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No consensus on how the microbiome affects tuberculosis, review finds

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.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso·JournalClinical Microbiology Reviews·DateSep 7, 2016

Investigators chart microbial ecology of gingivitis, periodontitis

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateAug 12, 2016
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Discovery of infants' airway microbiomes may help predict lung disease

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.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2016

Surgical stitch linked to stillbirth and preterm birth

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 3, 2016

US researchers call for re-evaluation of microbial testing of cannabis

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.

SourceFaculty of 1000·JournalF1000Research·DateJun 14, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Contact lenses alter eye bacteria, making it more skin-like

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateMar 22, 2016

Microbiome associated with severe caries in Canadian First Nations children

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.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·DateMar 18, 2016

Toolkit for microbiota research

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateDec 2, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

The pronoun I is becoming obsolete

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.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 19, 2015

Unearthing cornerstones in root microbiomes

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.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 16, 2015

Leaf hormone blocks bacteria from the roots

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 16, 2015

HCV treatment breakthroughs highlighted at ACG 2014

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.

SourceAmerican College of Gastroenterology·DateOct 20, 2014
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

The secret life of underground microbes: Plant root microbiomes rule the world

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.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateSep 18, 2013

Microbes can influence evolution of their hosts

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.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalScience·DateJul 18, 2013
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Some bacteria may protect against disease caused by stomach infection

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalInfection and Immunity·DateMar 12, 2013

Getting to the root -- unearthing the plant-microbe quid pro quo

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.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature·DateAug 1, 2012

Report details efforts to improve, advance indoor microbial sampling

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.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateMay 30, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

An efficient approach to monitor gastrointestinal microflora changes

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.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 22, 2009

A hope for oil spill bioremediation

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.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2005
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.