All articles tagged with #bacteria
Astronauts aboard the ISS are studying how Streptococcus pneumoniae—a leading cause of pneumonia—affects stem-cell–derived heart tissue in space, using spaceflight’s heightened infection dynamics in the MVP Cell-09 investigation to reveal cellular responses and potential targets to protect heart health on Earth and aid long-duration space missions.
New high-resolution imaging of 540-million-year-old filaments initially thought to be animal traces finds cellular structures consistent with bacteria or algae, not animals, suggesting an earlier microbial world and adding nuance to interpretations of the Cambrian timeline and fossil preservation.
High‑resolution imaging and spectroscopy of Brazilian microfossils show they are microbial bodies (bacteria and algae) rather than traces of tiny animals, challenging the idea that meiofauna existed in the Ediacaran and suggesting ancient oceans may have had too little oxygen for certain animal life before the Cambrian explosion.
AurB, a bacteria-derived peptide, enters tumor cell mitochondria and blocks ATP production, starving cancer cells; in preclinical prostate cancer models, its activity is strongest when combined with radiation, slowing tumor growth and prompting plans for clinical trials.
Biohacker Bryan Johnson publicly praised his girlfriend Kate Tolo’s vaginal microbiome, claiming her sample is 98.7% Lactobacillus crispatus and in the top 1% of vaginas, linking it to lower infection risks and better IVF outcomes; Tolo acknowledged the post and warned that oral sex carries risks, while the public reveal drew mixed reactions and underscored Johnson’s habit of sharing intimate health details publicly.
Stanford researchers studying the bacterial DRT3 defense system found that the Drt3b polymerase can synthesize DNA without a separate template, with the protein's own shape acting as the blueprint. The three-part complex—Drt3a, Drt3b, and a non-coding RNA—enables self-contained DNA construction, a previously unseen mechanism with implications for biology, evolution, and future biotech; understanding its role in antiviral defense and potential engineering remains to be explored, and the work was published in Science.
A Northwestern-led study finds trace chlorhexidine lingering in ICU rooms can promote antiseptic-tolerant bacteria. In 219 surface samples from six ICUs, about 36% showed tolerance, with sinks highlighted as hotspots and the possibility that aerosols can spread tolerant bacteria to nearby surfaces. Some tolerant strains carry plasmids that could also spread antibiotic resistance, though chlorhexidine remains effective at standard cleaning concentrations. The findings underscore the need for antimicrobial stewardship and more research into how antiseptic use may influence resistance beyond antibiotics.
A bacterium isolated from frog gut, Ewingella americana, was given intravenously to mice with colorectal cancer and achieved a 100% complete tumor remission by both directly killing cancer cells and activating an anti-tumor immune response, outperforming some conventional therapies in this model; the bacterium selectively accumulates in tumors, clears rapidly from the bloodstream, and shows no lasting toxicity to healthy organs, suggesting a novel biodiversity-derived approach with potential for other cancers.
A new study shows that the common fungus Candida albicans and the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis can join forces to cause far more severe tissue damage than either microbe alone. The damage hinges on a toxin called cytolysin and close physical contact between the microbes, with the outcome depending on specific bacterial strains. The findings suggest mixed infections are not just cohabitation but coordinated attacks, potentially guiding more precise diagnosis and targeted treatments.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are developing engineered Clostridium sporogenes that can colonize the oxygen-poor core of solid tumors and survive near the tumor’s outer layers by a quorum-sensing–controlled oxygen-tolerance gene, enabling tumor consumption from inside with GFP-based validation and plans for preclinical tumor testing.
Scientists identified a kimchi-derived bacterium that can bind nanoplastics in a gut-like environment, capturing about 57% of particles versus 3% for a comparison strain and about 87% binding before digestion. In germ-free mice, those given the kimchi bacterium excreted more nanoplastics in feces, suggesting the gut could serve as an initial barrier to plastic exposure. The finding is promising but preliminary—human relevance remains unproven, and longer studies plus human trials are needed; next steps include screening other fermented foods for stronger binders and pursuing clinical testing.
Wearing headphones, especially in-ear earbuds, can block the ear canal and trap heat and moisture, raising the risk of ear infections. New studies link enhanced infection risk to headphone use (and sharing) and show that extended blockage alters ear microbiomes; when sweating or exercising, risks rise. To protect ears, take breaks to let canals breathe, consider bone-conduction options, and clean devices regularly per manufacturer guidance. Avoid using headphones when sick, and seek medical advice if you notice itching, redness, or discharge.
Researchers analyzed thousands of E. coli genomes and trained a random-forest model to predict whether accessory genes appear based on other genes in the genome. They found reliable predictability for a substantial portion of the accessory genome, with some gene families co‑occurring and others mutually exclusive, suggesting structured evolutionary dynamics beyond random mutation. The work, led by James McInerney, Alan Beavan, and Maria Rosa Domingo-Sananes, has implications for diagnostics, antibiotic resistance surveillance, and the design of genetic constructs, though not all genes are predictable; the full study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
University of Waterloo scientists are engineering Clostridium sporogenes to colonize the oxygen-free centers of tumors and consume nutrients, effectively eating tumors from the inside out. By adding an oxygen-tolerance gene from a related bacterium, they hope the bacteria can survive near the tumor exterior, while a quorum-sensing system activates the gene only when enough bacteria are present, preventing growth in oxygen-rich areas such as the bloodstream. The team plans pre-clinical trials testing this approach, though substantial work remains before any clinical use.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo engineered the soil bacterium Clostridium sporogenes to colonize oxygen-poor solid tumors and consume nutrients, effectively attacking tumors from within. They added oxygen-tolerance tweaks and quorum-sensing controls, plus a fluorescent signal, to signal successful tumor disruption. While promising, the approach is still in preclinical stages with the goal of combining traits into a single bacterium for upcoming preclinical testing in humans.