Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Penis microbiota predicts if a man's female partner will develop bacterial vaginosis

A study published in Frontiers found that men's penile microbiota can predict with high accuracy whether their female partner will develop bacterial vaginosis. The researchers analyzed the microbiota of 168 Kenyan couples and found a direct correlation between the composition of a man's microbiome and the occurrence of BV in his female...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateAug 4, 2020

Researchers uncover the Moscow subway microbiome

A group of ITMO University researchers analyzed the Moscow Subway and found a microbiome similar to that of New York's public transportation. The study used high-throughput DNA sequencing and discovered identical types of bacteria, including Dietzia, Brevundimonas, and Pseudomonas.

SourceITMO University·JournalComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal·DateFeb 13, 2020

Bacterial influencers -- rhizosphere microbiome mediates root metabolite exudation

Researchers discovered that the rhizosphere microbiota can shape and control root exudation through a systemic root-to-root signalling mechanism. This process, termed Systemically Induced Root Exudation of Metabolites (SIREM), triggers the secretion of acylsugars in the whole root system.

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2020

Asthma severity linked to microbiome of upper airway

Researchers found that children with mild to moderate asthma who experienced worsening symptoms had distinct bacterial groups in their upper airways, while those with well-controlled asthma had different bacteria. Altering the airway microbiome could potentially help patients with asthma.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 16, 2019

Life, liberty -- and access to microbes?

A new essay in PLOS Biology argues that poverty compromises health by creating unequal access to beneficial microorganisms. People living in low-income communities lack essential factors promoting healthy microbiomes, leading to poor health outcomes such as obesity and mental health disorders.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 26, 2019

New disease hits corals

A new coral disease has been found to alter the community of microbes on host corals, and measuring these changes may be a useful tool for monitoring coral health. The disease, known as 'grey-patch disease', was characterized by the growth of cyanobacteria, forming a biofilm that overgrew live coral tissue.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMicrobiome·DateNov 21, 2019

Minimizing post-harvest food losses

Researchers from Graz University of Technology develop biological methods to improve storage of apples and sugar beet, reducing losses due to spoilage. The combined use of hot water treatment and biocontrol organisms significantly increases shelf life and reduces post-harvest pathogens.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateNov 7, 2019

Acute periodontal disease bacteria love colon and dirt microbes

Research found that common mouth bacteria responsible for acute periodontitis fared better when paired with bacteria and other microbes from outside the mouth, including those found in the colon or dirt. This suggests that not all relationships within a microbiome are cooperative, and some may have 'high fences' and share sparsely.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2019

Gender-specific differences in the salivary microbiome of caries-active children

Research found significant differences in oral microbiota between caries-active boys and girls, with Actinobaculum, Veillonella parvula, and Lactococcus lactis dominating in girls. These findings suggest a gender-specific role of these microorganisms in shaping the cariogenic microbial environment.

Plants and the art of microbial maintenance

A joint study reveals that plants utilize their root-derived chemicals to shape and maintain diverse microbial communities. The findings provide a gateway to engineering plant root microbiota in major crops, potentially leading to improved productivity and sustainability.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2019

Dehesa health starts from the ground up

Soil microbiome plays crucial role in woodland health, influencing pathogens that affect holm oak and improving trees' resilience. The study found that beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma can help prevent oomycete pathogens, while mycorrhizae abundance leads to reduced defoliation.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 7, 2019

Nature versus nurture: Environment exerts greater influence on corn health than genetics

A recent study published in Phytobiomes Journal found that corn's bacterial communities play a significant role in its health and performance. The research, led by Dr. Jason Wallace, monitored the active bacteria on the leaves of 300 diverse lines of corn and discovered little relationship between the bacteria and corn genes.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytobiomes Journal·DateApr 2, 2019

Bacteria and immunity in cervix may be key to predicting premature births

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.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 21, 2019

Assay identifies antibiotic in bear saliva

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2018

Bugs, microbes and death can inform the living

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 10, 2018