‘Butterfly Effect’ in a Protein Molecule – Changing Just 3 Atoms Causes Big Effect
“Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” — Edward Lorenz, at the 139th meeting of the American…
Bacteria
Copper Hospital Beds Are Real Killers, but That’s a Good Thing
Copper Hospital Beds Kill Bacteria, Save Lives A new study has found that copper hospital beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) harbored an average…
New Nanoparticle Weapon in Fight Against Lethal Fungi
Monash University researchers have gained insights into how nanoparticles could develop a biosensor to prevent deadly diseases contracted on medical equipment, such as catheters. Candida…
Shark Skin Microbiome Protects Wounds From Infection
No evidence of infection found in the bacterial community around shark wounds. A survey of the shark skin microbiome provides the first step toward understanding…
Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance Altered by Bacterial Lifestyle
How bacteria live — whether as independent cells or in a communal biofilm — determines how they evolve antibiotic resistance, which could lead to more…
Study Reveals How Mucus Tames Microbes – “Therapeutic Gold Mine”
Specialized sugar molecules called glycans can disarm opportunistic pathogens and prevent infection. More than 200 square meters of our bodies — including the digestive tract,…
Rapid Evolution of Deadly Pathogen: Cholera Bacterium Can Steal Up to 150 Genes in One Go
EPFL scientists have discovered that predatory bacteria like the cholera pathogen can steal up to 150 genes in one go from their neighbors. The study…
Darwin Contradicted: Survival of the Friendliest Bacteria
New microbial research at the University of Copenhagen suggests that ‘survival of the friendliest’ outweighs ‘survival of the fittest’ for groups of bacteria Bacteria make…
Oscillating Genetic Circuit: A Reliable Clock for Your Microbiome
Genetic oscillator records changes in microbiome growth patterns in vivo. For all the attention the human microbiome has been getting over the last few years,…
Compound Discovered in Breast Milk Fights Harmful Bacteria – Could Be Added to Formula or Cow’s Milk
Researchers at National Jewish Health and the University of Iowa have identified a compound in human breast milk that fights infections by harmful bacteria while…
Failure Against “Nightmare Bacteria” a Chilling Commentary on Future of Antibiotics – “Much of Modern Medicine May Become Infeasible”
The health care market is failing to support new antibiotics used to treat some of the world’s most dangerous, drug-resistant “superbugs,” according to a new…
New Antibiotic in Discovered in Tropical Forest – May Leaded to a “Plant Probiotic”
Findings may lead to ‘plant probiotic’ and new antibiotics. Scientists from Rutgers University and around the world have discovered an antibiotic produced by a soil…
Engineers Program Viruses as a New Weapon to Combat Infection
Engineered viruses could fight drug resistance: By tweaking bacteriophage genomes, MIT team creates a new weapon to combat infection. In the battle against antibiotic resistance,…
Warning: Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Spread by Washing Machines
Hygienists of the University of Bonn prove a transmission to newborns. Consequences for the domestic environment? Antibiotic-resistant pathogens can be spread via washing machines. This…
Warning: Dangerous Pathogens May Be Lurking in Your Energy-Efficient Washing Machine
Lower temperatures used in ‘energy saver’ washing machines may not be killing all pathogens. Washington, DC — For the first time ever, investigators have identified…
New Clues to the Origin of Life on Earth From Microbial Remains in Ancient Rocks
Western Australia’s famous 3.5-billion-year-old stromatolites contain microbial remains of some of the earliest life on Earth, UNSW scientists have found. Scientists have found exceptionally preserved…
What Species Fights Infection More Effectively, a Mouse or an Elephant?
Hamilton College researcher reveals body size shapes mammal immune defenses. What species is better at fighting an infection, a mouse or an elephant? Body size…
Researchers Use ‘Trojan Horse’ to Kill Deadly Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
New strategy developed to kill pathogens resistant to antibiotics. A potentially deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacterium present in hospitals, can be killed by hijacking its haem-acquisition system…