Tag

Bacteria

All articles tagged with #bacteria

world17 hours ago•14 min saved

Eight US Deaths Linked to Oyster-Related Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Eight people have died in the United States this year from vibriosis caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium linked to oysters and warm Gulf Coast waters. The latest fatality occurred in Bay County, Florida, as Florida and Louisiana report multiple cases. Health officials warn that infections can be severe, especially for those with underlying health conditions, and advise avoiding raw shellfish and protecting wounds from seawater.

via The Independent|

#bacteria #florida #gulfcoast

science3 days ago•9 min saved

Bacteria Use Protein as Template to Make DNA Without RNA

Scientists studying E. coli’s defense system DRT3 found that the enzyme DRT3b can synthesize a repeating C-A-C-A DNA strand using amino acids in the enzyme as a template, effectively translating protein sequence into DNA without an RNA template, while DRT3a still makes DNA from RNA. The two strands form a double helix and together act as an antiviral defense, with RecBCD normally destroying such DNA; when RecBCD is disabled by viruses, accumulating DRT3 DNA halts bacterial growth to stop the virus. The finding, supported by cryo-EM structures and mutational tests, suggests this amino-acid–templating mechanism may be more widespread in nature.

via ScienceAlert|

#bacteria #dna #drt3

science12 days ago•6 min saved

Early metabolism reveals dual origins of life on Earth

Researchers mapped the full early metabolism network (420 reactions) and found that bacteria and archaea likely shifted to free-living cells independently, with LUCA possessing only about half of metabolic reactions while the rest were catalyzed by environmental metals; the study suggests a hybrid early metabolism combining metal catalysts and enzymes and proposes a pre-ATP energy source via phosphite reacting with palladium in hydrothermal-vent environments.

via ScienceDaily|

#archaea #bacteria #luca

science20 days ago•8 min saved

Two Separate Beginnings: Study Finds Bacteria and Archaea Metabolism Emerged Independently

A Science Advances study proposes life on Earth may have arisen twice, with bacteria and archaea independently evolving metabolism before LUCA, suggesting two roots of life rather than a single lineage; enzymes may have been preceded by environmental metals and four catalytic phases led proto-cells to free-living status after their split.

via ScienceAlert|

#archaea #bacteria #luca

science24 days ago•5 min saved

Cow-Derived Microbes Linked to Reduced Childhood Allergies

A NEJM Evidence study identifies nine cow-derived bacteria found in mattress dust and cow shed air that mediate the “farm effect,” with exposure associated with lower rates of childhood asthma, hay fever, and eczema; these microbes produce metabolites that activate the AhR receptor to trigger immune responses, though more work is needed to prove causality.

via ScienceAlert|

#ahr-receptor #allergies #asthma

health25 days ago•10 min saved

Florida battles deadly coastal bacteria tied to shellfish and warm waters

Florida health officials report 1 death and 12 Vibrio vulnificus infections along the coast, with eight of the cases in Bay, Hillsborough, Lee, Marion, Okaloosa, Polk and St. Johns counties. The bacteria thrive in warm coastal waters and can infect people through contaminated seafood or open wounds; infections are rare but can be life‑threatening and may require aggressive surgeries or amputations. Last year Florida reported 5 deaths and 33 infections related to Vibrio vulnificus, and in 2024 there were 82 infections and 19 deaths. Officials warn to avoid contact between open wounds and warm seawater and to cook shellfish thoroughly.

via The Independent|

#bacteria #florida #health

health1 month ago•23 min saved

Florida Elder Dies From Flesh-Eating Vibrio, First 2026 US Fatality

An elderly Palm Beach County resident, aged 80–84, died after contracting Vibrio vulnificus, marking the first US fatality from the flesh-eating infection in 2026. The bacterium thrives in coastal and brackish waters and can be contracted via contaminated seawater or raw oysters; Florida has 11 cases so far this year, with infections reported in Hillsborough, Lee, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, and St. John’s counties. The CDC warns the infection can kill about 1 in 5 people and severe cases can require amputations, underscoring the ongoing risk during summer months.

via New York Post|

#bacteria #cdc #florida

science1 month ago•28 min saved

CRISPR-Cas orchestrates hidden anti-phage defenses into a layered bacterial immunity

A Nature study reveals that type I-C CRISPR–Cas loci embed diverse anti-phage defences and use small crRNA-like RNAs to guide the Cascade complex to repress promoters of these immune cassettes (CRISIS), maintaining their basal expression for antiviral activity while limiting fitness costs. When CRISPR–Cas is mutated or countered by anti-CRISPR proteins, these embedded systems become derepressed, boosting innate immunity at the expense of host fitness, thereby showing that CRISPR–Cas coordinates a layered, CRISPR-supervised bacterial immune network.

via Nature|

#anti-phage #bacteria #crispr-cas

science1 month ago•6 min saved

Bacteria in a Ghost Mine Lock Away Uranium as Stable Mineral

Researchers studying water in the flooded former Wismut Schlema-Alberoda uranium mine in Germany found microbes that, with glycerol as a carbon source, convert dissolved uranium into a stable pentavalent compound FeU(V)O4, reducing dissolved uranium by about 95% after 130 days. This points to a potential bioremediation approach for radioactive waters, though more work is needed to understand how to apply it broadly.

via ScienceAlert|

#bacteria #bioremediation #feuvo4

health1 month ago•41 min saved

Frog-Derived Bacterium Eradicates Tumors in Mice With a Single Dose

Japanese researchers isolated a gut bacterium, Ewingella americana, from the Japanese tree frog and showed that a single intravenous dose eliminated colorectal tumors in mice with a 100% complete response, while engaging the immune system and displaying a favorable safety profile; the team plans tests on other cancers and potential combinations with existing therapies.

via Good News Network|

#bacteria #cancer #frogs

technology1 month ago•9 min saved

Peering into the Nanoscale: AFM Images Bacteria, Nanoprisms, and More

An atomic force microscope images surfaces by a tiny probe rather than light, achieving sub-nanometer detail; Ben Krasnow’s video shows the probe in action, then uses AFM to image nattō bacteria on a gelatin-coated silicon substrate to immobilize and orient them, and also captures silver nanoprisms, track-etched membranes, and laser-etched diffraction gratings, while noting ongoing work on etching methods and the existence of DIY AFMs.

via Hackaday|

#afm #atomic-force-microscope #bacteria

science2 months ago•14 min saved

Debunking the 10:1 Bacteria Myth: Humans Are Closer to 1:1

A 2016 re-evaluation shows the long-cited 10-to-1 bacteria-to-human-cell ratio is not supported by current evidence. Using updated measurements, the counts are about 3.8×10^13 bacteria and 3.0×10^13 human cells in an average adult, a ratio of roughly 1.3:1 in favor of bacteria. The microbiome remains numerically dominant but not by an order of magnitude; the correction stems from earlier coarse assumptions and a failure to trace the figure to its source. The episode illustrates the value of ordinary scientific due diligence and does not diminish the microbiome’s importance.

via Space Daily|

#bacteria #human-cells #microbiome

health2 months ago•12 min saved

California records fourth known global case of rare tick-borne infection

A California resident diagnosed in April has become the fourth known global case of the tick-borne bacterium Rickettsia lanei, likely acquired in Northern California. The infection is extremely rare and can cause severe illness, including gangrene; doctors are advised to consider early doxycycline treatment if tick exposure is suspected.

via The Independent|

#bacteria #gangrene #health

world2 months ago•10 min saved

Florida teen battles flesh-eating infection after park swim

A 17-year-old Florida boy contracts a rare Vibrio vulnificus infection from a park swim, facing potential limb amputation as doctors treat him at a Pensacola children’s hospital while his family raises funds on GoFundMe.

via The Independent|

#bacteria #florida #hospital

health2 months ago•23 min saved

Target pulls two baby-wipe brands over bacteria contamination risk

Target is recalling two Up & Up baby wipes (Fragrance Free and Fresh Cucumber) after FDA alerts found contamination with Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli, including antibiotic‑resistant strains; the bacteria can cause infections in newborns, infants and immunocompromised individuals. Stop using the affected wipes and return them to Target for a full refund; the recall includes specific UPCs and manufacturing/expiry dates.

via New York Post|

#baby-wipes #bacteria #burkholderia-cepacia