Articles tagged with Microorganisms
Researchers have developed a molecular test capable of detecting three major pathogenic fungi at once, with a much quicker turnaround than traditional methods. The test bypasses the slow culture process by detecting genetic material directly, eliminating errors and reducing laboratory risk.
Researchers have mapped the full structure of bacteriophage Bas63 using cryo-EM, revealing unique decoration proteins and a rare whisker and collar structure. The detailed structural information will enable rational phage design and engineering efforts for specificity and target regions.
Researchers have identified a novel principle in biology that mathematically explains why the growth of organisms slows as nutrients become more abundant. The global constraint principle unifies two classic biological laws and provides a fresh perspective for looking at growth across all forms of life.
Scientists have created a comprehensive picture of bacterial stator evolution, revealing how these ancient proteins propelled bacteria 3.5-4 billion years ago.
A new method enables scientists to read the genomes of individual cells and viral particles in the environment more quickly and efficiently. The approach, known as environmental microcompartment genomics, increases throughput by an order of magnitude and provides unique insights into the diverse world of marine viruses.
A literature review of cheese fermentation and ripening identified five underused, evidence-based measures to improve efficiency and sustainability in cheese production. By exploiting whey and encapsulating lactic acid bacteria, dairies can reduce waste and optimize production processes.
Lehigh University researchers are collaborating with Dow on a three-year NSF-funded project to understand the chemistry behind full degradation of these polymers. The goal is to develop strategies for selective mixing of microbial communities to target different parts of the polymer for complete breakdown.
Salk Institute researchers have determined the structure of HIV's integrase protein during its newly discovered function, enabling the development of better HIV therapeutics. The study reveals a surprising flexibility in the protein's architecture, which can interact with both DNA and RNA, paving the way for new integrase-targeting drugs.
Scientists found that breathing dusty air from the Salton Sea can alter the lung microbiome and trigger immune responses in mice. The study suggests that chronic exposure to such dust could have significant health effects, including asthma.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
A healthy microbiome promotes overall well-being, influencing areas like cognition, mood, immunity, and disease susceptibility. By incorporating proven dietary interventions, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep, individuals can harness their microbiome for optimal health.
At least eight bat species frequent pig farms in Northern Italy due to lack of physical barriers, increasing risk of coronavirus transmission. Researchers used a multi-disciplinary approach to study the interfaces between bats and pigs.
Researchers analyzed feces samples from 11 herbivore species in Namibia's Etosha National Park to understand how environmental factors shape their gut microbiomes. The study found five types of bacteria serving as environmental indicators, which could help monitor ecosystem changes and animal adaptation.
A new study by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture reveals that water quality can significantly impact the type of microbial populations in poultry drinking water lines and litter. The study found a Bacillus species with probiotic properties was more prevalent in biofilms from poultry houses with normal sulfur-iro...
Researchers at the University of Houston discovered that T. phoenicis can enter dormancy to evade detection, highlighting the resilience of spacecraft-associated microbes and raising concerns about planetary protection. The findings may lead to better detection methods and more effective sterilization strategies in various industries.
Researchers optimized lab culture conditions to boost levels of low-abundance chlorinated compounds in slime mold cells, identifying CDF-2 and CDF-3 as potent antibiotics against Gram-positive bacteria. The compounds' similar molecular structure suggests a critical role in protecting against harmful bacteria.
Research reveals that Bifidobacterium breve in pregnant mothers regulates the placenta's hormone production, reducing complications and improving fetal growth. The study opens up a new approach to assessing pregnancy health through gut microbiome analysis.
Researchers argue that AI can strengthen pandemic preparedness by detecting emerging diseases earlier. By combining data from humans, animals, and the environment, AI can reveal patterns and provide insights into potential pathogens.
Researchers have resurrected ancient microbes stuck in permafrost for up to 40,000 years, which can break down organic matter and release carbon dioxide. The study's findings suggest that thawing permafrost could lead to a vicious cycle of greenhouse gas emissions, with significant implications for the Arctic and global climate.
A common soil fungus, Trichoderma hamatum, has been found to release volatile organic compounds that inhibit the growth of crop pathogens. These natural vapors stall the advance of devastating plant diseases such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a mould responsible for rot in crops like lettuce and oilseed rape.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that certain populations of Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas bacteria play a role in suppressing the disease. By analyzing the microbiome of tomato plants, they found that specific microbes are driving down the disease, providing clues for future treatments.
A team of international researchers, led by UC Riverside's Scott Pegan, are developing protective antibodies against CCHFV using monoclonal antibody treatments and exploring non-traditional viral targets. The study aims to identify life-saving therapeutics for future nairovirus outbreaks.
The University of California - Riverside is receiving a $2 million grant to investigate how gut microbes interact with their human hosts to influence health. The research aims to create next-generation probiotics that strengthen the gut microbiome, improve vaccine effectiveness, and prevent infections.
Researchers at uOttawa are developing an AI tool to provide personalized dietary strategies for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The project aims to match specific types of carbohydrates to individual patients' unique gut microbiomes.
Research links oral bacteria to Parkinson's disease via the gut-brain axis, finding Streptococcus mutans produces metabolite imidazole propionate that contributes to disease progression. Targeting the oral-gut microbiome may offer a new therapeutic approach for Parkinson's treatment.
A study reveals that warming temperatures alone do not lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions from soil. Instead, adding more carbon and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus triggers higher CO2 levels released from the soil. This finding highlights the crucial role of microbes in regulating soil carbon cycling.
Researchers are analyzing leaf and soil samples from diverse areas to determine beneficial or harmful roles of different microbes. The study aims to improve crop production practices and overall yield by assessing the health of soil rhizosphere.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe found a significant link between the maternal gut microbiome and preterm birth. The researchers identified Clostridium innocuum as a key bacteria species that may contribute to preterm birth by degrading estradiol, a critical hormone during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that Arctic diatoms can move and glide through ice at temperatures as low as -15 C, using a unique mucilage rope mechanism. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of adaptation to a changing polar environment and potential roles in the food chain.
Researchers found that children with stable gut microbiomes tend to have better growth outcomes. The study created the first-ever pediatric undernutrition microbial genome catalog, which can predict and prevent malnutrition. This discovery opens the door to new diagnostics and therapeutics for addressing global child stunting issues.
A new review highlights three pathways through which roots absorb micro- and nanoplastics, with leaves also taking up microplastics deposited from the atmosphere. This can lead to plant toxicity, altered soil microbial communities, and transfer through food webs.
A team of scientists has estimated that an average cell line acquires and retains roughly 13 percent of its genes every million years through lateral gene transfer. This process enables microbes to adapt to new environments and access essential nutrients. The study provides the first quantitative analysis of gene transfer rates across ...
A Northwestern University study reveals how Pseudomonas putida, a common soil bacterium, rewires its metabolism to thrive on complex carbons like lignin. The findings provide insights into the biomanufacturing industry's quest to harness bacteria for biofuel production and chemical synthesis.
Researchers aim to integrate microbial sensing and communication with electronic networks, enabling computing systems constructed from living cells. The project explores the development of smart biosensors capable of identifying chemical signatures and learning through cellular memory.
A clinical trial led by Tohoku University has found that lubiprostone can prevent the decline of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study evaluated the effects of lubiprostone on kidney function and found that it improves mitochondrial function, which exerts a renoprotective effect.
Researchers studied a microscopic alliance between algae and cyanobacteria to understand how bacteria lose genes and adapt to increasing host dependence. The study found that the level of integration between the symbionts affects genome size, gene content, and metabolic pathways.
Researchers have discovered that gut bacteria can recognize diverse chemical signals, including those from nutrients, DNA, and other metabolites. This allows them to detect and respond to nutritional values, suggesting that finding sources of nutrients is a primary function of motility in these bacteria.
Researchers at Kyushu University discovered that combining yogurt intake with hot spring bathing enhances gut microbiota diversity and improves defecation status, suggesting a potential application for preventive medicine. The study found significant improvements in gut health outcomes, particularly among healthy adults.
A new study found that probiotics significantly reduced the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and multidrug-resistant bacteria in the infant gut, while also promoting a more typical gut microbiome. This breakthrough has major implications for the global AMR crisis, particularly for preterm infants.
Researchers found that a compound produced by Lactobacillus bacteria can reverse liver and gut damage caused by aflatoxin exposure. The molecule, 10-hydroxystearic acid, activated PPARα signaling to repair liver tissue and support gut health.
A new study reveals how Lactococcus lactis regulates the production of a key precursor in vitamin K2 biosynthesis. By tuning substrate supply and genetic architecture, researchers can push production above natural ceilings, opening the door to engineering bacteria for enhanced vitamin K2 production.
Researchers at Rice University have engineered E. coli to act as living multiplexed sensors, detecting multiple environmental toxins simultaneously by converting biological responses into readable electrical signals. The system can detect combined hazards more efficiently and accurately, with potential applications in biocomputing.
A groundbreaking single-day study on Crete's soil microbiome has provided new insights into the environmental factors influencing microbial diversity. The researchers identified several key drivers, including soil moisture and nutrient availability, which can inform strategies for preserving biodiversity.
A new Korea University study provides the first species-specific health risk estimates for indoor airborne microbes based on animal toxicity data. The research determines that exposure to fungi may be unsafe even at levels below current guidelines, while bacteria are within existing regulatory limits.
Researchers found that changes in pH levels result in three distinct metabolic states of the community, driven by indigenous biomass activity and nutrient availability. The simple model predicts the activity with just two parameters, offering insights into how soil microbiomes adapt to climate change.
Researchers create map of T cell responses to Chikungunya virus, shedding light on chronic disease triggers. They found that people with chronic disease have T cells targeting the same viral epitopes as those who cleared the virus.
Researchers investigated the link between HIV treatment regimens and osteoarthritis development, revealing that certain medications like lopinavir can exacerbate OA in the knee. The study's findings have important implications for people living with HIV, highlighting the need to carefully consider treatment options.
Researchers discovered a previously unappreciated mechanism by which CMV infects cells lining blood vessels and contributes to vascular disease. The finding highlights a new potential avenue for developing antiviral drugs and suggests other herpes viruses could use similar molecular structures to evade immune detection.
A new study reveals that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a sharp reduction in the beneficial gut bacterium Parabacteroides merdae, alongside elevated levels of branched-chain amino acids. These changes may impair endometrial health and reproductive complications in women with PCOS.
A global effort to preserve healthy microbes is now entering an active growth phase, with a team of scientists laying out an ethical framework to ensure equitable collaboration and depositor sovereignty. The Microbiota Vault Initiative aims to safeguard microbial diversity for future generations.
A team of researchers at Binghamton University has developed a dissolvable battery using probiotics, which can provide a safe and sustainable energy source for transient applications. The battery utilizes electricity-producing bacteria that are commonly found in the human digestive system and are considered biocompatible.
Researchers have discovered that a bacterial probiotic helps slow the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in already infected wild corals in Florida. Applying the probiotic treatment across entire coral colonies helped prevent tissue loss, providing a more lasting protection than traditional antibiotics.
A study of twins reveals that certain bacteria in the small intestine may trigger MS. Researchers identified two specific bacteria, Lachnoclostridium sp and Eisenbergiella tayi, which are associated with the disease. The findings suggest a new potential therapeutic target for MS treatment.
A new study suggests that certain microbiome compositions in babies born vaginally, specifically with a higher amount of pioneer bacteria B. longum, are less likely to be hospitalised for viral lower respiratory tract infections (vLRTI) in the first two years of life.
Scientists discovered that tiny anoxic pockets on sand grains can carry out denitrification, a process removing human-derived nitrogen from coastal sands. These microenvironments, created by microbes consuming oxygen, account for up to one-third of total nitrogen loss in silicate shelf sands.
Researchers found cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) infecting plants in southern US states as early as 2006, contradicting the assumption that it emerged more recently. The study used modern data-mining tools to uncover hidden threats and highlights the importance of maintaining accessible databases for disease surveillance.
A recent study found that individuals with a specific type of gut bacteria (Firmicutes) had higher bone mineral density and better metabolic health. The researchers suggest that promoting the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria could be an effective strategy for maintaining bone mass and preventing osteoporosis.
A new study reveals that Aspergillus fumigatus infection can unbalance the lungs by creating a microaerophilic niche for bacteria like Ligilactobacillus murinus. This interaction may influence disease progression and enable new treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of understanding the gut-lung axis.
A research team is integrating microorganisms into façade coatings to create 'living tattoos' on building walls. These organisms will protect surfaces from weathering, store CO2, and filter pollutants from the air.
Researchers have discovered that hydrogen boride nanosheets can inactivate a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, without the need for light activation. The nanosheets' ability to denature microbial proteins through strong physicochemical interactions confirms their effectiveness in combating various microbi...