http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/bacteria/ Learn all about bacteria. From the latest research on bacterial infections to using bacteria as biofuel, read all the science news here. Photos. en-us Fri, 16 May 2008 16:05:01 EDT Fri, 16 May 2008 16:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/bacteria/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514082740.htm Scientists succeeded in capturing syntrophic (means "feeding together") microorganisms that are known to dramatically reduce the oceanic emission of methane into the atmosphere. These microorganisms that oxidize methane anaerobically are an important component of the global carbon cycle and a major sink for methane on Earth. Methane - a more than 20 times stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide - constantly seeps out large methane hydrate reservoirs in the ocean floors, but 80 percent of it are immediately consumed by these microorganisms. Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514082740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515171017.htm Having found that whether bacteria stick to surfaces depends partly on how stiff those surfaces are, MIT engineers have created ultrathin films made of polymers that could be applied to medical devices and other surfaces to control microbe accumulation. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515171017.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145401.htm Compared to humans, bacteria have a much tidier genome. The tiny microorganisms pack their genes closely together, and don't carry around a lot of extraneous DNA, so-called junk DNA that fills in the gaps between genes. Some 90 percent of the complete genome sequence of the bacteria E. coli contains sequences of DNA that code for protein, while 90 percent of the human genome is non-coding junk DNA. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513101555.htm A study of Florida beaches has shown that wet sand and dry sand above the intertidal zone have significantly more fecal bacteria than near-shore seawater. Scientists researched whether indicator bacteria survive longer in sand relative to open water and found that all feces-derived bacteria were capable of enhanced growth and survival in sand, while in seawater the bacterial populations steadily decreased over time. Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513101555.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512212320.htm Cornell researchers are studying bacterium big enough to see -- the Shaquille O'Neal of bacteria. The secret to an unusual bacterium's massive size -- it's the size of a grain of salt, or a million times bigger than E. coli bacteria, and big enough to see with the naked eye -- may be found in its ability to copy its genome tens of thousands of times. Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512212320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512092318.htm Researchers in California report development of a new kind of genetically modified yeast cell that produces complex proteins up to 300 times more than possible in the past. These "super yeasts" could help boost production and lower prices for a new generation of protein-based drugs that show promise for fighting diabetes, obesity, and other diseases, the researchers suggest. Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512092318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509170744.htm Researchers have discovered an anti-virulence factor in Salmonella, knowledge that could be used to design improved Salmonella vaccines. Virulence factors allow a pathogen to thrive in the host and cause disease. An anti-virulence factor controls the degree of infectiveness. Mon, 12 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509170744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105601.htm Fruits and vegetables that are rich in nitrates protect the stomach from damage. This takes place through conversion of nitrates into nitrites by the bacteria in the oral cavity and subsequent transformation into biologically active nitric oxide in the stomach. This also means that antibacterial mouthwashes can be harmful for the stomach. Fri, 09 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507083928.htm The genome of a newly-emerging superbug, commonly known as Steno, has just been sequenced. The results reveal an organism with a remarkable capacity for drug resistance. The research was carried out by scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge and the University of Bristol. Fri, 09 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507083928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505093416.htm Researchers in Korea report development of a way to double production of a sticky protein from marine mussels destined for use as an antibacterial coating to prevent life-threatening infections in medical implants. The coating, produced by genetically-engineered bacteria, could cut medical costs and improve implant safety, the researchers say. Thu, 08 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505093416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501125429.htm Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have identified a potential "red tide killer." Red tides and related phenomena in which microscopic algae accumulate rapidly in dense concentrations have been on the rise in recent years, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in worldwide losses to fisheries and beach tourism activities. Despite their wide-ranging impacts, such phenomena, more broadly referred to as "harmful algal blooms," remain unpredictable in not only where they appear, but how long they persist. Tue, 06 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501125429.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504194238.htm Bacteria that cause the bubonic plague may be more virulent than their close relatives because of a single genetic mutation, according to research published in the May issue of the journal Microbiology. Mon, 05 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504194238.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504194241.htm Leptospirosis is a serious but neglected emerging disease that infects humans through contaminated water. Now research published in the May issue of the journal Microbiology shows for the first time how bacteria that cause the disease survive in the environment. Mon, 05 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504194241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502114924.htm Scientists in Italy have discovered a new perspective in the study of infectious disease. They recently studied an environmental bacteria and it’s interaction with the environment and found that this provided them with vast amounts of information about how the organism causes disease. Sun, 04 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502114924.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502091421.htm Scientists in Germany have discovered a new mechanism of infection for the most fatal bee disease. American Foulbrood is the only infectious disease which can kill entire colonies of bees. Every year, this notifiable disease is causing considerable economic loss to beekeepers all over the world. The only control measure is to destroy the infected hive. Sun, 04 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502091421.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501110008.htm Bacteria that feed on seaweed could help in the disposal of pollutants in the world's oceans, according to a new study. Researchers explain that as marine pollution is on the increase novel approaches to removing toxic contaminants is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Fri, 02 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501110008.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430202832.htm Popular wisdom says that aircraft provide the perfect environment for spreading disease, but few studies exist to confirm or deny this suspicion. Now, a team of researchers has measured concentrations of bacteria in the cabin air of 12 commercial passenger aircraft, and found that flying may be safer than we think. Fri, 02 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430202832.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430154945.htm Researchers have discovered how some bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment by turning on resistance mechanisms when exposed to the drugs. The findings could lead to more effective antibiotics to treat a variety of infections. Fri, 02 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430154945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502133720.htm It is a common belief that the water quality of the Charles River and other lakes, streams and rivers is at its worst after a large rainfall because of pollutants carried by runoff. However, a recent study found high concentrations of E. coli bacteria in the Charles River after a long period of no rain. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502133720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430120745.htm Researchers have succeeded in wiping out established biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus by hijacking one of the bacteria's own regulatory systems. Although the discovery is not ready for clinical application, the findings offer insight into a dispersal mechanism for staph biofilms and might help identify therapeutic targets. Thu, 01 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430120745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428082653.htm For the first time ever, the thread-like adhesive attachment organs of the bacterium Escherichia coli have been copied in a test tube. Biologists did this using purified proteins extracted from the bacteria and from which the pili are composed. The most important discoveries include a catalyst protein that greatly accelerates the assembly of the modules of the pili. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428082653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425103338.htm A new study presents the first evidence that harmful pathogens frequently linked with food-borne illnesses are more commonly found on younger inner leaves than on older outer leaves of romaine lettuce. Lettuce is the fresh produce item most commonly implicated in epidemics of food-borne illness, while Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica are the most frequently attributed bacterial agents. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425103338.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428090704.htm Ants may be an unwelcome intruder at picnics, but they could soon be a welcome guest in your medicine cabinet. Chemists in China report identification of substances in a certain species of ants that show promise for fighting arthritis, hepatitis, and other diseases. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428090704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425095200.htm Protozoa found on lettuce and spinach may sequester harmful food-borne pathogens ultimately contributing to their survival on produce surfaces. Several outbreaks of food-borne illnesses attributed to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica have received national attention in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fresh produce was the most significant source of food-borne illness in 2005. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425095200.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423181124.htm It may not be an ideal topic for polite conversation, but human beings are swarming with bacteria: Even the average healthy adult plays host to about 100 trillion microscopic organisms. Infection takes place when the bacteria get out of hand. Now, a new history of the struggle between man and bacteria -- and warns that humankind someday may lose its advantage. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423181124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080420110441.htm New research has revealed novel pseudomonad compounds and toxins with potential benefits for plants and people. Pseudomonads are a diverse group of bacteria, some of which harm plants and animals, while others are beneficial. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080420110441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417142500.htm Researchers have made a major advance in understanding how bacteria divide. This could lead to new antibiotic treatments that prevent dangerous bacteria from multiplying. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417142500.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422123050.htm Tuberculosis has long been one of the world's great killers. Now, forms of drug-resistant TB -- multi-drug (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) -- are occurring at an ominous and accelerating rate. To help in the fight against drug-resistant TB, NIAID has formulated an MDR and XDR TB research agenda. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422123050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417175221.htm Songbirds feeding near the contaminated South River are showing high levels of mercury, even though they aren't eating food from the river itself, according to a new article in Science. Mercury is one of the world's most troublesome pollutants, especially in water. "The birds eat a lot of spiders... The spiders have a lot of mercury in them and are delivering the mercury to these songbirds," one of the researchers said. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417175221.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080418133406.htm Scientists have discovered that tiny filaments on bacteria can bundle together and pull with forces far stronger than experts had previously thought possible. Retraction forces from a bundle allow the bacterium to move objects 100,000 times its body weight. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080418133406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416140945.htm Salmonella are wily and obnoxious bacterial invaders -- escape artists capable of evading multiple immune responses and causing a harsh and debilitating intestinal infection. Researchers have come closer to understanding how these bacteria manage to thwart two major categories of immune defenses at once and set up shop in a host organism. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416140945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415101006.htm An investigation of processes accompanying spore formation in the bacteria B. subtilis shows that chance plays a significant role in determining which of the microbes sacrifice themselves for the colony and which go on to form spores. The results, which appear in Molecular Systems Biology, highlight the degree to which individual bacteria can deviate from population-wide norms. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415101006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153655.htm Washing fresh fruits and vegetables before eating may reduce the risk of food poisoning and those awful episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. But washing alone -- even with chlorine disinfectants -- may not be enough, according to a new study. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153655.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414082525.htm The hunter-versus-hunted phenomenon exemplified by a pack of lionesses chasing down a lonely gazelle has been recreated in a Petri dish with lowly bacteria. Researchers have developed a living system using genetically altered bacteria that he believes can provide new insights into how the population levels of prey influence the levels of predators, and vice-versa. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414082525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411083006.htm Following an outbreak or a bioterrorist attack, standard DNA sequencing and analysis of a pathogen genome for rapid identification of genetic changes or manipulations is time-intensive and likely impractical during an emergency. Researchers have now developed a comparative genomics strategy to drastically reduce the time needed to accurately identify unique genetic properties of a potential outbreak strain. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411083006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410101203.htm Washing fresh fruits and vegetables alone -- even with chlorine disinfectants -- may not be enough to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Studies show that certain disease-causing microbes can make their way inside the leaves of lettuce, spinach and other vegetables and fruit, where surface treatments cannot reach. Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410101203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408105816.htm A team has solved important puzzles concerning how certain proteins guide the reproduction of bacteria. Solving the Z ring's mysteries may lead to new antibiotics. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408105816.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405092836.htm Beneficial flower-dwelling bacteria could soon join the fight against Fusarium graminearum, the fungus that causes Fusarium head blight disease ("scab") in wheat, barley and other cereal crops. Plant pathologists believe that the naturally occurring bacteria may compete with F. graminearum for nutrients exuded by the wheat plant's anthers. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405092836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407190600.htm If you've always suspected there are unknown things living in the dark and dusty corners of your home and office, scientists are now one step closer to cataloguing exactly what might be lurking in your indoor environment. Buildings have their own pattern of bacteria in indoor dust, which includes species normally found in the human gut, according to new research. Bacteria in indoor dust are diverse, thanks to the people around us. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407190600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409132423.htm Doxycycline alone is more effective against the most common form of filariasis in Southeast Asia than the standard treatment, with significantly fewer side effects, according to a new study. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409132423.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080406155621.htm Mud may be coming to a medicine cabinet or pharmacy near you. Scientists report that minerals from clay could form the basis of a new generation of inexpensive, highly effective antimicrobials for fighting MRSA infections that are moving out of health care settings and into the community. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080406155621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405170910.htm Don't be surprised if you see of hundreds of dead birds along the southeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake during the next few weeks. More than 15,000 birds died on the lake last fall. Most of the birds were eared grebes. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405170910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407074556.htm Despite their reputation for deadly attacks on humans and pets, alligators are wiggling their way toward a new role as potential lifesavers in medicine. Scientists report that proteins in gator blood may provide powerful new antibiotics to help fight infections associated with diabetic ulcers, severe burns and "superbugs" that are resistant to conventional medication. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407074556.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080406175047.htm Chemists in Colorado now are reporting solutions to two major problems with bamboo fabrics that may speed adoption of this amazing plant -- which grows like Jack's beanstalk without special care -- in garments and other consumer products. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080406175047.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401225633.htm While investigating the tropical disease leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon, an infectious disease specialist has uncovered new, emerging bacteria that may be responsible for up to 40 percent of cases of the disease. Patients with severe forms of leptospirosis have jaundice, renal failure and lung hemorrhage, with high fatality rates. Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401225633.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401200449.htm Some of the oxygen we breathe today is being produced because of viruses infecting micro-organisms in the world's oceans according to scientists. About half the world's oxygen is being produced by tiny photosynthesising creatures called phytoplankton in the major oceans. Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401200449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401200446.htm Coral reefs could be dying out because of changes to the microbes that live in them just as much as from the direct rise in temperature caused by global warming, according to scientists. Tropical ecosystems are currently balanced on a climate change knife edge. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401200446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401200444.htm Natural sugars found in breast milk that are now included in prebiotic foods may help in the fight against Salmonella and other food poisoning bacteria. The sugars, or oligosaccharides, are called galacto-oligosaccharides and are already known to improve the health of breast-fed infants. They may also reduce the chances of Salmonella bacteria damaging the gut during a food poisoning episode, reducing the overall damage and severity of the infection. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401200444.htm