All Early Life Microbiome articles
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NewsBreastfeeding is crucial to shaping infant’s microbes, lowering risk of asthma
A study shows that breastfeeding beyond three months supports the gradual maturation of the microbiome in the infant’s digestive system and nasal cavity, the upper part of the respiratory tract.
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NewsNatural probiotic discovered in UK newborns’ microbiomes
Newborn babies have one of three pioneer bacteria in their gut shortly after birth, one of which could be used to develop new personalised infant therapeutic probiotics, researchers show.
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NewsC-section antibiotics impact the infant microbiome far less than infant diet
A study has confirmed that although prophylactic antibiotics given ahead of a Caesarian section can cause subtle changes to the infant microbiome, they are much less significant than the impact of how the babies are fed.
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NewsHospital awarded $12m to study best approach to treat mild pneumonia in young children
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, in partnership with University of Utah Health, has been approved for $12 million in research funding for a study that will compare two ways to use antibiotics in young children with mild pneumonia.
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NewsBacterial gut diversity improves the athletic performance of racehorses
The composition of gut bacteria of thoroughbred racehorses at one-month-old can predict their future athletic performance, according to a new study.
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NewsRVC awarded funding to investigate how methane-producing microbes colonise young calves
The Royal Veterinary College has been awarded £1,200,000 to explore how methane-producing microorganisms colonise the gastro-intestinal tract of calves in the first six weeks of life and how they impact the developing immune system.
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NewsMouse study reveals how fetal brain impacted when mother fights severe flu
A bad case of the flu during pregnancy can increase the risk for fetal neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. But it’s not the virus itself doing the damage; it’s the mother’s immune response.
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NewsInnovative test diagnoses chagas disease in newborns
The LAMP molecular diagnostic test, coupled with a modified 3D printer to extract DNA, has a sensitivity comparable to PCR, and can be used in laboratories with limited resources.
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VideoDeciphering the Microbiome: Research and Applications in Early Human Development
This webinar, chaired by Dr Christopher Stewart (AMI’s 2023 WH Pierce Prize awardee), brought together leading researchers to unravel the complexities of the human microbiome’s role in early development.
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NewsStudy reveals role of fathers in seeding the microbiota of newborns
A new paper shows the important contributions that fathers make to the composition of microbes colonizing a baby’s gut, and confirms that maternal fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) in babies born by C-section can help to correct microbiota disturbances.
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NewsVaccine development program aims to prevent sepsis in newborns
Researchers have been awarded $3.96 million to develop a maternal vaccine that prevents sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in newborns and infants.
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NewsScientists probe missing microbes in infants and children in the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers conducted a comparative analysis of the gut microbiome of 1,126 children and infants during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Beijing area, revealing the variation of their gut microbiome.
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NewsScientists warn of overuse of antibiotics in newborns with suspected sepsis
Newborns in Sweden are given antibiotics for suspected sepsis to an unjustified extent, reveals a study of more than one million newborns. Despite a significant reduction in sepsis rate in the group, the use of antibiotics has not decreased.
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NewsRotavirus vaccinations in NICU pose minimal risk, study reveals
Rotavirus vaccines do not cause significant outbreaks of the disease in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), according to a new study.
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NewsMajor genetic meta-analysis reveals how antibiotic resistance in babies varies according to mode of birth, prematurity, and where they live
Meta-analysis of genetic studies from 10 countries finds infants born by C-section have more antibiotic resistance genes; antibiotic use and prematurity also fuel resistance.
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CareersCultivating curiosity: a biologist’s tale of science and support in research
Evelyn shares with us her scientific journey from being a curious child in Colombia to coordinating the European Green-Era Hub webinars from the Agriculture and Food Development Authority in Ireland.
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NewsAI powered ‘digital twin’ models the infant microbiome
A new generative AI tool creates a virtual model of the infant microbiome and predicts neurodevelopmental deficits.
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NewsInfant gut microbes have their own circadian rhythm
Infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, even when they are cultivated outside of the body. Meanwhile, diet has less impact on the development and composition of the infant microbiome than previously thought.
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NewsGut 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.
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NewsCOVID vaccines are safe for pregnant women and babies
The COVID vaccine is safe to administer during pregnancy, reports a new study in an important finding on the safety of the vaccine in infants – despite widespread fear and misinformation.
