The NTU team has developed a process using industrial carbide sludge and urea to create biocement, which can strengthen soil, reduce water seepage, and even repair rock carvings. The biocement-making process generates fewer carbon emissions and requires less energy compared to traditional cement production methods.
Researchers discovered a soil microbe's enzyme that converts CO2 into carbon compounds 20 times faster than plant enzymes during photosynthesis. The enzyme uses pairs of molecules working in sync like jugglers, with a spot of molecular glue and twisting motion facilitating the reaction.
Research finds fungi and bacteria can thrive in post-megafire soils, with certain microbes increasing in abundance. These microbial 'cousins' are genetically related and share adaptive traits to respond to fire, improving prediction of their responses.
A preliminary study found that organic leafy greens are susceptible to contamination with disease-causing bacteria and protozoa, including Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Helicobacter. The presence of these pathogens inside free-living amoebae suggests a potential risk to public health through contaminated organic vegetables.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a method to make bricks out of Martian soil using bacteria and urea. These 'space bricks' can be used for building-like structures on Mars, reducing porosity and increasing strength. The team plans to study the effect of Mars' atmosphere and low gravity on the bricks.
Scientists have identified a potential new antibiotic candidate from the rare soil microbe Lentzea flaviverrucosa. The discovery was made using genomics-based approaches and shows that this actinomycete produces two different bioactive molecules that are active against various types of cancer cells.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that geosmin, a common soil contaminant, acts as an aposematic signal to deter bacteria-eating worms like C. elegans from poisonous microbes. The researchers found that geosmin triggers the worm's sense of taste, warning it of potential danger.
A new study reveals that salt marsh grass in Georgia's coast relies on beneficial bacteria in its roots to access nutrients, improving plant productivity. The research provides insights into the importance of soil microorganisms in maintaining ecosystem health and supporting restoration efforts.
Researchers found that desert microbes produce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in arid soils after rain, contradicting the long-held assumption that it comes from fertilized agricultural fields. The study reveals a new source of nitrogen pollution in deserts, driven by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.
Research suggests that genetic material from E. coli bacteria in farm animals may contribute to the evolution of deadly pandemic strains. The study found that ColV plasmids in pigs, cattle, and chickens can increase the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and extra-intestinal infections in humans.
Researchers engineered Azotobacter vinelandii to produce ammonia and excrete it into crop plants, reducing water pollution. This approach could mitigate environmental pollution and provide sustainable solutions for nitrogen management in soil.
Tomato plant varieties resistant to bacterial wilt have the ability to restrict bacterial movement in the plant. Researchers discovered that these plants synthesize reinforcement coatings containing ligno-suberin and related phenolic compounds, providing a physico-chemical barrier against pathogen colonization.
A new study reveals that the fungus Rhizopus partners with a bacteria called Ralstonia to evade immune cells and predators in soil. This partnership strategy is also used by humans' own immune cells, allowing Rhizopus to cause disease in humans.
A recent study found that cover cropping can reduce the population of Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen affecting agricultural crops. The researchers also discovered an increase in beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which have been used as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have simplified a potential cancer treatment by removing a complex ring from a natural antibiotic. The modified compound, called lankacyclinone C, still shows promise in killing cancer cells.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism of viral transport by bacterial shuttles traveling along fungal hyphae. This process allows bacteria to benefit from taking viruses on their conquest of new habitats. The study also highlights the potential influence of viruses on nutrient and carbon cycles in soil ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that resistant bacteria can hide resistance genes in inactive bacteria within biofilms, creating a reservoir of resistance that can be drawn upon when antibiotics are not present. This new understanding challenges the long-held assumption that resistant bacteria lose their res...
Researchers from Rice University and the University of Wyoming discovered self-organization into circular aggregates in Myxococcus xanthus, a model system for social cooperation. The circular behavior is linked to TraAB protein overexpression, which creates a sticky bond between cells, preventing reversals.
Humans developed natural genetic resistance to anthrax by having a diet of more ruminants and experiencing agricultural practices, leading to fewer anthrax receptors. European populations showed an even greater reduction in anthrax receptor expression compared to other human populations.
A study by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that even properly functioning septic systems contribute to nitrogen pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Groundwater samples showed higher dissolved nutrient concentrations than surface waters, indicating contaminated groundwater as a major source of nutrient loading.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a novel method to track microbes and understand their role in processing soil carbon. The study found that different types of bacteria have varying strategies for assimilating carbon, categorized into guilds based on their access to food.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill and UC Davis have discovered how the soil bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses copper to produce fluopsin C, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. This finding could lead to new treatments for infections caused by this pathogenic bacterium.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University has identified potentially dangerous Pseudomonas bacteria in 21% of wild bird faeces collected from locations near the River Cam. The bacteria, which can be passed on to humans through cross-contamination, were resistant to multiple antibiotics.
A global review found bioaerosols can be transmitted throughout a building by defective plumbing and that opening toilet lids after flushing disperses contaminated droplets. Uncovered rubbish bins and poor surface cleaning also contribute to high bacterial loads.
Researchers will test inexpensive techniques to increase asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive certified organic fertilizers. The project aims to provide evidence for a cheap, effective, and sustainable form of nitrogen for organically managed crops.
Chromobacterium violaceum uses zinc ion transporter ZnuABC to overcome host constraints on metal availability, increasing its virulence. The discovery offers a route for novel therapies against bacterial infections.
A national review of nocardia infection in kidney transplant patients found that those with compromised immune responses are more vulnerable to the opportunistic agent. Nocardiosis can lead to pneumonia and brain abscess, and screening is crucial, especially in combination with pneumonia symptoms.
Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.
A new study led by Dr. Claudia Tocco found that elevated CO2 levels directly impact the development and survival of tunnelling dung beetles. The study reveals that beetles grown under heightened CO2 levels experience lower survival rates and are smaller in size compared to those raised under pre-industrial conditions.
A new genomic and geological mapping tool helps track listeria found in ingredients, processing facilities and finished products by pinpointing sources of contamination. The nationwide atlas reveals the natural distribution of listeria across the US, aiding in the identification of risk areas.
Acidobacteria use low-affinity terminal oxidases to 'breathe' oxygen at nanomolar concentrations, challenging traditional assumptions. These microbes also scavenge atmospheric hydrogen to survive nutrient-poor periods, playing a central role in soil microbial communities and ecological balance.
A new method for analyzing soil nematode communities has been developed using DNA barcoding, revealing characteristics of nematode communities in fields, copses, and home gardens. The study found that plant parasitizing nematodes were abundant in copse soils and bacteria feeders were abundant in home garden soils.
Researchers found that bacteria can break down up to 82% of contaminated soil in five years through the landfarming method, a new approach for Arctic regions. The study demonstrates the potential of naturally occurring bacteria to remediate diesel pollution at abandoned military installations.
Researchers found that just three to six bacterial groups are responsible for the majority of carbon cycling in soils. These dominant species were able to efficiently consume and utilize both existing and added soil carbon and nutrients.
Researchers at Boston University create first-of-its-kind model to predict abundance of different species of soil microbes in various environments. The model takes into account environmental factors such as plant species, pH, temperature and climate, and has huge implications for agriculture, climate change and public health.
Scientists have created a new instrument that can sort and sequence the genome of individual soil bacteria while identifying their functions. The RACS-Seq technique uses laser tweezers and gravity to analyze each bacterium one by one.
A recent study published in Microbiome Journal found that soil protists respond to plant signals, shifting community compositions and altering nutrient cycling. This groundbreaking research highlights the importance of including protists in terrestrial ecological studies.
The discovery of five novel listeria species will help identify potential growth niches in agricultural soil and improve food safety by expanding the knowledge base on listeria diversity. This increased understanding will prevent contamination, false positives, and foodborne outbreaks.
Researchers found that earthworm guts have lower numbers and relative abundances of antibiotic-resistance genes compared to surrounding soils. The earthworms' unique gut environment may destroy ARGs or outcompete bacteria hosting them, suggesting a potential role in natural bioremediation.
Researchers discovered that symbiotic bacteria stimulate root hair growth and produce ethylene, a plant growth hormone, in root cells. This process enhances nutrient supply and makes crops more resistant to oxidative stresses, including heat, soil salt, heavy metals, and climate change.
Predatory bacteria grow faster and consume more resources than non-predators in the same soil, according to a study. These active predators play an outsized role in how elements are stored in or released from soil, with some species growing 36% faster and taking up carbon 211% faster.
Researchers at UCI found that soil microbes can evolve in response to climate change, changing genetic diversity in 18 months. This rapid evolution has implications for how soil ecosystems respond to future climate conditions.
A new study found that plant genetics, tissue type, and management strategy play a crucial role in shaping the plant microbiome. The research discovered that bacterial communities are most diverse in the soil, while fungal communities are more evenly distributed across different tissues.
A team of researchers has discovered a group of bacteria that may help fungi and plants acquire soil nutrients. The bacteria form unique communities on the hyphae surfaces of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which could enhance phosphate acquisition and improve crop yields.
A study found that deforestation in the Amazon leads to an increase in antibiotic-resistant soil bacteria, with a larger number of genes and molecular mechanisms detected in deforested areas than in forested ones. The researchers warn that these microorganisms can pose a significant public health risk if they reach humans.
Climate change has a stronger influence on soil microbial communities than land-use change, leading to increased bacterial richness but reduced community complexity. This shift may reduce specialization and adaptation capacity of ecosystems.
Researchers studied bacterial predation behavior in Myxococcus xanthus, revealing a mix of direct contact and protein-based killing methods to tackle different prey types. The findings provide insights into dynamic interactions in bacterial communities, paving the way for future antibacterial strategy development.
A new study from the University of York shows that common weed killers can increase the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in soil. Herbicides are found to favour bacterial species carrying antibiotic resistance genes, potentially changing microbial community properties.
Researchers investigated how high salt and nitrogen concentrations impact soil microbiome development in high tunnel systems. They found that these properties delayed the re-establishment of a diverse microbial community, with certain 'universal colonizers' surviving despite the stress.
Scientists at University of Warwick and Monash University discovered the molecular basis of a biological mechanism controlling antibiotic production in soil bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to improved manufacturing of existing antibiotics and uncovering new ones.
Researchers discovered that certain soil bacteria can break down large carbon-based molecules using enzymes, potentially leading to rapid release of CO2 from soil. This finding challenges current models of carbon storage in soil and highlights a key role for biology in climate change.
Researchers discovered that free-living non-photosynthetic bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, possess circadian rhythms that adjust to light and temperature cycles. This finding has implications for biotechnology and could lead to optimized drug delivery and crop protection strategies.
Researchers found Geobacter bacteria can coat themselves with cobalt nanoparticles, protecting them from toxic metal. This discovery opens doors to biotechnology applications in reclaiming and recycling cobalt from lithium-ion batteries, reducing dependence on foreign mines.
Researchers found bacteria that feed on toxic halogenated compounds, providing a potential mechanism for measuring exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds. The study suggests that certain SVOCs are correlated with the abundance of bacterial and fungal species in children's guts.
A RUDN University study found that deforestation leads to massive transformations in soil bacterial communities, with some plantations showing higher diversity than forests. The key factors are soil acidity and resource availability.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University discovered that parasitic nematodes can consume and break down oil products. The team adapted nematodes to eat Alcanivorax borkumensis bacteria, which breaks down oil into fatty acids. Enhanced digestion of oil was observed in worms, with undigested bacteria changing their gut microflora.
Scientists have developed transparent soil substitutes that allow researchers to observe the complex interactions of soil microbes. Using these substitutes, researchers found that soil bacteria rely on fungi to survive dry periods, highlighting the crucial role of fungi in maintaining soil health.
Researchers found that plant-secreted coumarins elicit nutritional assistance from bacterial commensals under iron limitation. Adding synthetic communities of root-associated bacteria improves plant performance on unavailable iron, but not with readily available iron.
A study by OU researchers reveals that climate warming increases homogeneous selection in soil bacterial community assembly, which is linked to changes in drought and plant productivity. The findings have important implications for predicting and mitigating ecological consequences of climate change.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that Danes associate purity with naturalness, preferring foods with visible mold to those with long shelf lives. This trend suggests a shift in attitudes towards food purity, with consumers prioritizing natural ingredients and visible signs of spoilage.