Microbiology News - SciTechDaily

Banana Apocalypse: Can Biologists Outsmart the Silent Killer?

University of Massachusetts Amherst — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 09:00:37 +0000

Bananas are threatened by a new strain of Fusarium wilt, not related to the one that devastated crops in the 1950s. Research led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has identified accessory genes linked to the pathogen’s virulence, offering new avenues for combating the disease. This research highlights the risks of monocropping and suggests diversifying [...]

How a Simple Enzyme Might Revolutionize Clean Energy

Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Nitrogenases, crucial for life, can also reduce CO2 to valuable chemicals. New research reveals that Fe-nitrogenase is more effective at this process, presenting opportunities for sustainable biotechnologies. Nitrogenases are among the most geochemically important enzymes on Earth, providing all forms of life with bioavailable nitrogen in the form of ammonia (NH3). Some nitrogenases can also [...]

Bacteria Conquer the Next Extreme Environment: Your Microwave

Frontiers — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:22:56 +0000

The microbiome inside microwaves, which is resistant to radiation, is similar to that found on solar panels. Since the Industrial Revolution, microbes have steadily adapted to and colonized a range of new environments, such as marine oil spills, plastic debris in the oceans, industrial brownfields, and even the interior of the International Space Station. However, [...]

Researchers Have Discovered Two New Species of Psychedelic Mushrooms in Africa

Stellenbosch University — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 16:13:49 +0000

Researchers have described two new psychoactive mushroom species in southern Africa, enhancing the documented biodiversity of the region. In a new study published in Mycologia, researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU) have described two new species of psychoactive mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe. The two species, named Psilocybe ingeli and Psilocybe maluti, were discovered in southern [...]

Safety Warning: 35% of Tattoo Inks Tested Positive for Harmful Bacteria

American Society for Microbiology — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 05:30:52 +0000

New research has discovered bacterial contamination in about 35% of commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks in the U.S., highlighting the importance of enhanced safety measures and continuous monitoring to mitigate health risks. Researchers have discovered both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks. These findings, published in Applied and Environmental [...]

The Predictive Power of Gut Bacteria in Thoroughbred Racing

University of Surrey — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 09:00:30 +0000

A study from the University of Surrey shows that the gut bacteria of Thoroughbred racehorses at one month old can predict their future performance and health. By analyzing fecal samples from 52 foals, researchers found that those with higher bacterial diversity excelled in races and had fewer health issues. Additionally, the study highlights the negative [...]

Next-Gen Biofactories: How Tiny Bacteria Could Revolutionize the Materials We Use Every Day

Peter Rüegg, ETH Zurich — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 09:51:14 +0000

ETH researchers have modified certain bacteria with UV light so that they produce more cellulose. The basis for this is a new approach with which the researchers generate thousands of bacterial variants and select those that have developed into the most productive. Materials researchers at ETH Zurich have created 40,000 variants of the cellulose-producing bacterium [...]

Unusual New Life Forms Discovered in Yellowstone Offer Clues to Alien Life

Montana State University — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:36:02 +0000

Montana State University scientists have discovered two new methane-producing microbial groups in Yellowstone National Park, revealing potential new approaches to climate change mitigation and insights into extraterrestrial life. Scientists from Montana State University have provided the first experimental evidence that two newly discovered groups of microbes in Yellowstone National Park’s thermal features produce methane. This [...]

An Ancient Partnership: Unlocking the Microbial Blueprint of Earth’s Evolution

NASA — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:39:48 +0000

Scientists review the extensive influence of microorganisms on Earth’s history, tracing their impact through isotopic and genetic evidence. The study highlights the connection between microbial activity and major environmental shifts, such as oxygen levels, which are crucial for understanding Earth’s evolution and assessing extraterrestrial habitability. NASA-supported scientists have examined the long and intricately linked history [...]

How Man’s Best Friend Is Unlocking the Secrets To Beat E. coli Superbugs

Cornell University — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:00:10 +0000

A new study reveals a unique genetic mutation in dogs that may contribute to antimicrobial resistance in E. coli, suggesting dogs as effective models for studying human infections. The research identifies obsolete genes in E. coli that trap antibiotics, offering new avenues for therapy and enhancing antibiotic stewardship in veterinary practices. Researchers studying antimicrobial-resistant E. [...]

Globally Renowned Ancient Rock Art in the Negev Desert Faces Imminent Destruction

Frontiers — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 17:20:48 +0000

Fungi and lichens threaten Negev Desert’s petroglyphs, eroding ancient artworks through chemical and mechanical means. Southern Israel’s Negev desert is famous for its ancient rock art. Since at least the third millennium BCE, the hunters, shepherds, and merchants who roamed the Negev have left thousands of carvings, known as ‘petroglyphs’, on the rocks. Many represent [...]

New Insights Into Earth’s First Organisms Could Change How We Search for Extraterrestrial Life

University of California - Riverside — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 21:14:07 +0000

A new study could influence the search for life on other planets. Despite years of extensive study, many aspects of the origins and early evolution of life remain a mystery to researchers. A recent paper from the University of California, Riverside has provided new insights, paving the way for further research that could have implications [...]

Hidden Arsenal Exposed: Surprise Discovery Has Big Antibacterial Potential

University of Otago — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 08:54:14 +0000

A groundbreaking study reveals a new regulatory mechanism in phage proteins, opening new avenues for understanding bacterial defense mechanisms and developing phage-based therapies. A surprising discovery has facilitated significant advancements in combating dangerous bacteria. An international group of scientists, led by Professor Peter Fineran from the University of Otago, studied a specific protein employed by [...]

Rewriting Basic Biology Textbooks: Scientists Reveal Secret Behind Humans’ Microbial Ancestors’ Hydrogen Production

Monash University — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 02:13:00 +0000

An international team of scientists has transformed our understanding of archaea, ancient microbial ancestors of humans dating back two billion years, by demonstrating their utilization of hydrogen gas. The findings, published in Cell, reveal how these microorganisms generate energy by consuming and producing hydrogen. This straightforward yet reliable method has enabled them to survive and [...]

Your Gut Bacteria Could Save You From Serious Infections

Amsterdam University Medical Center — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:00:16 +0000

Over a six-year study, researchers identified a link between reduced butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut and increased risk of severe infections. The findings suggest the potential for dietary strategies to enhance these beneficial bacteria as a preventive measure. The composition of the intestinal microbiome can predict the chances of developing serious infections such as pneumonia. [...]

Rethinking Carbon Cycling: Key Role of Soil Microbes Uncovered

Northwestern University — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:31:14 +0000

A new study aids in clarifying the role of microbes in the global carbon cycle. When soil microbes eat plant matter, the digested food follows one of two pathways. Either the microbe uses the food to build its own body, or it respires its meal as carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Now, a Northwestern [...]

Tiny Predator Astonishes With Neck That Stretches 30 Times Its Length

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 17:42:08 +0000

Researchers have discovered that the microorganism Lacrymaria olor can extend its neck up to 30 times its length through an origami-like cellular architecture. This ability is facilitated by a folded cell membrane, offering insights potentially useful in robotics and materials science. Understanding Microbial Mechanics For a tiny hunter of the microbial world that relies on [...]

Global Cooling Breakthrough: Scientists Discover Ocean Algae’s Crucial Climate Impact

University of East Anglia — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 14:38:34 +0000

A common type of ocean algae plays a significant role in producing a massively abundant compound that helps cool the Earth’s climate, new research has discovered. Researchers have identified Pelagophyceae algae as significant producers of DMSP, a compound crucial for climate regulation. This discovery suggests higher than expected levels of DMSP and its byproduct DMS, [...]

Bending the Rules of Biology: Stanford Scientists Unveil Cellular Origami in Microscopic Predators

Stanford University — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 19:01:03 +0000

Stanford scientists have unveiled “lacrygami,” a phenomenon where Lacrymaria olor extends its structure dramatically, influenced by its cytoskeletal design, promising advances in microscopic technology. “There are some things in life you can watch and then never unwatch,” said Manu Prakash, associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University, calling up a video of his latest fascination, [...]

Metabolic Manipulators: How Parasitic Archaea Transform Their Hosts From the Inside Out

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:14:15 +0000

Microbiologists from NIOZ, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, have discovered that certain parasitic microbes, specifically a group known as DPANN archaea, not only feed on their hosts but also change the host’s metabolism and biology. Their study reveals that these archaea selectively consume certain lipids from their hosts, potentially causing the hosts to [...]

Velcro vs. Bacteria: A New Twist in Antibiotic Warfare

Utrecht University — Thu, 23 May 2024 09:00:50 +0000

Researchers discovered a novel antibacterial mechanism of plectasin, an antibiotic derived from a fungus. The study reveals that plectasin forms Velcro-like structures that trap crucial bacterial components, preventing their escape and enhancing drug effectiveness. This mechanism could guide the development of new antibiotics to fight antimicrobial resistance. Plectasin, a small antibiotic, uses an innovative mechanism [...]

Solving a Long-Standing Marine Mystery: New Insights Into Rhizobia-Diatom Symbiosis

Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology — Thu, 09 May 2024 15:00:46 +0000

A groundbreaking study reveals that Rhizobia bacteria can fix nitrogen in partnership with marine diatoms, a discovery that could have significant implications for agriculture and marine ecosystems. Nitrogen is an essential component of all living organisms. It is also the key element controlling the growth of crops on land, as well as the microscopic oceanic [...]

CRISPR-Crafted Cuisine: How Genetic Engineering Is Changing What We Eat

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:04:56 +0000

Hacking the genome of fungi for smart foods of the future. With animal-free dairy products and convincing vegetarian meat substitutes already on the market, it’s easy to see how biotechnology can change the food industry. Advances in genetic engineering are allowing us to harness microorganisms to produce cruelty-free products that are healthy for consumers and [...]

Brain-Eating Amoeba Meets Its Match: Unusual Giant Virus Discovered in Austria

University of Vienna — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:26:23 +0000

A new, unusual giant virus has been discovered at a wastewater treatment plant near Vienna. The single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri ranks among the deadliest human parasites. Matthias Horn and Patrick Arthofer of the University of Vienna’s Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, along with other researchers, have identified viruses that target this dangerous organism. [...]