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.....»»
New details behind how the Shigella pathogen delivers bacterial proteins into our cells
Shigella, a bacterial pathogen that causes dysentery and is the leading cause of childhood diarrheal diseases, inserts a pore called a translocon into an infected person's intestinal cells and then injects bacterial proteins into the cells. There, th.....»»
In-depth study of the biodiversity of the fungus causing olive tree Anthracnose
The Department of Agronomy at the University of Córdoba leads an international study in which the different species of the pathogen are being understood thanks to samples collected over the course of 25 years......»»
Bird study illustrates the interplay between disease transmission and behavior
A study examining eye disease in a common bird species shows how pathology and behavior interact in complex ways that determine how widely a pathogen can spread......»»
Designing microbe factories for sustainable chemicals
The science is clear: fossil fuels are harmful to the environment. So why is it so difficult for us to stop using them? Economic reasons are at least part of the answer. From our energy grid to the manufacturing of certain textiles and other products.....»»
Mosquitoes have a mutual symbiotic relationship with malaria-causing pathogen
Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Biological Sciences Laurence J. Zwiebel is part of a team of researchers at Vanderbilt and the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute who are working to understand how Plasmodium falciparium—the pathogen that cau.....»»
Research in mice shows how diet alters immune system function through a gut microbe
Research in mice demonstrates how diet alters a gut microbe molecule that, in turn, prompts immune cells to downregulate inflammation. The study elucidates molecular mechanism behind long-standing belief that diet, microbiota, and immunity influence.....»»
Intestinal parasites burrowed into man’s brain—and lived there for years
Neurocysticercosis and a most disturbing way to get tapeworms in your brain. Enlarge / Head of pork tapeworm. (credit: Getty | Michael J Klein) On a night that seemed like any other, a perfectly healthy 38-year-old man in Mass.....»»
Infection with a fungus decreases the heat and cold tolerance of insects, influences insect behavior, study finds
We humans tend to avoid harsh conditions when we are sick, instead seeking out the comfort of our climate-controlled homes. New research shows that sick insects may also be sensitive to extreme temperatures, and it could be the pathogen itself that d.....»»
Lower antibiotic resistance in intestinal bacteria with forgotten antibiotic
A forgotten antibiotic, temocillin, led to lower selection of resistant bacteria than the standard treatment for febrile urinary tract infection. Thus, temocillin may be useful in treating severe urinary tract infections that give rise to fever, and.....»»
A Deadly Microbe Mystery Leads to a Spray Sold at Walmart
A series of puzzling infections has been traced to the presence of a dangerous bacterium in an aromatherapy spray......»»
Gut Bacteria Change as You Get Older--and May Accelerate Aging
Microbe types in older people’s intestines are different and are linked to disease -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Realizing precision medicine through pathogen genome sequencing
Those familiar with the medical industry have undoubtedly heard the term "precision medicine" with great frequency. As a matter of fact, the development of genome sequencing technology in recent years has advanced the treatment of infections from unk.....»»
New technique, effective in mice, could help advance the use of probiotics
Scientists studying probiotics, beneficial bacteria that show promise for their ability to treat inflammatory bowel disease and other intestinal disorders, continue to face a problem: How to keep probiotics from getting obliterated in the gut before.....»»
Fungal transplants from close relatives help endangered plants fight off disease
For the endangered Hawaiian plant Eugenia koolauensis, fungi could be both its demise and its savior. The fungal pathogen myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) has been devastating populations of the endemic tree, along with many other native and culti.....»»
Understanding pathogen tolerance in wild animals key to pandemic preparedness
A new multidisciplinary research framework is needed to explore links between evolved tolerance to pathogens and their spillover into humans, scientists write today in the journal eLife......»»
Controlling carbs and fat: Learning from the fruit fly
Incretins are hormones secreted by intestinal cells that regulate pancreatic insulin and glucagon to control sugar metabolism in mammals. Although counterparts of insulin and glucagon have been identified in invertebrates, no hormone equivalent to in.....»»
Black and white anglerfish hybridise producing viable descendants
Black and white anglerfish have always been considered to be two separate species. Morphologically, they are mainly distinguished on the basis of the color of the peritoneum, the epithelium lining the intestinal cavity (black for black anglerfish and.....»»
Pathogens get comfy in designer goo
New hydrogels mimic intestines when lined with epithelial cells. A study demonstrated hydrogels in various stiffnesses are valuable for learning the dynamics of pathogens that cause diarrhea and other intestinal diseases......»»
Most detailed study to date of gut contents of Tollund Man
A team of researchers from Denmark's Museum Silkeborg, the National Museum of Denmark, Moesgaard Museum and Aarhus University, has conducted the most detailed study to date of Tollund Man's stomach and intestinal contents. In their paper published in.....»»
Faster diagnosis of deadly Hendra virus in horses
University of Queensland vets are diagnosing the deadly Hendra virus in horses faster than ever, developing a diagnostic point-of-care kit that can detect the pathogen in under an hour, rather than days......»»