Articles tagged with Soil Bacteria
Researchers have discovered a potent natural antibiotic, pyridomycin, that targets two key enzymes in tuberculosis bacteria. The molecule's unique three-dimensional structure allows it to simultaneously inhibit the production of the bacterium's lipid membrane, drastically reducing the risk of resistance.
Invasive plant species alter soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, facilitating their establishment. Microbial agents associated with invasive plants change soil biogeochemistry and enable their continued growth.
A new computer model developed by a UCI-led team accurately accounts for bacteria and fungi's impact on soil carbon, leading to more reliable forecasts. The model suggests two novel scenarios: soil accumulating or releasing carbon due to microbial growth changes with temperature.
Scientists have discovered that social amoebae can cultivate two bacterial strains, one edible and the other toxic, which differ by only one key mutation. This mutation altered the expression of genes in the non-food strain, making it edible, while the food strain retained its defense mechanisms.
A new study reveals that changing crop species massively alters the content of microbes in the soil, helping plants acquire nutrients and regulate growth. Soil grown with peas was highly enriched for fungi, while oat and pea cultivation shifted the balance towards protozoa and nematode worms.
Researchers have discovered a light-independent source of superoxide in the depths of oceans and dark environments. Bacteria common in these areas produce superoxide, which has both toxic and beneficial effects on the environment.
Researchers have developed a biotechnology-based approach to enhance oil recovery using natural soil bacteria. The AERO System stimulates the growth of native reservoir bacteria, breaking down oil and forcing it to flow more freely, increasing production by 9-12% from exhausted wells.
Researchers found that Bacteroidetes were more predominant in fine dust, while Proteobacteria were associated with coarse sediments. This knowledge can inform management practices to minimize damage to soils caused by wind erosion.
Researchers found a rich diversity of microbial life and chemicals in hailstones from a storm cloud, suggesting specific processes during cloud lifetime impact bacterial distribution. The study suggests that these processes could affect long-distance transport and geographical distribution of microbes on Earth.
Researchers found that 40% of microbial biomass is converted to organic soil components, contradicting the long-held view that plant material is the primary source. The study discovered that bacterial cell wall fragments contribute significantly to soil fertility and carbon storage.
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that degrades the common veterinary antibiotic sulfamethazine and uses it for growth. This finding challenges existing theories on antibiotic resistance and suggests that soil bacteria may be capable of breaking down antibiotics more rapidly, potentially reducing their impacts.
The University of Connecticut has received a Grand Challenges Explorations Grant to explore the potential of using natural protozoa in the rhizosphere to distribute beneficial bacteria among crops. This could lead to improved crop productivity for farmers in developing countries.
Scientists at Rice University and UTHealth discovered a simple formula that enables Myxococcus xanthus bacteria to create waves to spread and devour other bacteria. The formula involves side-to-side contact between cells, a reversal time interval, and physical interactions, allowing the waves to move outward in unison.
Researchers reveal that beneficial root bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, suppress plant immunity to control the relationship, boosting growth through nitrogen conversion. This complex interaction raises questions about the benefits and drawbacks of these symbiotic relationships.
Researchers found pyridomycin selectively kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including strains resistant to front-line drug isoniazid. The natural antibiotic targets the InhA enzyme, which is essential for bacterial cell wall production.
Researchers found at least seven shared antibiotic-resistance genes between soil bacteria and disease-causing pathogens, suggesting recent gene transfers. The discovery highlights the potential for environmental bacteria to contribute to human health risks.
Researchers have discovered that plants like Arabidopsis select a specific bacterial community from the diverse microbial ecosystem in the soil, with Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla being preferred. This community is dependent on soil type and plant genotype, and plays a crucial role in plant health.
Researchers have identified a core group of bacterial types consistently found inside Arabidopsis roots, while others depend on soil type. The study establishes a framework for examining how plants interact with microbial communities influencing growth and development.
Researchers found that fungal hyphae can transport contaminants, bypassing air barriers, allowing for potential environmental remediation. This ability enables fungi to overcome limitations in nutrient uptake, suggesting a broader role in facilitating contaminant movement.
Bacteria found in a Colombian garbage dump have been shown to neutralize contaminants, making them suitable for bioremediation. The indigenous bacterial community was able to break down hydrocarbon compounds and other pollutants, providing a potential solution to clean the site.
Researchers have found that when the Iroko tree is grown in dry, acidic soil and treated with natural fungus and bacteria, it produces mineral limestone that stores carbon. This technique has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions in tropical countries and improve farming conditions.
A new study by American Chemical Society researchers suggests that long-term irrigation with treated wastewater does not enhance antibiotic resistance in soil microbial communities, indicating a safer alternative for water-scarce areas.
Researchers have imaged the structure of the S-layer protein coat in bacteria down to individual atoms, revealing its role as a protective layer. The discovery provides insights into how bacteria interact with their environment and could lead to new nanomaterials and drug delivery methods.
Researchers investigate bacterial eating habits as part of a $1 million study on the environmental impact of insensitive munitions compounds. They aim to identify microorganisms that can break down these new explosives and predict their environmental fate.
A new study reveals that wind erosion can carry away beneficial microbes from soil, reducing microbial diversity and depleting topsoil of essential bacteria. However, certain groups of microbes, such as Actinobacteria, remain in the parent soil despite erosive conditions.
Researchers discovered that maize crops emit chemicals attracting growth-promoting microbes to live amongst their roots. This attracts beneficial bacteria, making important nutrients like iron and phosphorous more available, and competing against harmful bacteria.
Researchers have discovered a way for soil bacteria to convert an epoxide into a six-membered cyclic ether, a common structural feature in hundreds of drug molecules. This breakthrough has implications for the development of new polyether drugs and potential biosynthesis strategies.
Scientists have identified two new possible antibiotics, fasamycin A and B, that work against deadly resistant microbes like MRSA. The metagenomics method allowed researchers to analyze substances made by soil bacteria's DNA in the lab, enabling the discovery of these potential life-saving medications.
Researchers at UT-ORNL discovered that aquatic bacteria made the transition to land approximately 400 million years ago, rather than 2 billion years earlier. This finding has significant implications for bioenergy research, particularly in the development of cellulolytic enzymes for efficient plant growth and bioethanol production.
Researchers found diverse bacterial communities in public restroom surfaces, with human skin being the primary source of bacteria. The study suggests that proper hygiene practices can help identify and mitigate the spread of pathogens through contaminated building surfaces.
Researchers have developed a gene for an improved bacterial enzyme that targets tumour cells while leaving healthy tissue unscathed. This therapy uses Clostridium sporogenes to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to the site of solid tumours.
A new CU-Boulder study has found that dog feces may be a significant source of airborne bacteria in urban areas, particularly during the winter months. The research suggests that the dominant source of airborne bacteria in Cleveland and Detroit's wintertime air is actually from dog fecal material.
A Lithuanian company, Biocentras, has developed a three-stage process that transforms contaminated soil into usable land for growing plants. The process uses biosurfactant and micro-organisms to break down oil pollutants, making it an efficient and natural solution.
A Lithuanian company developed a technique that has cleaned over 22,000 tons of soil using non-genetically-modified bacteria, transforming contaminated soil into usable land for plant growth. The natural process eliminates the need for chemicals or genetically-modified technologies.
Researchers have isolated a new species of ammonia oxidizing archaeon from soil, named Nitrososphaera viennensis. The discovery has significant implications for agriculture, as ammonia oxidation affects nitrogen availability for plants and groundwater nitrate levels.
A comprehensive study of British soil biodiversity has been conducted, mapping bacterial distributions for the first time. The research found that acidic soils are dominated by few taxa, while bacterial diversity is strongly related to soil pH.
A new study by Queen's University reveals that soil bacteria in Arctic regions exhibit no similarity pattern based on distance, contradicting expectations. The research found thousands of unique bacterial types in each sample, regardless of location.
A new study found low levels of bacteria in soils outside fields sprayed with swine manure, while internal soils showed higher nutrient levels but lower pathogen levels. The research suggests that manure management plans have been effective in reducing bacterial risks.
Certain tree species have developed strategies to select bacterial communities that can break down inorganic minerals into usable nutrients. This process, known as mineral weathering, is essential for tree growth in acidic forest soils.
Researchers have identified the genes necessary for producing a highly potent and clinically unexploited antibiotic, microbisporicin. The study enables the engineering of bacteria to produce similar but better molecules, improving pharmacological properties.
Mycobacterium vaccae has been shown to increase serotonin levels and decrease anxiety in mice, leading to improved learning behavior. The temporary effects suggest a potential role for the bacteria in anxiety and learning in mammals.
Researchers found that bacteria in oxygen-free environments can use insoluble organic compounds to accelerate mineral respiration, a new pathway for electrical charges to move around in the environment. This discovery has implications for understanding soil chemistry and environmental contamination.
A naturally occurring micro-organism has been found to directly target the bacteria that causes a sometimes deadly intestinal disease. Thuricin CD, produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, is a promising specific antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile in both in vitro and animal studies.
A study of young adults in Mexico City found that exposure to particulate matter and endotoxins can cause chronic inflammation in the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease. The research highlights the importance of understanding how air pollution affects the human heart, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Researchers at UT Knoxville discovered that Azospirillum brasilense has 48 receptors, enabling it to detect changes in its environment and make complex decisions. This understanding could lead to tailored medicines and new agricultural applications.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have identified genetic mechanisms behind the loss of deadliness in lab-raised nematode worms, which are used as a natural insecticide. The study's findings also shed light on how to defeat parasites that harm beneficial plants and animals, and could lead to new targets for pharmaceuticals.
Scientists discovered that Myxococcus xanthus cells recognize subtle genetic differences in one another, inhibiting cooperation and promoting competition. This suggests that cooperation may be driven by a desire to maintain evolutionary dominance rather than a shared kinship bond.
Researchers discovered that certain cyanobacteria species have evolved rope-building traits to resist erosion and stabilize soil substrates in arid environments. This adaptation allows them to thrive in areas where other microbes would struggle to survive.
A new method for harvesting purified protein molecules has been discovered, utilizing an enzymatic 'on-switch' to separate desired proteins from impurities. The technique, developed by a multi-institutional research team, shows promise for obtaining high-purity proteins with greater than 95% efficiency.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that Bacillus anthracis forms a symbiotic relationship with viruses to survive and thrive. The viruses alter the lifestyle of the bacteria, influencing its ability to produce spores and form communities.
Perennial crops offer a solution to unsustainable agricultural systems by producing more, requiring less input, and maintaining soil health. Increasing landscape diversity can also boost populations of pests' natural enemies, reducing the need for pesticides.
The study clarifies the chemical nature of the ISNT and its relationship to microbial growth. It finds that the test mainly detects bacterial amino sugars, suggesting this form of soil nitrogen is key to its effectiveness in predicting corn yield response.
Repeatedly, molecular microbiological techniques have found changes in soil bacterial communities after antibiotic use in intensive livestock production. Bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle are particularly affected, with persistent changes even after antibiotics break down.
Researchers have discovered how Shewanella bacteria 'breathe' toxic metals, converting them into non-toxic forms. This process could potentially clean up contaminated nuclear waste sites by utilizing the bacteria's ability to extract energy from metal oxides.
Researchers detect complex microbial communities in extreme environment, sustaining life on high-altitude, arid soils. Unique bacteria thrive in soil without associated fumaroles, revealing resilience of microbes to harsh conditions.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered plant-associated bacteria that can improve plant growth on marginal land, increasing biomass and carbon sequestration. The findings have implications for sustainable biofuel production without competing with food crops or agricultural land.
A study found that the pathogenic soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is associated with land management changes such as livestock husbandry and residential gardening. The bacterium was more commonly found in areas with lower soil pH, irrigation, and presence of livestock animals.
A new study led by Duke University researchers found that restored wetlands have decreased soil bacterial diversity, but this decrease represents a return to biological health. The composition of these populations can reflect the status of wetland functioning and serve as an indicator of restoration success.
Researchers discovered that Myxococcus xanthus uses a rippling motion to hunt other bacteria, with the pattern adapting to prey density. The study found that individual cells line up and move in an alternating pattern, producing high and low cell density waves.
Scientists have developed a colour-coded bacteria system to quickly detect oil spills and pollution, providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to current methods. The technique uses harmless bacteria that can detect different chemicals and warn of spreading pollution.