being preferred early in the growth cycle. This discovery could help scientists identify ways to enhance soil microbiome for improved carbon storage and plant productivity.
The study found that silver-nitrate/fluoride-varnish treatment reduced tooth decay in children aged 2-14. However, the treatment did not significantly alter the natural oral microbiome.
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Researchers analyzed wheat microbiome under conventional, no-till, organic, and reduced chemical inputs management strategies, finding strong effects on microbial communities by wheat plant organ and age. The study provides foundational data for generating synthetic microbiomes to improve crop yields and disease resistance.
Researchers found that flies can carry hundreds of different species of bacteria, including those harmful to humans. They propose using germ-free flies to pick up latent microbiomes and sequence them for early warning systems, useful in agriculture and public health surveillance.
A multi-institutional research center has been awarded by the NIH to study ME/CFS, a debilitating disease affecting millions of Americans. The research aims to understand and develop treatments for this complex condition by analyzing patient data and microbiome changes.
Researchers used twin study to investigate role of genes and oral microbiome in cavity formation, finding that dietary and hygiene habits play a significant role. The study also revealed a link between specific bacteria and sugar consumption, with certain species associated with more cavities.
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A study of 188 Hadza hunter-gatherers reveals that their diet affects the composition of their gut microbiome. The researchers found that traditional diets rich in plants and hunting were associated with higher levels of beneficial bacteria, while Western diets were linked to reduced diversity.
A team of scientists from the University of Plymouth is developing potential new antimicrobials produced by the microbiome of deep-sea sponges. They have already cultured over 100 novel bacterial strains, some of which can kill MRSA, and are on the lookout for other applications in cancer, immune deficiency, and wound healing.
Researchers propose applying ecological theories to improve microbial technology development, aiming for more effective and sustainable agriculture. By identifying underlying ecological mechanisms, treatment communities can be designed to be robust and persistent.
Research found that cohabitating couples share similar skin microbiomes, especially on their feet, and that biological sex can be identified based on certain body regions
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A study of predominantly African-American women found that decreases in vaginal microbiome diversity between the first and second trimesters are associated with preterm birth. Researchers hope to design targeted therapies focused on the microbiome to prevent early delivery.
Researchers tracked bacterial diversity in a hospital over 12 months, finding constant flow of microbes between patients, staff, and surfaces. The study reveals how human skin-associated microbes replace construction bacteria upon hospital opening.
Cosmetic makers are researching skin bacteria and active ingredients to promote helpful microbes and discourage harmful ones, but a baseline picture of a healthy skin microbiome is lacking. Companies have already marketed bacteria-based product lines, despite limited knowledge of the skin microbiome.
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A UTHealth study has found that a pill form of treatment for Clostridium difficile infection can be as effective as traditional methods, with an 83% cure rate among participants. The pill form uses freeze-dried microbiota and could make treatment more convenient for patients and physicians.
A KAUST-led research team found that certain bacteria in corals' microbiomes can adapt to higher water temperatures and provide protection against bleaching. The study suggests that these symbiotic relationships could be vital for corals' survival in a rapidly warming ocean.
A study of 2,000 pregnant women found that certain bacterial species in the cervix were associated with a lower risk of preterm birth, while others increased the risk. The findings offer new hope for preventing prematurity and its devastating consequences.
A new study found that women with a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota in their uterine cavity had significantly lower rates of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth compared to those with non-Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota. This research suggests that the endometrial microbiome may play a crucial role in reproductive success.
The Department of Energy's PNNL is conducting two ongoing research efforts exploring the properties of soil. MinT initiative focuses on microbes in soil, while IPASS studies fundamental processes affecting carbon, nitrogen and water through plant ecosystems.
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Recent studies on tuberculosis have yielded conflicting results, leaving questions about the role of the lung microbiome in the disease. The variability in study methods, particularly in sampling techniques, may be a major contributor to these discrepancies.
The study found a small number of species associated with periodontitis, but not gingivitis, including Prevotella, Treponema, and Selemonas. This research may lead to an inexpensive and rapid point-of-care test based on distinguishing the two conditions' microbiomes.
Researchers found that infants' airways are colonized with bacteria or bacterial DNA at birth, which could predict severe lung disease. The 'healthy' pattern of colonization seen in BPD-resistant infants is protective, with increased abundance of Lactobacillus.
A cervical stitch used to prevent preterm labor has been linked to a three times higher risk of stillbirth and almost twice the risk of preterm birth. The suture may disrupt the vaginal microbiome and spur inflammation, major risk factors for preterm birth.
A new study suggests that dispensary-grade cannabis may contain harmful yeasts and toxic molds, compromising its medicinal benefits. The researchers recommend re-evaluating culture-based techniques and conducting additional sequencing-based studies to investigate the cannabis microbiome.
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A study found that contact lenses alter the natural microbial community of the eyes, making it more skin-like. This shift in bacterial composition increases the risk of eye infections such as giant papillary conjunctivitis and keratitis.
A study found that Canadian First Nations children with severe early childhood caries had a distinct oral microbiome, with higher levels of cariogenic microorganisms and population shifts in their oral microbial communities. This may explain the high prevalence of S-ECC in Indigenous children.
Scientists cultivate over half of the bacterial species found on and in the leaves and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana, creating a representative collection for microbiota reconstruction. The developed toolkit enables controlled perturbation of microbiota under controlled environmental conditions.
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A study by George Washington University researchers has identified a unique microbiome pattern in the throat of individuals with schizophrenia. The findings suggest that certain oral bacteria may be associated with the disease, offering new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.
Recent studies have shown that thinking of plants and animals as autonomous individuals is a serious over-simplification. Microbiologists propose the concept of holobionts, which consists of visible hosts plus millions of invisible microbes that significantly affect development, diseases, behavior, and social interactions.
Researchers discovered that a plant hormone, salicylic acid, acts as a 'bacterial bouncer' below ground, sculpting the microbiome surrounding a plant's roots. This finding suggests that salicylic acid is required to assemble a normal, commensal root microbiome.
Researchers discovered that phytohormones regulate microbial abundance, influencing the composition of root microbiomes. The study found that plants can select and benefit from specific strains of microbes, but also face pathogens that take nutrients and damage plants.
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Breakthroughs in HCV therapy suggest increased cure rates, including for patients with cirrhosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise in treating C. difficile, while drug-induced liver injury warnings are also emphasized.
Researchers create genetic profile of grape crown gall tumor disease, identifying core microbiome common to 52 sampled tumors. The study aims to improve disease management and crop production of all grape varieties.
Research reveals maternal obesity alters offspring microflora composition, increasing firmicutes to bacteriodetes ratio and gastrointestinal permeability. This non-genetic factor may contribute to increased susceptibility to obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
New research suggests that mango consumption may reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis and promote bone health in ovariectomized mice. Mango polyphenolics also showed potential in modifying microbiota and short chain fatty acid production in rats with DSS-induced colitis.
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The root microbiome plays a vital role in plant functions and ecosystem well-being, influencing genetic structure, health, and interactions with other plants. Microbial organisms associated with plant roots have far-flung global influences, from regulating plant performance to facilitating crop production in harsh climates.
A new study provides direct evidence that microbes can contribute to the origin of new species by reducing the viability of hybrids. The researchers used jewel wasp species with similar microbiomes but differing genetic backgrounds to demonstrate this effect.
Researchers found that certain bacteria in the stomach microflora can change the response to Helicobacter pylori infection, potentially allowing for prediction of disease development and identification of potential probiotics. The study, published in Infection and Immunity, has implications for treating human infections.
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Researchers will analyze water chemistry and pipe materials under controlled conditions to determine the effects of pipe material, water flow, and chemistry on building plumbing microbiomes. The study aims to improve public health by identifying factors that control microbe growth in water systems.
A recent study sheds light on the mechanisms driving the formation of the 'plant microbiome' and how plants influence microbial communities. Researchers identified key microbial players and their metabolic roles, revealing a complex interdependence between host plants and soil microbes.
A new NIST report summarizes efforts to advance indoor microbial sampling, highlighting challenges and future priorities for surface and aerosol analysis. The report explores cross-cutting issues such as education and public awareness, and provides a comprehensive overview of existing resources.
Researchers aim to optimize women's health by examining bacterial balance in the vagina. The Vaginal Microbiome Project will develop diagnostic tests to prevent preterm birth, a major consequence of abnormal bacterial balance.
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The study developed a molecular marker for Pi-deficiency in rats and evaluated the efficacy of Chinese materia medicas and probiotics. It found that middle doses of these recipes showed pronounced recovery activities, while higher doses did not.
Researchers found that certain populations of bacteria in contaminated coastal waters can degrade crude oil components, particularly polycyclic aromatic compounds. This discovery suggests that indigenous microbiota have evolved to handle the pollution, paving the way for potential bioremediation methods.
Research suggests that changes in gut microflora can intensify immune reactions to common allergens, increasing the risk of chronic allergies or asthma. A mouse model study found that antibiotic treatment led to an overzealous allergic response in the lung.