Tag

Biofilms

All articles tagged with #biofilms

science4 days ago•6 min saved

Gladiolin: Bacterial Antibiotic Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant Fungal Infections

Researchers discovered gladiolin, a natural antibiotic from Burkholderia gladioli, can push the fungus Candida albicans from its invasive hyphal form back to the less harmful yeast form in lab tests. When used with amphotericin B, gladiolin and the drug together more effectively suppress fungal biofilms than either alone, suggesting a potential new approach to treating drug-resistant fungal infections, though extensive preclinical and clinical trials are still needed.

via ScienceAlert|

#amphotericin-b #antifungal-resistance #biofilms

science1 month ago•9 min saved

Bacillus subtilis escapes biofilms with a self-made hydrogel ejector

Bacillus subtilis cells escape their biofilms by secreting a gamma-PGA–rich hydrogel that generates osmotic pressure to eject motile cells, a dispersion mechanism with parallels in cnidarians and potential implications for therapies aimed at disrupting biofilms.

via Nature|

#bacillus-subtilis #biofilm-dispersal #biofilms

health2 months ago•83 min saved

Light-activated nanotech could accelerate wound healing by killing bacteria

Researchers are developing light-activated nanomaterials that convert light into heat or reactive chemicals to kill bacteria in wounds, potentially speeding healing. In mouse and pig studies, these therapies reduced infections by up to ~99% and promoted faster wound closure, including approaches like a lysozyme-containing gel activated by near-infrared light and magnesium-enhanced immune response, as well as gold–graphene oxide nanoparticles that generate toxic reactive oxygen species under blue light. While promising for chronic wounds and device-related infections, the techniques still require safety testing and cost reduction before clinical use.

via Live Science|

#antibiotic-resistance #biofilms #health

health2 months ago•12 min saved

Legionella Unmasked: 1976 Philadelphia Outbreak Explained, Yet Outbreaks Endure

Fifty years after the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel outbreak, scientists identified Legionella pneumophila as the cause and learned it thrives in biofilms in water systems and can become airborne in aerosols; while building-water management, rapid diagnostics, and modern antibiotics have reduced risk, outbreaks persist due to diverse Legionella species, aging infrastructure, and environmental factors.

via The Conversation|

#biofilms #health #legionella

science3 months ago•5 min saved

40,000-Year-Old Microbes Reawaken in Alaskan Permafrost, Stir Climate Implications

Scientists thawed 40,000-year-old microbes from an Alaska permafrost tunnel and found them awakening after six months, forming biofilms and indicating life can resume after long dormancy; this slow reactivation could release carbon dioxide and methane as permafrost thaws, complicating climate models.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#biofilms #climate-change #greenhouse-gases

science4 months ago•4 min saved

Bogland tormentil: a wildflower unlocking new ways to fight resistant bacteria

Lab tests show tormentil root extracts from bogland inhibit growth of antibiotic‑resistant bacteria, reduce biofilm formation, and boost the effectiveness of the antibiotic colistin at low doses. The active compounds ellagic acid and agrimoniin appear to work by iron chelation, starving bacteria of a key nutrient and hindering growth, pointing to a potential plant‑derived route to new antimicrobials and combination therapies.

via SciTechDaily|

#antibiotic-resistance #antimicrobial #biofilms

science4 months ago•5 min saved

Tiny Bog Wildflower Offers Hope Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

New research on bogland plants from Ireland finds tormentil extracts inhibit bacteria and biofilm formation, and can enhance the effectiveness of the last-resort antibiotic colistin; compounds like ellagic acid and agrimoniin may work by iron chelation, pointing to plant-derived antimicrobials as a potential aid against drug-resistant infections, with further formulation work underway.

via ScienceAlert|

#antibiotic-synergy #antimicrobial-resistance #biofilms

health4 months ago•4 min saved

Wild tormentil uncovers plant compounds that fend off superbugs and boost antibiotics

A study screening bogland plants found tormentil (Potentilla erecta) extracts to be antimicrobial, to limit biofilm formation, and to enhance the effectiveness of the last-resort antibiotic colistin when used together, via compounds like ellagic acid and agrimoniin that appear to work by iron chelation; this highlights plant compounds as sources of new antimicrobials and antibiotic adjuvants amid rising antimicrobial resistance.

via The Conversation|

#antimicrobial-resistance #biofilms #combination-therapy

environment5 months ago•20 min saved

Microplastics fuel global spread of antibiotic‑resistant bacteria via biofilms

A Plymouth Marine Laboratory–Exeter study shows microplastics act as mobile surfaces for microbial communities, forming dense biofilms (the Plastisphere) that carry antibiotic‑resistance genes and potentially resistant pathogens. These plastics can transport microbes from hospital wastewater to rivers and oceans, with downstream and marine environments showing higher resistance gene levels, especially on polystyrene and nurdles. The findings highlight the need for closer monitoring of microplastics, reducing plastic pollution, and careful handling during beach cleanups to protect ecosystems and human health.

via Earth.com|

#antimicrobial-resistance #biofilms #environment

science5 months ago•4 min saved

Bacteria Inside Common Kidney Stones Could Alter How They Form

A UCLA-led study finds live bacteria and biofilms inside calcium oxalate kidney stones, the most common type, suggesting microbes may actively contribute to stone formation and offering new avenues for treatments that target the stones’ microbial component.

via ScienceAlert|

#bacteria #biofilms #calcium-oxalate

science6 months ago•5 min saved

Origins Reimagined: Life May Have Begun in a Primordial Gel

Researchers propose that life began in prebiotic gels—soft, structured matrices on early Earth that fostered chemical evolution toward protocells, via either phase separation or proto-films, within a protective, biofilm-like environment that shielded and shared resources. This gel-first view broadens the search for alien life to gel-based structures and challenges the traditional cell-first narrative.

via Indian Defence Review|

#abiogenesis #biofilms #early-earth

science6 months ago•5 min saved

Underground Fukushima Microbes Survive in Biofilm Shields, Challenging Decommissioning

Researchers studying water beneath Fukushima’s reactors found bacteria thriving in radioactive conditions not thanks to classic radiation resistance but likely because protective biofilms form on metal surfaces; some microbes can cause metal corrosion, complicating cleanup efforts, and scientists speculate marine bacteria may have ridden in with the 2011 tsunami, revealing unexpected life in extreme environments.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#biofilms #corrosion #decommissioning

science7 months ago•4 min saved

Arginine in Saliva May Turn Mouth Biofilms from Detrimental to Protective

A Danish study from Aarhus University suggests that increasing arginine levels in saliva can shift mouth biofilms from acid-producing to protective, reducing tooth decay risk. In a real-world denture-biofilm setup, arginine treatment raised pH after sugar exposure, altered the bacterial and sugar composition, and reduced acid-producing Streptococcus populations, though responses varied among individuals. Arginine appears safe and could be explored as an additive in toothpaste or mouthwash, warranting further clinical research.

via ScienceAlert|

#arginine #biofilms #dental-health

health11 months ago•3 min saved

New Research Links Mouth Bacteria to Heart Attack Risk

A new study suggests that bacteria from the mouth, particularly oral streptococci, may play a direct role in triggering heart attacks by colonizing arterial plaques and causing inflammation, highlighting the importance of oral health for cardiovascular health.

via ScienceAlert|

#atherosclerosis #biofilms #cardiovascular-health

technology1 year ago•5 min saved

Revolutionary Coatings Unlock New Possibilities

High-performance coatings are crucial in enhancing the functionality and durability of various technologies, from jet engines to space equipment. These coatings allow materials to withstand extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and low gravity, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Researchers are continuously developing advanced coatings to address challenges like biofilm formation in space and non-stick solutions in manufacturing. However, the effectiveness of coatings can vary, and incorrect applications can lead to significant financial losses.

via BBC.com|

#biofilms #coatings #jet-engines