Microbiology

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Researchers Uncover Bacterial Alarm Mechanism Against Antibiotics

When confronted with an antibiotic, toxic substance, or other source of considerable stress, bacteria are able to activate a defense mechanism using cell-to-cell communication to 'warn' unaffected bacteria, which can then anticipate, shield themselves and spread the warning signal.

11 Jul 2024

Phage Protein Discovery Holds New Key to Battling Bacteria

An unexpected find has enabled important progress to be made in the battle against harmful bacteria.

11 Jul 2024

Unveiling the Genetic Secrets of Bacterial Iridescence

An international team of researchers has investigated the mechanism that makes some types of bacteria reflect light without using pigments.

10 Jul 2024

Algae Power Micromachines for Research and Engineering

Scientists have built little, vehicle-like structures that microscopic algae can drive. The micromachines have baskets attached to them that catch the algae and are thoughtfully made to provide them adequate space to swim around in.

10 Jul 2024

New Pipeline Studies Viruses in Humans and Coral Reefs

Tens of millions of still-unknown or poorly understood viruses have the potential to cause diseases, including new pandemics, and impact the health of valuable terrestrial and marine environments.

10 Jul 2024

Exploring Gut Microbiome Modulation for Disease Prevention

Carriers of gut Blastocystis, a single-celled organism that has been classified as either a parasite or harmless organism but is frequently found in the digestive system, were associated with markers of good cardiovascular health and decreased body fat in an analysis of over 50,000 people from around the world.

9 Jul 2024

New 3D-Printed Chip Rapidly Detects Four Major Foodborne Pathogens

A cost-effective three-dimensional (3D)-printed microchip with an aptamer sensor that can detect four foodborne pathogens.

8 Jul 2024

Selfish No More: Genetic Elements Give Phages a Competitive Edge

Curious bits of DNA tucked inside genomes across all kingdoms of life historically have been disregarded since they don't seem to have a role to play in the competition for survival.

7 Jul 2024

Pasteurization Effectively Eliminates H5N1 Virus from Milk

In March 2024, dairy cows in Texas were found to be infected with highly pathogenic avian flu, or H5N1 bird flu, in the first known case of the virus spreading to cattle.

4 Jul 2024

Using Mobile Data to Track the Spread and Evolution of Superbugs

Key insights into the global spread, evolution, and resistance patterns of a major bacterium causing pneumonia and meningitis have been revealed through the combination of genomic data and human travel patterns over 14 years in South Africa.

4 Jul 2024

Study Finds Bacteria in Commercial Tattoo and Permanent Makeup Inks

Commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks have been found to contain both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria by researchers.

3 Jul 2024

Genomic Analysis Reveals Andean Origin and Colombian Migration Route for P. infestans

A recent study casts doubt on the widely held belief that Phytophthora infestans, the deadly potato blight pathogen, originated in Mexico.

2 Jul 2024

Time-Driven Dynamics of Gut Microbiota: Implications for Disease Research

Our bodies are inhabited by trillions of microorganisms, with specific microbes unique to each individual.

2 Jul 2024

Enzymatic Breakdown of Bacterial Cell Wall Facilitates Antibiotic Resistance Gene Transfer

A study at Umeå University, Sweden, provides new clues in the understanding of how antibiotic resistance spreads.

2 Jul 2024

Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cell Wall Stress for Biofilm Control

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are experts in evolving new strategies to avoid being killed by antibiotics.

2 Jul 2024

New Tool IMPRINT Enhances DNA Transformation in Various Bacterial Strains

Bacteria, with their unique capabilities, hold immense promise for improving various aspects of the world.

27 Jun 2024

Flower Bulbs and Compost Carry Hidden Threat of Fungal Infection

That pile of soil you bought at the home improvement store may contain more than just dirt, according to new research from the University of Georgia.

26 Jun 2024

Wild Chimpanzees Found to Consume Medicinal Plants to Combat Illness

Researchers from Africa and Europe observed habituated chimpanzee communities to understand this potentially self-medicating behavior.

26 Jun 2024

Researchers Develop New Way to Simulate Personalized, Microbiome-Mediated Diet Responses

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are beneficial molecules created by the bacteria residing in our gut that are closely tied to improved host metabolism, lower systemic inflammation, better cardiovascular health, lower cancer risk, and more.

25 Jun 2024

Unlocking the Role of Antisense RNA as a Gene Expression Booster

The function of non-coding RNA in the cell has long been a mystery to researchers. Unlike coding RNA, non-coding RNA does not produce proteins – yet it exists in large quantities.

25 Jun 2024