Articles tagged with Soil Bacteria
Scientists have discovered a living sensor bacteria that can thrive in cold temperatures and clean up arsenic contamination. The discovery also opens up possibilities for developing an arsenic biosensor to warn of pollution escapes into watercourses or drinking water supplies.
Researchers found that certain bacteria can harness iron from the environment or human host using a unique gene. This discovery could lead to new ways to target diseases like tuberculosis by limiting access to essential iron sources.
Common bacteria, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, can trigger autoimmune symptoms in mice similar to Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), a rare and incurable liver disease. NKT cell activation is critical in initiating autoimmune processes leading to liver damage.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria in desert soils can fix atmospheric carbon dioxide, adding nutrients to the soil. The exchange of carbon between soils and atmosphere is significant in deserts, with small changes affecting fragile ecosystems supporting millions of poor pastoral farmers.
Research finds extreme bacteria dominating areas with high levels of heavy metals, potentially changing pollutants into more toxic forms that can leak into reservoirs. Bacterial diversity shifts could affect the delicate ecosystem balance and impact plant and animal health.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that riboflavin is responsible for much of the energy produced by Shewanella bacteria. This finding increases the power output by 370%, opening up possibilities for innovations in renewable energy and environmental clean-up.
Researchers have found that the protein responsible for producing geosmin, a soil-scented compound, has two distinct halves that work together to create the organic compound. This discovery could help microbiologists develop strategies to block geosmin in drinking water, which can cause an unpleasant taste.
Scientists created a mathematical model of bacterial gene transfer rates, taking into account natural subsurface environments. The new model suggests that bacterial transport and colonization are crucial factors in controlling gene spread, potentially impacting bioremediation and antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found hundreds of new species of bacteria that can break down petroleum products, including those surviving without water or oxygen. The bacteria have potential applications for cleaning oil spills, medical treatments, alternative energy, and industrial uses.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard discover the final piece of vitamin B12's synthesis pathway, solving a decades-long mystery. The enzyme BluB catalyzes the formation of a key fragment, DMB, through an unusual cannibalization reaction.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to reinforce soil by injecting bacterial cultures that convert loose sand into rock, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional chemical treatments.
A new study by Queen's University biologist Virginia Walker has discovered a way to isolate bacteria that can create better ice cream and artificial snow from soil in more temperate environments. The technique, called ice affinity selection, involves forming an 'ice finger' to select for bacteria that gather on the surface of ice.
Researchers have developed a technique to isolate bacteria that interact with ice, leading to the discovery of species with properties such as Ice Recrystallisation Inhibition (IRI) and temperature-modifying abilities. These findings hold potential for applications in industries like snow-making and waste-water purification.
A recent study has found that crenarchaeota, a group of single-celled microbes, are the Earth's most abundant land-based creatures capable of oxidizing ammonia. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that bacteria were solely responsible for nitrogen cycles.
A recent study found that microorganisms can degrade relatively stable forms of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), making them more toxic. This process could render current and planned bans of the most toxic forms of PBDEs ineffective, scientists warn.
Researchers find tropical forests lose significant amounts of nitrogen to the atmosphere, primarily due to denitrifying bacteria. The study reveals that in dry climates, these bacteria consume nitrate, while in wetter climates, they convert it back into gas.
Researchers have found that subsurface bacteria can release phosphate, which converts uranium contamination into an immobile form. This biomineralization approach uses phosphate precipitation to immobilize uranium, offering a novel strategy for remediation.
Researchers at the University of York have developed a novel way to clean up contaminated land using micro-organisms found in soil. The team has isolated bacteria that can use explosives like RDX as a source of nitrogen, and redeployed an enzyme from these bacteria into plants, enabling them to biodegrade the pollutant more efficiently.
A study published in PNAS reveals that Amazonian soils support complex microbial communities, with diversity varying by soil pH and temperature. The research, led by Noah Fierer and Robert Jackson, uses DNA fingerprinting to compare microbial species diversity across North and South America.
Researchers have identified a link between olfactory learning and serotonin regulation in C. elegans worms, which learn to associate pathogens with aversion through bitter experience. The study suggests that this form of associative learning is an acute modification of innate preferences.
Researchers found halophilic bacteria in non-saline Japanese soil, suggesting they originated from salt lakes in Inner Mongolia, China. The study suggests dust storms can transport bacteria across geographical boundaries, posing health risks.
Researchers from Virginia Tech studied the fate of arsenic fed to poultry and found that organic arsenic is biotransformed to inorganic arsenic, which can be toxic. However, surprisingly, low concentrations of arsenic are transported to streambeds instead of being retained by aquifers.
Researchers study bacteria's sticking efficiencies on minerals using atomic force microscopes, revealing the impact of pH levels on stickiness. The findings have implications for understanding toxin mobility in geosystems.
X-ray spectromicroscopy allows scientists to study bacterial cells without staining or sectioning, providing insights into their molecular chemistry and interactions with metals and radionuclides. This technique may help detect weaponized bacteria and prevent disease outbreaks, making it a significant step towards environmental cleanup.
Recent studies have shown that buckyballs can affect biological systems, but a new study assesses their behavior in water. Scientists found that buckyballs combine into nano-sized clumps, which are more soluble in water than individual carbon molecules, and inhibit the growth of soil bacteria at very low concentrations.
Researchers analyzed whale skeletons and farm soil using metagenomics, discovering specialized bacteria that thrive in these environments. The study provides a new understanding of the diversity of microbial life on earth, with potential applications in fields such as agriculture and medicine.
Researchers are studying entomopathogenic nematodes, tiny worms that kill insects by releasing bacteria inside their hosts. The goal is to develop non-chemical and non-toxic pest control programs using these natural agents.
Researchers have successfully engineered plant-dwelling bacteria to break down toxic pollutants, enabling plants to thrive in contaminated environments. The technique uses naturally occurring bacteria and natural gene-transfer methods, offering a promising solution for environmental cleanup.
Researchers investigated using lytic bacteriophage to reduce spore contamination in soil, finding a significant reduction with minimal toxicity. The approach is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional decontamination methods.
Research by Lehigh University engineer Wei-xian Zhang has shown that nanoscale iron particles can break down organic and heavy metals contaminants in the soil and groundwater. The treatment process is more effective and cheaper than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for cleaning up contaminated sites.
Researchers have developed a process to extract hydrogen and methane from wastewater using bacteria, reducing the need for aeration and lowering treatment costs. This innovative method produces biogas containing up to 60% hydrogen and can be converted into electricity with high efficiency.
Scientists have found that bacterial endospores can survive in a simulated Martian environment, raising concerns about future space missions. The discovery highlights the potential for Earth-borne endospores to hitch a ride to Mars and compromise efforts to detect life on the planet.
Researchers found that bacterial polymers, similar to hair, play a crucial role in adhesion. The discovery opens up possibilities for controlling bacterial behavior and improving methods for cleaning groundwater and preventing medical problems.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to convert food processing wastewater into energy sources, including hydrogen and methane. This process can reduce treatment costs by up to 80% and produce over 10 billion BTUs of energy per year.
The genome analysis reveals complex metabolism and diverse pathways, including aromatic compound breakdown and novel transport capabilities. P. putida has great potential for bioremediation, promoting plant growth, and fighting plant diseases.
Scientists at Michigan State University have identified a new bacterium that can break down the toxic chemical TCA, which contaminates groundwater and erodes the ozone layer. The discovery holds promise for cleaning up contaminated sites in the US, as the microbe can convert TCA into less toxic substances.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to increase hydrogen production from fermentation by 43%, utilizing industrial wastewater as feedstock. This approach can potentially make hydrogen a cheaper fuel alternative to gasoline, while also reducing costs for wastewater treatment plants.
A study found that B. cereus spores are associated with high numbers of gold-containing soils, suggesting their potential use as a biogeochemical indicator. The method could help geologists locate gold deposits at low cost and efficiency.
As scientists search for life beyond Earth, the possibility of microbial disease-causing organisms emerging in new environments raises concerns. Experts like Salyers highlight examples of unexpected adaptations, such as Legionnaires' disease and Listeria monocytogenes, which can thrive in harsh conditions and cause human disease.
C. elegans has a large number of genes due to its genetic makeup and the need for robust development and morphology. The worm's ability to fend off bacteria and other microorganisms in its soil environment is also thought to contribute to its high gene count.
Researchers found that bacteria in desert soil migrate towards water, not just light, and return to subsurface after drying out. This discovery has significant implications for understanding underground microbial ecology and potentially locating life on Mars.
Researchers have deciphered the gene sequence of Ralstonia metallidurans, a bacterium that thrives in toxic metals, enabling potential bioremediation applications. The draft genome reveals resistance genes to various heavy metals, paving the way for genetic engineering and monitoring tools.
Researchers discovered a novel survival mechanism in Salmonella bacteria that detects and protects them from high levels of iron. The PmrA/PmrB system allows Salmonella to fend off the antibiotic polymyxin and thrive in hostile environments.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have devised a method to combine chemical treatment with bacteria to remove cadmium from contaminated soil, leaving insoluble cadmium sulfide in place. This technique could be less costly than traditional methods and has potential for treating other metals like arsenic and cobalt.
Researchers at Penn State used atomic force microscopy to study the surface of glass and found that molecular-scale roughness is a key factor in bacterial adhesion. The study suggests that traditional theories on bacterial adhesion may need to be revised.
Scientists at Purdue University have developed a simple and quick method to assess environmental cleanup efforts using genetics. The technique detects genes that reveal the presence of an enzyme produced by pollution-busting bacteria, allowing for real-time monitoring of soil cleanup progress.
Scientists at the University of Georgia discovered that Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacterium, can survive without iron. This finding may lead to new ways to prevent and control the disorder, as the bacterium's unique strategy could be used to limit its occurrence and severity.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have made a groundbreaking discovery about how marine bacteria acquire iron from seawater. The marinobactin and aquachelin siderophores, produced by these bacteria, exhibit a unique ability to bind to iron and form vesicles, raising questions about their physiological role.
A team led by MSU biologist John Priscu has discovered bacteria in an ice core from Lake Vostok, a subglacial body of water under the East Antarctic ice cap. The finding suggests that microorganisms can thrive in extreme environments, even under millions of years of isolation.
Researchers have engineered E. coli bacteria to scavenge heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, zinc, nickel, or manganese from very dilute solutions, reducing contamination to the lowest detectable level
A new bioreactor system uses solvent and bacteria to clean up toxic organic chemicals like benzene, toluene, and p-xylene. The system can recover over 99% of pollutants from soil and is efficient at breaking down high concentrations of waste.
Researchers have created a technique to map underground iron oxide layers, providing ideal habitats for microbes that can clean up heavy metals and organic chemicals. This method will help track the movement of these microbes through the earth and improve bioremediation efforts.
Researchers coax bacteria from contaminated soil into cleaning up toxic heavy metal chromium by adding appropriate nutrients. The team aims to optimize microbial action at contaminated sites for effective bioremediation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are investigating the effectiveness of river-bank filtration in removing harmful viruses, protozoa, and bacteria from drinking water. The study aims to determine if this natural filter can produce cleaner drinking water while minimizing the creation of toxic by-products.
A bacterial pesticide, Burkholderia cepacia, has raised concerns over its potential to cause deadly lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Experts are calling for a ban on its use in pest control until it is proven safe.
Researchers Andrea Cooper and Julie Inamine are investigating why Mycobacterium avium causes disease in AIDS patients despite humans not being natural hosts. The studies aim to identify genes responsible for the bacteria's virulence and develop drugs to prevent disease.
A study published by University of Georgia researchers reveals a vast array of novel bacteria in Carolina bays, many of which remain unclassified. The discovery highlights the importance of the microbial world in shaping biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered a new type of bacteria that can produce magnetic iron oxides, which could be used to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils and groundwater. The bacteria were found in deep subsurface formations heated by compression and burial, and show potential for bioremediation applications.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA test that can detect small amounts of alpha toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens in food samples. This method has great potential for the meat industry, allowing for early detection and prevention of illness.