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.....»»
Study sheds new light on how soil viruses behave and interact with bacteria
Viruses in soil may not be as destructive to bacteria as once thought and could instead act like lawnmowers, culling older cells and giving space for new growth, according to research out of the University of California, Davis, published Sept. 28 in.....»»
Renaissance for magnetotactic bacteria in astrobiology
Magnetotactic bacteria can form magnetofossils like magnetic nanocrystals as observed in the Martian meteorite ALH84001, which held a special place in the field of astrobiology primarily in the early 90s. While the flourishing of interest in magnetot.....»»
Study shows bacteria in the soil can defy periods of drought
While many bacteria become inactive during dry spells, specific groups persist and even thrive. A new study, published in Nature Communications and conducted by the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University.....»»
Widespread antibiotic resistance among cholera-causing bacteria explained by gene mixing
Scientists have identified the source of antibiotic resistance that emerged within bacteria driving the ongoing Yemen cholera epidemic......»»
Protein may hold key to preventing a tick-borne disease
A study led by researchers at Washington State University has pinpointed a protein that appears to play a pivotal role in how a harmful bacteria that causes the disease anaplasmosis establishes itself in ticks before being transmitted to unwitting hu.....»»
Q&A: Indigenous community-first approach to more ethical microbiome research
Every person hosts trillions of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, on their skin and in organs including those that make up the digestive tract, like their mouth, that collectively make up their microbiome. Microbiome research can lead to med.....»»
How safe is your sushi? Some bacteria can pose a risk
Sushi has become everyday fare in Norway and elsewhere around the globe, and many people opt for sashimi and other raw fish when they want to treat themselves to something tasty......»»
Biological particles found to play crucial role in Arctic cloud ice formation
An international team of scientists from Sweden, Norway, Japan, and Switzerland, has presented research findings that reveal a crucial role of biological particles, including pollen, spores, and bacteria, in the formation of ice within Arctic clouds......»»
BSI-AST chip: A powerful tool to accelerate antimicrobial susceptibility testing for bloodstream infections
The presence of viable bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) when not controlled properly can lead to bloodstream infection (BSI) and sepsis, a syndromic inflammatory response......»»
Researchers advance understanding of why cell parts look the way they do
Scientists have long understood that parts of cells, called organelles, evolved to have certain shapes and sizes because their forms are closely related to how they function. Now, Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a bacteria-based tool to test.....»»
Examining the genesis of CRISPR"s molecular scissors
Genome engineering may be the future of medicine, but it relies on evolutionary advances made billions of years ago in primordial bacteria, the original masters of gene editing......»»
Study reveals how marine bacteria combat algae
Algae and bacteria are inseparable in ocean ecosystems, with bacteria playing a crucial role in regulating the growth and metabolism of algae. In addition to mutualism, bacteria have developed various molecular-based strategies to combat algae......»»
Study shows ribosome-binding antibiotics can help some bacteria survive for longer
Scientists have found a surprising effect of some antibiotics on certain bacteria—that the drugs can sometimes benefit bacteria, helping them live longer......»»
New study on the genetic magnetization of living bacteria shows great potential for biomedicine
Magnetic bacteria possess extraordinary capabilities due to the magnetic nanoparticles, the magnetosomes, which are concatenated inside their cells. A research team at the University of Bayreuth has now transferred all of the approximately 30 genes r.....»»
A Global Surge in Cholera Outbreaks May Be Fueled by Climate Change
One of the world's deadliest diseases is rising again as extreme weather creates a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria......»»
Scientists uncover surprising twist in the ways bacteria spread antibiotic-resistant genes
Scientists have found a counterintuitive wrinkle in the way bacteria spread antibiotic-resistant genes through small circular pieces of DNA called plasmids......»»
Genetically modified bacteria found to break down plastics in saltwater
Researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down plastic in salt water. Specifically, the modified organism can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic used in everything from water bottles to clothing that.....»»
Research team identifies 25 new viruses in Barcelona"s wastewaters
A team from the University of Barcelona has identified 25 new viruses that infect bacteria in the human intestinal tract in wastewaters around the city's metropolitan area and in some towns nearby......»»
Singling out a bacterium from the crowd
Bacteria are nearly ubiquitous and have tremendous impacts on human and ecological health. And yet, they remain largely mysterious to us. Princeton MOL faculty Zemer Gitai, Britt Adamson and Ned Wingreen launched a joint effort to develop new tools t.....»»
Dual Trojan Horse strategy to combat superbugs
In the relentless battle against antibiotic-resistant superbugs, science continues to unveil ingenious strategies to address their vulnerability. Like other bacteria, superbugs have a unique weakness—their dependence on iron for growth and survival.....»»