Microbiology

A groundbreaking study has identified a universal set of microbes responsible for decomposing animal flesh, providing a potential new tool for determining the time of death in forensic investigations. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearch reveals a consistent microbial network involved in animal decomposition, promising advancements in forensic science and beyond, with implications for accurately estimating time of death and potential applications in agriculture.For the first time, researchers have identified what appears to…

Liquid samples of different algal species investigated in the study, all stored in the Culture Collection of Algae at Göttingen University. Credit: Tatyana DarienkoOKA research team at Göttingen University is leading an investigation into the emergence of multicellularity.Of all the organisms that photosynthesize, land plants have the most complex bodies. How did this morphology emerge? A team of scientists led by the University of Göttingen has taken a deep dive into the evolutionary history of morphological complexity…

A recent study has identified two probiotic strains capable of reducing weight in obese dogs. This groundbreaking research demonstrates the strains’ effectiveness in improving metabolism and reducing body fat, emphasizing the need for more specialized research and guidelines in the field of probiotics for pets.Two probiotic strains have been discovered by researchers as effective in decreasing weight in obese dogs, according to a study published recently in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for…

The predatory bacterium Myxococcus xanthus (left) slaughtering its prey (right). Black dots are predator aggregates called fruiting bodies and the rippling waves in the contact zone are characteristic of predatory interactions. Credit: Nicola Mayrhofer (CC-BY 4.0)New study demonstrates that environmental changes can flip microbial predator-prey hierarchy.In a new study, two species of bacteria grown in a lab reversed their predator-prey relationship after one species was grown at a lower temperature. Marie Vasse of…

UC San Diego scientists developed microbeMASST, a novel tool that significantly advances microbial metabolism research by identifying microbes and their metabolic signatures. This breakthrough could transform our approach to health and environmental studies. Credit: SciTechDaily.comUsing a database of over 60,000 microorganisms curated by researchers from across the globe, the new search tool instantly matches microbes to the metabolites they produce.Researchers from the University of California San Diego, as part of a…

New research shows that life can thrive in much saltier conditions than known before, expanding the potential habitats for life in our solar system and providing crucial insights into the effects of salinity on Earth’s aquatic life. Credit: SciTechDaily.comNew Research on Microbes Expands the Known Limits for LifeA new study on microbes in extremely salty water suggests life may survive conditions previously thought to be uninhabitable. The research widens the possibilities for where life may be found throughout our solar…

Research by Koen Martens focuses on understanding the speed and efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms in the human body. His development of TARDIS software has significantly improved the ability to study these processes in response to UV damage. Credit: SciTechDaily.comUniversity of Bonn researchers devise method to speed up observations of high-throughput microbiological process.Being able to observe micro-organisms and their cellular components is key to understanding fundamental processes that go on inside cells—and thus…

Research published in Microbiology Spectrum demonstrates that tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other harmful bacteria affecting digestive and urinary tract health. This breakthrough suggests that regular consumption of tomatoes can offer natural antibacterial benefits, particularly against pathogens like Salmonella Typhi.A study reveals that tomato juice effectively kills Salmonella Typhi and other harmful bacteria, thanks to specific antimicrobial peptides found in tomatoes. This discovery highlights the…

Scientists have created a method to transform plastic waste into biodegradable spider silk using bacteria, providing an innovative and sustainable approach to tackling plastic pollution. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comFor the first time, researchers have used bacteria to “upcycle” waste polyethylene.Move over Spider-Man: Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a strain of bacteria that can turn plastic waste into a biodegradable spider silk with multiple uses.Transforming Plastic Into…

Research on how microbes may prevent allergies shows mixed results. Studies comparing wild and laboratory mice found that exposure to diverse microbes doesn’t always reduce allergic reactions, challenging the notion that microbial exposure is universally beneficial in allergy prevention. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe notion that some level of microbial exposure might reduce our risk of developing allergies has arisen over the last few decades and has been termed the hygiene hypothesis. Now, an article published in Science…