Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Extreme life inside the Arctic ice

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.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2025

Can a healthy gut microbiome help prevent childhood stunting?

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.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateSep 9, 2025

Researchers quantify rate of essential evolutionary process in the ocean

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 ...

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalThe ISME Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 5, 2025

What gut bacteria like

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2025

Probiotics for preterm babies lowered antibiotic resistant bacteria in gut, new study shows

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2025

‘Major leap in bioelectronic sensing’: Rice researchers turn bacteria into tiny pollution detectors

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2025

First ever one-day island-wide soil microbiome study completed on Crete

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.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Microbiome·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2025

Korea University study proposes first toxicity-based exposure limits proposed for indoor airborne fungi

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.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2025

The hidden drawbacks of HIV: treatment regimens may exacerbate risk of knee arthritis

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.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2025

Researchers develop dissolvable battery using probiotics

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.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2025

Smithsonian research reveals that probiotics slow spread of deadly disease decimating Caribbean reefs

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.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2025

Multiple sclerosis: Triggers in the gut flora

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2025

When fungi take your breath - How a mold can unbalance the lungs

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 leap forward in transparent antimicrobial coatings

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...

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2025

Why so many microbes fail to grow in the lab

A new study from researchers at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity offers fresh insights into why many microorganisms fail to grow in the lab. The study suggests that the survival of microbes depends on a hidden web of relationships between species, which can collapse with small structural changes.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2025

SMART researchers develop novel UV and machine learning-aided method to detect microbial contamination in cell cultures

A new method using UV light and machine learning can detect microbial contamination in cell cultures, providing a quicker yes/no assessment within 30 minutes. This technology aims to reduce the time spent on sterility tests, making it crucial for life-saving treatments.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2025

Titanium particles are common around implants

A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that titanium micro-particles are consistently present at all examined implants, even those without signs of inflammation. The researchers identified 14 genes that may be affected by these particles, but further research is needed to understand their impact on tissue health.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2025

Miso made in space tastes nuttier, researchers find

Scientists successfully fermented miso on the International Space Station, discovering differences in bacterial communities and flavor profiles compared to Earth-made miso. The study's findings suggest that food fermentation can thrive in space, opening up new possibilities for astronaut well-being and performance.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2025