Gut bacteria may affect respiratory infection severity

Bacteria in the gut influence how susceptible mice are to respiratory virus infections and the severity of these infections, research finds.

LaTina Emerson-Georgia State • futurity
Feb. 2, 2024 ~5 min

Newly discovered virus kills ‘sleeping’ bacteria

Researchers have found a virus kills "sleeping" bacteria. The discovery could help fight germs that can't be treated with antibiotics alone.

Peter Rüegg-ETH Zurich • futurity
Jan. 19, 2024 ~8 min


Does gut bacteria cause osteoporosis?

One of the most common forms of gut bacteria may be to blame for osteoporosis, according to new research.

Andrew Yawn-Tulane • futurity
Dec. 26, 2023 ~4 min

Common stomach bug may up your Alzheimer’s risk

A new study links bacterial infection with a moderate but significant increase in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.

McGill University • futurity
Dec. 20, 2023 ~4 min

How active are the microorganisms in your yogurt? We created a new tool to study probiotic activity — and made it out of cardboard

Probiotics are great for your gut, but which sources contain the most beneficial bacteria? Newly developed sensors are helping scientists figure it out.

George Chumanov, Professor of Chemistry, Clemson University • conversation
Dec. 19, 2023 ~7 min

Search algorithm reveals nearly 200 new kinds of CRISPR systems

By analyzing bacterial data, researchers have discovered thousands of rare new CRISPR systems that have a range of functions and could enable gene editing, diagnostics, and more.

Allessandra DiCorato | Broad Institute • mit
Nov. 23, 2023 ~8 min

To communicate, cats let odors do the talking

To communicate, domestic cats send signals to each other using odors derived from families of bacteria living in their anal glands.

Andy Fell-UC Davis • futurity
Nov. 17, 2023 ~4 min

Insects are spreading a devastating plant disease in Italy – Britain must keep it out

The meadow spittlebug can transmit a deadly bacterium – many plants in Britain could be at risk.

Vinton Thompson, Research Associate in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History • conversation
Nov. 16, 2023 ~6 min


Microbes could help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers

New coating protects nitrogen-fixing bacteria from heat and humidity, which could allow them to be deployed for large-scale agricultural use.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Nov. 15, 2023 ~6 min

Engineered 'living materials' could help clean up water pollution one day

‘Living materials’ made with genetically engineered bacteria and Jell-O-like gel could make pollutants in water bodies nontoxic.

Debika Datta, Postdoctoral Scholar in Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Nov. 7, 2023 ~6 min

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