How does an intestinal microbe become a pathogen?
The bacterium Escherichia coli is found in the human intestine, and elsewhere. There it is harmless, but in certain conditions it can become a pathogen. It can cause bladder infections or even sepsis. A team of researchers led by RESIST professor Mar.....»»
Cholera bacteria found to form an aggressive biofilm to kill immune cells
Bacteria harness the power of communities. A research group at the University of Basel, Switzerland, has now discovered that the bacterial pathogen that causes cholera forms a novel type of bacterial community on immune cells: an aggressive biofilm t.....»»
Scientists reveal regulation mechanism of soybean cyst nematode responses to chemical signals
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe), is a devastating pathogen in soybean. The infective juveniles of nematodes can use phytochemical signals (semiochemicals) released into the rhizosphere as important cues for host seeking, hos.....»»
How a microbe creates its own sulfate reduction machinery
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, have uncovered the molecular secrets of a methane-generating microbe that can transform sulfate into sulfide—a ready-to-use cellular building block. This discovery o.....»»
Why do some people live to be a 100? Intestinal bacteria may hold the answer
We are pursuing the dream of eternal life. We fast to stay healthy. And each year, we spend billions of dollars on treatment to make sure we stay alive. But some people turn 100 years old all by themselves. Why is that?.....»»
Scientists use AI to find promising new antibiotic to fight evasive hospital superbug
Scientists at McMaster University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have used artificial intelligence to discover a new antibiotic that could be used to fight a deadly, drug-resistant pathogen that strikes vulnerable hospital patients......»»
Slowing the aging of the intestine in fish slows the aging of the entire organism, discover scientists
Is it possible to extend lifespan by simply slowing the aging of an organ, such as the intestine? CNRS researchers have discovered how to extend the life expectancy of zebrafish by reactivating a gene within intestinal cells. The results were publish.....»»
A perfect "pathogen" storm: Vibrio bacteria, Sargassum and plastic marine debris
A new study uncovers how the interplay between Sargassum spp., plastic marine debris and Vibrio bacteria creates the perfect "pathogen" storm that has implications for both marine life and public health. Vibrio bacteria are found in waters around the.....»»
Optimized prime editing alters genes of living mice, marking major advance
Harvard University researchers have improved a gene editing process for studying and treating genetic disorders. The prime editing method is effective in human cells, targeting single nucleotide variants with the ability to precisely correct pathogen.....»»
Drug-resistant ringworm reported in US for first time; community spread likely
The newly emerging fungal pathogen is often misidentified in common lab tests. Enlarge / A Trichophyton indotineae infection on the back of an Indian man. (credit: Uhrlaß, S. et al. Journal of Fungi) A dermatologist in.....»»
Aerial root mucilage fixes atmospheric nitrogen to support plant growth
Plant-associated microbes play an important role in host nutrient utilization, stress tolerance, plant health, and adaptation. Identifying the key mucilage compound and friendly microbe, as well as their protective association with diazotrophic micro.....»»
Automated counting and measuring method for efficient maize trichome identification
Plant trichomes are highly specialized structures that develop from the epidermal pavement cells of different plant tissues. They are known to defend plants from biotic and abiotic stresses such as water loss, insect-inflicted damage, pathogen attack.....»»
Researchers report potential new treatment for leaky gut using milk-derived extracellular vesicles
The intestinal or gut barrier is crucial for nutrient absorption and preventing harmful substances from leaking into the blood stream. Under diseased conditions, the disruption of the gut barrier may increase its permeability and result in a "leaky g.....»»
Scientists track evolution of microbes on the skin"s surface
Human skin is home to millions of microbes. One of these microbes, Staphylococcus aureus, is an opportunistic pathogen that can invade patches of skin affected by eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis......»»
Researchers assemble pathogen "tree of life"
A new online tool—the first of its kind for plant pathogens—will help researchers across the globe identify, detect and monitor species of Phytophthora, which have been responsible for plant diseases ranging from the devastating 1840s Irish potat.....»»
Important enzyme for the composition of the gut microbiome discovered
The intestinal microbiome, i.e., the community of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the human gut, has been shown to affect the metabolism and the immune system. We still do not fully understand how the symbiosis between a healthy microb.....»»
Bees can help prove avocado crops are free of a pathogen that could be a barrier to Australia"s exports
Researchers at The University of Queensland and CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, have shown bees can help prove Australia's valuable avocado crop is free of a pathogen that could be a barrier to exports. The findings are published in the j.....»»
Fluorescent visualization and evaluation of NPC1L1-mediated cholesterol absorption at the levels of endocytic vesicles
Excessive cholesterol absorption from intestinal lumen contributes to the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia, which is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The absorption of intestinal cholesterol is primarily.....»»
African trypanosomes mapped for the first time to understand evolution and potential treatments
A parasite which has devastating impacts on agriculture and human health is the first pathogen to have its proteins located and mapped within its cells—providing clues to their function and helping to identify potential drug targets......»»
Investigators identify new pattern recognition system that monitors disease-causing bacteria in C. elegans
A study published in Immunity by physician-scientist Read Pukkila-Worley, MD, and MD/Ph.D. students Nicholas D. Peterson and Samantha Y. Tse describes a new manner of detecting microbial infection that intercepts pathogen-derived signals of growth to.....»»
Signaling proteins shown to play key role in tuberculosis biology
A set of 10 signaling proteins found in the microbe that causes tuberculosis (TB) play a far larger role in regulating the bacterium's growth, development and behavior than previously thought, according to recent research. The study was led by UW Sch.....»»