Articles tagged with Microorganisms
Researchers discovered that algae, specifically Karlodinium veneficum, emits toxins to stun and immobilize its prey, which could lead to new ways to slow bloom growth. By reducing nutrient load and promoting filter feeders like the Eastern oyster, blooms may be reduced.
A team of scientists has discovered that rare microbial organisms, once thought to be undetectable, dominate the ecosystem in a unique hydrothermal vent field. The study, led by William Brazelton at the University of Washington, found that microorganisms can remain rare for long periods before becoming dominant when ecosystems change.
Researchers found that exposure to environmental bacteria triggers a mild inflammatory response in pregnant mice, rendering their offspring resistant to allergies. This protective mechanism could potentially prevent allergies in people by conditioning the developing immune system to tolerate microbes and allergens.
Researchers are using genomics to study the microbial community and determine how to create conditions for them to thrive, helping to detoxify metal toxins in wastewater. The approach relies on a diverse microbial community that provides essential nutrients to microbes like Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a wet ethanol production method that produces more gallons of ethanol and usable co-products. This process involves soaking corn kernels, resulting in higher ethanol concentrations and better quality co-products compared to conventional dry fractionation methods.
Researchers have successfully produced renewable hydrogen from wastewater using a microbial electrolysis system at a Napa Valley winery. The process uses bacteria to convert organic material into electrical current and then produces hydrogen gas, which can be used as a clean energy source.
Kyoto University Professor Sakayu Shimizu received the 2009 Enzyme Engineering Award for his pioneering contributions to biotechnological tools and novel microbial reactions. His research has led to the commercialization of many biotechnological processes on a large scale.
Researchers used mixed consortia of bacteria to degrade naphthenic acids, a type of toxic compound found in crude oil and tar sands. The microbes broke down the compounds in just a few days, reducing environmental pollution from these areas.
A study by Duke University environmental engineers reveals that microbes can convert tiny mercury particles into methylmercury, a potent toxin for nerve cells, through reactions with organic matter and sulfides. This process is crucial in understanding how mercury enters the food chain and poses risks to human health.
Researchers from Caltech and JPL found evidence that ancient stromatolites were built with the help of equally ancient microorganisms, providing insight into the earliest record of life on Earth. The discovery may also provide a new avenue for exploration in the search for signs of life on Mars.
A new metagenomic approach quantifies microorganisms in environmental or medical samples, while a method for adhesive micropatterning offers a simple technique for generating patterns. These methods provide insights into microbial populations and cellular behaviors.
Researchers have identified a microbe that can digest d-n-butyl phthalate, a common pollutant found in groundwater, river water, and soil. The microbe's ability to break down phthalates could be used to treat industrial wastewater and prevent environmental pollution.
Researchers have found a novel bacterium, Herminiimonas glaciei, trapped under glacial ice in Greenland for over 120,000 years. The tiny microbe, 10-50 times smaller than E. coli, has survived in extreme conditions and may provide insights into extraterrestrial life.
Researchers have found the optimal conditions for a new microbe to degrade n-hexadecane, suggesting a more effective approach to bioremediation. The team discovered that enzymes within the microbial cell and its membrane are responsible for degradation, with neutral pH and 30 Celsius temperature being ideal conditions.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study suggests that an asteroid attack nearly 4 billion years ago may not have extinguished potential early life on Earth, but instead gave it a boost. The research indicates that microbes could have survived in subsurface habitats and flourished during the Late Heavy Bombardment.
A new method of obtaining marine microbe samples has yielded an unexpected discovery: the presence of many varieties of small RNAs, which can act as switches to regulate gene expression. This finding may allow scientists to learn on a broad scale how microbial communities respond to environmental stimuli.
Researchers from three institutions applied harpin to head lettuce prior to harvest to prevent microbial contamination. The study found that harpin improved color, reduced browning, and increased phenolic compounds, which are linked to plant chemical defenses against microbes.
Microbes adapted to manipulate sulfur and iron compounds to survive in the absence of photosynthesis. The discovery provides insights into the origins of life on Earth and offers a unique laboratory for studying life in hostile environments.
Researchers at Harvard University and Dartmouth College discovered hardy microbes living in isolation beneath an Antarctic glacier. The microbes, similar to those found in modern marine environments, have adapted to survive in extreme conditions by breathing iron and using sulfur catalysts.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.