Healthy land
Land has a wide variety of uses: agricultural, residential, industrial, and recreational. Microbes play a key role in the terrestrial ecosystem, providing symbiotic relationships with plants. Human use of land has led to the exhaustion of nutrients in soils, contamination of land, and a reduction in biodiversity. Applying our knowledge of microbes will be essential in restoring the biodiversity of affected ecosystems. Greater research into how microbes impact human life on land could all have a positive impact, by increasing crop production, repurposing areas of land and improving microbial biodiversity in soil, land, and water.
News
Synthetic lichen points a pathway to self-healing concrete
Addressing one of the most persistent and expensive problems in construction, scientists have taken inspiration from nature to develop a synthetic lichen system to enable concrete to self-repair.
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NewsSpiritual healing sites could be linked to antibiotic-producing microorganisms
A study by AMI member Dr Gerry Quinn highlights the potential of spiritual healing sites as fertile ground for novel antibiotics, particularly from Streptomyces bacteria, known for producing the majority of current antibiotics.
NewsBat virus evolution suggests wildlife trade sparked COVID-19 virus emergence in humans
The ancestor of the virus that causes COVID-19 left its point of origin in Western China or Northern Laos just several years before the disease first emerged in humans up to 2,700 kilometers away in Central China, suggesting the wildlife trade played a role.
NewsEngineered soil microbiomes may secure future tomato yields
New findings suggest that manipulating rhizosphere microbiomes could be a sustainable strategy to enhance crop performance in fluctuating environments, supporting the development of resilient agricultural systems.
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High-density screening technique reveals key genes for biotechnology improvements
Scientists used a gene-silencing tool and molecular guides to probe how photosynthetic bacteria adapt to light and temperature changes, finding even partial suppression of certain genes yielded big benefits in modifying the stress response of wild microbes.
NewsInvasive rats and rainforest mammals are sharing gut microbes as urban areas grow
As urban development continues to creep further into Earth’s oldest and most diverse rainforests, a study reveals native and invasive small mammals aren’t just adapting to their changing habitats—they may also be sharing their microbes.
NewsDancing plant cells defeat Pseudomonas - and win international competition
The University of Jena, Germany has won the renowned ’Dance your PhD’ competition in the category Biology with its video “Plant Vaccination”. The video visualizes the thesis of Jena doctoral candidate Priya Reddy with dancers and original choreography.
NewsThe solution for microbial communities to survive environmental stress is self-sufficiency
Researchers have shown, based on an experimental system that reproduces a mutualistic microbial community, that the most common evolutionary solution for two co-dependent organisms to survive extreme environmental change could be to become self-sufficient.
NewsAI plays detective to help scientists find hidden microbes
A team of researchers has created a novel machine learning tool that’s cracking open one of biology’s trickiest puzzles: finding the rarest microbes on Earth. Ulrb not only identifies rare microorganisms but also works with non-microbial data.
NewsBacterial villain behind Lake Erie’s ‘potent toxin’ unveiled by study
In Lake Erie, cyanobacteria can proliferate out of control, creating algal blooms that produce toxins that can harm wildlife and human health. Researchers have IDed the organism responsible for the toxins: a cyanobacteria called Dolichospermum.
NewsNew study reveals emerging cases of babesiosis in Mid-Atlantic region
A newly published study provides critical insights into the emergence of babesiosis in the Mid-Atlantic region, documenting human cases and the presence of Babesia microti in local tick populations.
NewsChiral phytovirucide targets viral Nia protein to inhibit proliferation
A new study focuses on the search for small molecules to target the Nia protein of Potato virus Y (PVY), one of the most economically destructive viruses affecting Solanaceous crops such as potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes.
NewsHow math helps to protect crops from invasive disease
New research demonstrates how mathematical modeling can predict outbreaks of toxic fungi in Texas corn crops—offering a potential lifeline to farmers facing billions in harvest losses.
NewsGlobal virus network issues urgent call to action to mitigate the rising threat of H5N1 avian influenza
The Global Virus Network (GVN) has issued a call-to-action, calling on world governments to address the threat of H5N1 avian influenza by enhancing surveillance, implementing biosecurity measures, and preparing for potential human-to-human transmission.
NewsNew pests and diseases will cut UK tree growth
The arrival of new plant pests and diseases is likely to severely damage UK trees and woodlands in the coming decades, new research shows.
NewsBirds hold remarkable clues to fighting human and animal infections
Researchers have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary adaptation in birds that could hold vital clues for combating avian flu and respiratory infections in humans, including pneumonia and COVID-19.
NewsScientists repurpose gene editing tool to help uncover hidden microbial diversity
Pioneering research has repurposed a gene editing tool to help shed light on the true biodiversity present in natural environments. The study could help pave the way for more productive soils and improved health.
NewsMicrobes used to mine magnesium from waste heaps
Researchers have pioneered a microbially driven process that utilises low-value waste products, such as magnesium mine waste and sulfur from desulfurisation plants, to leach the wastes and generate a stream of solubilised magnesium.
NewsControlling starch levels in algae could have biotechnology and sustainability benefits
Researchers have found a new method to control starch storage in algae - a finding with potential applications in areas such reducing greenhouse gases. Modifying a blue light-activated signalling pathway makes it possible to regulate storage, they say.
NewsSugar-mimicking molecule central to virulence of a common crop disease, study finds
A strain of Pseudomonas syringae manipulates plants by producing a substance called glycosyrin to suppress the immune response. New research shows that glycosyrin does this by mimicking galactose, acting like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
NewsNew giant virus isolated in Jyväskylä for the first time in Finland
For the first time in Finland, researchers have isolated a giant virus, which was named Jyvaskylavirus. The discovery shows that giant viruses are more common in northern regions than researchers have thought.
NewsCyanobacterium study reveals how circadian clocks maintain robustness in changing environments
New research has uncovered how a simple circadian clock network demonstrates advanced noise-filtering capabilities, enhancing our understanding of how biological circuits maintain accuracy in dynamic natural environments.
NewsNew study confirms copper-based fungicides as a reliable solution for aerial stem rot in potatoes
A new study confirms that confirmed that copper fungicide treatments consistently slow disease spread and improve yields in potato crops threatened by aerial stem rot (ASR), a bacterial disease primarily caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum.