Researchers discovered that bacteria can degrade solid bedrock by oxidizing iron and extracting energy from it. The study found that these microorganisms use proteins on their outer surface to move electrons, allowing them to 'munch' rocks without taking minerals into their cells.
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Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have decoded how priming with rhizobacteria enhances sorghum's resistance to fungal attacks. The low-cost approach can be used to counter other pathogens in economically important food crops, boosting crop yields and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers have developed coated seeds that can grow in salty soils by providing a protective coating and fertilizer-generating microbes. These seeds showed improved health and growth compared to untreated seeds in unproductive soil fields.
A recent study found that fumigants used to control nematodes in potato cropping systems have very minor effects on soil microbial communities. The research suggested that the average efficacy of these pesticides was estimated at 98% across all nematodes studied.
Researchers discovered that certain soil microbes can make plants more resistant to an aggressive disease, such as bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The study found that rare taxa and pathogen-suppressing bacteria are associated with healthy plant microbiomes.
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A soil bacterium, Acidimicrobium A6, has shown promise in breaking down difficult-to-remove pollutants like PFAS. After 100 days of observation, the bacteria removed 60% of PFAS specifically PFOA and PFOS in lab vials, demonstrating a potential solution for environmental remediation.
Researchers have isolated over 40 different bacteria isolates that can tolerate ocean-level salt content, including Halomonas and Bacillus, which stimulate plant growth in high-saline conditions.
A study discovered that farm-like indoor microbiota protects children from asthma in urban homes, with a key characteristic being large abundance of outdoor environment bacteria. The presence of these beneficial microbes may help develop mechanisms protecting against asthma.
A new study reveals that restoring degraded landscapes to biodiverse ecosystems favors more stable and specialist bacteria over opportunistic ones. This shift in bacterial composition has potential immune-boosting effects, suggesting a connection between healthy ecosystems and human health.
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A University of Sussex mathematician has developed a chemical-free way to target parasitic nematode worms that destroy wheat crops. The breakthrough method uses biostimulants derived from naturally occurring soil bacteria to precisely kill the nematodes without harming other insects.
Researchers tested spore-forming bacteria on antimicrobial paint surfaces and found that most died, but a few strains, like Bacillus timonensis, survived. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of these paints and potential risks to human health.
Researchers at Florida International University have discovered a new broad-spectrum antibiotic, arsinothricin, which is the first natural product containing arsenic to be found effective against various bacteria. The compound has shown promise in treating infections caused by E. coli and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae.
Researchers have discovered a novel biosynthesis pathway for aryl polyene pigments in bacteria, produced via a unique complex of proteins. These pigments exhibit anti-oxidative properties similar to carotenoids but are formed differently.
Researchers successfully isolated a strain of methane-oxidizing soil bacteria that can grow in air and oxidize methane at atmospheric concentrations. The strain also exhibits metabolic flexibility, allowing it to metabolize multiple gases including CO2, N2, O2, CO, and H2.
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Scientists have discovered a seamless biological structure in Geobacter sulfurreducens bacteria that can transmit electricity through nanowires, revolutionizing electronics and medicine. This breakthrough could lead to miniaturized devices, powerful-yet-tiny batteries, and pacemakers without wires.
Geobacter bacteria project metal-containing heme filaments called nanowires to dispose of excess electrons in oxygen-free environments. This discovery solves the mystery of how nanowires facilitate environmental cleanup and potential applications for building new materials and sensors.
Researchers isolated cyphomycin from leafcutting ant microbiota, killing fungi resistant to existing drugs. The compound was tested against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species, showing promise as a novel antibiotic
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Researchers found that caterpillars ingest soil and retain a microbiome similar to the soil itself, allowing them to access 'voicemails' left behind by plants. This discovery sheds light on the impact of soil legacy on insect health and has potential applications for agriculture.
Research finds that dung beetles and soil bacteria naturally suppress pathogens like E. coli, reducing foodborne illness risks on organic farms.
Researchers found that tiny swimmers can form large flocks swimming in the same direction, resulting in huge effects and unexpected behavior. The movement of microorganisms is crucial to research in materials science, engineering, and biochemistry.
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Researchers use genetic analysis to determine when certain groups of bacteria evolved, providing insight into early environments and animal life. They found that three major groups of soil bacteria diversified around 450-350 million years ago, likely in response to changes in the environment.
A team of Harvard researchers has unraveled the process by which bacteria manufacture streptozotocin, a key compound used to treat pancreatic cancer. The study reveals an iron-dependent enzyme with two domains that catalyze different steps in the production of nitrosamine compounds.
Researchers found that insect-borne microbes often outperformed soil bacteria in stopping antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. A new antibiotic, cyphomycin, was discovered from a Brazilian fungus-farming ant and showed effective antimicrobial action without toxic side effects.
Researchers at Lund University studied how 18 years of drought affect soil bacteria, finding that drought-tolerant microbes can slow carbon loss from soils. This adaptation could mitigate the impact of climate change on global carbon balance.
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Researchers isolated giant viruses from soil at Harvard Forest using a novel mini-metagenomics approach, revealing unprecedented biodiversity and challenging existing knowledge of viral diversity. The discovery highlights the importance of new methods in uncovering key discoveries in microbial ecosystems.
Researchers found kanglemycins, a group of natural antibiotics similar to rifamycin, which can target mutated RNAPs. These antibiotics may have emerged as a result of evolutionary pressures in nature, providing a potential solution to the rising problem of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers discovered that soil bacteria hedge their bets by maintaining systems for nitrous oxide destruction in low oxygen environments. This 'bet-hedging strategy' may be widespread and can help control nitrous oxide emissions, a potent climate-active gas.
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Researchers found that today's mix of soil bacteria is strongly influenced by the climate of 50 years ago. The study predicts that as soil microbes adjust to today's climate over the next few decades, their diversity will increase across most of the Tibetan Plateau and northern North America.
Researchers at University of Basel developed new approach to analyze microbial molecular fossils in lake sediments, providing reliable temperature estimates. The study's findings can be applied globally, offering improved predictions for future climate conditions.
A team of scientists from the US Army Research Laboratory and MIT have developed a novel synthetic biology tool that delivers DNA programming into a broad range of bacteria. The XPORT bacterium enables precise and controlled transfer of DNA to various microorganisms, opening up new possibilities for military applications.
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Researchers have developed a new method to analyze plant resistance to bacterial wilt at the seedling stage, allowing for early detection of disease-resistant cultivars. This approach combines plant metabolomics and statistical modeling to identify key chemicals that confer resistance.
Kristen DeAngelis will lead a new soil warming studies project with undergraduates annotating soil microbe genomes and investigating bacterial traits. The goal is to understand how bacteria thrive in warmer soils and their impact on the environment.
A new predictive model by Cornell University researchers aims to reduce food waste and spoilage by making 'sell-by' dates on milk cartons more precise. The model shows that refrigerated milk at lower temperatures significantly reduces the presence of spore-forming bacteria, leading to improved shelf life.
A NASA scientist is developing a robotic instrument to identify bacteria and archaea on Mars and other planets. The FISHBot will use fluorescent in situ hybridization to detect genetic sequences in samples, which could indicate the presence of life.
The first global survey of soil genomics found a constant competition between bacteria and fungi for nutrients, leading to the production of antibiotics. The study's results have implications for predicting the impact of climate change on soil and improving agricultural practices.
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Researchers sequenced the genomes of every microbe in a teaspoon of soil and found hundreds of complex molecules with potential antibiotic or antifungal activity. The discovery is significant as disease-causing bacteria become increasingly resistant to current drugs.
Scientists have discovered key steps in how bacteria eat antibiotics, transforming them into food. The findings could lead to new ways to eliminate antibiotics from land and water, slowing the spread of drug resistance. Researchers may engineer bacteria like E. coli to clean up contaminated soil and water.
A team of scientists discovered that the microbiome of a native plant, Nicotiana attenuata, is more resilient than expected. The study shows that different strains of bacteria within the soil microbiota can form partnerships with the plant and resist antimicrobial peptides, defying previous assumptions about their impact.
Rice University scientists introduce a new technique to fine-tune two-component biological sensors, enabling tailor-made biosensors for diagnostic gut bacteria and environmental pollutant detection. The approach uses phosphatase activity to alter the sensitivity of these pathways, promising a major breakthrough in synthetic biology.
The research team aims to understand how bacteria and fungi interact in soils, which could lead to advances in plant productivity and bioenergy. By studying these fundamental interactions, they hope to develop predictive models of ecosystem behavior and inform strategies for manipulating microbial communities.
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Researchers analyzed bacterial content of Svalbard glacier soil, revealing microbes trigger soil formation under extreme conditions. The study provides clues for combating desertification in hot arid environments.
Researchers have uncovered the evolutionary origin of termite gut microbiomes, finding a mix of both vertical and horizontal transmission. The study, which analyzed 211 bacterial lineages from 94 termite species across four continents, reveals that termites acquire their gut bacteria from both parents and other termite colonies.
A team of researchers has compiled a 'most wanted' list of around 500 key bacterial species that are both common and abundant worldwide. These dominant bacteria can now be targeted for future study to improve soil health and fertility.
A comprehensive study has identified just a handful of bacterial taxa that dominate the Earth's soil globally. These abundant bacteria can be grouped based on five key environmental preferences, providing new insights into their roles in regulating nutrient cycles, plant productivity, and terrestrial carbon dynamics.
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A global study reveals that only 2% of the world's bacteria species dominate soil populations, with implications for ecosystem health and climate change mitigation. The findings have important applications for agricultural soils and food productivity.
Plague bacteria survive and replicate for up to 48 hours inside an amoeba, replicating and thriving in a way most bacteria do not. The discovery sheds new light on the persistence of plague outbreaks, which can smolder for years before re-emerging with a vengeance.
Researchers studied native biocrusts, discovering that specific compounds are transformed by and strongly associated with specific bacteria. The study links microbial community structure to soil chemistry, shedding light on the roles of soil microbes in the global carbon cycle.
A team of scientists analyzed data on over 1900 soils from 21 countries, discovering constant bacterial groups across different environments. These bacteria hold clues to making some soils more fertile. Informative families of bacteria indicate real differences among types of soil.
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Scientists from RUDN University have classified the distribution of soil microorganisms at different latitudes, discovering that soil properties are the primary factor in determining microbial composition. The study revealed that climate and vegetation play a lesser role in shaping microbial communities.
A University of British Columbia researcher has developed a method to prevent blue mold from growing on apples using a specific bacterium, reducing the need for chemical fungicides. This approach could help reduce post-harvest losses and yield up to 50% in developing countries.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in soil are structured by plant lineage, not environment. This discovery helps understand how invasive species succeed and affects ecosystem fitness.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in soil are primarily structured by plant lineage rather than environmental factors. The study's results suggest that invasive plants are successful due to their freedom from cultivating microbial defense mechanisms, allowing them to allocate resources for growth and reproduction.
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Researchers used Next Generation Sequencing to investigate bacterial communities in long-term no-till and conventional tillage plots. The study found dynamic microbial communities influenced by sample location, with different bacteria dominating the rhizosphere and bulk soils.
Researchers found that the bacteria communities in the National Mall's soil did not change significantly before and after the renovation. The study highlights the importance of understanding how changes in the soil microbiome can impact plant productivity and health.
Scientists have found evidence that the soil microbiome in restored Illinois prairies is recolonizing and recovering, closely resembling those in untouched natural prairies. This discovery suggests that restoration efforts are working at a foundational level, contributing to the health of people and the planet.
Researchers at UFZ discovered that fungi increase bacterial activity in dry soils by supplying water and nutrients, enabling them to thrive. This study reveals the important role of fungi in soils, including their function as pumping stations and pipelines for water and substrates.
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Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that decomposing leaves in soil are a surprising source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. The team found that large soil pores create micro-habitats perfect for bacteria to produce nitrous oxide.
Researchers have discovered that decomposing leaves in soil are a significant source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. The study, led by Michigan State University, found that leaf particles create micro-habitats perfect for bacteria that produce nitrous oxide.
Ready-to-eat foods such as dairy products and fresh produce contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be directly consumed or contaminate kitchen surfaces. Organic produce had higher levels of resistance than dairy products.
Research found that plague bacteria Yersinia pestis can survive within amoebae, using proteins to avoid being digested. This discovery has implications for predicting disease re-emergence and may lead to new strategies for controlling the spread of plague.