All Bacteria articles
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NewsWhen bacteria get hungry, they kill – and eat – their neighbors
Scientists have discovered a gruesome microbial survival strategy: when food is scarce, some bacteria kill and consume their neighbors. The researchers show that under nutrient-limited conditions, bacteria use a specialized weapon — the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) — to attack, kill, and slowly absorb nutrients from other bacterial cells.
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NewsAn oral cholera vaccination campaign aims to reach more than 2.6 million people in Sudan’s Khartoum State
A 10-day reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign, launched on 10 June in 5 localities in Sudan’s Khartoum State, aims to protect more than 2.6 million people aged 1 year and above from cholera infection, interrupt transmission and help contain the cholera outbreak.
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NewsA combination of exercise and omega-3 reduces the severity of tooth root infections
Rats that exercised and took fatty acid supplements responded better to bacteria and the inflammatory process of apical periodontitis, which can occur when caries reach the root canal and cause an infection.
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NewsNew research reveals how bacteria export the building blocks of biofilms
Chemists examined how the polysaccharide “Pel” – a central component of many biofilms – is exported out of the cell by the pathogen P. aeruginosa and describe the structure of the so-called PelBC export complex, which represents the last station in the cell before “Pel” is released.
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NewsCultured mini-organs reveal the weapons of aggressive Shigella bacteria
Thanks to lab-grown miniature intestines, researchers have successfully mapped how aggressive Shigella bacteria infect the human gut. The study opens the door to using cultured human mini-organs to investigate a wide range of other serious infections.
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NewsGreen light activates this antibiotic only where it’s needed
To make a more efficient antibiotic treatment, researchers have modified penicillin so that it’s activated only by green light. In early tests, the approach precisely controlled bacterial growth and improved survival outcomes for infected insects.
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NewsGifts from the sea: Molecules derived from coral may help fight harmful bacteria
Pus, strep throat, and even tuberculosis—most infectious diseases are characterized by a cluster of pathogenic bacteria that can be stubborn and resistant to antibiotics. Researchers have found another method to combat these bacteria using naturally sourced molecules found in corals.
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NewsA repurposed FDA-approved drug shows promise in killing antibiotic resistant bacteria
A study of Acinetobacter baumannii employed an entirely new strategy to identify weaknesses specific to resistant bacteria and then target these weaknesses with an alternate drug. They found that fendiline kills the bacterium by targeting the essential lipoprotein trafficking pathway, which is weakened in antibiotic resistant bacteria.
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NewsFish ‘beauty salons’ offer insight into how microbes move within reefs
A new study highlights the potential impact of cleaner fish in coral reefs and the need to demystify their role in shaping reef microbial diversity and transmission.
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NewsTwin study detects gut bacteria that play a role in development of multiple sclerosis
Researchers examined stool samples from 81 pairs of twins, and compared their composition between siblings. They identified 51 taxa—groups of microorganisms—that differed in abundance between twins with and without MS symptoms.
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NewsCoral Art: Drawing out the secrets of coral reef resilience to high ocean temperatures
A researcher uses her art to explain how corals from more variable ocean environments may be better equipped to survive rising ocean temperatures than corals from more stable environments.
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NewsPossible anti-aging compounds found in blood bacteria
Researchers have discovered compounds with anti-aging properties hidden beneath our own skin. The three molecules, produced by a bacterium in the blood, reduced damage and inflammatory responses in human skin cell cultures.
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NewsResearch identifies new trigger accelerating antibiotic resistance
A new study shows that ciprofloxacin, a staple treatment for urinary tract infections, throws Escherichia coli (E. coli) into an energy crisis that saves many cells from death and speeds the evolution of full‑blown resistance.
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NewsResearchers develop dissolvable battery using probiotics
A new paper shows the potential of using probiotics — live microorganisms that offer health benefits when ingested but are otherwise harmless.
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NewsRapid testing for sexually transmitted infections on the horizon
Birmingham spin-out Linear Diagnostics has been awarded £1m funding to finalise the development of a low-cost, accurate, near-patient diagnostic platform that aims to diagnose STIs from a single sample faster than any commercially available alternative.
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NewsNanoparticle smart spray helps crops block infection before it starts
As climate change fuels the spread of plant diseases worldwide, a new nanoparticle smart spray could help crops defend themselves by blocking harmful bacteria from entering through tiny pores in their leaves.
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NewsNew source of natural antibiotics hidden within our own proteins identified
A team of scientists has identified a new type of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found in human proteins that are capable of selectively eliminating multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly of the gram-negative type, responsible for serious hospital acquired infections.
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NewsAirborne disease detection made easier with new, low-cost device
A new, small, low-cost device, nicknamed ABLE, could make the collection and detection of airborne hazards much more efficient. ABLE has immediate applications in hospitals, where viruses, bacteria and nanoplastics can be detected directly from the air.
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NewsBacteria hitch a ride on yeast puddles to zoom around
Researchers found that bacteria can speed up by using the fluid pockets shaped by neighboring yeast cells. These microscopic moisture trails allow bacteria to swim farther and spread faster—revealing a new way for microbes to travel through soil, plants, and the human body.
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NewsLight-controlled bacteria can tackle antibiotic resistance or become ‘bacterial robots’
A groundbreaking technique uses light-sensitive materials to control bacteria, allowing them to sense light and convert light energy into electrical signals across their membranes without the need for any genetic modification.