Articles tagged with Microorganisms
Scientists discovered that microbes adopting a 'co-operative' approach to acquiring nutrients thrive in fluctuating environments. In contrast, internal nutrient breakdowns lead to instability and population decline due to exploitation by neighboring microbes.
A team of international microbiologists warn that ignoring microorganisms in climate change could lead to dire consequences. They advocate for improved literacy about the topic to address the climate disaster and encourage future generations to understand the microbial world.
Researchers discovered a third fewer cells in surface waters of South Pacific Gyre compared to Atlantic ocean gyres. They found familiar microbes like Prochlorococcus and SAR11, but also an unexpected species AEGEAN-169 in surface waters.
Researchers found that patients with high skin concentrations of C. auris can shed the fungus and contaminate their surroundings, leading to outbreaks in healthcare facilities. The study provides an explanation for the extensive contamination often seen during C. auris outbreaks.
Experiments with salt-tolerant bacteria in brine have shown that microbes can survive and grow in conditions similar to those on Mars. The research has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth, as well as the risk of contaminating other planetary bodies.
Researchers at Goethe University have developed a novel method for producing new peptide drugs, using fragments of natural NRPS systems as building blocks. The approach enables the easy production of peptides in excellent yield, with applications for modifying clinically relevant drugs and producing peptide libraries.
A new microorganism, Vibrio sp. dhg, has been successfully developed to rapidly metabolize alginic acid in algae and genetic engineering techniques optimized for this new microorganism based on omics analysis.
Nanobio-hybrid organisms use light-activated quantum dots to produce biodegradable plastic, gasoline, ammonia, and biodiesel from airborne CO2. The process shows promising signs of being able to operate at scale.
Researchers are using chemical processes and 'magic' microbes to break down insensitive high explosives, including DNAN and NTO, into environmentally benign compounds. The goal is to make the removal process simpler and more effective for groundwater remediation.
Adrift visualizes the conditions faced by drifting marine microbes, providing clues about their capacity to adapt to human-induced changes. The online platform engages citizens and researchers in exploring ocean's unseen heroes.
Researchers at the University of Cordoba have found a relationship between iron deficiency responses and the response caused by certain beneficial microorganisms, enabling improved iron uptake in plants. The study suggests that applying these rhizosphere microorganisms can induce responses to iron deficiency, benefiting crops such as p...
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered engineered electroactive microbes that can borrow electrons from solar or wind power to break down carbon dioxide molecules. These microbes can then produce biofuels like isobutanol or propanol, which could be used as an alternative energy source.
A new biodegradable chemical is produced through natural fermentation, which can be refined as a source of energy and replace petroleum-based chemicals in various products. The technology, developed by the University of Waterloo, reduces costs associated with food waste management by using leachate recirculation.
A recent study explores the role of microscopic life in shaping the Earth's evolution and its impact on climate change. Microorganisms have been instrumental in creating a hospitable climate for human growth, but their responses to global warming pose significant threats.
Researchers developed a method to produce methyl anthranilate, a common grape flavor compound, using engineered bacteria. The production process reached levels of 4.47-5.74 grams per liter, a significant amount compared to traditional methods.
A UBC researcher's study found that commercial bio-fertilizers may not improve soil quality or crop yields, raising concerns about environmental consequences. The study also highlights the need for more knowledge on the impact of these inoculants on the land and potential invasive species risks.
A groundbreaking study reveals that microbes in subduction zones consume and trap carbon, reducing its availability on Earth's surface. This process has significant implications for understanding Earth's fundamental processes and the potential to mitigate climate change.
Researchers found that microbes consume and trap carbon sinking into the trench off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, potentially influencing geological processes on similar scales as volcanoes. This discovery has important implications for understanding carbon movement from Earth's surface into its interior over geological timescales.
Scientists have discovered a major deep carbon sink linked to microbes near volcano chains, storing up to 19% more CO2 than previously believed. This finding reveals the critical role of microorganisms in buffering climate change by incorporating and forming calcite.
Researchers discovered that bacteria in coral reef waters change dramatically at night, and then return to the same daytime community the next morning. A group of microbes called Psychrobacter appears to be leading the way, dominating the marine microbial community during the day and being a hundred times more abundant at night.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a method to construct biohybrid systems that incorporate Vorticella microorganisms. The system demonstrates the conversion of linear motion to rotation, enabling the creation of autonomous fluidic valves and wearable smart microsystems.
Researchers have discovered embedded organic material in a Martian meteorite, suggesting that life could have existed on the Red Planet. The study proposes the presence of active bacteria on Mars and may indicate that there was once life beyond Earth.
Researchers use new technique to measure unique biological signatures in hydrocarbons, revealing presence of subsurface microbes. The findings have important implications for understanding global hydrocarbon cycling and detecting life on other planets.
Researchers discovered how naturally occurring microbes like Rhodopseudomonas palustris use electrons from conductive substances to fix carbon dioxide. The process is connected to the microbe's ability to store and discharge electrons, similar to a rechargeable battery.
A new study from Caltech reveals that dietary fiber plays a role in clumping gut particles, which may affect drug absorption and microbial populations. Longer fibers promote physical aggregation of particles, providing a potential mechanism for controlling particle behavior in the gut.
Researchers use X-ray nanotomography to study the 3D structure of coccolithophore calcite shells, revealing correlations between shell mass and organic template size. The findings provide new insights into the role of these tiny microorganisms in the global carbon cycle.
A research team has developed a novel method for fabricating functional bacterial cellulose through in situ fermentation of Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans. The new approach provides environmentally friendly conditions, lower production costs, and controlled distribution of functional moieties.
A recent study by Fernando Tornos and colleagues reveals that microbes play a key role in the precipitation of metals in shallow environments. The researchers found evidence of anaerobic microbes controlling the formation of copper sulfides in the Las Cruces deposit, a high-grade copper ore site.
A study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that deep-sea microbes are unable to fully utilize organic carbon due to its scarcity and physical isolation. The research suggests that the unique environment of deep sediments may limit life on Earth and provide insights into the possibility of extraterrestrial microbia...
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a novel membrane technology that purifies water while preventing biofouling using bacterial nanocellulose and reduced graphene oxide. The new membrane can filter water twice as fast as commercially available ultrafiltration membranes and is environmentally friendly.
Scientists create efficient, affordable pathway for terpene synthesis using E. coli bacteria, enabling mass production of these molecules for various industries.
A new review in Frontiers in Pediatrics suggests that microbial transglutaminase, a common food additive, could be both the cause and trigger of autoimmune attacks leading to celiac disease. The enzyme modifies gluten fragments, which are then recognized by the immune system as foreign, triggering an immune response.
Researchers found that subglacial biological activity impacts atmosphere far more than previously thought. Methane was continuously exported from beneath the ice, with at least six tons transported to a measuring site from the Greenland Ice Sheet alone.
Scientists have discovered that humpback whales retain tooth germs until late in gestation, a surprising finding that sheds new light on the evolutionary transformation of these marine mammals. This discovery was made possible by advanced CT scanning technology and provides valuable insights into the development of whale anatomy.
Yale researchers used Google's algorithm to understand how information is transferred between enzyme sites, identifying crucial amino acids. This breakthrough could lead to new antibiotics, pesticides, and herbicides, combining data science with molecular dynamics simulations and NMR spectroscopy.
Researchers at SRNL have developed an electrochemical technique to monitor microbial growth and energy levels, improving cost-effectiveness and automating bioprocesses. This technology uses electrodes to detect changes in electrical current, providing early warnings for optimal conditions.
Researchers find that varying distances of microbial interactions affect community organization. Longer distances favor diffusible toxic molecules, while close-range interactions benefit contact-dependent devices.
A recent study of amber-preserved blood-sucking insects and ticks reveals that malaria-causing microorganisms date back at least 100 million years, with evidence of pathogens carried by ancient vectors found in fossilized amber from around the world.
A study of 128 mothers found that children whose parents sucked on their pacifiers had lower IgE levels, indicating a reduced risk of allergies. The effect was most pronounced between 10-18 months of age and may be due to the transfer of beneficial microbes.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that heavy rainfall in the Atacama Desert wiped out most microbe species, contradicting expectations of floral blooms. The research has implications for our understanding of microbial life on Mars and suggests that sudden water exposure can be lethal to microorganisms.
A study by UCR researcher Sydney Glassman explored how climate change affects the ability of microbes to recycle nutrients. The research found that specific microbial communities play an independent role in decomposition, and their response to climate change is not solely dependent on the environment they reside in.
Researchers in Belgium have identified an additional inoculation source for lambic beer production, the wooden casks or foeders. The microbial compositions of these surfaces differed statistically based on barrel cleaning procedures and type, reflecting different characteristics of lambic barrels.
A newly discovered toxin, Tre1, produced by bacteria, targets vital proteins in host cells, causing disease-like symptoms. The discovery provides insights into bacterial biodefense strategies and the evolution of toxins.
A recent study published in Astrobiology found that microbes and organic compounds can survive for a year in space, suggesting interplanetary migration is possible. The Tanpopo mission exposed Deinococcus aetherius to space conditions, measuring key factors like temperature and radiation.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have identified a new bacterium capable of degrading both 1,4-Dioxane and 1,1-DCE simultaneously. The microbe, Azoarcus sp. DD4 (DD4), has shown impressive efficiency in reducing levels of these toxic chemicals in contaminated groundwater samples.
A new study estimates that up to a quarter of the microbes on Earth could be uncultured and dominate nearly all environments except the human body. The research, led by Karen Lloyd, used computational power to analyze 1.5 million DNA sequences and found that as many as 30 phyla of unseen microbes exist.
Researchers have discovered that spherical particles submerged in viscous liquids travel along flexible surfaces by 'catching a wave', offering new insights into biological processes and a gentler method for measuring cell membrane elasticity. This approach also enables easy sorting of particles by size, similar to an automatic coin-so...
A new NSF-funded project will investigate how climate change impacts plant growth and health in relation to soil microbes. The study aims to understand the effects of changing moisture levels on plant survival and how plants influence microbial communities.
The study found that microbes mediate the microbial carbon pump (MCP), which takes up labile organic carbon and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The MCP's importance may increase under global warming due to changes in planktonic organisms favorable for MCP.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen find thawing permafrost releases high diversity of VOCs, harming human health and forests, but also producing clouds that may cool climate.
A study published in PLOS ONE found intricate tunnel systems inside garnet crystals from Thailand, suggesting the presence of microorganisms. The tunnels were formed by endolithic microbes, providing a rare source of iron for these organisms in nutrient-poor sediments.
Researchers at Binghamton University have created a biodegradable, paper-based battery that is more efficient and easy to produce than previous designs. The hybrid paper battery uses a combination of paper and engineered polymers to give it biodegradable properties.
A recent study suggests that rising temperatures are causing soil microbes to convert more carbon into carbon dioxide, entering the atmosphere at an increasing rate. This phenomenon is outpacing plant photosynthesis and has significant implications for the planet's carbon cycle.
A team of UCLA engineers and scientists discovered a new and potentially highly effective type of weed killer using a genomics-driven approach. The new herbicide inhibits an enzyme necessary for plant survival, providing a promising alternative to current herbicides.
Researchers found that microorganisms within Siberian plants have medicinal and antimicrobial properties, potentially leading to the development of new drugs for serious diseases. The study's authors believe these properties can also be used to stimulate plant growth or protect them from diseases.
Researchers at Penn State found that low-tech training methods, such as customized flipcharts, can improve food safety knowledge and behavior among workers in small-scale dairy farms. The training led to improved sanitation and personal hygiene practices, reducing the presence of microorganisms like E. coli.
Scientists found that microbial proteins could reduce cropland usage by 6% and nitrogen losses by 8% globally. Replacing up to 19% of animal feed with microbial proteins could lower greenhouse gas emissions by 7% by 2050.
Microbes at deep-sea hot springs are surprisingly productive, generating more than 4,000 tons of organic carbon daily, equivalent to the amount in 200 blue whales. They convert chemicals into energy through chemosynthesis, serving as a crucial base for the food web.
Research shows that kitchen towels can harbor pathogens, including coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and S. aureus, which can cause food poisoning. Factors such as family composition, dietary habits, and towel usage patterns impact bacterial growth on towels.
ARS researchers found 34 E. coli isolates with resistance to antimicrobial drugs in the Upper Oconee Watershed. The presence of pathogenic strains like ST131 poses a risk of antimicrobial resistance in surface waters, but scientists assure it's not a threat to public health due to proper disinfection methods.