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Categories: Biology: Microbiology, Environmental: Wildfires
Published Deep Earth electrical grid mystery solved



To 'breathe' in an environment without oxygen, bacteria in the ground beneath our feet depend upon a single family of proteins to transfer excess electrons, produced during the 'burning' of nutrients, to electric hairs called nanowires projecting from their surface.
Published Bacteria subtype linked to growth in up to 50% of human colorectal cancers



Researchers have found that a specific subtype of a microbe commonly found in the mouth is able to travel to the gut and grow within colorectal cancer tumors. This microbe is also a culprit for driving cancer progression and leads to poorer patient outcomes after cancer treatment. The findings could help improve therapeutic approaches and early screening methods for colorectal cancer, which is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in adults in the U.S. according to the American Cancer Society.
Published Craving snacks after a meal? It might be food-seeking neurons, not an overactive appetite



Psychologists have discovered a circuit in the brain of mice that makes them crave food and seek it out, even when they are not hungry. When stimulated, this cluster of cells propels mice to forage vigorously and to prefer fatty and pleasurable foods like chocolate over healthier foods like carrots.
Published Experts warn climate change will fuel spread of infectious diseases



Infectious diseases specialists call the medical field to be ready to deal with the impact of climate change on spreading diseases, such as malaria, Valley fever, E. coli and Lyme disease.
Published Fiber, genes and the gut microbiome: Study reveals possible triggers for inflammatory bowel disease



A new study finds a complex interplay between diet, genes, and the gut microbiota that could explain why IBD develops.
Published A protein found in human sweat may protect against Lyme disease



Human sweat contains a protein that may protect against Lyme disease. About one-third of the population carries a genetic variant of this protein that is associated with Lyme disease in genome-wide association studies.
Published Climate change alters the hidden microbial food web in peatlands



To better understand a carbon sink in danger, scientists are turning to tiny organisms that have long been overlooked.
Published Genes identified that allow bacteria to thrive despite toxic heavy metal in soil



Some soil bacteria can acquire sets of genes that enable them to pump the heavy metal nickel out of their systems, a study has found. This enables the bacteria to not only thrive in otherwise toxic soils but help plants grow there as well. A research team pinpointed a set of genes in wild soil bacteria that allows them to do this in serpentine soils which have naturally high concentrations of toxic nickel. The genetic discovery could help inform future bioremediation efforts that seek to return plants to polluted soils.
Published Industrial societies losing healthy gut microbes



Our eating habits in industrialized societies are far removed from those of ancient humans. This is impacting our intestinal flora, it seems, as newly discovered cellulose degrading bacteria are being lost from the human gut microbiome, especially in industrial societies.
Published New discovery concerning occurrence of antibiotic resistance



A new study shows how heteroresistance, a transient resistance common in many bacteria, can act as a precursor to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Published Rise in global fungal drug-resistant infections



A global wave of infections caused by fungi growing drug-resistant has the medical community issuing precautions on how to protect yourself.
Published Cacao plants' defense against toxic cadmium unveiled



Researchers used bright X-rays to unveil how cacao trees protect themselves from toxic metal cadmium.
Published Newborn piglets serve as a model for studying influenza



Although prevention and treatment strategies are available for influenza, they are not sufficient for vulnerable populations such as young children and newborns. A team of researchers has studied newborn piglets to better understand the progression of influenza infections.
Published Engineers measure pH in cell condensates



In a first for the condensate field, researchers have figured out how nucleolar sub-structures are assembled. This organization gives rise to unique pH profiles within nucleoli, which they measured and compared with the pH of nearby non-nucleolar condensates including nuclear speckles and Cajal bodies.
Published 'Noisy' roundworm brains give rise to individuality



Research has demonstrated individual differences in and successfully extracted commonalities from the whole-brain activity of roundworms. The researchers also found that computer simulations based on the whole-brain activity of roundworms more accurately reflect real-brain activity when they include so-called 'noise,' or probabilistic elements.
Published Gut bacteria make neurotransmitters to shape the newborn immune system



Investigators discovered that unique bacteria colonize the gut shortly after birth and make the neurotransmitter serotonin to educate gut immune cells. This prevents allergic reactions to food and the bacteria themselves during early development.
Published Even inactive smokers are densely colonized by microbial communities



Everything is everywhere -- under certain conditions microbial communities can grow and thrive, even in places that are seemingly uninhabitable. This is the case at inactive hydrothermal vents on the sea floor. An international team is presently working to accurately quantify how much inorganic carbon can be bound in these environments.
Published Protein fragments ID two new 'extremophile' microbes--and may help find alien life



Perfectly adapted microorganisms live in extreme environments from deep-sea trenches to mountaintops. Learning more about how these extremophiles survive in hostile conditions could inform scientists about life on Earth and potential life on other planets.
Published Infections from these bacteria are on the rise: New blood test cuts diagnosis time from months to hours



Researchers have designed a platform to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria, simplifying and shortening a long-complicated procedure from 6 months to 2 hours. Rapid, accurate diagnosis has never been more important as cases of NTM infections have continued to increase annually, spreading from subtropical regions to more temperate zones in part due to global climate change.
Published New study on mating behaviors offers clues into the evolution of attraction



In examining the mating rituals of roundworms, researchers uncovered a unique approach to reproduction that maximizes genetic fitness.