Articles tagged with Microorganisms
Scientists at MIT and Brown University developed a microfluidic device to separate right-handed from left-handed bacteria, which can lead to safer pharmaceuticals. The discovery could also impact industries like agriculture and food production.
US Department of Homeland Security scientist Mark Nicas builds mathematical models of spittle dispersal to inform countermeasures against potential biological attacks and pandemics. His research aims to reduce the risk of infection transmission on airplanes and in other public spaces, advising people to sit at least three rows away fro...
Professor Geoffrey Gadd's research explores how microbes interact with metals and minerals, degrading ammunition and transforming pollutants. His work has significant implications for environmental biotechnology and nuclear decommissioning.
Researchers found that microbes in coastal mudflats can rapidly degrade petrochemical residues in aerobic conditions, but slower in anaerobic conditions. The study suggests using these microbes as a natural way to clean up pollution in estuaries.
The Department of Energy has awarded the University of Georgia Complex Carbohydrate Research Center a four-year, $3.1 million grant to continue supporting research on complex carbohydrates in plants and microbes. The grant renewal marks the sixth time the center has received funding since its inception in 1986.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a new line of bacteria responsible for the ripening process and flavor of French cheese Reblochon. The reblochoni microbes, part of the Actinomycetes group, outcompete traditional starter cultures to provide flavor.
Researchers found that using gross messages in bathrooms increased handwashing among females by 26% and males by 8%. The 'gross factor' was key to sticking the message, outperforming germ or sickness-based approaches.
Researchers created a mini-ecosystem to study marine microorganisms' behavior and found they exhibit sophisticated foraging strategies, influencing carbon flux in the oceans. This discovery may lead to better predictions of their global-scale impact on climate.
Researchers developed a kite-shaped model to assess the level of risk of water contamination from manure. The model identifies four factors affecting risk: accumulated microbial burden, landscape transfer potential, infrastructure, and social and economic obstacles.
Researchers found that Sharpie tips do not spread infection due to alcohol-based ink. In contrast, sterile markers with non-alcohol base ink were contaminated after 24 hours. The study suggests that reusable Sharpies can be used safely with proper cleaning and disinfection.
BioTiger has shown a 50% improvement in separation of oil from sand particles within 4 hours and a five-fold increase at 25 hours. It also reduces energy costs and environmental impact by producing chemicals for industrial uses.
Deep biosphere microbes may hold the key to recovering petroleum through complex organic reactions. Researchers at Arizona State University are studying how hot water and pressure transform organic compounds in unexpected ways.
Researchers have installed a sophisticated monitoring array near the Hanford Site to investigate uranium plume contamination. The array will enable comprehensive characterization of the subsurface and provide insights into the processes contributing to persistent groundwater contamination.
Researchers explore 'dissimilatory metal reduction' to convert selenate into less-toxic elemental selenium, with potential for recovery and reuse. The process is efficient but requires careful temperature control to minimize formation of ecotoxicological risks.
The thawing of permafrost is expected to release a significant amount of carbon dioxide, potentially doubling current atmospheric levels. This could lead to a substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions and further accelerate global warming.
Researchers will study four groups of bacteria at a sulfur spring in southwestern Oklahoma to understand their metabolic capabilities and ecological role. The grant also funds an educational outreach component to engage high school students in the project.
Studies reveal temperature is primary driver of oceanic bacterial diversity, contradicting productivity theories. Microbial life also thrives in Rocky Mountains, with diversity peaking just above foothills.
A new study reveals that cranberry juice alters the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract, creating an energy barrier that prevents attachment. This effect occurs at concentrations comparable to those found in the urinary tract, suggesting regular consumption may prevent UTIs.
Biodesign's Rittmann suggests that harnessing the energy of microorganisms can meet our current and future energy needs, cutting back on fossil fuel use. This approach has the potential to provide scalable, environmentally friendly, and food-sustaining solutions.
Rising temperatures may reduce microbial carbon dioxide production due to increased nitrogen levels in the soil, but human-induced CO2 changes could shift microbial populations with significant impacts on food chains. Microbial communities under glaciers and snowpacks are also threatened by warming temperatures.
A new study at Cornell University has created the first nanoscale image of soil, revealing an incredible variety of known compounds. The research sheds light on the chemical processes that cycle organic matter in soil, which is crucial for understanding climate change.
Two University of Illinois studies show that fermenting soy reduces its potential allergenicity by up to 99 percent. The process also increases the number of essential amino acids in soy products, making them a healthy choice for consumers. Researchers aim to develop nutritious and hypoallergenic soy products.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology that can detect multiple food-borne pathogens and toxins in one to two hours using live mammalian cells. The technique estimates the amount of microbes present and whether they pose an active health risk, giving users a higher degree of confidence in the test results.
Researchers discovered that insect larvae can detect and respond to non-pathogenic bacteria in their diet, triggering an immune response. This reaction affects pupation time and mass, highlighting the trade-offs of a balanced diet for insects.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found a connection between two cellular defense mechanisms, phagocytosis and autophagy, that help the body fight infections and resist chemotherapy drugs. The study suggests that these mechanisms work together to destroy germs and cancer cells, paving the way for new treatments.
Scientists have confirmed that microbes can travel across continents on dust particles, surviving for centuries and defying intercontinental transport. Geo-chemical analyses of Charles Darwin's samples revealed diverse microbes, including ascomycetes and eubacteria, with wind-fractionated dust from West Africa reaching the Caribbean.
Researchers have successfully thawed ice from Lake Vostok, an ancient lake beneath Antarctica, in search of microorganisms that may hold secrets to surviving in extreme environments. The team aims to gain insights into how these tiny organisms adapted to live in darkness and isolation.
Researchers have developed a new method for bacterial hydrogen production, achieving high yields and efficiency. The process uses microbes to extract energy from organic matter, producing clean hydrogen gas with an overall efficiency better than 80 percent.
Researchers have identified the swimming and attack patterns of two tiny but deadly microbes linked to fish kills in the Chesapeake Bay. The team used digital holographic microscopy to capture three-dimensional images of the troublesome microbes, revealing distinct differences in their hunting tactics.
An Editorial in The Lancet concludes that politicians should focus on evidence-based solutions to prevent hospital-acquired infections, rather than relying on populist measures. Disinfection of high-touch surfaces is a key strategy for reducing HAIs, and efforts should be made to improve hand hygiene among healthcare staff.
University at Buffalo researchers have made significant breakthroughs in genetic engineering of micro-organisms into cellular factories, enabling the production of high-value chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds. The team has successfully produced flavonoids with yields far above previous microbial synthesis efforts.
As glaciers melt, DNA of ancient microorganisms may return to life, potentially altering ecosystems. The duration the DNA remains intact depends on factors such as temperature and oxygen levels.
Researchers have identified microbial remains in ancient organic matter on Earth, dating back 3.5 billion years, using electron microscope techniques. The findings confirm the presence of primitive microbial communities, shedding light on the origins of life on Earth.
A new microfluidics device has enabled researchers to analyze a rare bacteria found in the human mouth and sequence over 1,000 genes from an unstudied group of bacteria, known as TM7. This breakthrough technology holds promise for advancing microbial ecology and discovering new species.
A new device called the BioSampler detects airborne pathogens more accurately than traditional methods, even in low concentrations. The BioSampler causes less damage to microorganisms, allowing for a more accurate assessment of their viability and potential threat to human health.
Expert suggests searching for past life on Mars by exploring old rocks and sediments, using instruments to analyze biosignatures and organic materials. Robotic drilling technology currently limits to a few yards depth, making exopaleontology the best approach.
A study published in JCI Journals reveals that vitamin D3 production is induced by skin wounds, leading to increased expression of antimicrobial peptides and microbial recognition receptors. This mechanism helps protect the skin from harmful microbes and enhances immune response.
Researchers propose that microorganisms can thrive in the Deep Biosphere due to natural radioactivity, offering an alternative energy source. This process, radiolysis, creates hydrogen and oxygen, providing sufficient energy for life forms to survive without surface processes.
Researchers witness steps in biological nitrogen fixation process, enabling microbes to convert atmospheric nitrogen to nutrients. The study suggests the biological process does not follow the same pathway as the chemical method.
A new study suggests microbes produce repugnant chemicals to compete with larger animals for valuable food resources like decaying meat and seeds. Microbes can outcompete other organisms if they can produce chemicals that make these resources unpalatable to higher species.
A Princeton-led research group found an isolated community of bacteria nearly two miles underground that derives all its energy from the decay of radioactive rocks. The bacteria's ability to thrive in extreme conditions suggests life might exist on other worlds, including Mars.
Researchers will catalog microbial inhabitants, study tourism impact and investigate microorganisms' role in cave formation. The team hopes to find microbes for medical, industrial and biotechnology applications.
A new study published in European Journal of Nutrition found that soy germ isoflavones supplementation decreased bone loss in postmenopausal women. The study used SoyLife&Reg; EXTRA and showed a dose-dependent effect on reducing bone loss in non-obese women.
Dr. Koo has received the IADR Young Investigator Award, a prestigious honor recognizing his groundbreaking work on microbial biofilms in dental and oral craniofacial research. The award, supported by Procter & Gamble Co., is designed to stimulate basic research in all dental disciplines.
A literature review reveals children learn about objective nonobservables like germs through matter-of-fact discussions. They also contribute to their understanding and appear more confident in scientific subjects than spiritual ones.
The lung has a unique innate immune system, protected by alveolar macrophages that are repressed in steady state, activated when needed, and then re-repressed. This complex circuit allows for brief activation periods to fight invading microorganisms.
The VBI Microbial Database provides genome sequence and annotation data for two major plant pathogens, Phytophthora sojae and Phytophthora ramorum. The database offers powerful analytical tools and community annotation features to facilitate research on these pathogens.
Researchers found that mating in microbes reduces asexual reproduction efficiency, but leads to genetic diversity and hardy offspring. This balance between cost and benefit of sex may improve survival chances under harsh environmental conditions.
A new microbial genome sequence shows that C. hydrogenoformans can convert water and carbon monoxide to hydrogen, making it an excellent starting point for clean fuel production. The microbe's unique protein machines allow it to use carbon monoxide in different ways, making it more efficient than other species.
Scientists have discovered a way to create electricity from cow waste by harnessing the power of microorganisms that break down cellulose. This process uses rumen fluid and cow dung to generate electricity, offering a promising alternative to traditional energy sources.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new assay to quantify ergothioneine in fungi, finding that white button mushrooms have about 12 times more of the antioxidant than wheat germ and 4 times more than chicken liver. Exotic mushrooms contain up to 40 times as much ergothioneine as wheat germ.
A novel method for disinfecting long-term intravascular devices with ethanol solution may prevent serious bloodstream infections and hospital deaths. The study found no adverse effect on the catheter materials after a daily rinse cycle.
Researchers found that adding shampoo detergent, cetavlon, to varnish creates a self-sterilizing surface. The coating kills microbes within seconds of application and remains effective for up to 5 months.
The University of Arizona has received a $14 million grant to focus on two major types of contaminants: arsenic and halogenated organic solvents like TCE. The research projects will improve hazardous waste management in Arizona and the Southwest, and can serve as a model for arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.
A bacterial community flourishing in iron sulfide-rich runoff near Redding has been uncovered, providing clues to the structure and activities within these communities. The study reveals 2,036 proteins from five most abundant species, shedding light on microbial systems in real-world conditions.
Researchers at UW-Madison develop a system using living microbes as templates for fabricating nanoscale structures. The ability to capture and analyze individual microbes could lead to new ways of assembling nanodevices and detecting biological threats.
UCSB scientists investigate seafloor hydrothermal fluid discharge to uncover insights into the origins of life on Earth. By studying subseafloor microbes and geological formations, researchers aim to understand how early life survived in a challenging environment.
The project aims to present evidence for the existence of ultra-psychrophiles in sub-freezing environments like Alaskan permafrost. The research has broader impacts, including more reliable climate predictions and development of efficient biocatalysts for below freezing temperatures.
Researchers found that microbial diversity increases as the area they occupy increases, suggesting a universal law common to all domains of life. The study has significant implications for understanding ecology and biodiversity of tiny organisms.
A new USGS-led study warns of the limitations and inaccuracies of microbial source tracking methods, which are used to identify sources of contamination. The study found that fewer than 30% of challenge isolates were correctly classified to their source-animal species.