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.....»»
Six months into Elon Musk"s Twitter: The fall of verification and birth of Twitter Blue in one very long chart
In the six months since Elon Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter, the billionaire has turned the platform on its head by overhauling how it decides which accounts to verify......»»
Machine learning helps scientists identify the environmental preferences of microbes
Researchers have figured out a way to predict bacteria's environmental pH preferences from a quick look at their genomes, using machine learning. Led by experts at the University of Colorado Boulder, the new approach promises to help guide ecological.....»»
Pulling the plug on viral infections: CRISPR isn"t just about cutting
CRISPR claimed scientific fame for its ability to quickly and accurately edit genes. But, at the core, CRISPR systems are immune systems that help bacteria protect themselves from viruses by targeting and destroying viral DNA and RNA. A new study pub.....»»
How dormant bacteria come back to life
Solving a riddle that has confounded biologists since bacterial spores—inert, sleeping bacteria— were first described more than 150 years ago, researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a new kind of cellular sensor that allows spores.....»»
Type VI secretion systems: Weapons of bacterial destruction
Bacteria can be quite aggressive. Armed with an impressive array of mechanical and biochemical weapons, they don't mess around when it comes to combating their foes. Notable among these armaments is the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS), a membrane-emb.....»»
Leprosy-causing bacteria found in armadillo specimens highlight value of museum collections for tracking pathogens
Years-old tissue samples from armadillos in museum collections may harbor Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that causes Hansen's disease, also called leprosy, according to recent research my colleagues and I conducted......»»
Mixotrophic microorganisms in the deep sea regulate energy balance
A team of international researchers led by Federico Baltar of the University of Vienna and José M González of the University of La Laguna has identified a previously unknown group of bacteria, called UBA868, as key players in the energy cycle of th.....»»
Analyzing the effectiveness of increasing investment in educational support for children in shrinking Japanese cities
In Japan, many municipalities have suffered from population decline due to low birth rates and an aging population. In 2022, the Japanese population over the age of 65 was 36.21 million, accounting for 28.9% of the total population. In addition, appr.....»»
Testing antibiotic resistance with a fast, cheap and easy method
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. It has now grown into a global public health issue. It was responsible for at least 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, while being involved.....»»
Researchers reveal an ancient mechanism for wound repair
It's a dangerous world out there. From bacteria and viruses to accidents and injuries, threats surround us all the time. And nothing protects us more steadfastly than our skin. The barrier between inside and out, the body's largest organ is also its.....»»
How Do Birds Know When to Migrate?
Lengthening days set off a cascade of events in migratory birds that culminates in the birth of a clutch of chicks.....»»
Plastic-eating bacteria are amazing. But they aren’t going to save the planet
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but plastic-eating bacteria aren’t going to save the planet. Here's why they aren’t a silver bullet for the environment......»»
Hubble inspects a vibrant cauldron of stellar birth to celebrate its 33rd birthday
Hubble inspects a vibrant cauldron of stellar birth to celebrate its 33rd birthday.....»»
Gut bacteria use super-polymers to dodge antibiotics
Gut bacteria exchange drug-resistant DNA and form infectious biofilms more easily than expected......»»
Immune system protein may help defeat flesh-eating bacteria
A clever protein inside the immune system could be used as a "weapon" against a common bacteria that in extreme cases is responsible for causing deadly flesh-eating disease, scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) have found......»»
Study shows diatoms provide an attractive habitat for bacteria
Single-celled algae and marine bacteria live in a complex but largely unexplored relationship. Now, a new study shows that the surface of diatoms is a surprisingly diverse habitat for bacteria. A team from the University of Oldenburg was able to demo.....»»
India to counterbalance China
Compared to other industry sectors, IC design has been more impacted by low birth rates and a lack of local IT manpower. In India, there are 56,000 IC design engineers; in the US, there are 86,000; in China, there are 121,000; and in Taiwan there are.....»»
The prevalence and distribution of aminoglycoside resistance genes
Choosing the appropriate antibiotics to treat bacterial infections has grown more challenging because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Aminoglycosides, as broad-spectrum antibiotics, are increasingly being used clinically; however,.....»»
Researchers uncover new differences in bacteria"s sugar coat to aid pneumococcal vaccine development
Many disease-causing bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) are encased in a sugar layer called the capsular polysaccharide (CPS). This layer is often essential for infections......»»
New discovery stops bacterial virus contamination
A new discovery by researchers at the University of Warwick could help stop bacteria being contaminated with viruses, reducing disruption and decreasing costs in industry and research......»»