Bacteria do not colonize the gut before birth
Researchers examined prenatal stool (meconium) samples collected from 20 babies during breech Cesarean delivery. By including only breech caesarean deliveries in healthy pregnant women they were able to avoid the transmission of bacteria that occurs.....»»
Researchers demonstrate control of living cells with electronics
E. coli bacteria and an electronic device might seem to have little in common, but in a recent experiment, University of Maryland researchers linked them into the first closed-loop system able to communicate across the technological–biological divi.....»»
Emerging Salmonella variety in dairy cows found to worsen antimicrobial resistance
A study of more than 5,000 Salmonella bacteria isolated over 15 years from dairy cattle samples in the Northeast reveals a significant increase in resistance to the antimicrobial medications ampicillin, florfenicol and ceftiofur......»»
Groundbreaking survey reveals secrets of planet birth around dozens of stars
In a series of studies, a team of astronomers has shed new light on the fascinating and complex process of planet formation. The stunning images, captured using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) in Chile, represent.....»»
What ended the "dark ages" in the early universe? New Webb data just brought us closer to solving the mystery
About 400,000 years after the Big Bang, the cosmos was a very dark place. The glow of the universe's explosive birth had cooled, and space was filled with dense gas —mostly hydrogen—with no sources of light......»»
Scientists and government agencies are targeting mosquitoes with bacteria
Dengue fever is one of the most common tropical diseases in the world, affecting several million people every year......»»
Radio waves can tune up bacteria to become life-saving medicines
Scientists from Australia and the United States have found a new way to alter the DNA of bacterial cells—a process used to make many vital medicines including insulin—much more efficiently than standard industry techniques......»»
Scientists discover 18 new species of gut microbes in search for origins of antibiotic resistance
In a paper published February 28 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a research team describes the discovery of 18 never-before-seen species of bacteria of the Enterococcus type that contain hundreds of new genes—findings tha.....»»
Microbial comics: RNA as a common language, presented in extracellular speech-bubbles
Single-celled organisms, such as bacteria and archaea, have developed many ways to communicate with each other. For example, they might use tiny so-called extracellular vesicles (EVs)—membrane-enveloped packages smaller than 200 nm in diameter (0.0.....»»
Scientists develop technology to reduce pathogens in intact eggs
The CDC estimates Salmonella bacteria causes about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Despite their appearance in everyday meals and snacks, the truth is that raw eggs and egg products ca.....»»
"Artificial tongue" detects and inactivates common mouth bacteria
From the fuzzy feeling on your teeth to the unfortunate condition of halitosis, bacteria shape mouth health. When dental illnesses take hold, diagnosis and treatment are necessary, but identifying the microorganisms behind an infection can be a lengt.....»»
Research into marine plastic pollution reveals bacterial enzymes actively degrading plastic
A new study led by researchers at the University of Stirling has uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. The research also identifies rare and understudied bacteria that could assist in plastic biodegradation, offering new i.....»»
Global warming found to increase the diversity of active soil bacteria
Warmer soils harbor a greater diversity of active microbes, according to a new study from researchers at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna......»»
Researchers develop molecules for a new class of antibiotics that can overcome drug resistant bacteria
About a decade ago, researchers in UC Santa Barbara chemistry professor Guillermo Bazan's lab began to observe a recurring challenge in their research: Some of the compounds they were developing to harness energy from bacteria were instead killing th.....»»
Hubble spots a massive star forming amid clouds of dust and gas
A stunning new image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the birth of a new, massive star at around 30 times the mass of our sun......»»
New research helps create new antibiotic that evades bacterial resistance
Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago and Harvard University have developed an antibiotic that could give medicine a new weapon to fight drug-resistant bacteria and the diseases they cause......»»
Bacteria in the Arctic seabed are active all year round, researchers find
Despite the pronounced seasonality in their habitat, the bacterial community in Arctic sediments is taxonomically and functionally very stable......»»
Toxoplasmosis: Researchers identify protein that evolved alongside infection machinery
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease found worldwide, caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In humans, infection poses a particular risk to pregnant women, as it can lead to birth defects. Like the closely related malaria pathogen.....»»
Newly discovered bacterial defense system functions as self-destruct button
Wageningen researchers have discovered a molecular self-destruct mechanism in a bacterium living on seaweed. With this mechanism the bacteria sacrifice themselves when they are infected, thus protecting their brothers and sisters from infections. By.....»»
Researchers develop protocol for rapid detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
A paper-based platform developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) could help quickly detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria......»»
Scientists are unraveling the secrets of red and gray squirrel competition
In a first of its kind study, researchers have identified significant differences between the diversity of gut bacteria in gray squirrels compared to red squirrels which could hold the key to further understanding the ability of gray squirrels to out.....»»