Articles tagged with Microorganisms
Researchers found a powerful antioxidant in Deinococcus radiodurans that combines with manganese to protect against radiation damage. The discovery could lead to synthetic antioxidants tailored for human needs, protecting astronauts and preparing for radiation emergencies.
Research reveals that certain soil microbes can enhance flower size, resulting in increased bee visitations, but high colonization levels may lead to smaller flowers. The study focuses on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associations with plant roots and their impact on floral traits and pollinator interactions.
Ver-A exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity, inhibiting the sexual mating of sugarcane smut spores at a concentration of 8 μg/mL. The compound also shows efficacy in controlling sugarcane smut disease by disrupting the expression of genes involved in pheromone synthesis and mating type recognition.
Under-ice species in the Arctic are facing significant threats as sea ice melts at a faster rate than anywhere else on Earth. Researchers studying microbial organisms in four environments found that the under-ice mix of species was the least diverse, composed mainly of specialist plankton and microbes adapted to harsh conditions.
In-shell pecans are susceptible to pathogens due to soil contact with wildlife and livestock. A recent study found that hot water treatment significantly reduced Shiga toxin-producing E. coli populations on pecans, regardless of treatment time, and prevented cross-contamination.
Eighteen microbiologists propose a global science-based task force to develop and implement microbiological solutions grounded in ecological knowledge. Microorganisms can capture carbon, break down pollutants, produce biofuel, and strengthen ecosystems, offering numerous potential solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Researchers have cataloged the microbiome of US rivers, finding high levels of antibiotic resistance genes near wastewater treatment plants. The study also reveals that microbes play a significant role in shaping river health and can predict water quality under current and future scenarios.
SwRI researchers developed a tool to model environments expected on icy moons, accounting for organics and predicting conditions for microbial life. The project aims to constrain environmental factors and provide valuable information about ocean worlds.
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have identified S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the unexpected donor of methyl groups in mercury transformation. The discovery could aid in developing effective environmental remediation strategies to address methylmercury poisoning, which can cause severe neurological damage.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ have discovered chimney-shaped vents on the Dead Sea floor, emitting shimmering fluid. The chimneys are similar to black smokers but originate from surrounding aquifers, providing a new tool for predicting sinkhole formation.
Researchers identified two microbe strains capable of degrading petroleum hydrocarbons, holding promise for treating contaminated marine oil spills. These microorganisms also exhibit potential to reduce the toxicity of oily wastewater, offering a sustainable solution for environmental remediation.
Scientists have discovered a new genus, Neodiderma, with 11 new species within the Didymiaceae family. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Neodiderma represents a transitional group between Didymiaceae and Physaraceae.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2024 have been named, including the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State and researchers Dr. François Thomas and Dr. Helen Onyeaka.
A new study reveals that human waste, both treated and untreated, is responsible for the microbial impairment in Delaware's inland waterways. The researchers found a majority of microbial signatures in the water matched a human waste signature, indicating infrastructure issues with septic systems may be to blame.
Leading scientists issue a unified call to action, emphasizing the importance of deploying microbiome technologies to address climate change. The authors advocate for a global science-driven task force to expedite the implementation of these solutions, warning that inaction will exacerbate the climate crisis.
Scientists are urging global leaders and industries to deploy microbial solutions to combat climate change. The initiative aims to expedite the use of microbiome technologies to capture carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and restore ecosystems.
A KAIST research team has successfully produced a microbial-based plastic that is biodegradable and can replace existing PET bottles. The team used metabolic engineering to develop a microbial strain that efficiently produces pseudoaromatic dicarboxylic acids, which are better suited for producing polymers than traditional methods.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered a combination of green algae and yeast that enhances wastewater treatment efficiency. The mixture boosts the growth environment, uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions, making it an effective solution for wastewater treatment facilities.
A recent study published in the journal Microbiome found that lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking habits, significantly impact the composition of beneficial bacteria in the mouth. The research team analyzed saliva samples from individuals representing different subsistence strategies in Nepal and discovered a correlation betwee...
Scientists report a rare fungal pathogen, Sporopachydermia lactativora, causing the first recorded case of fungemia in China. The fungus is resistant to echinocandins, increasing treatment challenges.
Thirteen new species of Ramaria fungus were identified in Shanxi Province, northern China, through multigene phylogenetic analysis. The species are characterized by intricately branched and vividly colored basidiomata, and were described and illustrated in the study.
Researchers found that the presence of a fungus increases the pH of the soil, promoting growth of beneficial bacteria. This interaction could lead to sustainable agricultural practices by harnessing microbial interactions to combat plant diseases.
A group of McMaster researchers have discovered that phages can form into three-dimensional flower-like shapes, making them 100 times more efficient at finding bacterial targets. This breakthrough has significant implications for the detection and treatment of diseases, as it enables the creation of novel antimicrobial materials.
A new study has identified novel strains of microbes that have adapted to use limited resources in cities, including those found in Hong Kong's subways and skin. These microbes can metabolize manufactured products, posing health risks if they are pathogenic.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new predatory bacterium, Aureispira, that uses grappling hooks and cannons to capture prey. The bacterium's molecular structures resemble those of pirate tools, allowing it to entangle and kill its victims quickly.
A study published in eLife reveals that larger arthropods like woodlice and beetles play a crucial role in leaf litter decomposition across diverse habitats and seasons. Decomposition rates are influenced by climate, leaf quality, and decomposer abundance, with macrofauna dominating decomposition in hot, dry regions.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered significant differences in bacterial metabolites between women with endometriosis and healthy controls, suggesting a non-invasive diagnostic test. A novel therapy based on the metabolite 4-hydroxyindole may also prevent endometriosis progression.
Researchers found that extreme temperatures and humidity projected for the Amazon under climate change may increase methane-producing microorganisms in flooded areas and reduce methane uptake in upland forests by 70%. This could lead to a shift in the balance of greenhouse gas emissions, with significant global impacts.
A study on Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in Shaanxi province found high microbial diversity, including pathogenic bacteria like Rickettsia and Coxiella. The findings suggest potential for disease transmission to humans and animals.
Researchers at Rice University have developed adhesive bacteria and proteins that can help efficiently decompose PET, a notoriously resistant type of plastic. The engineered microbes demonstrate a 400-fold increase in adhesion to PET surfaces, making them a potential solution for tackling plastic pollution.
Researchers have discovered living microbes in a 2-billion-year-old rock sample from the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa. The team used advanced imaging techniques to confirm the presence of indigenous microorganisms, shedding light on the early evolution of life on Earth and the potential for similar organisms to exist on Mars.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that degrades polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in sewage sludge, a breakthrough that could help reduce plastic pollution. The enzyme is produced by the bacterium Comamonas testosteroni, which naturally breaks down polymers and can be used to upcycle PET waste.
A new study from European universities has developed a method to analyze wastewater data from seven major cities, identifying thousands of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. This approach can detect potential health threats simultaneously, potentially preventing epidemics from escalating into outbreaks.
Researchers identified 339 fungal species, including 15 new species, from a field trip in southern Xizang, China. The discovery highlights the region's vast fungal diversity and underscores the need for further exploration.
A new study reveals that soil pH sets the stage for microbial interactions and community composition, with bacteria cooperating to survive in acidic environments. The research sheds light on global nitrogen cycling and provides insights into reducing potent greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have developed a biotechnology system that converts CO2 into protein and vitamin B9 using renewable energy. The system uses microbes to produce these essential nutrients, with the potential to address global challenges such as environmental conservation, food security, and public health.
A recent study from the University of Illinois provides new insights into the sources and processes affecting nitrogen load in tile drainage water. The research team found a large legacy pool of nitrate in the soil, resulting in a time lag between when nitrogen is added to the system and when it is exported as nitrate in tile drainage.
A recent study by ISGlobal found a vast range of viable bacteria and fungi transported by air masses from northeast China to Japan, some potentially pathogenic to humans. The research team identified over 266 fungal and 305 bacterial genera in aerosol samples, including species resistant to commonly used antibiotics.
A new hybrid technology called SonoBio uses high-frequency ultrasound in combination with biodegradation to break down per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of 'forever chemicals'. Researchers aim to make PFAS completely harmless by turning them into carbon dioxide and fluoride.
Researchers rewired a microbe to convert CO2 into mevalonate, a valuable pharmaceutical building block. The newly engineered microbes produced significantly more mevalonate than control strains, offering a promising solution for carbon capture and utilization.
The BioFoundry laboratory will focus on developing techniques to learn from extreme microorganisms with unusual nutritional requirements, high or low temperatures, and oxygen-free growth. Researchers aim to harness their characteristics for applications in fuels synthesis, water pollution cleanup, and soil remediation.
A team of researchers at UC Davis Health discovered a novel bioelectrical mechanism that allows Salmonella bacteria to navigate the gut lining and find vulnerable entry points. The study found that Salmonella bacteria detect electric signals in FAE, which helps them move towards openings in the gut where they can enter.
Researchers discovered that certain bacteria can utilize methane to grow and generate energy, preventing its release into the atmosphere. These microorganisms, known as methanotrophs, are essential for controlling methane emissions and regulating the global climate.
Researchers found that Megamonas degrades intestinal myo-inositol, enhances lipid absorption, and contributes to obesity. The study suggests potential strategies for future obesity management by illustrating the bacterium's mechanism.
Researchers developed an approach to boost cellulose production in bacteria by inducing mutations through UV-C light. This method produced bacterial variants that generate up to 70% more cellulose than the original form, paving the way for industrial-scale production of sustainable materials.
Researchers found optimal temperature and humidity levels to protect rice from aflatoxins, which are poisonous compounds linked to cancer and immune system suppression. Proper storage conditions include temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius and relative humidity below 75 percent.
Researchers created microscopic vehicles propelled by swimming green algae, which can be maneuvered by the algae. The team developed two types of vehicles: the rotator and the scooter, with the latter displaying erratic rolling motions.
Researchers developed a novel approach to simulate personalized, microbiome-mediated responses to diet using microbial community-scale metabolic modeling. The method predicts individual-specific short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production rates in response to different dietary, prebiotic, and probiotic inputs.
The NIRis device allows for easy detection of bacteria colonies, accelerating research and enabling new types of interdisciplinary projects. This technology has been used to isolate over 1000 new strains of phototrophic bacteria from various plants.
Researchers Manu Prakash and Eliott Flaum have discovered a new geometric mechanism in the single-cell organism Lacrymaria olor, enabling it to produce complex morphodynamics through curved-crease origami. The cell's cytoskeletal structure encodes this behavior, which is driven by a singularity that acts as a controller.
Researchers found two opportunistic bacteria significantly more abundant after three months of daily use, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus. A decrease in Actinobacteria was also observed, crucial contributors to blood pressure regulation.
Researchers at UC Davis Health discovered that mesalamine can replace good bacteria's work in fighting Candida albicans in the gut. The study found that mesalamine maintains a low oxygen environment that prevents fungal growth, reducing the risk of invasive candidiasis.
This study validates a two-stage process for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using peanut oil and propionate with Cupriavidus necator. The findings show that peanut oil is the most beneficial carbon source, leading to increased biomass and PHA production.
Researchers found that microbial communities can stimulate decomposition of both fresh and old organic matter, with significant implications for the marine carbon cycle. The study suggests that increased input of fresh organic matter due to climate change could lead to a disproportionate effect on degradation of refractory organic matter.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have found that storing soil samples under refrigerated or air-dried conditions can retain microbial community composition and structure for many years. This discovery can help future researchers save time and energy when studying microorganisms in soils.
A study found that individuals taking probiotic supplements showed increased sensitivity to fairness and a greater inclination to reject unequal offers. This was accompanied by changes in gut microbiota composition and levels of dopamine precursors. The findings suggest a potential causal mechanism linking gut bacteria to social behavior.
Researchers created GraSSRep and rhea, tools that outperform current methods for handling repeats and structural variants in metagenomic data. These methods use self-supervised learning and graph neural networks to analyze microbiome data, offering new insights into biological processes and potential applications in antibiotic resistance.
Desert isopods rigorously regulate their intake of macronutrients and calcium, preferring biological soil crust over plant litter. The research highlights the crucial role of ingested microorganisms in facilitating digestion and growth.
A new study uncovers obscured contributions to microbiome biomarkers in colorectal cancer development, highlighting potential future targets for intervention. The research employs quantitative methods and extensive confounder control to reveal robust associations between certain microbial taxa and CRC.
A recent study found that an e-tongue can detect signs of microorganisms in white wine within a week after contamination, four weeks before a human panel notices the change in aroma. This technology has the potential to augment traditional methods and allow winemakers to catch and mitigate problems sooner.