Microbiome
Chemotherapy drugs can be blocked by bacteria hiding in cancer cells
Of all the kinds of bacteria, some are charming and beneficial, others are malicious and dangerous—and then there are the ...
Multiple sclerosis added to list of diseases exacerbated by gut microbes
The trillions of bacteria that live in our intestines, known collectively as the gut microbiome, have been linked to maladies ...
Mystery Norwegian jelly-like blobs stump marine biologists
Giant, jelly-like blobs have been sighted off the western coast of Norway, but the identities of these mysterious objects have ...
New pathway for spread of antibiotic resistance: ‘Membrane blebbing’
Unlike animals, bacteria can readily share genetic information with other bacteria, even those of entirely different species. [...] For decades, ...
Why viruses, like Ebola and deadly flus, are not ‘living’
Viruses are responsible for some of the most dangerous and deadly diseases including influenza, ebola, rabies and smallpox. Despite their ...
How genes influence mouth bacteria and tooth decay
The composition of our oral bacteria when we are very young is predominantly influenced by our genetic background. But as ...
Some antibiotic resistance in humans may trace to feeding strategies at fish farms
The mucky sediment below fish farms usually teems with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The presence of such bacteria is a cause of ...
Antarctic glaciers may be hiding undiscovered life
Is there an undiscovered colony of plants, algae and small animals living in caves beneath glaciers in the Antarctic? That’s ...
Viewpoint: ‘Mutation-centric’ cancer treatment ignores critical environmental factors
[Editor's note: The following is part of an interview with James DeGregori is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry ...
Did life originate ‘naturally’ or are we a cosmic mistake?
Understanding the origin of life is arguably one of the most compelling quests for humanity. This quest has inevitably moved ...
What can ‘selfish genes’ found in kombucha tea tell us about how humanity has evolved?
For all of kombucha’s peace and love image, research at the Stowers Institute in Kansas City shows some rather sinister ...
Driving evolution: Sequencing of ocean microbiome shows nutrient limitation plays key role
Microbes dominate the planet, especially the ocean, and help support the entire marine food web. In a recent report published ...
Could we artificially create mutations that might aid cells in battling cancer?
The scientific challenge has not just been to demonstrate convincingly that harsh environments cause nonrandom mutations. It has also been ...
Does the ‘Nordic diet’ reduce stroke risk? Maybe, maybe not
Study gives teeth to claims that the Nordic diet--which limits foods to what people in Denmark, Sweden and other northern ...
Microbiome and health: Stress, diet and genetics responsible for how bacteria influences our immune system
Could the idea that there are "good" and "bad" bacteria be a false dichotomy? … In a study on mice, scientists found ...
First bioengineered ‘mutant ants’ could open research doors
Despite what you might've seen in 1950s monster movies, it's difficult to raise mutant ants. For years biologists have altered the ...
Ebola ‘family tree’ suggests virus becomes more deadly as it evolves
From 2013 to 2016, western Africa faced an enormous outbreak of Ebola in which 28,616 people fell ill and 11,310 ...
What causes drug-resistant ‘superbugs’? E. coli research provides clues
New data from a study conducted by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute suggests that drug-resistant “superbugs” are not necessarily out-competing ...
Genetically modified ‘super-algae’ combats global-warming-caused coral bleaching
Rachel Levin from The University of New South Wales, Australia and her international team of researchers may have found a solution ...
Gut feeling: Microbiota could aid fight against depression, high blood pressure and weight gain
The trillions of microorganisms in the gut affect our physical and mental state in myriad ways. Can we influence this ...
Melting Greenland ice sheet could release pollution—and beneficial microbes evolved to ‘chow down’ toxins
As the Greenland ice sheet melts due to climate change, a new study in journal Environmental Letters suggests, pollution trapped inside could ooze back into ...
Spicy foods may speed up bowel movements by triggering taste buds in the gut
Have you ever needed to hurry to the toilet during times of stress or after eating a spicy meal? This ...
Poop doping: No, elite athletes can’t improve performance by optimizing gut bacteria
The sports, science and mainstream media have circulated a scientist's claim that optimizing gut bacteria is the secret to elite ...
Downside to editing out ‘bad genes’: We might need them later
[With CRISPR, couples] may soon be able to edit [genes linked to genetic disorders] right out of their own sperm, ...
Fountain of youth: Can aging be slowed through supplements made from gut bacteria?
Slowing down the aging process might be possible one day with supplements derived from gut bacteria. Scientists at Baylor College ...
1,003 new genomes: Bacterial DNA library doubles as sequencing becomes cheaper, faster
The sequence of an organism's genome, a staple in today's world of scientific experimentation, is as essential to scientific research ...
Biocontainment: Genetic tweak could prevent accidental release of GMO bacteria from labs
When dealing with bacteria in a lab setting, it is often a requirement to ensure that the risk of the ...
