Articles tagged with Microorganisms
Researchers found that thick aggregates of bacteria Deinococcus can provide sufficient protection for survival during several years in space. The study suggests that these aggregates could potentially survive travel between Earth and Mars, supporting the theory of panspermia.
A new study found that robotic support pets for older adults and people with dementia acquire bacteria over time, posing a risk of illness. However, a simple cleaning procedure involving anti-bacterial products and wipes can effectively reduce microbial loads to safe levels.
A team of scientists created a computational model of proteins responsible for transforming mercury to toxic methylmercury, shedding light on how this reaction occurs and its environmental impact. The models suggest that conserved cysteine amino acids in HgcB are involved in shuttling mercury to HgcA during the reaction.
The study found that microorganisms with different swimming styles lose their flocking behavior when mixed, potentially reducing the risk of being eaten by aquatic predators. Researchers believe this may be an advantage in symbiotic ecosystems where bacteria and algae live together.
Chinese scientists introduce FlowRACS, a flow-mode Raman-activated cell sorter, to support high-throughput discovery of enzymes and their cell factories at the precision of just one microbial cell. The instrument can screen yeast for its TAG content and profile in real-time.
A new study reveals that microbes in the seabed can survive on extremely low levels of energy, with some using methane and sulphate as alternative sources. This discovery challenges our understanding of life's limits and has significant implications for Earth's carbon and nutrient cycles.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London reveals that microorganisms in deep-sea sediments can survive using far less energy than previously known to support life. This finding challenges our understanding of the limits of life on Earth and has implications for searching for life elsewhere.
The study's three-dimensional reconstructions of Namapoikia fossils suggest that they were constructed by microbes, not animals. The results indicate a microbial construction, contradicting the long-held idea of calcifying sponge evolution.
Scientists revive ancient deep-sea microbes from 100 million-year-old sediment, showing life can persist in nutrient-limited environments. The findings suggest that microorganisms can survive for geological time scales and even multiply under the right conditions.
Researchers have discovered an active methane seep in Antarctica, which provides new insights into the methane cycle and its role in global warming. The study reveals that microbes around the seep are fundamentally different from those found elsewhere in the world's oceans, allowing scientists to better understand how methane cycles work.
Research at Umea University reveals that plant roots can cause the emission of 40 billion tonnes of carbon from permafrost by 2100 through the priming effect. This increase is significant enough to account for almost a quarter of the remaining 'carbon budget' for limiting global warming.
Researchers at Caltech have found bacteria that use manganese as their primary source of energy, converting carbon dioxide into biomass through chemosynthesis. This discovery sheds light on the geochemistry of groundwater and has implications for understanding manganese nodules on the seafloor.
Researchers found that microbes inside hydrocarbon seeps have less efficient, fast-growing lifestyles while those outside have slower but more efficient lives. This difference in lifestyle could mirror how microbes behave higher in the water column.
Researchers have successfully investigated the basic mechanisms of molecular factories in bacteria, revealing insights into the production of complex structures like polyketides. This discovery inspires targeted manipulation of biochemical processes, leading to potential improvements in antibiotics and other drugs.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that flame sterilization introduces carbon dioxide into shake flasks, significantly affecting cell growth. Excess CO2 concentrations increased by up to 70% in certain microbes, while others showed minimal impact.
Research on crop residue management found that no-till and prescribed fire can affect nutrient availability and microbial activity in the soil. While prescribed fire showed some short-term benefits, its long-term influence is still unknown.
Minor ginsenosides have diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, immunomodulator, and anti-inflammatory effects. The utilization of microorganisms and their enzymes for biotransformation and biosynthesis are considered highly specific, safe, and environmentally friendly production methods.
Researchers have engineered a strain of bacteria called Clostridium thermocellum to degrade PET more efficiently than current industry bio-methods. The heat-friendly microbes can break down PET and plant-based fibers in hot, oxygen-free environments, offering a promising solution for plastic waste management.
A UMass Amherst team is studying the microbial safety risks of processing leafy greens in washing machines, aiming to develop guidelines for safe use. The researchers are examining contamination risk factors, sanitation options, and best practices for farmers.
A new study reveals that cicada wings are coated in a stew of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and oxygen-containing molecules, which contribute to their ability to repel water and kill microbes. The ratio of surface chemicals differs between two cicada species, and altering the surface chemicals changes the nanopillar structure.
A NASA-built instrument uses shearing force to grow E. coli bacteria, demonstrating a more suitable method for space travel than existing alternatives. The research opens a new path to bio-manufacturing drugs during long-term space flights.
Researchers have created a material that supports the growth of exoelectrogenic bacteria while efficiently conducting electricity in a controlled manner. By incorporating DNA strands into a nanocomposite scaffold, they can tailor the conductivity and properties of the material by varying the size and sequence of the DNA fragments.
Scientists have developed a catalyst that converts nitrate into nitrite without high temperatures or acidity, addressing water pollution concerns. The catalyst's mechanism mimics natural enzymes, offering a promising solution for detoxifying nitrate in mild environments.
A study by Fraunhofer IVV, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, and University of Alicante found that separating packaging waste from household waste reduces off-odors in plastic recyclates. The researchers identified over 60 odor-causing substances and found that washing post-consumer LDPE shopping bags at 60 degrees reduced overall odors.
A new decontamination method developed by OSU and NC State University uses hydrogel beads containing bacteria and a slow-release food source to transform toxic contaminants into harmless compounds. The system has functioned continuously for over 300 days without maintenance, removing more than 99% of contaminants from groundwater.
A new research project at Aarhus University aims to convert lignocellulosic biomass into sustainable bioethanol using enzymes and microorganisms found in pandas' digestive systems, as well as those of ants and slugs. The goal is to produce bioethanol via completely natural processes.
Researchers found a diverse community of microbes that efficiently recycle and store organic compounds to survive in hostile environments far beneath the ocean floor. The study reveals genetic material suggests many lower crust microbes rely on carbon from their surroundings to obtain energy.
A new tool forecasts how marine microbes will adapt to warming seas, revealing two strategies: rapid short-term success and long-term evolution. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems and their role in regulating carbon cycles.
Researchers have developed a method to use waste bread as a medium for cultivating microbial starters for the food industry, reducing food waste and its associated economic losses. The new protocol, known as WBM, is estimated to be cheaper than current production methods and has potential applications beyond fermented foods.
Canadian researchers have created a sustainable biodiesel production method that utilizes sewage sludge and glycerol, lowering the cost of production by over 90% compared to traditional methods.
Researchers outline hands-on guidelines to utilize machine learning in studying active matter, emphasizing data preprocessing and physics-informed models. The field offers advantages in acquiring high-quality data and tracking system dynamics over long time scales.
Scientists investigate microorganisms in the twilight zone of the ocean and find they can degrade recalcitrant organic compounds. The study provides insight into the ocean's carbon cycle and may help predict microbes' role in regulating it.
A Yale-NUS research team discovered a connection between the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian continental landmass via airborne microbes. This finding underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems, necessitating holistic conservation efforts.
Researchers have developed a portable device that can quickly analyze microbes in oceans, revealing the health of organisms and their response to environmental threats. The tool screens for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and analyzes algae living in coral reefs.
Climate change is likely to unlock dangerous new microbes and threaten humans' ability to regulate body temperature. Rising temperatures pose a threat to humanity's thermoregulation and survival.
A new study assesses the impact of deep-sea mining on microbial ecosystems, highlighting the need for policy makers and industry to understand microbes' roles and services they provide. Microbial processes and animal communities are slow to recover from disturbance, and damage can lead to irreversible loss of ecosystem processes.
A study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution compared seawater from protected and impacted reefs in Cuba and Florida Keys, finding that protected reefs have higher microbial diversity and lower nutrient concentrations. This suggests that offshore and highly-protected reefs are healthier than nearshore reefs with less protection ...
Researchers have uncovered the nucleation process behind microbial shells' formation, revealing the role of protein building blocks and their interaction with environments. The study could help scientists design self-assembling nanostructures for various tasks.
Leptothrix cholodnii forms long filaments with nanofibrils, which capture precious metals and aid in niche establishment. The structure is essential for bacterial cell attachment to solid surfaces.
A team of scientists discovered an archaeon that can efficiently colonize and utilize meteorite material, suggesting that extraterrestrial compounds may have played a crucial role in the evolution of life on Earth. This finding provides valuable information about the potential for life beyond our planet.
Researchers have identified a novel protein involved in the anammox process, which converts ammonium and nitric oxide to hydrazine. This protein has a unique four-amino-acid structure that was overlooked in previous studies.
New research suggests ancient microorganisms played a critical role in setting the stage for life on a dimly lit early Earth. These microbes transformed iron into rusty minerals without oxygen and served as a food source for other microbes, producing methane that warmed the planet's atmosphere.
Researchers found that MRSA on people and pets can spread through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated surfaces, and environmental factors. Frequent handwashing and high cleanliness scores reduce the risk of staph transmission.
Researchers found that wet fractionation techniques are the most profitable for processors, producing higher-quality coproducts. Dry fractionation methods were comparable to conventional methods in terms of return on investment.
Karen Lloyd's research focuses on the effects of thawing permafrost on the environment, examining microbial processes that break down soil organic carbon and release greenhouse gases. By understanding these processes, future predictions can be made about the impact of microbial communities' activities on changes in released gases.
A Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution study finds that polystyrene breaks down faster than previously thought when exposed to sunlight, transforming into CO2 and other compounds. The research suggests additives in polystyrene play a key role in its breakdown.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that certain strains of gut microbes can break down harmful compounds in processed foods and produce beneficial nutrients. These microbes could potentially make unhealthy snacks healthier when added to their composition.
Researchers at Stanford University and the Exploratorium developed an immersive exhibit allowing visitors to interact with single-cell organisms called Euglena. Visitors spent twice as much time engaging with interactive exhibits compared to traditional microscope-only displays.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have invented a bacteria-based application to prevent or mitigate harmful algal blooms, specifically targeting dinoflagellates responsible for red tides. The algicide, embedded in gel beads, is environmentally neutral and can be deployed in coastal waters as needed.
A new study finds that warmer tropical soils release more car-bon, leading to a 9% increase in atmospheric CO2 by the century's end. The increased microbial activity and changes in soil microbes also promote a positive feedback loop, exacerbating global warming.
Researchers identified fibers that selectively increase the abundance of beneficial microbes and tracked down the bioactive components responsible for their effects. The study provides insights into how gut communities compete or cooperate with each other for dietary fiber ingredients.
A UBC study found that fungi and associated microbes are degrading indoor building materials, compromising structural integrity and occupant health. The research highlights the need for multi-criteria design and optimized building materials to mitigate these effects.
A West Virginia University researcher used science and data to uncover the impact of nature on microorganism traits. The study found that evolutionary history shapes microbial characteristics more than local environment, with potential implications for predicting ecosystem responses to climate change.
A new study found a previously unknown mass extinction event involving minuscule microorganisms, which shaped the Earth's atmosphere approximately 2.05 billion years ago. This die-off is estimated to be even greater than the dinosaur extinction, revealing significant changes in the planet's biosphere.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found that fermentation conditions can significantly impact the flavor of noble cocoa varieties like Criollo and Trinitario. By controlling these processes, high-end chocolate producers can create unique flavors and aromas in their products.
Researchers are studying how male-killing microbes affect insect reproduction and evolution. The project aims to understand the genetic mechanisms behind these microbes' ability to suppress male fertility.
Researchers discovered microbes thriving on centuries-old organic matter in sediments, using peptidases to degrade low-quality food. This finding has implications for biomedical applications and understanding of subsurface microbial communities.
A new analysis suggests that migration can promote cooperation among individuals by creating heterogeneous patterns in their spatial distribution. This allows populations to thrive despite the threat of exploitation, as defectors avoid cooperators or form communities with public goods.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which microorganisms protect themselves against highly reactive molecules known as free radicals. By accumulating lysine and altering their metabolism, yeast cells can produce antioxidant glutathione, increasing their resistance to cell damage.
Researchers at Yokohama National University developed an efficient method to generate hair growth in nude mice using a three-dimensional tissue culture called hair follicle germ. The new approach produces a high rate of hair generation and shows promise for clinical applications in human hair regenerative therapy.