News Feature Channel: Microbiome

Houston Methodist Researchers Shed Light on Increased Rates of Severe Human Infections Caused by Streptococcus Subspecies

Houston Methodist — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:00:11 EST

A concerning increase in global rates of severe invasive infections becoming resistant to key antibiotics has a team of infectious disease researchers at the Houston Methodist Research Institute studying a recently emerged strain of bacteria called Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE). SDSE infects humans via the skin, throat, gastrointestinal tract and female genital tract to cause infections ranging in severity from strep throat (pharyngitis) to necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease).

Mount Sinai Researchers Enhance Screening Methods to Prevent Spread of Drug-Resistant Fungal Infections in Hospitals

Mount Sinai Health System — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:05:04 EST

Expanded protocols promote early detection in high-risk patients and prevent hospital outbreaks of Candida auris

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Crucial Period of Early Childhood

Universite de Montreal — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:00:30 EST

Breastfeeding, child nutrition and exposure secondhand tobacco smoke at an early age may play a role in the onset of inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study conducted on Quebecers.

Iowa State Study Shows Zinc's Potential to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

Iowa State University — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 15:55:04 EST

A research team at Iowa State University has found that zinc supplements may be an inexpensive, effective antidote to the growing health threat of antimicrobial resistance, potentially extending the effectiveness of today's antibiotic arsenal against disease.

Discrimination Leads to Changes in the Gut Microbiome

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:00:00 EST

In a new study, UCLA Health researchers have found that people who experienced discrimination had pro-inflammatory bacteria and gene activity in their gut microbiome that was different from those who did not experience discrimination.

The Vandal Theory Podcast - Season 8, Episode 1: Exploring Killer Yeasts

University of Idaho — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 22:35:14 EST

Question: Have you ever tried baking or brewing with yeast?

Beneficial Gut Microbe Has Surprising Metabolic Capabilities

Washington University in St. Louis — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 14:00:00 EST

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified potentially far-reaching effects of a particular gut bacterium that was linked to better growth in Bangladeshi children receiving a therapeutic food designed to nurture healthy gut microbes. The far-reaching effects include regulating appetite, immune responses, neuronal function, and the ability of pathogenic bacteria to produce disease.

FSU Researchers Uncover New Link Between Gut Bacteria and Alzheimer's Disease

Florida State University — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:35:01 EST

A groundbreaking study by researchers at Florida State University's Gut Biome Lab has revealed a potential link between an infection caused by gut bacteria and the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Antibiotics and Antifungals May Slightly Affect Parkinson's Risk, Study Finds

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:15:52 EST

New research by Rutgers Health researchers highlights a complex relationship between bacteria in the digestive tract and brain health.

Saving the Bats: Researchers Find Bacteria, Fungi on Bat Wings That Could Help Fight Deadly White-Nose Syndrome

McMaster University — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:00:39 EST

Bacteria and fungi from the wings of bats could play a significant role in saving them from white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease affecting the skin of wings and muzzle, which has nearly wiped out vulnerable bat populations across North America.

Soils from Six Continents Add Up to Largest Database of Viruses Beneath Our Feet

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:00:19 EST

Scientists have plumbed the depths of nearly 3,000 soil samples from around the globe to put together the heftiest atlas of soil viruses ever created. But what are all those viruses doing in the soil? More than 97 percent are considered "viral dark matter" that have no known function.

Microbes, Not Fossil Fuels, Drove Methane Growth Between 2020 and 2022

University of Colorado Boulder — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:20:32 EST

Microorganisms growing in landfills, on agricultural land and in wetlands are contributing to skyrocketing levels of atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas, according to new CU Boulder research.

Does Gut Microbiome Affect Spine Health?

RUSH — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 11:30:02 EST

Are back problems influenced by your gut? Researchers at Rush think there may be a connection.

New Insights Into Akkermansia Muciniphila's Growth Dynamics: The Role of Mucin O-Glycans and Food-Derived Glycoproteins

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 21:20:04 EST

A research team investigates how mucin, a major component of the gut lining, and food-derived glycoproteins influence the growth of this bacterium.

Identifying the Genes That Viruses 'Steal' From Ocean Microbes

Ohio State University — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:10:58 EST

A new study gets scientists closer to more fully understanding where viruses fit into the global ocean picture of cycling nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and, of particular interest, carbon.

Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Create mRNA Vaccine to Prevent and Treat C. difficile

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 07:45:18 EST

A new vaccine provides hope for treating and even preventing the highly contagious and difficult-to-treat Clostridioides difficile infection, more commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff. In animal models, this first mRNA-LNP C. difficile vaccine was found to protect against C. difficile first-time infections and relapsing infections by inducing a robust immune response, promote clearance of existing C. diff bacteria from the gut, and even overcome deficits in host immunity to protect animals after infection.

Researchers Help Redefine Core Microbiome, Opening New Chapter in Precision Health

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:25:33 EST

Researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, along with international collaborators, have introduced a novel method for identifying the crucial set of gut microbes commonly found in humans and essential for health.

$7 Million From ARPA-H to Tackle Lung Infections Through Innovative Probiotic Treatment

University of California San Diego — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 19:05:03 EST

UC San Diego has received a $7 million ARPA-H contract for the PROTECT project, targeting pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. These pathogens pose serious health risks to individuals with cystic fibrosis and those reliant on respirators.

Sludge Sequencing Surprise: High-Throughput Single-Cell Method Reveals Novel Species and Genetic Diversity

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:05:19 EST

Pioneering research utilizes high-throughput single-cell sequencing to demystify the microbial universe within activated sludge, a cornerstone of wastewater treatment. This study has unearthed a plethora of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and has pointed to the existence of previously unknown microbial species, significantly advancing our comprehension of microbial diversity and the mechanisms of genetic exchange within this environment.

Tip Sheet: 4 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers Form AI Alliance, New Database of Hispanic/Latinx Scientists -- and Fred Hutch Volunteer Stories

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:00:15 EST

Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.